Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how industries operate, and it could also help fight climate change. A major study published in npj Climate Action finds that AI could cut global carbon emissions by up to 5.4 billion tonnes per year by 2035. That’s more than the total annual emissions of the United States.
The study is led by researchers from the London School of Economics and Systemiq. The report entitled “Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition” shows that applying AI to three key sectors—food, electricity, and mobility—can unlock enormous environmental benefits.
AI’s strength lies in its ability to process large datasets, identify patterns, and optimize systems in real time. When used strategically, this can translate into greater efficiency, lower energy use, and less waste. These improvements are essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change.
A Sector-by-Sector Breakdown: Where AI Delivers the Most Cuts
The study highlights three areas where AI can drive the biggest reductions in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions:
- Food: 0.9–1.6 billion tonnes CO₂e per year (up to 3.0 GtCO₂e in a highly ambitious scenario)
- Energy (Electricity): Up to 1.8 billion tonnes CO₂e per year
- Mobility (Transport): 0.5–0.6 billion tonnes CO₂e per year

These figures are significant. Together, they represent 8% to 10% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s a substantial contribution to international efforts like the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C.
In the food and agriculture sector, AI can improve productivity while reducing environmental harm. Smart sensors and machine learning tools help farmers use just the right amount of water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
AI also enables precision farming, reducing waste and cutting emissions from overuse of chemicals. It can predict crop yields and improve food distribution. This helps cut spoilage and lowers emissions from storage and transport.
AI helps the clean energy transition in electricity generation. It manages supply and demand more efficiently. Moreover, AI algorithms can predict electricity use. They also enhance energy storage and optimize the integration of solar and wind power.
Additionally, AI helps stabilize power grids and boosts low-carbon energy use. This cuts down the need for dirty backup systems that run on coal or gas.
For mobility and transport, AI improves logistics, reduces fuel use, and supports the development of cleaner vehicles. Fleet managers use AI to plan efficient routes, avoid traffic, and reduce idle times. AI is key to making self-driving cars. These vehicles could boost road safety and cut emissions even more.
The chart below shows the projected global emissions by 2035, with AI adoption differing from business-as-usual and ambitious reduction scenarios for the three sectors identified.

AI Carbon Reductions in Other Sectors
AI is also critical in industries like cement and steel, where emissions are hard to abate. Machine learning helps monitor production processes and reduce energy waste. AI also enables real-time emissions tracking and reporting, helping companies stay accountable to their climate goals.
A recent McKinsey report shows that AI technologies can help businesses lower CO₂ emissions by up to 10%. They can also reduce energy costs by 10–20%. Additionally, buildings could save 20% on energy, while transportation systems might save 15%.
Complementing this, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that adopting existing AI applications across end-use sectors like energy, industry, transport, and buildings could reduce emissions by about 1.4 gigatons of CO₂ annually.

