A new UN study reveals that data centres in Hong Kong have some of the highest carbon footprints globally, driven by the city's heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity. The report shows Hong Kong's grid carbon intensity is 43% above the global average, with Indonesia and India even higher at 62% and 51% respectively. Hong Kong gets 67% of its energy from fossil fuels, 32% from nuclear, and only 1% from renewables. The study warns that by 2030, data centres could consume 945 terawatt-hours of energy annually, nearly triple the combined electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. AI model usage accounts for 80-90% of data centre energy demand, not just training. The report also highlights water and land impacts, though Hong Kong ranks lower on those due to its fossil fuel-heavy energy mix requiring less land for renewables.
