Activists across Europe plan two days of protests against datacentres
Protesters across Europe are planning two days of action against datacentres this week, with demonstrations set for Friday and Saturday in 15 countries. More than 100 groups, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Foxglove, will stage the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” events. Organisers expect attendance to range from a handful to several hundred, with larger gatherings in Brick Lane and…
Key points
- Activists in 15 countries plan two days of protests against datacentres.
- More than 100 groups join the 'Stop Dirty Data Centres' events.
- AI datacentres could emit 123 million tonnes CO₂ in the UK over the next decade.
The protests target the environmental and social costs of large AI datacentres. Research by the Öko‑Institut projects that carbon dioxide emissions from AI datacentres will be six times the 2023 level by 2030. In the UK, energy use could emit up to 123 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next decade, roughly the same as 2.7 million people. The campaign also cites mental‑health impacts and job displacement.
The protests reflect growing public pressure for moratoria on large‑scale developments.
Activists across Europe prepare two days of protests against datacentres
The Guardian AI · 5 November 2026
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