NVIDIA—Nvidia's Scope 3 emissions surged 90% in one year as AI chip demand exploded
Nvidia's FY2025 sustainability report revealed total carbon emissions of approximately 7.15 million tonnes CO2e, an 87% increase from the prior year's 3.8 million tonnes. Nearly all emissions (97%+) came from Scope 3 (supply chain and product use), with 'Purchased Goods and Services' accounting for 87% of Scope 3 emissions. A Greenpeace report gave Nvidia the lowest ranking (F) for supply chain transparency and noted Nvidia has not set any renewable energy targets for its supply chain. The company has no formal net-zero commitment across all scopes, though it achieved 100% renewable electricity for its own operations in FY2025.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Action | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Corporate Transparency | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.413 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.73)× agency (negligent ×0.5)
Evidence (3 signals)
Euronews: Report finds Nvidia's chip-use emissions match a Russian state coal producer, accuses company of greenwashing
A September 21, 2026 report by Greenpeace International, Friends of the Earth, Beyond Fossil Fuels and Stand.earth found Nvidia's Scope 3 supply-chain emissions rose 725% since 2020 (to 10.7 million tonnes CO2e), and estimated that operating Nvidia chips sold since 2022 could generate 4-21 million tonnes of CO2 in 2025, comparable to a Russian state coal producer. The groups accused Nvidia of greenwashing for claiming AI has a 'net climate benefit' while not disclosing use-phase emissions from its products.
Nvidia FY2025 sustainability report showed 87% increase in total emissions to 7.15 million tonnes CO2e
Nvidia's FY2025 Sustainability Report disclosed total emissions rose from 3.8 million to 7.15 million tonnes CO2e, an 87% increase. Scope 3 emissions increased 90% and represent nearly all (97%+) of the company's carbon footprint. Purchased Goods and Services accounted for 87% of Scope 3 emissions. While the company achieved 100% renewable electricity for operations, it has no renewable energy targets for its supply chain.
Greenpeace gave Nvidia lowest ranking (F) for supply chain transparency and decarbonization
A Greenpeace East Asia report found that Nvidia ranked last among leading AI companies on supply chain decarbonization. Nvidia received the lowest ranking of F for supply chain transparency due to lack of comprehensive disclosure of electricity consumption and suppliers' renewable energy usage. The report noted Nvidia has not set any renewable energy targets for its supply chain, which represents over 80% of total emissions.