Amazon Is Spewing a Record Breaking Amount of Pollution to Power Its AI Data Centers

Amazon’s rapid AI buildout is driving a record rise in emissions and electricity demand, according to Axios. In its newly released environmental report, the company said total electricity use jumped 34% across 2025, alongside a 16% increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Amazon also reported that its data centers consumed nearly 2.5 billion gallons of water last year. Emissions from “indirect sources” (described as manufacturing supply chains) were up 10% year over year and more than 21% versus 2019. The report’s details are spread across a 51-page document, with the disclosure table on page 46. Amazon also highlighted a “super pollutants” pledge tied to a $100 million commitment, while omitting how much comes from the company itself. The effort is framed by critics as part of broader corporate greenwashing.