The climate impact of artificial intelligence on the agenda at COP31 in Turkey
The 31st climate conference, known as COP31, which is set to take place in Antalya, Turkey, will cast a spotlight on the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the climate.
This is a central agenda item that underlines growing concerns regarding the increasing carbon footprint of AI technology.
A recent study from August 2026, conducted by ' İklim Masası' (The Climate Table) and published in peer-reviewed research, reveals that emissions from AI that contribute to the production of fossil fuels can exceed the direct emissions from data centres by up to 13 times.
This expands the debate regarding AI and the climate far beyond the energy consumption of data centres alone. The event in Turkey brings together leaders, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to discuss global climate challenges.
The fact that the impact of artificial intelligence is now being given a dedicated spot on the agenda reflects a growing recognition of the technology' s dual role in the green transition.
AI can offer solutions for energy optimisation and climate modelling, but its own expansion also entails significant challenges in the form of energy consumption and indirect emissions. Traditionally, discussions regarding the environmental impact of artificial intelligence have primarily focused on the massive energy consumption of the data centres that power AI models.
These centres require enormous quantities of electricity, which are often produced from fossil sources, and contribute directly to CO2 emissions.
However, the new research from ' İklim Masası' points to a more complex and potentially much larger challenge: the role of AI systems in improving and streamlining the extraction and production of fossil fuels. According to the study, AI algorithms can optimise exploration processes, drilling techniques, and logistics for oil and gas companies, which can increase the availability and production of fossil energy sources.
By making extraction more efficient and cost-effective, AI may inadvertently contribute to the world remaining dependent on fossil energy for longer than is desirable.
It is these indirect emissions, resulting from enhanced fossil production, that are feared to be up to 13 times greater than the direct emissions from the data centres themselves. This perspective challenges the common perception of AI as being solely a tool for sustainability.
It demands a thorough assessment of how AI technologies are implemented and regulated, particularly in sectors with high carbon intensity.
For Turkey, as the host nation for COP31, this provides a unique opportunity to shape the international dialogue surrounding technological responsibility and sustainability. Turkey' s role as host of COP31 in Antalya underscores the country' s desire to be an active participant in the global climate debate.
By highlighting such a critical and nuanced topic as the climate impact of AI, Turkey is demonstrating leadership in addressing the complex links between technological development and environmental responsibility.
The discussions at COP31 will be vital for developing international guidelines and strategies to manage these challenges. The results from the ' İklim Masası' research are likely to spark debate among delegates, not only regarding the energy consumption of AI, but also concerning its broader systemic effects.
This is relevant for Europe and NATO countries, as well as other international partners, as most nations are investing heavily in AI research and development while simultaneously committing to climate goals.
A deeper understanding of AI' s full carbon footprint is essential to ensure that technological advancements support, rather than undermine, the global effort to limit climate change. The conference in Antalya will therefore not only be about traditional emission reductions, but also about how emerging technologies must be handled in a responsible manner to avoid unintended consequences.
This is a significant development for Turkey, which is positioning itself as an important player in the international discussion on the future of the green and digital transition.
Source: Haberglobal
