AI climate benefits overstated says new civil society report

Environmental advocates say the ‘AI for climate’ narrative risks distracting from companies moving away from their emissions targets.
Civil society groups warn that claims about AI solving climate change are masking the growing emissions impact of expanding data centres.

Environmental groups, including Beyond Fossil Fuels and Stand.earth, have published a report challenging claims that AI will meaningfully address climate change. The analysis argues that rapid data centre expansion is being justified by overstated promises of ‘AI for climate’ benefits.

Researchers found that many cited emissions reductions relate to older forms of machine learning rather than energy-intensive generative AI systems. At the same time, rising electricity demand from large-scale AI deployment is driving increased fossil fuel use.

The report also questions evidence presented by corporations and institutions such as the International Energy Agency, stating that projected climate gains are often weak or exaggerated. Companies are reported to be drifting away from climate targets even when renewable energy offsets are included.

Campaigners say framing AI as a climate solution risks distracting from corporate decisions that increase pollution and digital infrastructure growth. They call for stronger accountability and clearer scrutiny of environmental claims linked to emerging technologies.

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