Green data centers:
towards a sustainable
digital transformation
A practitioner’s guide
2023
2 Guide to Green Data Centers
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2 Guide to Green Data Centers
Table of contents
plain textExecutive summary 8 Introduction 11 Greening Data Centers - Climate Resilience 21 • Climate-Resilient Data Center 21 Greening Data Infrastructure - Climate Change Mitigation 24 • Sustainable Design and Building 24 • Sustainable ICT 28 • Sustainable Energy 30 • Sustainable Cooling 32 • E-Waste Management 36 Greening Public Procurement of Data Centers 39 • Procurement Planning 39 • Procuring the Data Center 46 Greening the Enabling Environment for Data Centers 49 • Data Center Policy Framework 49 • Data Center Public Services and Utilities 55 • Data Center Enablers: Skills, Innovation and Financing 58 • Measurement, Reporting, and Verification 62 • Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Policy Instruments 64 Appendix A. Key Cross-Cutting Industry Standards and Certifications 66 Appendix B. Resiliency Measures for Data Centers 68 Appendix C. Mitigation Measures for Data Centers 70
4 Guide to Green Data Centers
List of figures and cases
plain textFIGURES Figure 1. Green Data Center Dimensions 9 Figure 2. Data Centers’ Energy Use Magnitude and Trends 17 Figure 3. Data Center Lifecycle 19 Figure 4. Mitigation Strategies for Data Centers 24 Figure 5. Data Center Site Selection 26 Figure 6. Typical Information and Communications Technology Equipment in a Data Center 28 Figure 7. Raised Floor and Overhead Air Supply System 33 Figure 8. Waste Hierarchy Ranking System to Determine the Most Environmentally Favorable Option 36 Figure 9. Energy Consumption According to Host 50 Figure 10. Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes 63 Figure 11. Steps to Reduce Data Center Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes 64 CASES Case 1. Data Center Infrastructure Enabling E-Government Services: Pacific Islands 14 Case 2. Internet Exchange Point Development: Djibouti and Kenya 15 Case 3. Protective Shutdowns due to Extreme Heat: Europe 23 Case 4. Data Center Resilience: India 23 Case 5. EDGE Certification: Nigeria and Colombia 27 Case 6. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification: Kenya 27 Case 7. Green Mountain Data Center: Norway 27 Case 8. Use of Renewable Energy: Latin America 31 Case 9. Facebook Uses Waste Heat: Odense, Denmark 31 Case 10. Free Cooling: Brazil 34 Case 11. Chimney-Style Airway: Republic of Korea 34 Case 12. Data Center E-Waste Management: Zimbabwe 38 Case 13. Circular Economy for the Data Center Industry: United Kingdom 38 Case 14. Use of Power Purchase Agreements: South Africa 45 Case 15. Eastern Data, Western Computing National Plan: China 49 Case 16. Government Greening ICT Strategy: United Kingdom 50 Case 17. Decree on Data Center Energy Consumption: Brazil 51 Case 18. Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers: European Union 51 Case 19. Green Data Centers Rating: India 52 Case 20. Specification for Green Data Centers: Malaysia 52 Case 21. Blue Angel Ecolabel for Data Centers, Germany 52 Case 22. CitySwitch Energy Audit Subsidy for Data Centers: Australia 53 Case 23. Subsidy for ISO Certification: France 53 Case 24. Solar and Wind Powering Data Centers: Chile 55 Case 25. Rules for Establishing Hyperscale Data Centers: The Netherlands 55 Case 26. Federal Energy Management Program for Cooling Water Efficiency: United States 56 Case 27. Voluntary Freshwater Cooling Tower Scheme: Hong Kong 56 Case 28. Circular Electronics System: Nigeria 57 Case 29. Containerized Data Center: Laos 60 Case 30. The Digital Investment Facility 61
5 Guide to Green Data Centers
List of tables
plain textTABLES Table 1. Effects of Climate Hazards on Data Centers 21 Table 2. Core Questions to Determine Needs 40 Table 3. Data Center Models and Green Levers to Shape Environmentally Sustainable Choices in Data Center Procurement 41 Table 4. Lifecycle Costs of Various Data Center Models and Opportunities for Sustainability 42 Table 5. Prioritizing Green Procurement Objectives 44 Table 6. Standards, Labels, and Certifications 47 Table 7. Possible criteria Possibilities and Sources 48 Table 8. Green Data Infrastructure Policy Framework 54
6 Guide to Green Data Centers
Acronyms
plain textABBREVIATIONS DESCRIPTION ESG Environmental, social, and governance GHG Greenhouse gas GPP Green public procurement ICT Information and communications technology IEC International Electrotechnical Commission ISO International Organization for Standardization ITU International Telecommunication Union IXP Internet exchange point LCA Lifecycle assessment LMIC Low- and middle-income country PPA Power purchase agreement PUE Power use effectiveness WUE Water use effectiveness
7 Guide to Green Data Centers
Executive summary
Reliable, secure data hosting solutions are becoming increasingly important to support
everyday functions across societies, including for public management and service
delivery. As a result, investments in data infrastructure are increasing around the world,
contributing to growth of the digital economy and to goals for digital transformation of
public administration and services. Data infrastructure such as data centers and cloud
solutions are essential for modern societies, but they are also highly energy intensive
and consume refrigerants and often large amounts of water for cooling. As such, they
leave a large environmental footprint and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Climate change also affects data centers. Climate hazards such as floods and increasing
temperatures put data centers at risk and require site specific adaptation measures to
protect investments and ensure resilient data storage. To ensure sustainable digital
transformation, efforts are needed to green digital infrastructure, this includes managing
climate risks and reducing the climate and environmental footprint of data centers.
