Rio Tinto has taken a decisive step toward reshaping the future of copper supply. The mining major announced a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) that connects breakthrough mining technology with surging demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. Under the agreement, AWS became the first customer of Nuton® Technology following its successful industrial-scale deployment at the Johnson Camp copper mine in the United States.

The deal links cleaner copper production with the digital infrastructure powering the global AI economy.

How AWS Cloud Technology Is Powering Nuton’s Bioleaching Breakthrough

Nuton, a Rio Tinto venture, focuses on nature-based bioleaching technologies designed to extract copper from low-grade and previously uneconomic ores. Last month, the company achieved a major milestone by deploying its proprietary system at an industrial scale at Gunnison Copper’s Johnson Camp mine in Arizona.

The press release highlights that under the two-year agreement, AWS will use the first Nuton-produced copper in components across its U.S. data centers. Copper is essential to these facilities, playing a critical role in electrical cables, busbars, transformers, motors, printed circuit boards, and processor heat sinks.

At the same time, AWS will also provide cloud-based data and analytics to support Nuton’s operations. This digital support will speed up process optimization and improve copper recovery.

AWS platforms will simulate heap-leach performance and feed advanced analytics into Nuton’s decision systems. As a result, the company can fine-tune acid and water use. It can also better predict copper recovery.

“This collaboration with Nuton Technology represents exactly the kind of breakthrough we need—a fundamentally different approach to copper production that helps reduce carbon emissions and water use. As we continue to invest in next-generation carbon-free energy technology and expand our data centre operations, securing access to lower-carbon materials produced close to home strengthens both our supply chain resilience and our ability to decarbonize at scale.”

Microbe-Driven Copper, Digitally Scaled

Nuton’s modular bioleaching system uses naturally occurring microorganisms to extract copper from primary sulphide ores. Unlike traditional mining methods, the process avoids energy-intensive crushing, concentrating, and smelting.

When combined with digital tools, the technology can scale faster and adapt to different ore bodies. Overall, this approach shortens the path from pilot testing to full production. At the same time, it lowers environmental impact.

Shorter Supply Chains and Cleaner Copper

Additionally, Nuton’s process produces 99.99% pure copper cathode directly at the mine gate. This eliminates the need for concentrators, smelters, and refineries, significantly shortening the mine-to-market supply chain.

Compared with traditional processing routes, Nuton is expected to use substantially less water and generate lower carbon emissions. The system also recovers copper from material previously classified as waste, improving overall resource efficiency.

At Johnson Camp, these benefits are already material. The mine is now the lowest-carbon primary copper producer in the United States on a mine-to-refined-metal basis commonly used by the industry.

Verified Low Carbon and Water Footprints

A third-party life cycle assessment confirmed that Nuton copper from Johnson Camp is expected to have a full-scope carbon footprint of 2.82 kg CO₂e per kilogram of copper, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. By comparison, global primary copper production typically ranges from about 1.5 to 8.0 kg CO₂e per kilogram, depending on technology and location.

Nuton has also matched 100% of the site’s electricity consumption by purchasing 134,000 Green-e Energy certified renewable energy certificates. Water intensity is expected to be 71 liters per kilogram of copper, well below the global industry average of roughly 130 liters.

Skarn Associates independently validated both the carbon and water intensity data. Additional environmental benefits include lower energy use, on-site clean energy generation, and zero tailings, removing the risk of tailings dam failures.

A Strategic Copper Asset for the United States

Johnson Camp is one of the largest open-pit copper projects in the U.S., with measured and indicated resources of 551 million tons at an average grade of 0.35% copper. At scale, it could supply around 8% of recent annual U.S. domestic copper production.

The project is targeting production of approximately 30,000 tonnes of refined copper over a four-year deployment period. This comes as the U.S. has formally designated copper as a critical mineral due to its importance for energy systems, digital infrastructure, and national security.

• ALSO READ: Anglo American and Teck Create a $50B Copper Giant to Fuel the Clean Energy Revolution 

IEA and S&P Global Warn of Surging Demand and Supply Risks

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence is driving a sharp expansion of data centers worldwide. While estimates vary widely, the IEA notes that copper use in data centers could reach 250,000 to 550,000 tonnes by 2030, accounting for up to 12% of global copper demand, depending on how quickly AI adoption accelerates.

At the same time, a fresh analysis from S&P Global has warned that growth in artificial intelligence, electrification, and defense could push global copper demand up by 50% by 2040. However, without major investment in new mining projects and recycling, supply is expected to fall short.

Yet, as existing copper resources age and ore grades decline, the market could face a 10 million metric ton annual supply shortfall by 2040.

