The Urgency of Climate Action
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on artificial intelligence (AI) companies to reveal their environmental impact as part of a broader push for accelerated global action against climate change. His remarks came during a speech in London, where he highlighted the alarming trend of the planet experiencing its 11 hottest years on record.
Guterres emphasized that "climate chaos is accelerating before our eyes," while the ongoing energy crisis, driven by conflicts in the Middle East, has exposed the dangers of reliance on fossil fuels. He referenced Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" to illustrate the dual crises facing the world today: one related to climate change and the other to the energy sector's dependence on hydrocarbons.
AI and Environmental Responsibility
As Europe experiences another heatwave, Guterres stressed the need for a rapid shift towards renewable energy sources. He announced new initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions and addressing the environmental impact of data centres, which are becoming increasingly energy-intensive due to the growth of AI and digital services.
These vast server warehouses consume significant amounts of electricity, water, and land, placing pressure on local communities and the environment. Guterres urged AI companies to measure and publicly disclose their environmental footprint and commit to using renewable energy for all their data centres by 2030.
A recent UN study revealed that data centres consumed more electricity than all but 10 countries in 2025. By 2030, they could surpass even those top five countries. According to the International Energy Agency, about 30% of the electricity used by data centres comes from coal, followed by renewables at 27%, natural gas at 26%, and nuclear at 15%.
Global Collaboration for Sustainable Data Centres
In response to these challenges, a coalition of cities launched the "Global Urban Data Centres Pact." This initiative aims to ensure that data centres are built with minimal environmental impact. London Mayor Sadiq Khan noted that AI and digital infrastructure will be crucial for the future prosperity of cities, but residents expect responsible management of this growth.
A Call for Greater Urgency
Guterres’ warnings come amid Europe’s latest heatwave, which has brought record temperatures to France and other European countries. He warned that the world is dangerously off track in achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Scientists suggest that the 1.5°C warming threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement could be breached by 2030.
"We must act with far greater urgency to strictly limit the magnitude and duration of any overshoot beyond 1.5C," Guterres said. The UN Scientific Advisory Board released a report highlighting the risks of crossing irreversible climate tipping points, such as ice melt leading to higher sea levels, coral reef collapse, and Amazon decline.
Reducing Methane Emissions
Guterres called for a rapid reduction in CO2 emissions from oil, gas, and coal, which are the primary drivers of long-term warming. He also emphasized the need to curb methane emissions, which account for one-third of global warming and are significantly more potent than CO2. Methane breaks down in the atmosphere within a decade or two, making it a critical target for immediate action.
He urged the agriculture and waste sectors to take steps to reduce their methane output but placed particular emphasis on the fossil fuel industry to address the issue. Guterres pointed out that around 70% of oil and gas methane emissions can be eliminated with existing technology. However, over 167 billion cubic metres of gas were flared in 2025 alone, equivalent to Africa's annual consumption.
A New Global Standard
Guterres called on governments to establish a new global standard for the oil and gas sector that would lead to near-zero methane emissions. His message was clear: the time for action is now, and the world must rise to the challenge of protecting the planet for future generations.
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