Amazon's carbon emissions jumped 16% in 2025. The driver: massive data center buildout

Amazon's latest sustainability report indicates a 16% jump in carbon emissions for 2025, primarily driven by its multi-billion dollar data center expansion. The company's indirect emissions from electricity purchases rose by 34%, attributed to data center usage, the electrification of its delivery network, and building electrification. This increase casts doubt on Amazon's commitment to its 2019 "Climate Pledge" to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to demand more energy and infrastructure.

Kara Hurst, Amazon's Chief Sustainability Officer, acknowledged AI's significant energy, water, and infrastructure requirements in the 2025 report, describing it as a major force transforming possibilities while also creating new demands. However, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice criticized Hurst's focus, stating that Amazon's overall emissions have increased by 58% since the climate pledge was made. Eliza Pan, a spokesperson for the group, voiced employees' distrust in Amazon's willingness to prioritize responsible actions over short-term profits.

While Brandon Oyer, who develops energy portfolios for Amazon Web Services, highlighted a 38% decrease in Amazon's carbon intensity since 2019 (emissions relative to revenue growth), environmentalists argue that total emissions are the crucial metric for addressing global warming. Sarah Tracy, another member of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, called for Amazon to engage in serious discussions about developing AI more sustainably, emphasizing that many ideas exist for a more responsible approach.