Microsoft's Data Centers Contribute to Rising Global Emissions, Study Withdrawn from Nature
A climate change study published in April 2024 was retracted from the journal Nature due to significant errors. This study had been utilized by the World Bank, OECD, and central banks worldwide to model climate risks.
Microsoft operates 400 data centers globally and has seen a 23% increase in emissions over the past five years, failing to meet its climate neutrality goals. Each new data center requires significant amounts of steel and cement, contributing to nearly 17% of global emissions.
The Newport, Wales data center will be 25,000 square meters, with Microsoft investing $80 billion in new capacity in 2024. Global data centers consumed 460 terawatt-hours of energy last year, equivalent to France's total energy use. The IEA estimates this year's carbon emissions will reach at least 200 million tons, matching the total emissions of the United Arab Emirates.