Together, these findings underscore AI’s significant role in accelerating decarbonization across multiple sectors. And the good news? These AI applications already exist and are being tested or deployed by companies around the world. What’s needed now is rapid scaling.
- SEE MORE: The Top 6 AI-Powered Companies and How They Transform Climate, Nature, and Carbon Solutions
The Role of Policy and Industry Action
The study authors say AI’s benefits will only happen with strong guidance from policymakers and investors. Without supportive rules and incentives, AI might raise emissions. It could increase demand for power-hungry data centers. Also, it may automate processes that lead to more production and consumption.
To avoid these risks, the researchers call for:
- Public and private investment in climate-focused AI tools
- Open access to high-quality environmental datasets
- Standards and guardrails to guide responsible use
They also warn against “AI rebound effects,” where efficiency gains are offset by increased consumption. For example, making vehicles more fuel-efficient might encourage people to drive more. That’s why careful planning and strong governance are essential.
Another key recommendation: include developing countries in the AI transition. These regions often face the greatest climate risks but have limited access to technology. Thus, international partnerships and funding will be needed to ensure AI’s climate benefits are shared globally.
AI as a Climate Enabler, Not Just a Tool
AI can also strengthen other climate solutions. For example:
- Carbon removal. AI helps track carbon storage in forests and soils, improving the quality of carbon credits and offset programs.
- Resilience planning. AI models assist cities in getting ready for floods, heat waves, and other climate effects. They do this by simulating different scenarios and testing response plans.
- Energy optimization. AI manages heating, cooling, and lighting in buildings. It cuts energy waste while keeping comfort high.
These applications make climate solutions smarter, cheaper, and faster. AI doesn’t just reduce emissions—it helps manage the clean energy transition more effectively.
Governments are starting to notice. The European Union and Canada have launched initiatives to support green AI. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are also building AI tools for climate forecasting, carbon tracking, and energy management.
Tech vs. Time: Can AI Help Us Beat the Climate Clock?
The new study offers compelling evidence that AI could play a leading role in slashing global carbon emissions. The estimated 3.2 to 5.4 billion tonnes of CO₂e reductions by 2035 are not just theoretical; they’re within reach if the right steps are taken.
These findings come at a time when many countries are off track in meeting their 2030 and 2050 climate goals. AI may help close that gap by offering fast, reliable, and affordable emissions cuts in important sectors.
Private companies, too, are under pressure to deliver on net-zero commitments. For them, AI can provide tools to track emissions, meet regulatory standards, and optimize energy use. Investors are also watching closely, with many ESG (environmental, social, governance) funds now looking for AI-powered climate solutions.
The bottom line? AI can become one of the world’s most powerful climate allies. But its impact depends on how it’s used, who controls it, and whether its benefits are shared widely. By focusing on climate-smart applications in food, electricity, and transport, AI can help build a cleaner, more resilient future.
The post Study Shows How AI Can Cut Over 5 Billion Tons of Carbon Emissions in 3 Key Sectors appeared first on Carbon Credits.
Carbon Footprint
Climate Impact Partners Unveils High-Quality Carbon Credits from Sabah Rainforest in Malaysia
The voluntary carbon market is changing. Buyers are no longer focused only on large volumes of cheap credits. Instead, they want projects with strong science, long-term monitoring, and clear proof that carbon has truly been removed from the atmosphere. That shift is drawing more attention to high-integrity, nature-based projects.
One project now gaining that spotlight is the Sabah INFAPRO rainforest rehabilitation project in Malaysia. Climate Impact Partners announced that the project is now issuing verified carbon removal credits, opening access to one of the highest-quality nature-based removals currently available in the global market.
Restoring One of the World’s Richest Rainforest Ecosystems
The project is located in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. This region is home to tropical dipterocarp rainforest, one of the richest forest ecosystems on Earth. These forests store huge amounts of carbon and support extraordinary biodiversity. Some dipterocarp trees can grow up to 70 meters tall, creating habitat for orangutans, pygmy elephants, gibbons, sun bears, and the critically endangered Sumatran rhino.
However, the forest within the INFAPRO project area was not intact. In the 1980s, selective logging removed many of the most valuable tree species, especially large dipterocarps. That caused serious ecological damage. Once the key mother trees were gone, natural regeneration became much harder. Young seedlings also had to compete with dense vines and shrubs, which slowed the forest’s recovery.
To repair that damage, the INFAPRO project was launched in the Ulu-Segama forestry management unit in eastern Sabah.
- The project has restored more than 25,000 hectares of logged-over rainforest.
- It was developed by Face the Future in cooperation with Yayasan Sabah, while Climate Impact Partners has supported the project and helped bring its credits to market.
Why Sabah’s Carbon Removals are Attracting Attention
What makes Sabah INFAPRO different is not only the size of the restoration effort. It is also the way the project measured carbon gains.