A wide range of practitioners are involved in decisions related to greening data centers.
These individuals encompass policy makers developing digital economy and digital
transformation strategies, as well as the engineers and technicians working every day on
the floors of data centers. This guide takes the vantage point of public practitioners, but
its fundamental principles apply to any stakeholder engaged in policymaking, regulation,
or the development, operation, or procurement of data center infrastructure and services.
Opportunities for and barriers to greening data centers are context specific, and strategies
and policies should consider local conditions. Designed with a global outlook, the guide
examines specific challenges and opportunities in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs).
Greening data centers supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, The guide covers
contributing to decarbonization of a country’s economy and helping meet wider six dimensions that
sustainability goals. Addressing the climate footprint of data centers requires a circular, practitioners can
life-cycle approach, spanning design, manufacturing, procurement, operations, reuse, consider to green
recycling, and e-waste disposal. The guide covers six dimensions that practitioners can data centers.
consider in efforts to green data centers (Figure 1). The first dimension responds to climate
risks to data centers, while the other five dimensions seek to mitigate the climate and
environmental footprint from data centers. These dimensions should also be considered
as part of public procurement strategies and requirements, and in wider policies and
regulations to encourage investment in green data centers and increased resilience and
efficiency of existing data center infrastructure.
3 Guide to Green Data Centers
ENVIRO
ADAPTION
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E NA EN
clim t proof
d t c nt rs in bl D si T
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inst countr IN
sp cific clim t nd Buildin s
plain textT CA OR N h z rds. O FR EP PO t TI AM ,R LI n NT CY Su EW i FI sil rs RI st ME OR PROCURE R nt VE t - in URE IC K N M C T AND MITIGATION E bl Clim MEAS D t M sur s to E E GR N r duc th T missions nd nvironm nt l imp ct from d t c nt rs. M n bl E-w in st r st m En Su nt SK ES IL LS IC Sust in bl S & ,I RV IE N FI O IT SE N VA N N C o olin IC IL A C TI BL D U T IN ON G PU AN
Figure 1. Green Data Center Dimensions
plain textClimate-Resilient Data Centers are competing for scarce water and energy resources and
As economies digitalize, disruptions to digital infrastructure governments need to factor this into planning and land
can have economy-wide implications, including taking down zoning. The design of the data center building affects
payment systems and access to critical communications environmental risks, cooling needs, resource use, and
and other essential public and private services. Data centers energy inefficiency. Proper dimensioning is one of the most
are susceptible to climate hazards. For example, flooding important parameters for net sustainability. Modular data
can damage data center information and communications center design is increasingly applied to allow for future
technology (ICT) equipment, drought can restrict water expansion and avoid idle capacity. In addition, choosing
access for cooling, and high temperatures can stress cooling sustainable building materials and recycling or reusing
systems. Although risks differ according to geography and materials when possible, substantially affects the GHG
climate zone, LMICs are particularly vulnerable. Eight of the footprint of a data center. Governments can promote green
10 countries most affected by extreme weather events in building standards and lead the way applying these in public
2019 were classified as LMICs. Climate resiliency should be procurement, while schemes such as EDGE certification can
considered not only when planning and operating individual provide useful guidance and tools for verification.
data centers, but also at a national level to protect
critical infrastructure. Risk assessments are the first Sustainable ICT
step in identifying vulnerabilities and can guide resiliency ICT equipment in data centers requires power and cooling.
measures, including redundancy planning, site selection, Utilizing energy-efficient equipment, implementing
the use of weather-resilient building materials and design, virtualization technology to ensure efficient server
as well as backup and recovery plans. management, ensuring timely upgrades and refreshes, and
leveraging real-time monitoring of equipment performance
Sustainable Design and Buildings are key strategies for sustainable ICT use in data centers.
Most sustainable management of data centers focuses on Investing in more energy efficient ICT equipment may
the operational stage and overlooks green building aspects, increase initial costs, but the resulting long-term gains in
including opportunities to retrofit or expand existing efficiency and reduced energy costs often compensate for
facilities. Site selection determines access to resources such initial outlays. Incremental increases in processing speed
as renewable energy and water and can affect energy use. of new ICT equipment are slowing. As a result, data center
For example, choosing a cooler location within a country operators globally can consider investing in refurbished
can reduce cooling needs. In some countries data centers ICT equipment for facilities that do not require cutting
4 Guide to Green Data Centers
edge performance. Strengthening markets for refurbished E-Waste Management
equipment in LMICs can simultaneously reduce market Production of ICT equipment strains scarce resources
barriers such as price and access and drive environmental and contributes to GHG emissions. In addition, e-waste
gains. (discarded electronic equipment) poses significant
environmental and health risks because of the hazardous
Sustainable Energy substances it contains, such as mercury. The typical
Data centers are very energy intensive. To diversify rapid technology refresh rate in data centers contributes
energy sources and mitigate emissions, data centers are to the global e-waste challenge. When planning data
increasingly looking toward renewable energy sources. centers, it is important to consider equipment lifespan.
