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Amazon Emissions Climb 6% in 2024 on Data Centers, Fuel Use
In 2024, Amazon.com's carbon emissions increased for the first time in three years, rising to 68.25 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, a 6% increase from the previous year. This rise is attributed to the construction of data centers needed to support AI applications and increased fuel consumption from delivery providers. Since its 2019 commitment to eliminate carbon emissions by 2040, Amazon's emissions have grown by a third. The demand for greater electricity to fuel advanced technologies has also contributed to a 1% rise in emissions from purchased electricity, marking the first uptick since reporting began in 2019.
Environmental activists have expressed concern that the boom in data centers has led to increased electricity demand, which in turn has revived the use of natural gas and coal-fueled power. Traditionally, many tech companies had been moving away from these energy sources in their efforts to adopt cleaner energy solutions. However, Amazon and other major tech firms including Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft are exploring carbon-free energy options, such as nuclear power.
Experts in transportation stress that while technological advancements, like AI, hold great promise for efficiency and productivity, they must be balanced with responsible energy consumption and sustainability practices. The transportation sector, which heavily relies on logistics companies like Amazon, faces similar challenges as it seeks to reduce emissions while meeting increasing demand for services. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving efficiency within transportation networks is critical for mitigating environmental impact and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Environmental activists have expressed concern that the boom in data centers has led to increased electricity demand, which in turn has revived the use of natural gas and coal-fueled power. Traditionally, many tech companies had been moving away from these energy sources in their efforts to adopt cleaner energy solutions. However, Amazon and other major tech firms including Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft are exploring carbon-free energy options, such as nuclear power.
Experts in transportation stress that while technological advancements, like AI, hold great promise for efficiency and productivity, they must be balanced with responsible energy consumption and sustainability practices. The transportation sector, which heavily relies on logistics companies like Amazon, faces similar challenges as it seeks to reduce emissions while meeting increasing demand for services. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving efficiency within transportation networks is critical for mitigating environmental impact and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
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