UN Calls for AI Firms to Disclose Environmental Impact

The recent report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) addresses the significant environmental footprint of the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) industry. As AI continues to thrive, with the global market projected to grow from $189 billion in 2023 to an astounding $4.8 trillion by 2033, the report highlights critical concerns regarding the sustainability of this growth.

Environmental Impact of AI Infrastructure

Kaveh Madani, director of UNU-INWEH, emphasized the urgency for AI providers to adopt standardized environmental reporting to enhance transparency in the sector. The report titled “Environmental Cost of AI’s Energy Use: Carbon, Water, and Land Footprints” reveals alarming statistics about energy consumption and ecological degradation caused by data centers that support AI technologies.

Data centers reportedly consumed 448 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2025, positioning them just below France in terms of national electricity consumption. Furthermore, AI workloads accounted for approximately 20% of total data center electricity use, a figure expected to soar to 40% by the year 2030. This surge in energy consumption is projected to result in data centers exceeding 945 TWh, emitting 399 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent—more than the UK’s total net emissions.

Water and Land Consumption

The environmental costs extend beyond carbon emissions. The report warns that data center operations may consume 9.32 trillion liters of water by 2030, sufficient to satisfy the annual basic water needs of the entire sub-Saharan African population. Additionally, land occupied by data centers could expand to 18 times the size of New York City, reflecting the staggering physical footprint AI technologies leave behind.

AI’s Place in the Digital Divide

The report sheds light on the increasing digital divide, as AI-specialized data centers are predominantly situated in the United States, China, and the European Union. In contrast, many developing nations bear the brunt of environmental degradation linked to mineral extraction and waste disposal related to AI operations. This imbalance calls for proactive measures and policies to govern AI development responsibly.

Encouraging Sustainable Practices

Madani clarified that the report does not aim to demonize AI but emphasizes the necessity of monitoring its environmental impacts before they escalate. Suggestions for improvement include better efficiency for AI systems and governmental regulations requiring routine environmental disclosures from AI firms.

Moreover, individual users hold the potential to contribute to sustainability efforts by opting for less energy-intensive options for tasks they might otherwise complete using conventional methods. For instance, a recent finding indicated that a single AI-enhanced internet search may consume ten times the energy of a traditional search. This underscores the importance of awareness in user behavior, aligning with the sentiments of co-author Miriam Aczel, who urged for knowledge and information dissemination to drive behavioral change.

Ultimately, the United Nations urges AI firms and their users to collaborate in preserving our planet’s resources while capitalizing on the innovative prospects of AI technology.