Phoenix Mayor Gallego attends Global Climate Conference

November 14, 2025 WOL

Gallego attended with 50 U.S. mayors and said A.I. and data centers played a large role in discussions.

PHOENIX — The planet’s premier climate conference is happening right now in Brazil, as world leaders negotiate ways to reduce warming emissions and reckon with the exploding data center industry.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego attended with 50 U.S. mayors and said A.I. and data centers played a large role in discussions.

“I’m very hopeful one of the big focus areas for the statement coming out of this will be that this investment in artificial intelligence has to be done in a way that is responsible for energy and water use, and that makes sure it does not disproportionately drive up all of our power bills,” Gallego said.

Acknowledging Phoenix’s role in catering to new data centers, Gallego said she explained to leaders of global investment firms the importance of ensuring data centers comply with other requirements related to noise levels and landscaping.

Gallego said she is also working to secure a philanthropic investment in sustainable food production in Arizona. Four of the past five summers in Phoenix have been the hottest on record. Scientists say agriculture is at risk of getting more expensive and more difficult to sustain.

“We want ways to ensure more food can be locally grown, produced with low energy, more sustainable in terms of water use, and so I think we will get a good philanthropic gift to keep working on this in in the city of Phoenix.”

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