According to a report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the energy consumption of AI data centres could reach 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, which is comparable to the annual electricity needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights that this energy demand raises significant concerns regarding water and land resources, particularly in areas already facing drought and water scarcity. The water footprint associated with these data centres could meet the minimum domestic water needs of all residents in Sub-Saharan Africa, while their land use could exceed 14,500 square kilometres. Furthermore, the report notes that AI systems vary in energy consumption based on the tasks they perform, with more complex tasks requiring significantly more energy. The environmental impacts of AI infrastructure are unevenly distributed globally, with countries like Ireland experiencing increased electricity demands from data centres. The report also warns of the potential for 2.5 million tonnes of electronic waste generated annually, much of which may be processed in low-income countries lacking environmental protections.