Shifting wholly or partially to renewable energy sources is Many companies are moving away from conventional
the most effective way to reduce the climate footprint of a short refresh cycles because servers are no longer getting
data center but is complicated by the energy consumption exponentially faster. Efficient e-waste management,
patterns of data centers. Data centers demand steady including reuse, refurbishment, and proper recycling, can
power 24/7 which cannot always be met by renewable mitigate environmental impacts and improve resource
energy sources alone. In addition, the lack of local availability recovery. Many LMICs do not have adequate public or
of renewable energy infrastructure and services can be private e-waste disposal and recycling infrastructure.
a significant barrier. Many LMICs have ample renewable Public support for the e-waste management ecosystem is
energy potential but lack infrastructure and markets for important to enable sustainable practices in data centers
generation and distribution. When planning for a green and to manage e-waste more broadly.
energy transition, governments should consider the digital
sector as part of the ecosystem. In some LMICs, data Greening Procurement and the Enabling
center operators are already aiding energy transition as Environment
developers or anchor tenants in renewable energy projects. Ensuring a sustainable digital transformation requires joint
Data centers are also partnering to find ways to reuse waste effort from both the private public sectors. While the private
heat. Regardless of energy source, efficient management of sector has championed many innovations in the data center
energy consumption is critical, including creating efficient space in recent years, there remains ample room for further
metrics and goals to drive energy efficiency improvements. progress. Governments can incentivize the private sector
through green procurement of public digital infrastructure
Sustainable Cooling and services, for example by defining minimum standards
Efficient cooling is crucial for high-performance computing or by enabling bidders to propose innovative solutions
and server technologies, which generate substantial heat. that meet certain criteria. Governments also influence
Data center temperature must be maintained within a the enabling environment through policy instruments. In
certain range to prevent condensation and damage to some countries, digital transformation strategies include
ICT equipment to prevent downtime and data loss. Many environmental targets, while others utilize zoning laws to
LMICs are in areas with high temperature and humidity. distribute data centers based on water and less efficient
Strategies for sustainable cooling include implementing energy resources, or incentivize decommissioning of
energy-efficient cooling technologies such as precision air ineffective legacy technology. Additionally, governments
conditioning, economizers, and containment systems to play an important role in removing barriers, such as those
optimize cooling efficiency. It is also important to implement hindering the widespread adoption of renewable energy
proper airflow management techniques, including hot sources. Other aspects of the enabling environment involve
and cold aisle containment, raised floors, and optimized more complex relationships with various stakeholders.
server rack layouts to ensure efficient heat dissipation Global innovations, such as advanced cooling technologies,
and minimize hotspots. Traditional refrigerants used in need to be adapted to suit the specific needs of LMICs
cooling systems contribute substantially to GHG emissions while also supporting development of local solutions. This
and climate change. Adopting alternative refrigerants as will require the support of local and global innovation
substitutes for hydrofluorocarbons in data center cooling ecosystems. Highly technical skills are needed to design
systems holds the potential to mitigate emissions, resulting and operate green data centers. Including green modules
in a reduction equivalent to approximately 43.5 gigatons into educational curricula is an important first step but
to 50.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide from 2020 to 2050.1 wider investments are needed to build technical expertise
At country level governments can regulate and support among private and public practitioners in areas such as
use of alternative refrigerants, and work with industry climate resilience and energy efficiency. Finally, financing
associations to strengthen market availability. is a significant barrier. It is critical to bring down the cost
premium of green choices and mitigate the risks associated
with the adoption of newer, more sustainable technologies.
This challenge calls for novel approaches from governments,
development partners, and cross-sector collaboration to
create effective solutions.
5 Guide to Green Data Centers
Introduction
Data infrastructure such as server rooms, data centers, and cloud solutions support Although there are
numerous public tasks and services. Access to efficient, secure data infrastructure is critical still large global
for the public sector and well-functioning societies. Globally, data traffic has grown rapidly disparities in data
over the last decades. Although there are still large global disparities in data infrastructure infrastructure
availability, governments and developers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are availability, low-
increasingly investing in storage and hosting solutions to meet their needs. and middle-income
countries (LMICs) are
Data Centers, Climate Change, and the Environment increasingly investing
Data centers are essential for storing and processing data. However, they are highly energy in storage and
intensive and consume refrigerants and often large quantities of water for cooling. Global hosting solutions to
digitalization of industry and societies drives energy consumption and greenhouse gas meet their needs.
(GHG) emissions, which are estimated to equal emissions from the airline and maritime
industries.2 In countries where renewable energy sources are not readily available or used,
data centers can contribute significantly to fossil fuel consumption.3 Climate change also
affects data centers, and operators are increasingly factoring climate hazards into risk
management.
Although governments and developers in LMICs are investing in data centers and the digital
economy, there are knowledge and financing gaps when it comes to greening efforts. In
LMICs, and globally, there is a need to de-risk and support green digital investments and
demystify how and why to promote greener digital development.
Role of Government
Most data on green data centers pertains to the private sector, because of the ambitious
net-zero goals and concerted effort of many global service providers, but governments also
play a role in promoting development of green, climate-resilient data centers by shaping
the enabling environment (laws, standards, guidelines) and upholding green standards for
public digital infrastructure. The incentives for public and private decision making vary
considerably, and procurement practices in the public sector are often more restrictive due
to budgetary constraints, compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks, and complex
decision making processes. Overcoming these barriers is necessary for the public sector
to accelerate greener sector development. Some governments are already facilitating and
promoting greener data centers, examples of which will be highlighted throughout this
guide, but in many countries, there is further opportunity to bridge green commitments
with digital transformation plans. In other words, work towards a twin green and digital
transition. Efforts to green data centers are also closely linked to the Sustainable
Development Goals and should be considered part of efforts to meet these goals.
