UN Report Highlights AI's Unsustainable Resource Consumption by 2030
By 2030, AI's water consumption will equal that of 1.3 billion people, while its electricity use will surpass that of 650 million. These projections raise significant concerns about the sustainability and equity of AI infrastructure development globally.
Theia Market Signal Identification - AI Assisted
Global data centers are expected to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2030, nearly three times the annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria combined. This consumption will create a water footprint equivalent to the basic domestic water needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa and a land footprint exceeding 14,500 square kilometers.
The report underscores the disproportionate environmental impacts, with data centers consuming an estimated 448 terawatt-hours in 2025, highlighting the need for integrated AI infrastructure planning. Furthermore, AI infrastructure could generate up to 2.5 million tonnes of electronic waste annually by 2030, with critical mineral extraction occurring in regions with weak oversight. This situation presents a governance challenge, with asset management needing to account for the diverse environmental footprints of AI.
Comments