Green AI Regulations
Regulations, policies, and frameworks worldwide
A curated directory of Green AI–related regulations, policies, and frameworks worldwide. Each entry links to official sources and summarizes key environmental provisions for AI and data centers.
International & Multilateral
UNESCO AI for Environment and Ecosystems Toolkit
UNESCO (Global) · 2025
Policy toolkit grounded in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. Addresses AI's negative environmental footprint (energy, water, e-waste) and positive potential for ecosystem regeneration. Al…
Read more →ITU AI Governance Report — Environmental Sustainability
ITU (International) · 2025
The ITU Annual AI Governance Report identifies 'Environmental Sustainability and AI Infrastructure' as a key pillar for global AI governance. Provides frameworks for aligning AI development with clima…
Read more →G7 Hiroshima Process on Generative AI
G7 · 2023
G7 leaders adopted principles for generative AI development and governance. Includes considerations for AI's environmental impact and sustainable development. Complements national AI regulations.
Read more →European Union
EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689)
European Union · 2024
First comprehensive AI regulation worldwide. Explicitly incorporates environmental protection as a fundamental right. Risk-based approach; environmental harm is considered when assessing AI system sev…
Read more →EU Energy Efficiency Directive — Data Center Rating (Regulation 2024/1364)
European Union · 2024
Commission Delegated Regulation establishing common Union rating scheme for data center sustainability. Operators with ≥500 kW IT power must report PUE, waste heat utilization, water use, renewable en…
Read more →European Union — Member States
German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) — Data Centers
Germany · 2024
First legal framework for data center energy efficiency in Germany. Applies to centers ≥300 kW. PUE targets: existing (pre-July 2026) 1.5 by 2027, 1.3 by 2030; new (from July 2026) 1.2. Waste heat: ne…
Read more →France — Éco Énergie Tertiaire & Data Center Study
France · 2024
Éco Énergie Tertiaire decree requires data center operators to submit energy consumption data annually by Sept 30 to OPERAT. Autorité de la concurrence study (Dec 2024) on AI energy/environment: ident…
Read more →United States
Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI
United States (Federal) · 2023
Biden administration order addressing AI safety, security, and trust. Directs federal agencies to consider AI's environmental and climate impacts. Complements data center and energy infrastructure ini…
Read more →Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure
United States (Federal) · 2025
Executive order streamlining environmental permitting for AI data centers on federal lands. Defines 'Data Center Projects' as facilities requiring 100+ MW for AI. Requires zero/low-carbon energy (geot…
Read more →US Environmental Laws Affecting Data Centers
United States (Federal) · Various
Clean Air Act (emissions), Clean Water Act (discharge permits), RCRA (e-waste), CERCLA (hazardous releases), ESA (endangered species). Energy Policy Act, Energy Independence and Security Act, FDCCI, E…
Read more →United States — States
California Data Center Energy Regulation
California · 2024–2026
SB 57 directs CPUC to study data center cost-shifting to residential/small business; findings due Jan 2027. AB 222 (proposed) would require PUE and AI training energy reporting to CEC. Title 24 Buildi…
Read more →Virginia Data Center Policy & JLARC Review
Virginia · 2024
JLARC report (Dec 2024): 63M sq ft data center space, ~5,050 MW power (≈2M households). Recommendations on sales tax exemption ($928.6M FY23), energy infrastructure, cost allocation, environmental imp…
Read more →Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA)
Texas · 2025
Third US state with comprehensive AI legislation. Effective Jan 1, 2026. Consumer protection (no discrimination, constitutional rights); government restrictions (no biometric ID without consent, no so…
Read more →Ohio PUCO Data Center Tariff
Ohio · 2025
PUCO order (July 2025): first-of-its-kind data center–specific tariff. AEP Ohio received 30,000 MW new requests from data centers/crypto. Tariff requires data centers to pay minimum 85% of highest for…
Read more →Colorado Consumer Protections for AI Act (SB24-205)
Colorado · 2024
First comprehensive state AI regulation in US. Effective Feb 2026 (may delay to Aug 2027). Regulates high-risk AI in employment, education, finance, healthcare, housing, insurance, legal, government. …
Read more →Illinois AI Employment Discrimination (HB 3773)
Illinois · 2024
Amends Illinois Human Rights Act. Prohibits employers from using AI that discriminates against employees/applicants on protected characteristics. Notice required when AI used in employment decisions. …
Read more →Utah AI Policy Act (SB 149)
Utah · 2024
First US state law regulating private-sector generative AI. Effective May 1, 2024. Requires disclosure when AI used in consumer interactions; prohibits AI fraud; creates Office of Artificial Intellige…
Read more →Arizona Data Center Regulation — Phoenix, Chandler, Tucson
Arizona · 2024–2025
Phoenix (Dec 2024): restrictions on data center locations, exterior design, community input. Chandler: first Valley city with data center ordinance (2022). Tucson: Large Quantity Water User ordinance …
Read more →China
AI-Energy Integration Plan
China (NDRC, NEA) · 2025
Joint plan by NDRC and National Energy Administration to integrate AI with the energy sector for green transition. Targets: AI-energy innovation system by 2027; world-leading AI applications in energy…
Read more →Global AI Governance Action Plan
China · 2025
Emphasizes Green AI, high-quality data, and AI safety governance. Part of broader 'AI Plus' initiative with penetration targets (70% intelligent terminals by 2027, 90% by 2030). Complements draft ethi…
Read more →Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Plans
China · 2025
Unified carbon accounting, 110+ national standards for corporate carbon, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction. Data centers must meet energy efficiency standards; 246+ national green data centers r…
Read more →China — Provinces & Municipalities
Beijing Data Center Optimization Plan (2024–2027)
Beijing · 2024
Existing Data Center Optimization Work Plan. Target: average PUE ≤1.35 by 2027. Incentives: up to 1,200 yuan/ton standard coal for retrofits, max 30M yuan per project. Green power targets: 20–40% by 2…
Read more →Shanghai Smart Computing Center Guidelines (2025)
Shanghai · 2025
New smart computing centers must be outside outer ring; middle ring prohibited. New large-scale centers: min 12 kW rack design power, ≥24 MW total, baseline PUE ≤1.25. Proposes unified green electrici…
Read more →Beijing Economic-Technological Development Zone — Data Center Energy
Beijing (Econ-Tech Zone) · 2024
Measures to strengthen data center energy consumption management in the development zone.
Read more →United Kingdom
Japan
Singapore
Ireland
Netherlands
India
Canada
Australia
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