The big tech industry’s assertions regarding the climate benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) have come under scrutiny, with a new report branding these claims as largely unsubstantiated. Released today, the report reveals that 74% of statements about AI’s positive impact on climate action lack solid proof, suggesting that they primarily serve the financial interests of tech and fossil fuel companies while downplaying the significant environmental costs associated with generative AI.
The analysis, which examines 154 claims from technology giants like Google and Microsoft, as well as institutions such as the International Energy Agency, is the first of its kind to critically evaluate whether AI can genuinely contribute to climate mitigation efforts. The report comes just days ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring the growing relevance of this issue in global discussions.
According to the findings, only 26% of the claims made by these organizations were supported by published academic papers, while 36% of the assertions cited no evidence whatsoever. The majority relied on weak forms of evidence, lacking the rigor of peer-reviewed studies.
Authored by climate and energy analyst Ketan Joshi and commissioned by a coalition of environmental organizations—including Stand.earth, Beyond Fossil Fuels, and Friends of the Earth U.S.—the report highlights a troubling trend. It shows that claims about the benefits of AI in supporting climate action often confuse the environmental costs associated with generative AI systems like ChatGPT and Copilot with the lower energy consumption of traditional AI models used for tasks like forecasting wind patterns. This confusion, termed a bait-and-switch, is posited as a new form of greenwashing by the tech industry.
Notably, the report found no instances where consumer-oriented generative AI systems resulted in measurable reductions in emissions. The evidence presented indicates that the environmental consequences of these technologies are serious and immediate, overshadowing any purported climate benefits.
Nathan Taft, Senior Campaigner at Stand.earth, commented: “The sheer scale of these AI data center buildouts could have global implications for the climate, and it also comes with serious impacts for local communities. The least these corporations can do is ensure that demand isn’t met with fossil fuels that pollute local communities.”
Ketan Joshi stated: “It appears tech companies are using vagueness about what happens within energy-hogging data centres to greenwash a planet-wrecking expansion. The promises of planet-saving tech remain hollow, while AI data centers breathe life into coal and gas every day.”
Jill McArdle, International Corporate Campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels, emphasized the distraction caused by Big Tech’s AI hype: “There is simply no evidence that AI will help the climate more than it will harm it. We cannot bet the climate on these baseless claims.”
Michael Khoo, Policy Co-Chair at Climate Action Against Disinformation, added: “Governments must require basic transparency from the AI industry so communities can know how much energy is being exploited for this technology.”
The findings raise critical questions about the rapid expansion of AI and the environmental responsibilities of major tech firms. Advocates argue that companies should be held accountable for their energy consumption and emissions, as well as for the social and environmental justice implications of their technologies. The ongoing development of data centers, many of which are energy-intensive, must be scrutinized to ensure they align with global climate goals, especially as the demand for AI capabilities continues to escalate.
As the AI sector grows, the imperative for transparency and accountability in its environmental impact becomes increasingly urgent. Stakeholders are calling for disclosure of energy usage and emissions to ensure that technological advancements do not come at the expense of ecological sustainability.
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