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Climate Week Report Says Renewables Must Accelerate Despite AI Demand and Fossil Rebound
The report says the world must add more renewable capacity from 2026 to 2030, even as AI and fossil fuel demand rise.
Global leaders and executives gathered in New York on Monday for Climate Week, where a report warned the world must build more renewable power capacity from 2026 to 2030 than in all previous years combined.
Energy-hungry artificial intelligence and higher fossil fuel prices from conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are complicating the transition, driving up energy costs for households and businesses worldwide.
National Artificial Intelligence Association President Caleb Max said AI uses about 1.5% of global electricity, expected to reach 3% by decade's end, while Climate Justice Alliance legislative director Mar Zepeda reported her Washington electric bill increased $200.
Powershift Africa director Mohamed Adow noted two climate stories: 'Renewable energy is booming,' yet 'Climate impacts are accelerating faster than our political and financial systems are responding,' highlighting the urgent disconnect.
Potsdam Institute director Johan Rockstr warned renewables are competing against heavily-subsidized fossil fuels and failing to 'bend the curve' on reducing oil, coal, and gas use despite record 693 gigawatt growth in 2025.
World and business leaders meeting this week in New York are forced to deal with the increasingly urgent costs of climate change, the dizzying rise in energy prices and the human cost of this summer’s crippling heat waves, the numerous forest fires and the catastrophic allud in Nepal.