Nvidia's AI chip supply chain emissions surge, rivaling Russian coal output
A new report says Nvidia's supply-chain carbon footprint has jumped 725% since 2020, with chip use emissions comparable to those of Russia's state coal producer.
Eight climate and accountability NGOs released a report showing Nvidia's supply-chain emissions have increased by 725% since 2020, climbing from roughly 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent to 10.7 million tonnes in 2026. The analysis estimates that GPUs sold from 2022 onward could generate between four and 21 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2025, depending on the power source, a level the authors say matches the output of Russian state-owned coal company Russian Coal.
The rise is attributed chiefly to upstream emissions from component production and manufacturing in East Asia. Nvidia, which reports these figures only as Scope 3, argues AI will cut overall emissions, citing several industry studies, but the report labels this narrative as greenwashing. Critics also question the limited impact of Nvidia's promoted demand-response programs for data centres. The authors urge greater transparency, renewable-energy investment, and clearer targets for cutting supply-chain emissions.
Why it matters
Nvidia's growing carbon footprint could offset claimed climate benefits of AI and influence future tech and environmental policies.
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