A Holistic Approach
Greening data centers supports climate change mitigation and adaptation, contributing
to decarbonization and wider sustainability goals. Addressing the climate footprint of
data centers requires a holistic approach, including design, manufacturing, procurement,
operations, reuse, recycling, and e-waste disposal. Beyond increasing energy efficiency and
reducing carbon emissions, these steps can reduce e-waste and limit the data center's
environmental footprint throughout the data center lifecycle.
11 Guide to Green Data Centers
Balancing Objectives
Environmental sustainability is only one of several reasons to green digital infrastructure. For
example, making data infrastructure climate resilient is closely linked to risk management
of critical infrastructure. Other substantial benefits can be reaped by mainstreaming green
data center practices. In many LMICs, data centers compete for scarce energy resources
and in some cases water resources. Greening efforts can decrease pressure on national
energy grids and water supply. Powering data centers with renewable energy is linked
to wider energy supply considerations and is often prioritized by developers to ensure a
sufficient, diverse energy supply. Cost savings are also a key driver for energy efficiency
efforts or when opting for refurbished ICT equipment. Although capital investments in
green solutions can be higher than in traditional data centers, lower operating costs and
environmental gains can offset these costs in the long-term. Decisions must be made
based on cost-benefit analysis, technical feasibility, and consideration of objectives such
as digital reach and inclusion.
plain textResources This guide complements other International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Bank resources, including • Government Migration to Cloud Ecosystems: Multiple Options, Significant Benefits, Manageable Risks. World Bank. 2022 • Catalyzing the Green Digital Transformation. World Bank. 2023 [forthcoming] • Circular and Sustainable ICT Public Procurement Guide. International Telecommunication Union. 2023 • Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments. International Telecommunication Union and World Benchmarking Alliance. 2022 • Internet Waste. International Telecommunication Union, and the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum. 2020 • ITU-T Green ICT Standards and Supplements
12 Guide to Green Data Centers
Data Centers
The public sector requires various types of data storage and hosting to manage sensitive The term data center
and non-sensitive data, deliver e-services to citizens, and support digital transformation. covers everything
For ease, the term data center is used throughout the guide and covers everything from from individual
individual server rooms within institutions to full-fledged data centers, as well as cloud and server rooms within
hybrid solutions. Although there are differences between onsite servers and networks of institutions to full-
data centers for cloud solutions, all rely on a physical premise (room or building), energy- fledged data centers,
consuming hardware and software that emit heat, and often cooling solutions that as well as cloud and
consume water and energy. Appendix A provides more-tailored guidance. hybrid solutions.
The following are typical examples of data storage and hosting solutions:
Server room: used to store, power, and operate one or more servers on site. Provides a
controlled environment with hardware, racks, cabling systems, and network equipment.
Data center: used for data processing and storage for one or more organizations. Often
relies on resilient power supply, high-speed connectivity, a security system, and building
management controls.4 In a colocation data center, organizations can rent space,
equipment, and bandwidth.
Cloud: physical or virtual data storage solution that enables access to a scalable, elastic
pool of resources. Cloud solutions rely on data centers or networks of data centers. Cloud
can be private, meaning that only one organization uses it, or public, meaning that more
than one organization shares it (often purchased as a service).
Hybrid: combines public and private cloud resources. Hybrid cloud includes onsite,
colocation, public cloud, and edge storage infrastructure.5
The terms “public” and “private” are also used to distinguish ownership and operational
modes. The public sector uses various models, including publicly owned and operated
data infrastructure, public-private partnership models,6 and purchase of data hosting
as a service. In many LMICs, onsite server rooms and legacy systems are widely used in
the public sector for data storage, but an increasing number of countries are prioritizing
consolidation to modernize systems, reduce ownership costs, and sometimes migrate to
an internal cloud platform or outsource to a cloud service provider.7 Choosing between
different models depends on the preferences and needs of the public entity. This guide does
not discuss pros and cons of different models but rather green considerations as part of
wider decision making.
13 Guide to Green Data Centers
Data Center Availability in LMICs
There are large global disparities in data center capacity
(Map 1). Only a few emerging markets, such as Brazil and
South Africa, have attracted large-scale cloud service
providers to set up data center facilities. As of 2020 only
1 percent of the world's data center capacity is in Africa,
although major cloud service providers are entering the
market.8 The data center market in Asia is fragmented and
highly competitive. Although there are strong regional hubs,
such as Singapore, vendors are expanding their geographic
presence.
plain textColoc tion d t c nt rs Int rn t xch n points (IXPs) This map was produced by the Cartography Unit of the World Bank Group. The boundaries, colors, denominations and any other Subm rin c bl l ndin st tions information shown on this map do not imply, on the part of the World Bank Group, any judgment on the legal status of any territory, or Subm rin c bl s any endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. IBRD 45643 | MARCH 2021
Map 1. Distribution of Data Infrastructure and the Submarine Fiber-Optic Cable Network 9 10
Small island developing states also lack data center
capacity but are increasing their data center investments
(Case 1).
plain textSmall island developing states face unique challenges in accessing affordable, reliable digital infrastructure because of their size, isolated locations, and susceptibility to environmental risks.11 Many Pacific Island nations have developed core government IT infrastructure in the last decade, including government data centers and networks. For example, Papua New Guinea launched a government data center in 2005, the Solomon Islands set up a new data center in 2019, and Tonga established a cloud service - government data center in 2017.12
Case 1. Data Center Infrastructure Enabling E-Government Services: Pacific Islands
14 Guide to Green Data Centers
The market for data infrastructure goes beyond data centers themselves. One starting Latin America spends
point for national data infrastructure is establishment of Internet Exchange Points (IXP), billions annually
which allow domestic data traffic to be exchanged locally without the need for the data to on international
travel distances to reach overseas IXPs, which increases costs and creates delays. Latin bandwidth.
