UN chief urges AI firms to disclose environmental impact

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on AI companies to disclose the carbon pollution, water use and land demands tied to their operations, proposing an AI Environmental Transparency Initiative during London Climate Action Week. He said the industry should measure and report the environmental costs of fast-growing AI infrastructure as governments and communities push for clearer, more standardized data on data centers.

Guterres also urged AI companies to commit to powering facilities with renewable electricity, including wind and solar, by 2030. Many major tech companies have made cleaner power pledges, but rapid AI deployment has complicated those commitments as electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions rise. Coal supplies about 30% of the electricity consumed by data centers globally, while renewables supply about 27%, natural gas 26%, and nuclear 15%, according to the International Energy Agency.

A recent U.N. report warned that the water, energy use and pollution associated with AI will double in just four years. Data centers supporting AI accounted for about 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2025 and are projected to account for nearly 3% by 2030. Guterres framed transparency around AI infrastructure as part of a broader push to cut fossil fuel dependence and keep climate goals within reach.