The United Nations has called on major artificial intelligence companies to publicly disclose the environmental cost of their data centres and shift fully to renewable energy, as concerns grow over the sector’s rapidly rising resource use.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched a new transparency initiative during London Climate Action Week, warning that the expansion of AI infrastructure could place significant strain on global energy and water supplies if left unchecked.
He said AI data centres could, by 2030, consume more electricity than all but five countries and use enough water to meet the basic needs of 1.3 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa for an entire year.
“By 2030, they could use more power than all but five countries – and enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3 billion residents of sub-Saharan Africa for an entire year,” he said.
Guterres urged firms to measure and disclose their water, carbon and land footprints while committing to powering all data centres with renewable energy by 2030. He stressed that transparency was essential if AI was to support sustainable development.
“If AI is to help build a better future, it must be honest about what it costs us now,” he said.
The UN chief also criticised continued reliance on fossil fuels, noting that some companies are still turning to gas or considering nuclear power for new facilities despite voluntary net-zero pledges across the industry.
He said expanding renewable energy capacity and electrifying transport, buildings and industry would be among the fastest ways to cut emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Guterres also issued a separate call targeting methane emissions, urging fossil fuel companies to fix leaks, end routine flaring and adopt science-based global standards.
He is expected to convene world leaders in September ahead of COP31 in Turkey to accelerate global efforts towards a “just transition” away from fossil fuels.
Reuters