America, for example, spends billions annually on international bandwidth - a sum that
greater use of IXPs could reduce.
plain textDespite Djibouti's role as a regional data hub serving East Africa, local internet users face exorbitant data rates because of a domestic market monopoly. In contrast, Kenya's non-profit IXP organization operates with a multi-stakeholder board, attracting diverse players, including foreign content and cloud providers, increasing the availability and efficiency of data services.13
Case 2. Internet Exchange Point Development: Djibouti and Kenya
15 Guide to Green Data Centers
Green Data Centers With climate change, a data center designed initially for
There are many definitions of green data centers, for an annual 0.2 percent flood risk could face a 1 percent risk,
example: effectively reducing its planned lifespan by 20 percent.16
Data center downtime is becoming more costly, with longer
outages and an increasing number of failures resulting
in significant financial losses. Onsite power problems
and cooling failures are reported to be key causes of
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) significant site outages, emphasizing the need for resiliency
Green Data Center Definition measures.17 Governments and organizations must take
According to ITU-T L.1300, “A green data center measures to prevent disruptions, for example by assessing
can be defined as a repository for the storage, risk, promoting climate-resilient design, and preparing
management, and dissemination of data in which and implementing disaster recovery plans. By enhancing
the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer resilience, data centers can maintain reliable service
systems are designed for maximum energy delivery, protect customer data, and minimize costly
efficiency and minimum environmental impact.”14 downtime.
In the context of this guide, green data centers refer to
facilities designed and managed with a strong emphasis on
managing both climate risks and minimizing environmental
footprint. Strategies include choosing weather resistant
building materials, reducing water and energy consumption,
and considering refrigerants and e-waste. A green data
center thus incorporates resilience and sustainability
principles throughout its lifecycle.
There is a growing landscape of green data center initiatives, There is a growing
guidelines, and standards along the data center value chain landscape of
(Appendix A). The landscape is, however, still somewhat green data center
fragmented, without clear consolidation around a specific initiatives.
standard. The environmental pros and cons of different
types of data storage and hosting solutions are subject
to intense discussion, as are some greening choices, for
example use of carbon credits in support of net zero goals.
Climate Change Risks to Data Centers and
Resiliency Measures
Digital infrastructure has become increasingly vulnerable to
climate risks. Floods, landslides, cyclones, powerful storms
and winds, water scarcity, and extreme heat can damage
critical digital infrastructure, disrupting, for example, power
supply, transport, banking, and government services.15 As
economies become increasingly digitalized, the social and
economic impacts increase.
16 Guide to Green Data Centers
Data Centers and Energy Use
Between 2015 and 2021, the International Energy Agency reported a 260 percent rise in
data center workload, reflecting growing digital technology adoption (Figure 2).18 The global
rise in digital data collection and data-intensive applications is driving demand for data
center capacity and cloud computing. The technological advances enable more-efficient
data processing, which in turn increases use of and demand for data. To meet demand, a
growing number of data centers are consuming vast amounts of energy to power servers,
network equipment, lighting, air distribution fans, and cooling systems. In Ireland, a global
data center hub, data centers accounted for almost one-fifth of electricity used in 2022.19
plain textGlob l tr nds in int rn t tr ffic nd D t c nt rs us mor l ctricit d t c nt r n r us th n ntir countri s Int rn t tr ffic nd d t c nt r Dom stic l ctricit consumption n r us comp r d to 2010 of s l ct d countri s vs. d t c nt rs in 2020 in TWh 20 Ni ri 29 Int rn t tr ffic: 16.9 Colombi 73 15 Ar ntin 124 10 E pt 153 Ind x 2010: 1.1 South Afric 208 5 D t c nt r D t c nt rs 200-250 n r us : 1.1 Indon si 266 0 2010 2015 2020 UK 286 Sourc : IEA Sourc : En rd t , IEA
Figure 2. Data Centers’ Energy Use Magnitude and Trends (Source: Deutsche Welle. Data Centers Keep Energy Use Steady Despite Big Growth. 2020.)
Despite the growing number and capacity of data centers, the industry has seen lower-
than-expected growth in energy use, thanks to greater server efficiency, more-energy-
efficient software, and advances in cooling and power-supply systems.20 It is vital to sustain
these efforts as demand for data processing accelerates.
17 Guide to Green Data Centers
Power Use Effectiveness
Power use effectiveness (PUE) is often cited when discussing green data centers.
It is a measure of a data center's energy allocation (per ISO/IEC 30134-2) and is
calculated by dividing total energy that a center consumes by the energy that the IT
equipment consumes. The closer PUE is to 1.0, the more efficient it is. For instance, a
PUE of 3.0 means that the total energy that a data center consumes is three times
the energy required solely for powering the IT equipment. PUE serves as a multiplier
for determining the actual effect of a system's power requirements. To illustrate, if a
server uses 900 kWh of electricity, and the data center has a PUE of 3.0, the utility
grid would need to supply 2,700 kWh of energy to deliver the required 900 kWh
to the server. Influences on PUE include cooling systems, temperature, humidity,
and data center design. An energy-efficient data center design should consider all
these factors.21 22 Warmer climates require more cooling. Energy needs and hence
PUE vary geographically. The International Financial Corporation EDGE Certification
includes PUE targets based on this factor.23 Although PUE is a useful metric, it
should be assessed in combination with other metrics.
