Green Daily

Why Microsoft’s 24/7 Carbon-Free Pledge Matters for Emissions

The tech giant and its peers are struggling to meet ambitious climate goal in the AI era.

Lithium-ion energy storage batteries at the Roadrunner solar plant, owned and operated by Enel Green Power, near McCamey, Texas, US, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. In just three years, oil-rich Texas has added the solar equivalent of 12 nuclear reactors, putting it on the cusp of surpassing the California as the top producer of electricity from solar farms.Photographer: Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Alastair Marsh, Ishika Mookerjee, and Petra Sorge

May 18, 2026 at 1:39 PM UTC

Many companies are beginning to realize that the AI boom is incompatible with their climate goals. The technology is simply too energy hungry to be fed by zero-emission sources, at least right now.

Today’s newsletter looks at what it could cost the planet if companies walk away from ambitious plans to power their operations with clean electricity 24/7. Plus, a climate adaptation funding milestone in Asia and Germany falls behind on its green targets.