AXIOS (Amy Harder) - Exclusive: Data center firm inks carbon removal deal as AI demand surges
NTT Data, a major data center operator, is buying carbon removal credits from startup Climeworks to help meet its climate goals, the companies exclusively shared with Axios on Thursday. Why it matters: Surging energy demand from AI is increasing scrutiny of data centers' emissions — and could expand the pool of buyers for carbon removal as the sector faces setbacks. Driving the news: Japan-based NTT Data Group has agreed to buy an unspecified amount of carbon removal credits from Climeworks — the first agreement between the Switzerland-based startup and a major AI infrastructure company. - The companies aren't disclosing terms of the agreement, but Climeworks co-CEO Christoph Gebald said the deal could provide a few hundred thousand…