Since 2019, Google's carbon emissions have skyrocketed by 51%, a surge primarily attributed to the burgeoning energy demand of data centers, fueled by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Despite the company's ongoing commitment to renewable energy and carbon removal technologies, indirect emissions from downstream supply chains, categorized as 'Scope 3' emissions, continue to pose the greatest challenge. In 2024, Google's electricity consumption witnessed a 27% year-on-year increase, with total greenhouse gas emissions reaching 11.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, marking an 11% rise from the previous year.

To tackle this pressing issue, Google is accelerating its efforts to procure clean energy and has surpassed its goal of eliminating plastic packaging, achieving it ahead of schedule. The company aims to leverage AI and other innovative technologies to slash emissions by 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, demonstrating its resolve to navigate the environmental paradox posed by AI's growing footprint.