Information on data center environmental performance metrics can be found in EN 50600,
including on water and carbon use effectiveness and energy reuse effectiveness.
18 Guide to Green Data Centers
Lifecycle Impact of Data Centers
Data centers have an environmental effect throughout their lifecycle, including materials for
the building, raw materials and energy to manufacture ICT equipment, energy, refrigerants
and water for operations, and energy and pollutants during decommissioning.24 Figure 3
demonstrates a simplified data center lifecycle, including material and energy use in each
phase and opportunities for material and energy reuse.
plain textY E RG EN LE AB 1 IN DESIGN AND A MANUFACTURING ST Clim t -r sili nt SU Sust in bl D si n nd Buildin PROCURE Sust in bl N M ICT E E Pow r suppl E GR N T Sust in bl Coolin 3 END-OF-LIFE MANAGEMENT 2 DATA CENTER E-w st OPERATION AND m n m nt MAINTENANCE R us , R p ir, R distribut , R furbish, R m nuf ctur , R c cl D commissionin M surin , R portin nd V rific tion Minimi Extr ction nd import of Incin r tion nd n tur l r sourc s l ndfill
Figure 3. Data Center Lifecycle
By adopting circular economy principles, such as designing for durability and reparability,
reusing and refurbishing equipment, and using renewable materials, the environmental
impact of data centers can be minimized. Transitioning the energy source to renewables is
important, but because data centers have a “baseload” or flat power curve (they demand
24/7 power), it is equally important to consider how data center design can be less resource
intensive for always-on power, which is especially challenging in LMICs.
The key to achieving energy savings lies in the design of the data center, which should
incorporate energy-efficient technologies, optimized cooling systems, and efficient power
distribution to minimize waste and maximize overall operational efficiency. By prioritizing
energy-saving measures in the design phase, data centers can significantly reduce their
energy consumption and operational costs.
19 Guide to Green Data Centers
Reporting
Environmental reporting plays an important role in promoting greener data centers because
it fosters awareness, transparency, and accountability. Establishing quantifiable baseline
metrics, setting concrete targets and key performance indicators, and engaging the entire
organization can lead to more-efficient, more-cost-effective, more-sustainable data center
operations. Reporting helps in measuring progress over time and supports development
of strategies and initiatives to achieve desired outcomes, especially if accompanied by
transition plans that help map how targets are to be met. Reporting and monitoring also
enable data center operators to forecast the future impact of their facilities, helping them
map how targets will be achieved; prioritize initiatives; allocate resources effectively; and
make informed decisions to ensure sustainable, efficient operation. Finally, reporting enables
data center operators to assess and communicate their environmental impact, including
GHG emissions, energy use, water consumption, and e-waste generation, and promotes
transparency, allowing stakeholders to understand the size of the centers’ footprint and
identify areas for improvement.
plain textReporting Tools The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development developed, has become a widely recognized standard for measuring and reporting GHG emissions. Governments, companies, and organizations use its guidelines to translate their activities into quantifiable inventories of carbon dioxide and other emissions. In addition, ITU-T Recommendation L.1410 provides guidance on conducting environmental lifecycle assessments (LCAs) of ICT goods, networks, and services.
20 Guide to Green Data Centers
Greening Data Centers
Climate Resilience
As economies digitalize, reliable digital infrastructure becomes crucial. Making data centers climate
resilient should be considered not only when each one is being planned, operated, and procured, but also at a
national level to protect critical infrastructure. This section highlights the importance of climate resilience,
outlines climate hazards, and presents steps for increasing data center resilience to climate change.
From an operational perspective, climate risks will be addressed alongside a wider range of risks, so other
environmental hazards such as earthquakes are included when relevant.
plain textClimate-Resilient Data Centers
Key Issues and Steps to Increase Climate Resilience
Climate hazards are increasing globally, especially in LMICs, which are particularly
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many LMICs are for example located in areas
of low elevation and have high population density along coastlines, which exposes them
to the direct effects of rising temperatures and flooding. Eight of the 10 countries most
affected by extreme weather events in 2019 were classified as LMICs, and four were low-
income countries.25 Considering country- and site-specific risks is thus of extra importance
when investing in data center infrastructure in LMICs.
Climate hazards affect data centers in diverse ways, ranging from gradual changes (sea
level rise and changes in temperature) to sudden disasters (storms and floods). Table 1
shows site effects of typical climate hazards on data centers.
