UN chief calls on AI companies to disclose carbon, water, and land use for environmental impact

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging AI companies to publicly report the carbon emissions, water consumption, and land use associated with their data centers and operations. The request targets the growing environmental footprint of artificial intelligence as demand for computing power surges. Guterres made the call during a speech in London, emphasizing that transparency is a first step toward holding the tech sector accountable for its climate impact. He also encouraged companies to commit to sourcing clean energy for their operations, linking AI growth to broader grid decarbonization goals. The proposal raises practical questions about reporting standards and verification. Without a uniform framework, comparing disclosures across companies will be difficult. Still, the push signals growing regulatory attention on the energy and resource use behind AI infrastructure.