The United Nations warns that the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers could significantly strain global water and energy supplies by 2030, raising urgent sustainability concerns.
A recent report from the United Nations has raised alarms about the environmental implications of artificial intelligence (AI). The UN cautions that the swift growth of AI-powered data centers could lead to a dramatic increase in global demand for water, electricity, and land resources by the end of the decade.
The report, published by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, estimates that global data centers could consume as much as 945 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030—more than double the current consumption levels. Additionally, researchers project that water consumption could reach 9.3 trillion liters per year, a volume comparable to the annual needs of approximately 1.3 billion people.
In 2025, data centers were reported to consume about 448 terawatt-hours of electricity and 4.5 trillion liters of water globally. Notably, AI workloads accounted for roughly one-fifth of that electricity demand, a share that is expected to grow significantly as companies expand their generative AI services and large language models.
Researchers emphasized that AI should not be viewed merely as software. The technology relies on a vast physical infrastructure that encompasses data centers, power generation systems, cooling networks, semiconductor manufacturing, as well as land and water resources.
Beyond the implications for energy and water use, the report warns that the expansion of AI could also lead to increased carbon emissions, electronic waste, and pressures on land use. If current growth trends continue, carbon emissions associated with data centers could approach 400 million metric tons annually by 2030.
The findings come at a time when technology companies are racing to build new AI infrastructure. Major firms, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI, and Meta, have announced multibillion-dollar investments in data centers to meet the growing demand for AI products and services.
In response to increasing criticism, some companies have started to implement water-replenishment programs, alternative cooling technologies, and sustainability commitments. For instance, Google has pledged additional investments in water conservation projects and has promised greater transparency regarding data center water usage.
UN researchers have urged governments to adopt stronger transparency standards and sustainability policies, arguing that the environmental footprint of AI must become a central topic in public policy discussions as the technology becomes increasingly integral to the global economy.
These findings underscore the urgent need for a balanced approach to technological advancement, ensuring that the benefits of AI do not come at the expense of vital natural resources.
According to The American Bazaar, the UN’s report highlights the critical intersection of technology and sustainability as we move towards a more AI-driven future.