Yazılar

Investors Pressure Big Tech Over Data Center Water, Power Use

/in /tarafından

Major investors are increasing pressure on Amazon, Microsoft and Google to disclose more information about the environmental impact of their rapidly expanding data center operations in the United States.

The scrutiny comes as several large-scale data center projects have faced community opposition, forcing companies to reconsider or abandon multibillion-dollar developments. Concerns center on rising electricity demand and water consumption driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Investor groups, including Trillium Asset Management, have filed shareholder resolutions seeking clearer reporting on emissions targets and sustainability strategies. Despite prior commitments—such as Google’s goal to halve emissions by 2030—investors note that emissions have instead increased significantly.

Water usage has become a focal issue. Data centers in North America consumed nearly one trillion liters of water in 2025, raising concerns about local resource strain. While companies are adopting more efficient cooling systems, such as closed-loop technologies, reporting standards vary widely across firms.

Meta Platforms has disclosed partial data showing rising water use, while Microsoft reports aggregate figures without site-level breakdowns. Amazon provides efficiency metrics but not total consumption, and Google’s disclosures omit some third-party facilities.

Investors argue that detailed, site-specific data is essential to evaluate operational risks and environmental impact, particularly in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern.

The pressure reflects a broader shift in how shareholders assess Big Tech, balancing strong growth from AI-driven infrastructure with long-term environmental and regulatory risks. As data center expansion accelerates, transparency and community engagement are becoming critical factors in sustaining that growth.

eBay Acquires Depop to Strengthen Resale Fashion

/in /tarafından

eBay has forecast stronger-than-expected first-quarter revenue while announcing the acquisition of fashion resale platform Depop from Etsy for approximately $1.2 billion. The move aims to expand eBay’s position in the fast-growing pre-owned fashion segment.

The company expects quarterly revenue between $3 billion and $3.05 billion, surpassing analyst projections of $2.80 billion. This outlook reflects continued growth driven by its focus on recommerce, which emphasizes refurbished, authenticated and second-hand products.

Depop is seen as a strategic addition, particularly due to its popularity among younger consumers who prioritize sustainability and circular consumption. The platform has gained traction in the resale fashion market by promoting the reuse of clothing and accessories.

According to CEO Jamie Iannone, the acquisition aligns with shifting consumer preferences toward environmentally conscious shopping habits. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter and could contribute up to two percentage points to eBay’s gross merchandise volume growth by 2026.

For the first quarter, eBay anticipates total merchandise sales between $21.5 billion and $21.9 billion, exceeding market expectations. The company previously reported $2.97 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, alongside a 10 percent increase in merchandise volume.

Uber Rebrands “Green” as “Electric” and Offers $4,000 Grants to Speed Up EV Adoption

/in /tarafından

Uber Technologies (UBER.N) announced on Wednesday that it is rebranding its “Uber Green” ride option as “Uber Electric”, unveiling a $4,000 incentive program to encourage U.S. drivers to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The move marks a key step in the company’s plan to achieve zero-emission rides globally by 2040.

The new initiative, called “Go Electric”, will provide eligible drivers with grants of up to $4,000, which can be stacked with state and manufacturer incentives, helping to offset EV prices at a time when costs are rising. The federal $7,500 EV tax credit, introduced under President Joe Biden, expired last month, making Uber’s grants even more valuable for drivers considering the switch.

Earlier this year, Uber transitioned its Uber Green service in the U.S. to an all-electric fleet, eliminating hybrids from the program. The company now counts over 200,000 EVs on its platform worldwide, with drivers in North America and Europe adopting electric vehicles up to five times faster than the general population.

According to Uber, one in four riders said their first EV experience came through an Uber trip. To celebrate the rebrand, the company will also offer riders a 20% discount on their next electric ride.

Uber is expanding its battery-aware matching system — a feature that connects drivers to trips within their available battery range — to 25 countries. The tool aims to reduce “range anxiety”, the common concern that an EV may run out of charge before reaching a destination or charging station.

Uber’s sustainability push comes as competition in green mobility intensifies, with rivals such as Lyft and Bolt also pledging to electrify their fleets. Analysts say Uber’s latest move could strengthen its leadership in urban electrification, particularly as governments tighten emissions rules and consumer demand for eco-friendly transport continues to grow.