Story perspectives

AI Datacentres Use 1% UK 2033 Carbon Budget, Council Reviews

5/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Google’s and Greystoke’s AI datacentre plans compare a year of emissions to UK’s five-year carbon budget, cutting impact fivefold.
Foxglove calculated the three projects would use 1 % of the UK’s 2033 carbon budget, comparable to Bristol’s emissions.
Councillor Steven Heather said planning department will review figures and demand corrected submissions before datacentres proceed.
Greystoke acknowledged the discrepancy, pledged revised emissions data, and highlighted £10 bn of investment and thousands of jobs.

1 of 1

Story summary

Google’s and Greystoke’s AI datacentre plans compare a year of emissions to UK’s five-year carbon budget, cutting impact fivefold.
Foxglove calculated the three projects would use 1 % of the UK’s 2033 carbon budget, comparable to Bristol’s emissions.
Councillor Steven Heather said planning department will review figures and demand corrected submissions before datacentres proceed.
Greystoke acknowledged the discrepancy, pledged revised emissions data, and highlighted £10 bn of investment and thousands of jobs.