Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year

# Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year Source: [https://www.theverge.com/tech/963728/microsoft-sustainability-report-2026](https://www.theverge.com/tech/963728/microsoft-sustainability-report-2026) [Skip to main content](https://www.theverge.com/tech/963728/microsoft-sustainability-report-2026#content) The company’s annual sustainability report also says sustainability solutions aren’t keeping up with AI demands\. The company’s annual sustainability report also says sustainability solutions aren’t keeping up with AI demands\. by Jul 10, 2026, 12:04 AM UTC   Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images [](https://www.theverge.com/authors/stevie-bonifield) Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech\. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI\. Microsoft may once again be struggling to keep up with its own climate goals, according to its[2026 sustainability report](https://cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com/is/content/microsoftcorp/microsoft/msc/documents/presentations/CSR/2026-Microsoft-Environmental-Sustainability-Report-PDF.pdf)\. As reported by[*GeekWire*](https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microsofts-carbon-emissions-climb-25-as-tech-giants-grapple-with-ais-energy-toll/), the report states that Microsoft’s carbon emissions increased 25 percent in 2025, totalling 34 million metric tons “without select interventions\.” Microsoft says this was “driven primarily by the expansion of our datacenter infrastructure,” as well as the company’s[decision last February](https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/02/13/progress-on-the-road-to-2030/)to stop purchasing “non\-additional, unbundled renewable energy certificates\.” Several years ago, Microsoft set itself a goal to[be carbon negative by 2030](https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/16/21068799/microsoft-carbon-capture-climate-change), meaning it will need to remove more carbon emissions than it produces\. This isn’t the first time Microsoft has faced setbacks toward accomplishing that goal, as its[2024 sustainability report](https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/15/24157496/microsoft-ai-carbon-footprint-greenhouse-gas-emissions-grow-climate-pledge)showed a similar rise in climate pollution\. This year’s report admits that, “While AI infrastructure is driving demand for energy, water, land, and materials, sustainability solutions are not scaling fast enough to meet demand\.” Google similarly reported a 25 percent spike in its supply chain emissions in its[2026 sustainability report](https://sustainability.google/reports/google-2026-environmental-report/), with Amazon[reporting](https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/2025-amazon-sustainability-report.pdf)a slightly lower 16 percent increase\. In June, Amazon also reported that its[data centers used 2\.5 billion gallons of water](https://www.theverge.com/tech/948534/amazon-data-centers-water-use)in 2025, which it claims is less than Microsoft used\. **Follow topics and authors**from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates\. - Stevie Bonifield ## The Verge Daily A free daily digest of the news that matters most\.