Microsoft’s total emissions increased 25% during the 2025 fiscal year. Rapid expansion of data center infrastructure for artificial intelligence services primarily drove the surge. The company also stopped purchasing specific renewable energy certificates to provide a more transparent view of energy use.
Environmental group Stand.earth reports that Microsoft’s gross emissions have risen approximately 80% since 2020. The group’s analysis states that Microsoft’s energy demand now rivals that of Denmark. Stand.earth also criticized the company for allegedly omitting a significant buildout of new fossil gas power plants from its report.