Microsoft's carbon emissions climbed 25% in 2025 as AI data center boom strains climate goals

The company produced 34 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent last year, putting its 2030 carbon-negative pledge under pressure

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Microsoft $MSFT reported Thursday that its total greenhouse gas emissions rose 25% in fiscal year 2025, driven by the rapid expansion of its data center infrastructure and a decision to stop purchasing certain types of renewable energy certificates.

Gross output reached 34 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the year; once carbon removal credits were factored out, that figure fell to a net 20 million metric tons, compared with 16 million metric tons in the preceding fiscal year. Microsoft's total electricity consumption grew 24% over the same period,........

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