Microsoft says its carbon emissions increase 25% in 2025 as it expands its data center infrastructure to support artificial intelligence (AI). The company links the rise primarily to the growth of its data center footprint. Microsoft also cites changes in its renewable energy accounting and procurement: it pauses its use of “non-additional, unbundled renewable energy certificates” while it prioritizes investments tied to net-linked clean energy.
Other reporting frames the figure within a broader pattern among major cloud providers. TechRadar notes that similar metrics have risen for other large companies, including Google and Amazon, while Microsoft’s increase is characterized as part of an industry-wide challenge tied to expanded computing demand for AI workloads.
Across the coverage, Microsoft’s reported year-over-year increase and its stated drivers—data center expansion and renewable energy certificate strategy—are the central points. The articles do not present details on the size of the emissions inventory, absolute totals, or specific operational changes beyond the infrastructure and renewable energy certificate pause.