CLIMATE HAZARD EFFECTS 26 27 28 29
Fluvial and coastal flooding Water damage to equipment, electrical shorts,
(including sea-level rise), limited staff access, structural damage,
erosion, inundation (including recurring challenges if built in flood zones
salt, silt, sewage)
Lightning storms Power surges leading to equipment failure and
an unstable grid
Drought Lack of water for cooling and fire suppression
systems, power outages, dust accumulation
Sustained high temperature Utility power instability, component stress, high
or heatwaves cooling costs
Sustained high humidity System failures, reduced cooling effectiveness,
corrosion of metal components
Wildfires Reduced air economization, equipment clogging
from smoke and ash, restricted staff access,
power outages, water use restrictions
Earthquakes and landslides Structural damage, power supply disruption,
network infrastructure damage, injuries to
staff, lack of access
Extreme weather events Infrastructure damage from wind and debris,
water damage, power outages, service
interruptions
Table 1. Effects of Climate Hazards on Data Centers
21 Guide to Green Data Centers
Assessing national risks to public and private data infrastructure is important for disaster Climate risks can
preparedness. This involves vulnerability assessment and system-level planning to maximize affect not just
redundancy. Climate risks, such as extreme weather, rising temperatures, and flooding, can data centers,
affect not just data centers, but also regional infrastructure and utilities: hampering supply but also regional
chains, destabilizing the power grid, and causing disruptions even if the site itself has not infrastructure and
been hit.30 31 Site-specific and regional risks must be considered. The following steps can be utilities.
taken to increase overall resiliency.
- Assess climate risk: Evaluate effects of climate change on the data center, considering extreme weather, rising temperatures, water scarcity, and precipitation patterns. Identify vulnerabilities and prioritize improvements. Integrate climate resilience strategies into the early stages of data infrastructure projects and develop proactive action plans to prepare in advance.
- Enhance site selection: Consider climate risks in site-specific locations, opting for areas with lower flood, seismic, and extreme weather risks. Evaluate long-term climate projections for resilience. Build specific climate-risk profiles to calculate the likelihood of natural disasters and temperature extremes. Build distributed data centers and robust data replication strategies to minimize risk of data loss, enable quick recovery, and provide redundancy and resilience by spreading data and workloads across multiple geographically dispersed sites.
- Implement resilient design: For areas prone to pluvial floods, incorporate effective drainage systems into building design to prevent accumulation of rainwater around the building after heavy rainstorms. Similarly, in areas at risk of coastal floods, include installation of barriers in the design plan to prevent incoming seawater.32 Elevate equipment to withstand climate hazards and minimize damage, although placing equipment in higher positions within a rack can amplify the impact of an earthquake. Construct earthquake-resilient buildings based on location and install earthquake- resistant equipment (e.g., seismic isolators).
- Improve operational practices: Install advanced monitoring systems to allow automation and remote management to enable access if physical access is not possible because of extreme weather conditions. Integrate virtualization or software-based redundancy measures such as load balancing to increase resilience and tolerate failure or loss of any single facility. Use closed-loop water systems for cooling (e.g., adiabatic or evaporative air-cooling systems) to avoid exposure to droughts or making them worse.
- Establish backup power and recovery plans: Install reliable backup systems (uninterruptible power supplies, batteries, generators, fuel tank, water tank) for uninterrupted operation, considering cooling need during power outages. Develop comprehensive recovery plans for data backup, system restoration, and business continuity. Maintain off-site backups to protect against unforeseen events, especially in more-vulnerable locations.
22 Guide to Green Data Centers
• Leverage new technologies: Automate risk assessments using digital technologies such
as sensors, data aggregation, and advanced simulation. Use big data to conduct resilience
analytics for efficient climate resilience and monitoring systems based on Internet of
things technology to collect information and issue warnings based on temperature
variations and energy data. Use digital twin monitoring data with machine learning to
create dynamic models that simulate hazards and detect infrastructure deterioration
and damage.33 34
- Regularly review and update resilience plans: Continuously assess and adapt to climate change by reviewing measures and staying informed about new risks, technological advances, and industry best practices. Include digital infrastructure in national disaster preparedness efforts and map critical infrastructure.
Although assessing risk and implementing resiliency measures may require an upfront
investment, they prevent service interruption and data loss; protect costly network
equipment; and enable smooth functioning of organizations during climate-related events.
There are however trade-offs between cost, performance, and resiliency and between
resiliency and sustainability. Data center redundancy, for example, adds to costs and
energy consumption.
plain textExtreme heat in July 2022 resulted in cooling unit outages at Oracle’s and Google’s Europe-based data centers. Temperatures exceeded the design specifications for operating temperatures, straining cooling systems and increasing chance of failure. With increasing extreme weather events, operators must regularly assess climate resilience, update design conditions, and consider long-term adjustments such as direct liquid cooling. Smaller cooling systems that depend on ambient air are particularly vulnerable.35 36
Case 3. Protective Shutdowns due to Extreme Heat: Europe
plain textIn India, it is advised that data centers be located in areas classified as seismic zone 4 or lower to reduce risk from earthquakes. If data centers are situated in zones with higher seismic ratings, measures such as installing snubbers and other materials are necessary to mitigate shocks.37
Case 4. Data Center Resilience: India
Building resilience is a continuous process requiring constant vigilance and adaptability.
See Appendix B for a detailed elaboration of resiliency strategies and further resources.
