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US Emissions Surge: Heat, Data Centers Drive 2025 Reversal
13 Jan
Summary
- US greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.4% in 2025, reversing a downward trend.
- Higher building heating demand and data center power use fueled the emissions rise.
- Policy changes and a potential halt to EV incentives could further impact emissions.
In 2025, the United States experienced a notable increase in greenhouse gas emissions, rising by 2.4%. This marks a reversal of a two-year downward trend and saw emissions grow at a faster pace than the economy. The primary drivers identified were a substantial 6.8% rise in direct fuel use for heating buildings and a 3.8% increase in power sector emissions.
The surge in electricity demand, particularly from expanding data centers supporting artificial intelligence, led to a 13% increase in coal generation. This shift back towards coal, a historically emissions-intensive fuel, is changing its previously declining trajectory. Experts caution that policy decisions, such as the potential rollback of environmental regulations and reduced incentives for renewable energy, could exacerbate this trend.
