Salesforce is putting the spotlight on how artificial intelligence can both help and hurt the planet. In its latest sustainability report, the company lays out a roadmap for using AI responsibly, stressing that while AI can accelerate climate solutions, it also raises big questions about energy use, water consumption, and resource extraction.
Sunya Norman, Salesforce’s SVP of Impact, summed it up on LinkedIn: “As leaders in agentic AI, it’s on us to make sure AI is trusted, reliable, and sustainable. We’re still early in this journey, but the future is being shaped right now—and by sharing openly, we hope to inspire transparency and collective action.”
The challenges:
The report points to some sobering numbers. By 2030, AI’s power demands could account for up to 3% of global electricity use, largely due to the heavy cooling requirements of data centres. Gartner has already warned of possible energy constraints by 2027 that could drive up costs and slow innovation.
With more than half of data centre energy still coming from fossil fuels, the International Energy Agency stresses the need to move toward renewables—or risk making data centres one of the fastest-growing sources of emissions. Cooling systems also guzzle water, often sourced from already water-stressed regions. And the mining of critical minerals like lithium and copper for AI infrastructure brings its own environmental toll.
The opportunities:
Despite these risks, Salesforce highlights AI’s potential to drive climate action. The IEA estimates that AI-powered solutions could reduce energy-related emissions by 5% by 2035. From optimising energy grids to improving predictive maintenance, boosting renewable energy integration, and guiding smarter irrigation, AI can become a force for efficiency and resilience.
Salesforce points to real-world examples: Good360 uses AI to distribute disaster aid more effectively, cutting waste. Rare has launched an AI coach for regenerative agriculture that gives farmers customised, real-time advice—helping some cut resource use by 40%. Groundswell is leveraging AI to expand community solar programs, lowering energy costs for tens of thousands of households.
The strategy:
To ensure AI’s growth is sustainable, Salesforce proposes three guiding principles:
- Smart Demand – Apply AI where it truly adds value, while ensuring transparency around its energy use.
- Efficiency – Invest in smaller, purpose-built models that require less computing power without sacrificing accuracy.
- Clean Supply – Push for a shift to renewable energy sources to power data centres.
The message is clear: AI doesn’t have to be an environmental burden. If guided carefully, it can be part of the solution.
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