Google's carbon emissions have surged again as the company intensifies its focus on AI development. According to the company's 2025 sustainability report, "ambition-based emissions" increased by 11% last year, reaching 11.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This marks a 51% rise since 2019, pushing Google further from its target of halving planet-heating pollution by 2030, using the 2019 baseline. However, it's important to note that Google's "ambition-based" emissions exclude certain categories of supply chain pollution, which the company deems out of its direct control or peripheral to its core operations. These excluded categories include specific purchased goods and services, and food programs. When these additional emissions are factored in, Google's total carbon footprint reaches 15.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the emissions from about 40 gas-fired power plants in a year. Despite the overall increase, Google's report highlights a 12% reduction in carbon emissions from its data centers, a crucial component of its operations. Yet, this decrease is offset by rising energy consumption due to advancements in AI technology. Carbon emissions from data centers remain significantly higher than they were in 2019. In the report, Google points to several external challenges that complicate its efforts to meet climate goals. These include the rapid evolution of AI, which makes future energy needs and emissions harder to predict; changes in climate and energy policies; the slow deployment of carbon-free energy technologies; and a lack of viable carbon-free energy solutions in some regions. Google states, "These external factors could affect the cost, feasibility, and timeline of our progress—navigating them requires flexibility." The company’s continued investment in AI, while driving technological innovation, has also contributed to higher energy usage and, consequently, increased carbon emissions. Google acknowledges the necessity of addressing these challenges and remains committed to finding sustainable solutions. Nonetheless, the latest figures highlight the ongoing struggle between rapid technological advancement and environmental responsibility.