Many forest carbon projects issue credits in annual vintages based on year-by-year growth estimates. Sabah INFAPRO followed a different path. It used a landscape-scale monitoring system and waited until the forest moved through its strongest natural growth period before issuing removal credits.
- This approach gives the credits more weight. Rather than relying mainly on short-term annual estimates, the project measured carbon sequestration over a longer period. That helps show that the forest delivered real, sustained, and measurable carbon removal.
The scientific backing is also unusually strong. Since 2007, the project has maintained nearly 400 permanent monitoring plots. These plots have allowed researchers, independent auditors, and technical specialists to observe the full growth cycle of dipterocarp forest recovery. The result is a large body of field data that supports carbon calculations and strengthens confidence in the credits.
In simple terms, buyers are not just being asked to trust a model. They are being shown years of direct forest monitoring across the project landscape.
Strong Ratings Support Market Confidence
Independent assessment has also lifted the project’s profile. BeZero awarded Sabah INFAPRO an A.pre overall rating and an AA score for permanence. That places the project among the highest-rated Improved Forest Management, or IFM, projects in the world.
The rating reflects several important strengths. First, the project has very low exposure to reversal risk. Second, it has a long and stable operating history. Third, its measured carbon gains align well with peer-reviewed ecological research and independent analysis.
These points matter in today’s market. Buyers have become more cautious after years of debate over the quality of some forest carbon credits. As a result, they now look more closely at durability, transparency, and third-party validation. Sabah INFAPRO’s rating helps answer those concerns and makes the project more attractive to companies looking for credible carbon removal.
The project is also registered with Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard under the name INFAPRO Rehabilitation of Logged-over Dipterocarp Forest in Sabah, Malaysia. That adds another level of market recognition and verification.
A Wider Model for Rainforest Recovery
Sabah INFAPRO also shows why high-quality nature-based projects are about more than carbon alone. The restoration effort supports broader ecological recovery in one of the world’s most important rainforest regions.
Climate Impact Partners said it has worked with project partners to restore degraded areas, run local training programs, carry out monthly forest patrols, and distribute seedlings to support rainforest recovery beyond the project boundary. These efforts help strengthen the wider landscape and expand the project’s environmental impact.
That broader value is becoming more important for buyers. Companies increasingly want projects that support biodiversity, ecosystem health, and local engagement, along with carbon removal. Sabah INFAPRO offers that mix, making it a stronger fit for the market’s shift toward higher-integrity credits.

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Carbon Footprint
Bitcoin Falls as Energy Prices Rise: Why Crypto Is Now an Energy Market Story
Bitcoin’s recent drop below $70,000 reflects more than short-term market pressure. It signals a deeper shift. The world’s largest cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly tied to global energy markets.
For years, Bitcoin has moved mainly on investor sentiment, adoption trends, and regulation. Today, another force is shaping its direction: the cost of energy.
As oil prices rise and electricity markets tighten, Bitcoin is starting to behave less like a tech asset and more like an energy-dependent system. This shift is changing how investors, analysts, and policymakers understand crypto.
A Global Power Consumer: Inside Bitcoin’s Energy Use
Bitcoin depends on mining, a process that uses powerful computers to verify transactions. These machines run continuously and consume large amounts of electricity.
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Bitcoin mining used between 67 and 240 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2023, with a midpoint estimate of about 120 TWh.

Other estimates place consumption closer to 170 TWh per year in 2025. This accounts for roughly 0.5% of global electricity demand. Recently, as of February 2026, estimates see Bitcoin’s energy use reaching over 200 TWh per year.
That level of energy use is significant. Global electricity demand reached about 27,400 TWh in 2023. Bitcoin’s share may seem small, but it is comparable to the power use of mid-sized countries.
The network also requires steady power. Estimates suggest it draws around 10 gigawatts continuously, similar to several large power plants operating at full capacity. This constant demand makes energy costs central to Bitcoin’s economics.
When Oil Rises, Bitcoin Falls
Bitcoin mining is highly sensitive to electricity prices. Energy is the highest operating cost for miners. When power becomes more expensive, profit margins shrink.
Recent market movements show this link clearly. As oil prices rise and inflation concerns persist, energy costs have increased. At the same time, Bitcoin prices have weakened, falling below the $70,000 level.

