AI Boom Hits Tech Giants' Carbon Neutrality Promises: Surge in Natural Gas Use Makes Emission Reduction Goals a 'Moon Shot'

The AI boom is posing severe challenges to tech giants' carbon neutrality commitments. Google once planned to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, now calling it a 'moon shot'; Microsoft still sticks to its 2030 carbon-negative goal but admits it's a 'marathon, not a sprint.'

Data shows emissions of leading tech firms are rising: Google's up by nearly 50%, Amazon by 33%, and Meta's by over 60%. Data centers account for 4.6% of U.S. total electricity use, which may triple by 2028, with natural gas supplying over 40% of U.S. data center power.

The Trump administration's crackdown on renewable energy has worsened the situation. While companies invest in clean energy, they still rely on natural gas; some new gas-fired plants will operate for about 30 years, delaying global energy transition.