Why the Rio Tinto–AWS Deal Matters

Against this backdrop, the collaboration between Rio Tinto and AWS carries strategic weight. It connects low-carbon copper supply directly with one of the world’s fastest-growing sources of demand. It also shows how digital infrastructure and nature-based mining solutions can work together to reduce emissions while expanding supply.

As AI, electrification, and energy transition pressures continue to build, innovations like Nuton’s bioleaching technology could play a critical role in closing the global copper gap—cleanly, efficiently, and at scale.

To summarize the importance of this deal, Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Katie Jackson said, 

“This collaboration is a powerful example of how industrial innovation and cloud technology can combine to deliver cleaner, lower-carbon materials at scale. Nuton has already proven its ability to rapidly move from idea to industrial production, and AWS’s data and analytics expertise will help us to accelerate optimisation and verification across operations.

She further added:

“Importantly, by bringing Nuton copper into AWS’s U.S. data-centre supply chain, we’re helping to strengthen domestic resilience and secure the critical materials those facilities need, closer to where they’re used. Together we can supply the copper critical to modern data infrastructure while demonstrating how mining can contribute to more sustainable supply chains.”

• READ MORE: Data Centers’ Copper Hunger: How AI is Driving a Looming Supply Crunch? • Carbon Credits

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Google has agreed to buy nearly 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of carbon-free energy to power its data centers across the United States. The tech company signed a set of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Clearway Energy Group (Clearway). These deals will deliver clean electricity from new wind and solar projects in Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia.

The energy will support the electric grid regions where Google’s data centers are located. The agreements are a big step for the tech giant. They help meet its rising electricity needs and cut carbon emissions from its operations.

Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy, Google, stated:

“Strengthening the grid by deploying more reliable and clean energy is crucial for supporting the digital infrastructure that businesses and individuals depend on. Our collaboration with Clearway will help power our data centers and the broader economic growth of communities within SPP, ERCOT, and PJM footprints.”

How Google Secures Carbon-Free Power

A Power Purchase Agreement is a long-term contract between a power buyer and a clean energy producer. In Google’s case, these contracts ensure that the projects Clearway builds will sell electricity to the grid. In return, Google pays for the energy produced over many years.

Clearway agreed to provide Google with 1.17 GW of new carbon-free energy. This energy will support regional grids like SPP, ERCOT, and PJM. The total partnership includes a 71.5 megawatt (MW) clean power deal in West Virginia. This brings the total to around 1.24 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy for Google’s use.

These projects will generate wind and solar power and deliver it into U.S. grid systems that serve Google’s data centers. The total investment in the new energy infrastructure tied to these deals exceeds $2.4 billion.

Construction for the new wind and solar assets is expected to begin soon, with the first facilities planned to start operations in 2027 and 2028.

The states involved are Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia. These states cover parts of major grid regions like SPP (Southwest Power Pool), ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), and PJM Interconnection, which deliver power to millions of customers and data centers.

Why Google Is Investing in Clean Power

Google has set clear climate goals tied to its fast-growing energy use. In 2020, the company became the first major corporation to match 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy purchases. This means Google buys enough clean power each year to equal all the electricity its operations consume. However, this approach does not guarantee clean energy at every hour.

To address this gap, Google launched a more ambitious target. The company aims to operate on carbon-free energy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by 2030. This goal goes beyond traditional renewable matching. It requires clean electricity to be available every hour in the same regions where Google uses power. This makes energy sourcing more complex and increases the need for new clean generation near data centers.

Google has also committed to reaching net-zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030. This includes direct emissions, purchased electricity, and indirect emissions from suppliers and construction.

• The tech company does not plan to rely heavily on carbon offsets for this goal. Instead, it focuses on cutting emissions at the source, mainly by cleaning up the electricity supply.

Progress so far shows both gains and challenges. In 2024, Google reported net emissions of about 18 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent, up from 14.3 million in 2023. The increase came largely from data center expansion and higher electricity demand from artificial intelligence workloads.

At the same time, Google reduced the carbon intensity of its electricity use by about 12% compared with the previous year. This shows efficiency gains, even as total energy use rose.

Clean energy purchases play a key role in this strategy. By signing long-term power purchase agreements, Google helps bring new wind and solar projects online. These projects add clean power to local grids and lower emissions over time.

The nearly 1.2 GW of carbon-free energy announced for U.S. data centers supports this approach. It increases clean supply in regions where Google’s power demand is growing fastest.

Broader Clean Energy Strategy

Google’s clean energy purchasing strategy goes beyond these 1.2 GW agreements. The company continues to enter renewable contracts around the world. For example:

• Google and TotalEnergies signed a 15-year PPA to supply 1.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of certified renewable electricity from the Montpelier solar farm in Ohio. This power will help support Google’s data centers in that region.

