Sustainable AI: What Tech Companies Need to Achieve Net Zero Goals

Tech companies have been working for decades to achieve carbon neutrality. In 2007, Google reported that it had achieved this goal and will continue to work on it.

However, the rapid progress in the AI industry has caused significant environmental costs for these companies. The energy required to power AI is enough to increase the carbon footprint in the atmosphere.

In 2024, reports revealed that Google's carbon footprint has increased by 50% in five years due to the AI boom. Aside from Google, other leading AI companies are also faced with the same problem.

As global awareness of climate change intensifies, tech giants are under immense pressure. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are just some of the companies that have pledged to the net zero goal starting in 2030.

Achieving net zero emissions is a challenging yet potentially feasible goal for tech companies. Here are some efforts that they can take to reach this goal:

Carbon Offsetting, Removal

Carbon offsetting is the common way used by large corporations to neutralize their overall emissions.

Google pledged in 2024 $35 million worth of carbon removal credits over the next 12 months while Amazon launched the Right Now Climate Fund.

In addition, there are also carbon removal technologies that can be used to capture, store, and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. However, climate experts are still investigating the pros and cons of the technology.

Renewable Energy Transition

Transitioning to renewable energy sources is considered the most basic way to mitigate the effects of climate change. Sources like wind, solar, and hydro are just waiting to be utilized.

Companies can also purchase renewable energy credits to offset their emissions. Regardless, the idea of powering AI data centers using renewable energy can promote energy efficiency.

Sustainable AI Development

AI companies should focus on creating more energy-efficient AI algorithms to prevent increasing carbon emissions. The existing models should be optimized to reduce the energy needed during training and inference.

They are also responsible for ensuring that their suppliers adhere to sustainable practices. For instance, Apple has been double-checking its supply chain to achieve carbon neutrality.

Basic promotion of recycling and reuse of electric components from the facilities can minimize waste and reduce the overall environmental impact. The actions should not be focused on offsetting only but rather on making policy changes as well.

Regulatory Compliance, Collaboration

The regulations for sustainable tech development should be imposed strictly. Companies who are competing in the AI race should adhere to and advocate for sustainable practices.

Collective progress among companies could have a long-term impact on individuals, allowing them to prioritize sustainability even on small actions.

Tech companies should also welcome collaboration with academic institutions and climate experts to fully grasp the idea of developing sustainable AI.

The path to net zero is challenging as the AI boom increases the complexity of the task. However, if companies are willing to adhere to their pledges it could be a feasible goal.