Data center sustainability - what does  it look like?

Johanna Flood

In an era where AI is making data centers mushroom and the energy use from digitalization will multiply over the next years, how can data centers be as sustainable as possible?

These days, most apps have AI plug-ins, and AI seems to be the solution to any problem, including the climate crisis. Data center energy use was around 1.5% of global electricity use in 2024, and it will likely double in 2030, according to the IEA. CO₂ emissions from the sector are around the same share globally and emit more than airplanes. In the US, McKinsey predicts that data centers will use up to 12% of the power in 2030. However, about 80% of the population uses the internet, and only the richest 20% of the population fly.

So how can we make sure this digitalization does not create more problems than it solves? To begin with, it does not make sense to pick one piece of the value chain. Data centers are just one building block in the life cycle of digitalization.

Data is neither good nor bad

Data and AI in themselves are neither inherently good nor bad. It is all about what we use them for. Sustainability starts with us, as consumers of data. How do we use data? Do we randomly play with AI just to let time pass? Do we stream in 4K? That increases energy use many times compared to normal streaming. Do we generate AI images for entertainment? How do we spend our time, online or offline? What companies do we support with our time and money.

Companies designing applications and services and calculation models have a large impact. They can design applications that make the world better or worse – contributing or not. They can also design their services to be energy-smart or not so smart.

Servers are more efficient now – so we use them more

The magic of digitalization happens in the servers, or GPUs. The energy efficiency journey for these mega-computers has been enormous. Each year or so, they became twice as smart, leading to doubling the capacity per m² of data center per year. Has this helped cut emissions and energy use from data? Of course not. The rebound effect is in full swing here, and the more efficient they are at doing their job, the more work they get, unless we reduce demand.

Where do you build your data centers?

The location of data centers also plays a crucial role in sustainability. What is the land situation? The biodiversity value of the plot? Do you need extra construction material to build the data centers because of the soil? Is there renewable power in the grid? What about water, is it scarce? Is the place cool, so that less energy needs to be used for air conditioning? How is the ground? Do you need to destroy a lot of nature to build on the spot, or is it in an industrial area? All of these choices impact the environment and the communities around the data centers throughout their life.

Impact from the building and its content

So what about the data centers themselves? A data center can be divided into three parts: the building itself, the electronic equipment used to feed and keep the servers happy and cool, and the servers themselves.

The data center building design can be good or worse. High energy efficiency, using low-carbon building materials such as wood, sedum roofs, biodiversity-offsetting, heat reuse of the waste heat, co-creation of eco-efficient equipment with suppliers, and water harvesting are all good practices for the design of the sites. Sourcing from local suppliers and local contractors can help strengthen the area where the data centers are located, giving back to the community.

As for the electronics in the data center, which are there to feed the servers with 24/7 electricity, keep them cool, and provide them with the right air humidity, wise choices can be made there too. SF₆, PFAS, and refrigerants are some chemicals to avoid. SF₆ is found in breakers and has a global warming potential 25,000 times worse than CO₂. PFAS is often found in fire-extinguishing equipment and is a group of chemicals that never degrade, and refrigerants are used for cooling—just like the air conditioning in your car—and are often greenhouse gases that make the planet warmer. The energy efficiency of the whole system should be as high as possible, without compromising other environmental and social factors.

Best practice for sustainable operations

Data centers can also be run more or less sustainably. During operations, there are some best practices that I have come across after more than 10 years in environmental and sustainability roles. Purchasing renewable power—ideally through PPAs, which means that you invest in renewables—is one of the best options for powering your data centers. You can also buy guarantees of origin, but this does not drive new renewable generation. Using HVO instead of diesel is a low-CO₂ option for back-up power, with less pollution overall to air and lower risks of soil pollution.

Ensuring sufficient load so the data center can operate as efficiently as possible is one. Without enough load, the cooling does not work properly, so data centers might have to use fans to heat the air so that it can be cooled—not smart. The energy not used is always the most sustainable energy, so an energy-efficiency culture amongst all staff will support less energy waste. Not using drinking water for cooling, especially not in water-scarce areas, is of great importance, since most animals and humans need water to survive.

Bring back to the people

Data centers are known for using loads of energy per employee, and sometimes the pushback from people is fierce. We tend not to want to have data centers in our backyards.

This is why it is important to ensure a positive social impact on the local communities. To start early with community engagement. To minimize the nuisance for the local people during construction and to continue bringing back to the community. An often overlooked aspect of sustainable data centers is the people working there. Employers have great power in empowering their people and helping them grow. Local employees can strengthen the communities that are affected by the establishment.

Developing the employees on a personal level might have a positive handprint on the people around the data centers. What if data center employers could offer inner development not only to the leaders, but to all employees? Developing the local workforce, helping people grow their awareness, and be happier is a plus on the social side that can spread over generations.

Today’s data centers – tomorrow’s waste

Finally, the end of life of the data centers. What will we do with all the data center equipment in 10–15 years from now, when the servers, the cooling equipment, and the infrastructure need to be replaced? Can they be reused? For what? Can we upgrade them or easily recycle valuable materials? This is a very important question that data center companies need to ask their suppliers and clients already now. Today’s purchases and clients will generate the waste of 2035. Tomorrow’s data centers will be the waste of 2040—and there will be a lot.

Sustainability for data centers is not just a question of energy efficiency, but of how we as consumers use data, the data center design, location, social responsibility, and what kind of digital future we choose to build.

Did I miss some aspects? Do you not agree? Let me know!