Climate change is a priority around the world. Carbon emissions, which act as greenhouse gases, trap heat from the sun, causing global warming. The world is now warming faster than at any other time in history. As warmer temperatures change weather patterns, they pose risks to humans.
Fossil fuels that generate carbon emissions (coal, oil and gas) contribute significantly to climate change. They account for more than 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Because data centers consume so much energy from fossil fuels (driven by the need to host high-performance IT infrastructure for customers), they produce 2 percent of U.S. carbon emissions.
It's time for the industry to step up.
Sustainability Manager at DataBank.
Leading the way to sustain natural resources
Many data center providers are already at the forefront of positively contributing to sustaining the world's natural resources. They move even faster than any standard could require.
For example, several suppliers strive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. This covers three scopes as established by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol created by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development:
Scope 1—direct emissions produced on site
Scope 2—emissions from purchased electricity
Scope 3—emissions produced by upstream and downstream inputs (suppliers and customers)
However, for the data center industry to truly make progress in all three areas, providers must ensure collaboration to set standards to achieve net-zero emissions. This will keep everyone accountable and moving in the right direction.
Commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2030
Although data center companies can align with established frameworks and others have developed frameworks on their own, there is no standard that the entire industry has endorsed. Those data center providers with a framework to achieve net zero commitments have positioned themselves to adjust their strategies if the industry adopts standards. With a framework, they can also adapt quickly as new technologies to reduce carbon emissions come to market.
Some suppliers have committed to achieving net zero emissions by the end of the decade. However, most have gone further. Scope 1 and 2 emissions can be more easily addressed in the near term, but Scope 3 net zero targets can be set further out, as that depends on the actions of suppliers and customers.
Finding a starting point for carbon emissions standards
One of the most prominent net zero frameworks is the one established by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Many companies, including some data center providers, have established target commitments through SBTi. However, others, including many in the data center industry, are finding it difficult to align with the SBTi framework due to changing requirements and limitations.
SBTi developed a one-size-fits-all framework and recently applied much stricter requirements, making it difficult for all industries to fit its mold. Data centers represent a high-growth industry that is dedicated to selling power, and they have to provide that power 24/7 for mission-critical customer workloads.
We are also seeking to decarbonize rapidly to meet customer and community sustainability needs. The unprecedented growth we are experiencing as an industry creates unique challenges.
These include setting absolute and short-term emissions reduction targets from a baseline year and aligning with new SBTi commitment requirements. Developing an approach that enables the data center industry to drive significant emissions reductions in all three areas in a pragmatic and fiscally responsible manner will be imperative for continued success and credibility.
Even if SBTi alignment is not currently feasible, companies can still create net zero goals and plans aligned with the latest recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As the leading international body for assessing climate change, the IPCC outlines a scientific approach towards net zero in line with the Paris Agreement. This includes aligning with mitigation pathways to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Aligning with the IPCC net zero pathway would allow a company to focus on maintaining credibility through transparency in reporting, prioritization and driving significant emissions reductions across all three areas. Companies can also develop a plan to purchase permanent, credible carbon removal offsets for unavoidable residual emissions.
A collaborative sustainability ecosystem
The sustainability ecosystem among data center providers is collaborative: we all have the same end goal. As a result, there is a lot of knowledge sharing between companies so that we can all move forward.
Many digital infrastructure industry players participate in the iMasons Climate Agreement (ICA) as well as other industry groups to share knowledge and further collaborate. The ICA coalition joins in reducing carbon in digital infrastructure to achieve carbon neutrality.
The organization includes data center operators, suppliers and customers. We are all trying to make changes by sharing best practices.
An ambitious but achievable goal
Yes, the data center commitment to reach net zero emissions is ambitious, but the goal is achievable, especially for Scope 1 and Scope 2, in the coming years.
Getting there is key as the world continues to look for ways to make our planet sustainable. At the same time, energy demand continues to rise as data centers play a critical role in powering new technologies such as artificial intelligence and allowing people to connect with data instantly.
The data center industry must continue to lead the way in striking the right balance. By working together, we can keep things moving forward.
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