Expanding access to green data infrastructure
November 14, 2024, 13:30-14:30
DIP Space, Building E (Pavilion D13)
As the global digital economy expands, the demand for data storage and processing is driving a rapid increase in data centers worldwide. These facilities, while essential to the functioning of modern societies and industries, are highly energy-intensive. They consume significant amounts of electricity, often rely on refrigerants, and use large quantities of water for cooling, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, the carbon footprint of data centers is now comparable to that of the airline and maritime industries combined. In regions where renewable energy sources are not readily available or widely used, data centers are a major contributor to fossil fuel consumption. Simultaneously, the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and extreme weather events, pose increasing risks to the stability and operation of these critical infrastructures. As a result, data center operators are increasingly incorporating climate risk management into their strategies.
Many countries are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, including data centers. However, many regions face significant knowledge and financing gaps when it comes to implementing green and climate-resilient solutions. There is a pressing need to de-risk green digital investments and provide clarity on the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into digital development strategies. Governments have a crucial role to play in this transition. While the private sector has made significant strides toward net-zero goals, often driven by ambitious corporate sustainability targets, the public sector’s role in promoting and developing green, climate-resilient data centers is equally important.
Governments play a crucial role in promoting green, climate-resilient data centers by shaping policies, standards, and guidelines, alongside private sector efforts toward net-zero goals. However, challenges like restrictive procurement practices hinder progress. Greening data centers is a holistic challenge, essential for climate mitigation, decarbonization, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A comprehensive approach, covering design to e-waste disposal, is needed to reduce their environmental footprint and support green and circular economic development.
