UN chief urges AI firms to disclose environmental costs

LONDON: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called on major artificial intelligence companies to publicly reveal the full environmental impact of their data centres and shift them to renewable energy, as he launched a new UN transparency initiative for the sector during London Climate Action Week.

The appeal comes as the rapid global expansion of data centres to power AI systems has faced growing scrutiny from environmental groups over heavy electricity and water consumption, as well as limited public disclosure. Guterres said companies should measure and openly report their water, carbon and land-use footprint and commit to running all data centres on renewable power by 2030 under the UN’s AI Environmental Transparency Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Guterres warned of the scale of the sector’s resource demands. He said, "By 2030, they could use ⁠more power than all but five countries – and enough water to meet the basic needs ​of all 1.3 billion residents of sub‑Saharan Africa for an entire year."

He also said, "If AI is to help build a better ​future, it must be honest about what it costs us now."

AI companies are currently relying on voluntary net-zero pledges and renewable electricity targets to lower emissions from their operations, while many are also turning to gas or promoting nuclear power for new projects.

Methane emissions call

Guterres said the world is still not on course to meet international climate targets and criticised calls for greater fossil fuel use. He said expanding renewable energy projects and using that power to electrify transport, buildings and industry remains among the quickest ways to reduce emissions and cut dependence on imported fossil fuels.

He also launched a separate call to action on methane, urging fossil fuel firms to repair leaks, end routine flaring and adopt a science-based global standard. Guterres said methane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for about one-third of current global warming.

Addressing the fossil fuel sector, he said, "I am urging the fossil fuel industry to step up and do what is long overdue."

Guterres also announced that he will convene world leaders in September ahead of the UN Climate Conference, COP31, in Turkey, to help advance what he described as a just transition away from fossil fuels.