Microsoft AGM: Investors Raise Concern about Company Fueling Climate Change with Its AI Technology Products
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, [email protected], (310) 730-9407
EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA—DECEMBER 4, 2025— Tomorrow, Microsoft investors will get a second chance to voice their support for a proposal asking the Company to assess risks related to the use of its artificial intelligence technologies for facilitating new oil and gas development and production.
The proposal, filed by ex-Microsoft employees Holly and Will Alpine, highlights the contradiction and risk posed by Microsoft marketing itself as a climate leader while ignoring the tremendous emissions that its oil & gas AI products facilitate.
Customers, including ExxonMobil , Chevron, and Shell, use Microsoft’s AI products to accelerate new oil and gas extraction. These contracts likely result in far more greenhouse gas emissions than the rest of Microsoft’s emissions put together, including those from powering its data centers. Disclosing the full range of risks associated with this technology will help inform investor’s decision making.
Last year, nearly 10% of investors voted for a similar proposal. A year later, as the harms from a warming climate grow dramatically, concern over corporate contributions to greenhouse gas emissions have only amplified. Microsoft has not responded to the proposal or increased transparency around the climate implications of its oil & gas contracts.
Google, Microsoft’s competitor, has committed to not build custom AI algorithms to facilitate upstream extraction in the oil and gas industry.
“Microsoft cannot claim to be a climate leader while its technology is being used to prolong reliance on fossil fuels,” said Holly Alpine, founder of the Enabled Emissions Campaign, “If the world’s most powerful tech companies keep enabling new fossil fuel development, every climate target on Earth is at risk.”
“By deepening reliance on fossil fuel-related revenues, Microsoft ties the profitability of one of its most important growth opportunities to an industry that faces the likelihood of significant financial disruption and displacement in the coming decades,” said Danielle Fugere, President and General Counsel at As You Sow. “The contours of this growing risk should be disclosed to investors.”
Microsoft runs the risk of damaging its brand and reputation by presenting one story to climate leaders and another to fossil-fuel partners. Microsoft is already facing public scrutiny for excessive energy use at its data centers. The Company will be better served by committing to responsible use of AI across all its business ventures and by disclosing any remaining risks related to the use of its artificial intelligence technologies.”
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As You Sow is the nation's leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow's shareholder resolution tracker.