• Google is also active in international renewable power agreements. It has signed a 21-year PPA with TotalEnergies. This deal provides 1 TWh of solar power for its data centers in Malaysia.

• In India, Google made a deal with ReNew Energy. They will build a 150 MW solar project in Rajasthan. This project will generate about 425,000 MWh of clean electricity each year, which is enough to power more than 360,000 homes.

These deals illustrate how Google is diversifying its clean energy supply by securing multiple sources and technologies across continents.\

• SEE MORE: Google and NextEra Team Up to Build Gigawatt-Scale AI Data Centers Powered by Clean Energy
• Google’s 3,500-Tonne Carbon Removal Deal with Ebb Signals Growing Confidence in Ocean-Based Climate Solutions

Impact on Data Centers and Regional Grids

Data centers use large amounts of electricity. U.S. data centers’ electricity consumption reached 183 TWh in 2024, accounting for more than 4% of the nation’s total power demand amid surging AI workloads. ​This marked a continued rise from 176 TWh (4.4%) in 2023. Projections suggest 5% or higher in 2025 as hyperscale facilities expand rapidly.

When powered by fossil fuels, they also produce high carbon emissions. Clean energy purchases help reduce the carbon footprint of these facilities over time.

As data center demand continues to grow, companies like Google are adding new clean power to the grid. Long-term power purchase agreements support the construction of new wind and solar projects. These projects supply clean electricity to regional grids and benefit all users, not only data centers. This helps lower the overall carbon intensity of power systems.

What This Means for Corporate Renewable Leadership

Google’s nearly 1.2 GW clean energy purchase reflects a wider industry shift. Large technology firms are becoming some of the world’s biggest buyers of renewable power. As artificial intelligence and cloud services expand, long-term clean energy contracts help companies secure a stable power supply and manage energy costs.

These corporate agreements also play a key role in the U.S. energy market. Long-term PPAs give developers the financial certainty needed to build new renewable projects. Supported by policy incentives and rising corporate demand, U.S. wind and solar capacity continues to grow. This makes large clean energy portfolios increasingly viable for companies like Google.

The Clearway deal adds to Google’s global portfolio of renewable energy contracts. This portfolio spans multiple regions and energy technologies. By securing large volumes of clean power, Google is strengthening the sustainability of its data centers as digital demand continues to rise.

• READ MORE: Alphabet, Google’s Parent, Bets $4.75B on Clean Power for AI Data Center Demand

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Carbon permits in the European Union have recently climbed to their highest levels since August 2023. The rise reflects tighter supply, policy decisions, and shifting market demand under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

The ETS is the world’s largest cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions. It mandates large emitters to buy allowances for the carbon dioxide they emit. These allowances are known as EU Allowances (EUAs).

EUAs are now trading at a price over €92 per tonne — the strongest level in about 18 months. This rise shows that companies and markets expect fewer allowances to be available in the future as the EU tightens its emissions cap.

What Is the EU Emissions Trading System?

The EU ETS began in 2005 as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market forces. It sets a cap on total emissions from major sectors such as power generation, manufacturing, and aviation. Companies must hold enough allowances to cover their emissions each year.

The cap reduces over time, meaning fewer EUAs are issued. This creates scarcity. As allowances become scarcer, their price tends to rise, which increases costs for polluters. In theory, this pushes companies to reduce emissions or invest in cleaner technology.

In 2026, the system also overlaps with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a tax on imported carbon-intensive goods. CBAM began to apply in January 2026 and makes carbon costs visible on imports like steel and cement. The measure aims to cut down on “carbon leakage.” This happens when industries move production to areas with cheaper carbon prices.

Recent Price Moves: Highest Since August 2023

In early January 2026, EU carbon permits climbed as high as about €91.82 per tonne on EU markets, up from lower levels earlier in 2025. Now, it’s trading at over €92 per tonne, showing 27% increase from January 2025 prices. The rise represents a fourth consecutive weekly gain in allowances for the December 2026 contract.

The price rise reflects tightening supply — fewer allowances are available through auctions and free allocations. Reduced supply increases competition among companies that must surrender EUAs to match their emissions. This dynamic pushes the price higher.

Market analysts also note that colder weather and more heating needs in winter often boost industrial energy demand. This can lead to higher carbon prices during the season.

Why Prices Have Risen?

The recent uptick in EU carbon prices is driven by several key factors:

• Reduced Supply of Allowances:

The EU continues to tighten its emissions cap and reduce the number of new allowances issued. Estimates from the European Exchange auction calendar and Market Stability Reserve show that auction volumes will drop. They are expected to fall from about 588.7 million EU Allowances in 2025 to around 482.4 million in 2026. A stronger cap reduces the total pool of tradable EUAs, creating scarcity and upward pressure on prices.

