Microsoft’s emissions rose 25% last year. Experts say they’ll surge even more dramatically in the years ahead

Microsoft’s total emissions increased 25% in 2025, according to its latest sustainability report, adding to the trend of tech companies polluting more heavily as they ramp up AI data centers. And the company’s emissions are set to keep surging, outside analysts say, as it relies on fossil fuels to power that infrastructure. Microsoft says the increase last year was “driven primarily” by the growth of its AI data centers and its decision to pause its use of certain renewable energy certificates. The tech giant reiterated that it still aims to be carbon negative by 2030, per the sustainabilit...