The Vatican is smaller than a single data center. Now it’s spending $117 million to go carbon-neutral

Pope Francis has long advocated for the Catholic Church to address climate change as a moral issue, not just a scientific one. Now, the Holy See is following through on its commitment and allocating approximately 100 million euros ($117 million) to build a carbon-neutral state in Vatican City. Vatican City, covering just 44 hectares (109 acres), will build a 80- to 90-megawatt agrivoltaic power plant on a nearby 1,050-to-1,100-acre estate expected to be operational within two years.

The Vatican's new plant would generate significantly less power than even a single mid-sized AI data center, let alone the industry's rapid expansion. Data centers worldwide are projected to more than double their electricity use by 2030, creating significant strain on energy resources. The Vatican's climate pledges, aimed at reducing emissions by 20% by 2030 and achieving zero emissions by 2050, stand in contrast to the U.S. administration's stance on climate change and its rejection of the upcoming UN climate conference.