AI companies should release environmental impact, commit to clean energy, says UN chief
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged artificial intelligence companies to disclose their carbon, water, and land usage and commit to powering their facilities with renewable energy by 2030. Speaking at London Climate Action Week, Guterres proposed an AI Environmental Transparency Initiative to address the growing environmental impact of the industry. This call comes amidst increasing pressure on AI companies for transparency regarding data center impacts.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a global call to action on Tuesday, urging artificial intelligence companies to commit to environmental transparency and clean energy practices. Speaking at London Climate Action Week, Guterres proposed an "AI Environmental Transparency Initiative," which would require AI companies to publicly disclose their carbon emissions, water consumption, and land usage related to their operations.
The UN chief emphasized the growing environmental footprint of AI, particularly due to the energy and resource demands of data centers that power these technologies. He called for an end to "hidden costs" and urged AI companies to fully fund their transition to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by 2030.
Guterres's address highlighted increasing pressure on the AI industry from governments and local communities, particularly in areas hosting data centers, for greater accountability and standardized environmental reporting. He stressed the importance of these disclosures to curb the rapid growth of data centers and ensure the sustainable development of AI.