The technology giant has set itself the goal of achieving net zero emissions by the end of the decade. But now, as the company plunges into the artificial intelligence race, the tech giant admitted that reducing energy consumption from current levels “could be challenging”.
Google has admitted that its greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 48% over the past five years – largely due to artificial intelligence – which has thwarted its climate goals.
AI systems require intensive levels of computing power, and this has increased the pressure on the tech giant’s data centers around the world.
In its latest environmental report, Google further warned that reducing these emissions “can be challenging” – especially when building new infrastructure.
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Earlier this year, the company announced it would invest £788m in the UK to set up a brand new data center in direct response to growing demand for AI.
But all this comes as Google approaches its goal of achieving net zero emissions by the end of the decade.
Concerns are growing about the impact AI could have on climate change as its adoption continues to grow.
A recent study by the International Energy Agency predicted that the amount of electricity used by data centers could double between 2022 and 2026.
Although Google’s figures reveal that most of its data centers in Europe and America get most of their energy from carbon-free sources, this is not always the case.
This is because locations in the Middle East, Asia and Australia use a much smaller share of energy from cleaner sources.
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Google says it is “actively working on” the “significant challenges” it faces – and some initiatives put in place to reduce emissions may not be immediately beneficial.
The report added: “While we have perfected clean energy in many of the networks where we operate, there are still some hard-to-decarbonise regions, such as Asia and the Pacific, where CFE (carbon-free energy) is not readily available.
“Additionally, we often see longer lead times between initial investment and construction of clean energy projects and the resulting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
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Google went on to claim that AI could ultimately help the world meet key climate goals and even improve weather forecasting – a sentiment shared by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
But Lisa Sachs of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment says Google needs to do more to partner with cleaner companies and invest in the power grid.
“The reality is that we are way beyond what we could do right now with the technology that we have, with the resources that we have, in terms of progressing the transition,” she said.
And while Ms Sachs praised Google for its honesty, she warned that tough conversations were needed so it “doesn’t get worse before it gets better”.
Amanda Smith – chief scientist at climate non-profit organization Project Drawdown – added that artificial intelligence should be used responsibly and only when the resulting energy consumption benefits society.