• Policy Signals and Reform Expectations:

Investors and companies anticipate future regulatory tightening. The EU’s long-term climate goals include cutting net emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels. Such policy signals can strengthen confidence that carbon costs will rise further.

• Market Confidence and Funds:

Investment funds have increased their holdings of EU carbon futures. Trading positions and speculation can also influence price momentum, especially as market sentiment shifts toward tighter futures.

• Compliance Demand:

Industries covered by the ETS are required to surrender allowances to match their emissions by compliance deadlines. As deadlines near, buying activity can increase, adding short-term upward pressure on prices.

• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism:

With CBAM now active, imported products from outside the EU face carbon costs similar to domestic industries. This mechanism can reduce free allowance allocations and tighten supply further.

Looking Back and Ahead: Carbon Price Trends and Forecasts

Carbon prices in the EU ETS have fluctuated over recent years. Prices surged above €100 per tonne in early 2023. Then, they eased back in 2024 and 2025. This decline was due to shifting market conditions and wider economic factors.

In 2024, the average price of EU ETS carbon permits was around €65 per tonne, down from €84 per tonne the year before. High prices in 2023 reflected strong policy signals from the Fit for 55 climate package and global energy disruptions.

Looking ahead, analysts and forecast models expect prices to continue rising over the coming decade:

• A survey of market participants predicts that the average EU ETS carbon price will rise to almost €100 per tonne from 2026 to 2030. This increase will happen as demand exceeds supply.
• Energy market analysts predict that the average price could hit about €126 per tonne by 2030. This rise is due to stricter caps and wider emission coverage.
• Under the EU ETS II framework, starting in 2027, more sectors will be included, like buildings and transport. In some scenarios, prices might average €99 per tonne from 2027 to 2030.
• BNEF’s EU ETS II Market Outlook projects carbon prices reaching €149 per metric ton ($156/t) by 2030, driving substantial emissions reductions.

Overall, these forward estimates imply that allowance prices may continue to rise as the EU strengthens its emissions targets to meet climate goals.

Emissions Reductions Under the ETS

The EU ETS has contributed to measurable emissions reductions. In 2024, emissions under the system were roughly 50% lower than in 2005. This progress is set to help the EU meet its 2030 goal of a 62% reduction from 2005 levels. The decline was driven mainly by cuts in the power sector, with increased renewable energy and a shift away from coal and gas.

Renewable energy growth, including wind and solar, played a role. Increases in renewables helped lower emissions by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The drop in emissions may lead to higher demand for allowances in the long run. With fewer emissions, companies will need more allowances to meet the cap.

• SEE MORE: EU Edges Closer to Climate Goals: 54% Reduction by 2030, But Can It Cross It?

What Higher Carbon Prices Mean for Industry

Higher carbon prices affect the European economy in many ways. For polluting industries, rising carbon costs increase operating expenses. Companies may invest more in cleaner technologies to reduce their allowance needs. This can accelerate decarbonization technology adoption.

Policy makers face the challenge of balancing climate goals with economic competitiveness. Some EU governments, like France, want price limits in the ETS. This could stop big swings in carbon costs. It would also help industries plan better.

The Market Stability Reserve (MSR), a mechanism to absorb excess allowances, also plays a role. It intends to reduce surplus permits and stabilize prices. Combined with the tightening cap, the MSR tends to push prices higher over time.

The ETS’s expansion to include more sectors — such as maritime transport and potentially buildings and road transport under EU ETS II — expands the share of emissions subject to carbon pricing. This broadening can further tighten supply and push prices up.

Why EU Carbon Prices Matter Beyond Europe

The EU ETS remains the largest carbon market in the world. According to global carbon pricing data, carbon pricing instruments currently cover about 28% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up from about 24% previously. The EU’s system is a key driver of this trend.

Many national and regional carbon markets have prices much lower than the EU’s. This shows differences in climate policies and economic situations. The ETS’s tightening emissions cap, reduced auction volumes, and shifting market sentiment all play roles in supporting higher carbon prices.

Forecasts suggest that prices may continue upward in the years to come, potentially averaging over €100 per tonne by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, the ETS continues to help reduce emissions in key sectors and supports the EU’s broader climate targets.

These price trends and policy developments make the EU carbon market a central piece of Europe’s climate strategy and an important bellwether for global carbon pricing efforts.

• MUST READ: EU Expands CBAM: A Review Shows It Urges Other Countries to Use Carbon Pricing

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