Research article · Subscription · 4 Sept 2026

Green AI and Environmental Sustainability

V.M.Sajitha , S.Geetha Priya , Suree Pogu Joyce Mary

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the twenty-first century, with applications in healthcare, finance, education, transportation, agriculture, energy and environmental management. However, the rapid development of increasingly large and computationally intensive AI models has created significant environmental concerns, including high electricity consumption, carbon emissions, water consumption, electronic waste and demand for energy-intensive computing infrastructure. Green Artificial Intelligence (Green AI) has therefore emerged as an important approach towards reducing the environmental footprint of AI while maintaining useful levels of performance. Green AI focuses on developing energy-efficient algorithms, optimising models and hardware, reducing computational requirements, using renewable energy and improving the sustainability of data centres. At the same time, AI can contribute to environmental sustainability by supporting renewable energy forecasting, climate modelling, biodiversity monitoring, smart agriculture and efficient resource management. This paper presents a conceptual study of Green AI and examines its relationship with environmental sustainability through a review of existing literature. The study adopts a descriptive and conceptual research methodology based on secondary sources, including academic journal articles, research papers and reports from international organisations. The findings indicate that Green AI requires consideration of the entire AI lifecycle, from data collection and model training to deployment, infrastructure and disposal of hardware. The study recommends greater energy-efficiency measurement, transparent environmental reporting, renewable-energy integration, efficient model design and stronger collaboration between technology companies, researchers and policymakers.

environmental

References

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Author information

V.M.Sajitha
Assistant Professor, Valliammal College for Women, E-9 Anna nagar East, Chennai.

S.Geetha Priya
III B.Com, Valliammal College for Women, E-9 Anna nagar East, Chennai.

Suree Pogu Joyce Mary
III B.Com, Valliammal College for Women, E-9 Anna nagar East, Chennai.

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