The United Nations has issued a stark warning, urging countries to address the growing environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). A report from the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health highlights that AI data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and water for cooling, while also contributing to pollution from chip production, critical minerals, and electronic waste.
Rising Energy Demand
According to the scientists, AI-related workloads accounted for roughly 20 per cent of total data centre electricity use in 2025. This figure is expected to rise to 40 per cent by the end of the decade. Such a surge in electricity consumption linked to AI could, by 2030, power the residential needs of all 1.3 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa for over two years.
Call for Sustainable Integration
Governments are being urged to ensure that decisions on AI infrastructure are integrated with energy planning, water governance, and land-use permitting. This approach is essential to guarantee the sustainable growth of the technology while mitigating its environmental footprint.
The report underscores the need for immediate action to balance the benefits of AI with the preservation of planetary resources. Without proper oversight, the rapid expansion of AI could exacerbate resource scarcity and environmental degradation.
