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AI data centers could deepen fossil fuel dominance, study warns
According to the article, Google and Microsoft carbon emissions rose 25% year over year from 2025 to 2026, while Amazon increased 16%.
AI could extend fossil fuel dominance as hyperscalers expand data centers faster than the energy sector can add clean supply, according to a study cited by OilPrice.
The article says Big Tech is seeing its carbon footprint rise at double digit rates tied to the AI boom, and it points to official company figures showing Google and Microsoft emissions each jumping 25% year over year from 2025 to 2026, while Amazon increased by 16%.
OilPrice adds that, over the last fiscal year, the three companies emitted as much carbon dioxide equivalent as about a third of France, totaling 19 million metric tonnes, and the report expects the figures to keep climbing.
The article also links the trend to Amazon’s investment in a large scale natural gas burning power plant for a data center buildout in South Texas, which OilPrice says would be permitted to release 33 million tons of carbon dioxide a year if built to planned specifications.
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