Google and Amazon both reported significant emissions increases in 2025, driven by the energy demands of AI data centers. Google's overall emissions rose 25% year over year, while Amazon's increased 16%, reaching nearly 80.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Scope 3 emissions, including supply chain and capital goods, accounted for the largest share of the growth, complicating each company's path to net zero by 2040. The reports highlight a growing tension between AI infrastructure expansion and corporate climate pledges. As data center capacity grows faster than grid decarbonization, both companies face rising carbon intensity per dollar of revenue. Amazon's chief sustainability officer expressed confidence in long term progress, but the data shows emissions climbing faster than the grid is cleaning up. This story matters for anyone tracking the real world intersection of AI growth and climate targets.
