Data centers emit 57% more CO2 than expected, according to a study

An analysis by Allianz Trade estimates data center emissions at 286 million tons of CO2 in 2025, well above the International Energy Agency's projections.

A study published by Allianz Trade estimates that data centers emitted around 286 million tons of CO2 in 2025, 57% more than the projections made by the International Energy Agency. Artificial intelligence already accounts for between 15 and 20% of the electricity consumption of these infrastructures, a share that could rise to 40% by 2030.

Without efforts to decarbonize power grids, data center emissions could more than double by 2030, generating about $154 billion in annual climate damage compared to $68 billion today. Nearly 70% of global data center emissions are currently concentrated in the United States and China, the two leading AI powerhouses.