Five key tenets of data centre sustainability
How do you improve data centre sustainability? We believe that when used in combination, these five actions will drive holistic environmental sustainability.
1. Setting a strategy
Set a bold, actionable strategy with measurable targets and transparent reporting.
2. Efficient design
Implement sustainable data centre designs, prioritising longevity, and low embodied carbon.
3. Efficient operations
Drive sustainability in operations through digitisation and analytics.
4. Buying renewable energy
Buy renewable energy and tackle Scope 2 emissions.
5. Supply chain decarbonisation
Decarbonise supply chains and reduce Scope 3 emissions.
Set a bold and actionable strategy with measurable targets to advance data centre sustainability. Analyse critical data inputs, identify goals, and prioritise the next steps towards efficiency, resource conservation and decarbonisation.
Watch the video to see how EcoStruxure™ Resource Advisor enables target setting and analytics for sustainability goals.
Sustainability measurement and reporting
Whether you are tracking metrics for compliance reporting or monitoring progress towards your goals, it is crucial to measure and monitor data centre sustainability KPIs across energy, emissions, water, and other areas of impact.
Key sustainability metrics
Our industry-leading white paper, Guide to Environmental Sustainability Metrics from Data Centres, presents 28 key metrics across five impact areas.
Read the metrics guideIdentify a reporting system
An environmental sustainability management software presents data from multiple sources, enabling analytics, reporting, and optimisation.
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Read the white paper -
Discover EcoStruxure Resource Advisor
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Improve sustainability reporting
Transparent reporting is key to demonstrating your data centre’s commitment to sustainability. Let our team of experts help you collect, manage, and report data.
Explore our consulting servicesDigital Realty tracks progress
See how our customer, Digital Realty, sets targets, collects data, and measures progress toward sustainability goals.
Read the blog

Ready for the Energy Efficiency Directive? We can help
Let our expertise guide you toward the right strategy, software, and connected solutions to meet the compliance mandates of the Energy Efficiency Directive.
Leveraging efficient design and operations
As the demand for data centres grows, maintaining maximum operational efficiency is paramount. Learn how data and analytics are key to improving efficiency across the data centre lifecycle.
Efficient design
Check out our validated plans for efficient IEC and ANSI designs, or learn how ETAP software can model and simulate power operations.
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Explore EcoStruxure Reference Designs -
Learn more about ETAP
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Digitisation for efficiency
Digitally connected power, buildings, and IT systems enable greater visibility and help make informed decisions to improve performance.
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Explore EcoStruxure Platform software
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Planning and monitoring
Track performance across monitoring dashboards to make continuous improvement. Utilise digital twin software to anticipate how operational changes will impact efficiency.
Discover EcoStruxure IT DCIM softwareModernisation
Use a mix of maintenance, modernisation, and end-of-life services to sustainably improve performance.
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Read more on modernisation
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Boost data centre sustainability with renewable energy
As the no. 1 power purchase agreement (PPA) solution provider as ranked by Guidehouse Insights, we are a leading advisor on global energy procurement. We can also assist with energy attribute certificates, onsite and offsite projects, and tax equity financing for large programmes.
Renewables and cleantech
Navigate complex renewable energy markets with top-ranked expertise you can rely on. Discover how our renewable and cleantech services can reduce emissions and stabilise energy costs.
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Discover our renewables services -
Read our guide
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Micro-grids
Microgrids increase resilience while decreasing grid load, carbon footprint, and energy costs. See how a microgrid can protect your data centre while enabling greener operations.
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Read the white paper -
Explore our microgrid solutions
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Battery storage
Replace diesel generators with sustainable options like Li-Ion battery storage systems, fuel cells, hydrogen, and modular nuclear power. Explore green backup power.
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Read the blog
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Catalyse PPA Partnership
We have partnered with Intel and Applied Materials to launch a combined PPA, driving sustainability across the semiconductor value chain.
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Scope 3 emissions and decarbonisation
How can data centres measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions? Begin with an inventory and accounting to help prioritise areas of reduction, and explore how to decarbonise your data centre’s supply chain.
What are Scope 3 emissions?
Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions often difficult to monitor because they outside a company’s direct control. Our research shows how to make a systematic inventory and begin monitoring.
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Read the recommended inventory -
See a hypothetical model
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Supply chain decarbonisation
Reduce supply chain emissions to decrease your carbon footprint while improving resilience and reliability. Our experts can help you model decarbonised resource use across your supply chain.
Explore moreData Centre Lifecycle CO₂ calculator
Our calculator estimates and sees key drivers of your data centre’s carbon footprint. Try it to see which emissions sources to prioritise for reduction.
Test the calculator
Selecting low-carbon, sustainable solutions
How can you tell if the data centre solutions you purchase are truly sustainable? Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are critical to determining embedded carbon and making product comparisons to evaluate data centre sustainability impact.
Sustainable products by design
Learn about the standards for product labelling and how to read an environmental declaration document.
Read the white paperExplore our EPDs
Look up our product environmental information including embedded carbon and RoHS and REACH compliance.
Find your productEnvironmental Data Program
Explore how the Environmental Data Program reflects our commitment to transparency and create trust with our ecosystem.
Learn more about Environmental Data Program
Resources
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TradeOff Tools
Our collection of TradeOff Tools can support your planning decisions, by modelling “what if” scenarios and changing variables.
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Data centre lifecycle CO2e calculator
The data centre lifecycle CO2e calculator can help you estimate and see key drivers of your data centre’s carbon footprint
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