By Abbas Nazil
Prime Minister Mark Carney used his platform at the G20 summit in South Africa to call on world leaders to ensure that artificial intelligence data centres operate as carbon-neutral facilities.
Speaking during a working session in Johannesburg, Carney emphasized the importance of integrating carbon credits into AI infrastructure development to account for the rapidly growing energy demands of these centres.
He highlighted the need for standardized, high-integrity carbon markets that could redirect investment to regions most affected by climate change.
Carney stressed that mandating carbon neutrality for AI data centres could stimulate substantial private sector demand for carbon credits, accelerating climate action while supporting sustainable technological growth.
In addition, he expressed strong support for carbon pricing mechanisms and cited the European Union’s approach as a model for global adoption.
He specifically praised the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which applies tariffs to carbon-intensive imports, as a framework that effectively encourages emissions reductions and aligns economic incentives with climate objectives.
Carney’s remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of Canada’s domestic carbon tax, particularly regarding its application in the industrial sector, following the removal of the consumer carbon tax.
His intervention also aligns with the broader global dialogue on climate action following the recent COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil.
The COP30 agreement, while advancing certain climate initiatives, notably did not include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, despite international calls for stronger measures.
In response, the COP President announced plans to form a working group tasked with developing the world’s first fossil-fuel transition roadmap, signaling future international collaboration on decarbonization strategies.
Carney additionally voiced support for Colombia’s proposal to host a global Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Conference next April, intended to bring participating countries together to advance actionable solutions.
Through his G20 intervention, Carney reinforced the urgency of combining technological innovation with climate accountability, advocating for carbon-neutral AI infrastructure as a practical pathway to reduce emissions and mobilize global investment in sustainable practices.
