Post by Synergy Enterprises

⚡The Green Web Foundation just released its inaugural State of the Fossil-Free Internet 2026 report.   The report focuses on the explosive rise of fossil-fuelled data centers, driven largely by the AI boom, and what it means for the internet's environmental future.   Here are some of our key takeaways: ⚡ At least 7,250 new data centre projects are in the pipeline globally with two-thirds of them in North America and an estimated $3.2 trillion in planned construction worldwide. 🌫️ The biggest tech companies (Google, Amazon, and Microsoft) all have net-zero targets, but their actual fossil-fuel emissions are rising sharply, outpacing renewable energy procurement since the AI boom. 🔍 Transparency is a core problem. None of the three major cloud providers publicly disclose energy use in a format that allows easy, location-based comparison, making independent verification nearly impossible.   The report outlines three pathways to get us to a fossil-free internet: 🔋 Pathway 1 - Reduce energy demand: The report calls for an immediate global moratorium on new data centre construction until communities have more oversight and democratic input. This means using AI sparingly, favoring smaller, fine-tuned models over large generative ones. 🌿 Pathway 2 - Green the energy supply: Cutting ties with fossil fuels and increasing renewable energy means fewer emissions associated with AI use. In addition, the report calls for independently verifiable green energy claims from suppliers and supporting policies that keep decarbonization targets firm. 🏛️ Pathway 3 - Democratize tech: A handful of companies control the internet’s infrastructure and act with little accountability. The report calls for more public and alternative ownership models, stronger procurement rules that include environmental criteria, and greater involvement of affected communities in decisions about AI development.   Want to learn more about the emissions of AI and how to use it responsibly? Check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gAdAhxxa Read the full report to learn more about what a fossil-free internet could look like 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_-Qeur2