This is not a coincidence. Studies show a direct relationship between Bitcoin prices, mining activity, and electricity use. When Bitcoin prices rise, more miners join the network, increasing energy demand. When energy costs rise, less efficient miners may shut down, reducing activity and adding selling pressure.
This creates a feedback loop between crypto and energy markets. Bitcoin is no longer driven only by demand and speculation. It is now influenced by the same forces that affect oil, gas, and power prices.
Cleaner Energy Use Is Growing, but Fossil Fuels Still Matter
Bitcoin’s environmental impact depends on its energy mix. This mix is improving, but it remains uneven.
A 2025 study from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance found that 52.4% of Bitcoin mining now uses sustainable energy. This includes both renewable sources (42.6%) and nuclear power (9.8%). The share has risen significantly from about 37.6% in 2022.
Despite this progress, fossil fuels still account for a large portion of mining energy. Natural gas alone makes up about 38.2%, while coal continues to contribute a smaller share.

This reliance on fossil fuels keeps emissions high. Current estimates suggest Bitcoin produces more than 114 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. That puts it in line with emissions from some industrial sectors.
The shift toward cleaner energy is real, but it is not complete. The pace of change will play a key role in how Bitcoin fits into global climate goals.
Bitcoin’s Climate Debate Intensifies
Bitcoin’s growing energy demand has placed it at the center of ESG discussions. Its impact is often measured through three key areas:
- Total electricity use, which rivals that of entire countries.
- Carbon emissions are estimated at over 100 million tons of CO₂ annually.
- Energy intensity, with a single transaction using large amounts of power.

At the same time, the industry is evolving. Mining companies are adopting more efficient hardware and exploring new energy sources. Some operations use excess renewable power or capture waste energy, such as flare gas from oil fields.
These efforts show progress, but they do not fully address the concerns. The gap between Bitcoin’s energy use and its environmental impact remains a key issue for investors and regulators.
- MUST READ: Bitcoin Price Hits All-Time High Above $126K: ETFs, Market Drivers, and the Future of Digital Gold
Bitcoin Is Becoming Part of the Energy System
Bitcoin mining is now closely integrated with the broader energy system. Operators often choose locations based on access to cheap or excess electricity. This includes areas with strong renewable generation or underused energy resources.
This integration creates both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, mining can support energy systems by using power that might otherwise go to waste. It can also provide flexible demand that helps stabilize grids.
On the other hand, it can increase pressure on local electricity supplies and extend the use of fossil fuels if cleaner options are not available.
In the United States, Bitcoin mining could account for up to 2.3% of total electricity demand in certain scenarios. This highlights how quickly the sector is scaling and how closely it is tied to national energy systems.
Energy Markets Are Now Key to Bitcoin’s Future
Looking ahead, the connection between Bitcoin and energy is expected to grow stronger. The network’s computing power, or hash rate, continues to reach new highs, which typically leads to higher energy use.
Electricity will remain the main cost for miners. This means Bitcoin will continue to respond to changes in energy prices and supply conditions. At the same time, governments are starting to pay closer attention to crypto’s environmental impact, which could shape future regulations.

Some forecasts suggest Bitcoin’s energy use could rise sharply if adoption increases, potentially reaching up to 400 TWh in extreme scenarios. However, cleaner energy systems could reduce the carbon impact over time.
Bitcoin is no longer just a financial asset. It is also a large-scale energy consumer and a growing part of the global power system.
As a result, understanding Bitcoin now requires a broader view. Energy prices, electricity markets, and carbon trends are becoming just as important as market demand and investor sentiment.
The message is clear. As energy markets move, Bitcoin is likely to move with them.
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Carbon Footprint
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