23 Guide to Green Data Centers
Greening Data Infrastructure
Climate Change Mitigation
In this section, the focus shifts to climate change mitigation strategies for data centers. By implementing
climate change mitigation measures, data center owners and developers can reduce energy consumption and
carbon emissions and enhance system efficiency. There are five main dimensions to consider: sustainable
design and building, sustainable and circular38 ICT equipment, sustainable energy, sustainable cooling, and
e-waste management (Figure 4).
plain textCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR DATA CENTERS Impl m nt st nd rds nd c rtific tions Sust in bl En r Improv • Pl n for r n w bl n r us , nvironm nt l improv n r m n m nt, monitorin nd includin stor nd b ckup pow r r portin Sustainable Design E-w st and Buildings Sust in bl Coolin M n m nt • Control t mp r tur • Sust in bl sit Sust in bl s l ction nd us of • R duc in ffici nt coolin nd • Pr v nt, r duc , ICT buildin m t ri ls th us of r fri r nts r us , r c cl , • Improv h t nd ir flow r cov r, dispos • Futur proofin • Improv quipm nt m n m nt • R duc mbodi d n r ffici nc , • Us w st h t c rbon in construction s rv r us , up r d s • Improv w t r m n m nt, nd r fr sh s includin consumption nd sourcin
Figure 4. Mitigation Strategies for Data Centers
plain textSustainable Design and Buildings
Data center design and planning start with the building envelope. The data center’s location
and design affect operational reliability, resource use, and energy efficiency. In addition,
environmental risks must be considered when determining the data center’s location and
design. Most sustainable management of data centers focuses on the operational stage
and overlooks green design and construction aspects. Strategically addressing emissions
reduction during design and construction lays the groundwork for an environmentally
responsible future, with lasting positive effects on operational efficiency and overall
sustainability throughout a data center’s lifecycle. When planning new data infrastructure,
total cost of ownership must be considered, including initial capital, operational expenses,
and disposal of the facility at the end of its lifespan. Sustainable design options might
be more expensive in the short term (e.g., within a 3-year return on investment) but
24 Guide to Green Data Centers
save money in the longer term. Proper dimensioning is a cost and sustainability driver.
A top-tier green data center might not be sustainable if operating at only 10 percent capacity.
In many LMICs, instances have emerged where data centers, experience underutilization
due to a range of factors including limited awareness of efficient data storage practices
and inadequate capacity. To address this challenge comprehensively, it is important that
efforts to enhance data center utilization extend beyond mere infrastructure investment.
Alongside the establishment and maintenance of these data centers, there is a clear need
to focus on the demand-side dynamics, This includes enhancing demand side projections
and dimensioning, adopting modular design, and optimizing usage of existing facilities.
This approach not only ensures that data centers operate at their full potential but also
enhances the overall data management ecosystem within the country.
Key Issues and Steps to Improve Design and Building to Enhance
Sustainability
Refurbishment
Before deciding to invest in new data centers, it is worth exploring whether existing
facilities can be upgraded or expanded. In some cases, more-modern, more-energy-
efficient data center design can result in greater sustainability than continuing to use an
existing inefficient data center, but refurbishing an existing data center often offers cost
savings, enables faster deployment than building a new facility, and reduces environmental
impact. Using existing buildings for expansion while increasing capacity e.g. through in-
place upgrades to hardware installed in those buildings can substantially reduce embodied
carbon emissions, which has been reported to amount to as much as an 88 percent smaller
carbon footprint than a new construction project.39 Challenges include space constraints
and minimizing disruptions. Before committing to a brownfield renovation, it is crucial to
fully consider site-specific limitations on installing state-of-the-art heating and cooling
options-active and passive-and evaluate this from a lifecycle perspective, although green
considerations such as more energy efficient ICT equipment, renewable energy integration,
and water efficiency can often be implemented during refurbishment. Assessing factors
such as cost and environmental goals helps determine the best approach.
New Facilities-Steps to Sustainable Design and Building
If new facilities are constructed, many measures can be implemented in the design and
construction phases to reduce the environmental footprint of the data center in the short
and longer term.
Site selection
• Sustainable site selection (figure 5) must factor in many things, for example:
– Environmental assessment of flora and fauna (e.g., endangered species, sensitive
habitats, water scarce areas)
– Risk profile of the site (e.g., proximity to rivers and distance to ocean to minimize risk
of flooding)
– Temperature of location for low-cost or cost-free cooling solutions
– Access to reliable water and energy (including renewable energy)
– Opportunity for onsite renewable energy generation
– Employee commuting needs and services available in the area
– Opportunities for auxiliary industries to reuse heat or other data center systems (e.g.,
combining data centers with office spaces and heat- and energy-intensive industries
and co-creating district cooling systems and power plants for the whole ecosystem to
balance environmental impacts and energy use of each participant)
– Trade-offs with other business needs such as resiliency, response time, network links
25 Guide to Green Data Centers
Dimensioning and future proofing
• Proper dimensioning is one of the most important parameters for net sustainability. The
process of right-sizing allows for better planning and ensures that capacity is not being
reserved that may never be used.40
• Some data centers are overprotected for worst-case scenarios. Servers might operate at
12 percent to 18 percent of their capacity but consume 30 percent to 60 percent of the
data center’s total power because they are overdesigned for extreme situations.41 Making
data centers as uniform as possible using virtualization and software to allow the many
computers they contain to act as a single large data storage and processing machine can
prevent wasted computing and data storage capacity.
• Future needs for data center capacity should be considered. Public data centers tend to
be overdimensioned as they are less able to scale incrementally given annual or one off
capital funding cycles, have prolonged procurement processes, and often show less market
discipline than private sector developers. Instead of over-dimensioning data centers, modular
design can allow for efficient expansion. Conducting regular reviews and modeling expected
demand growth at specific intervals helps ensure scalability and optimizes resource use.
Sustainable design, construction, and building materials
• Data center design sets boundaries for sustainability and spans many options. Examples
include:
– Design for efficient power and cooling of ICT equipment. For example, Yahoo! designed
data centers to maximize use of outside air for cooling, drawing inspiration from the
design of chicken coops.42 A flat roof might allow for a rooftop solar solution.
– Consider containerized modular data center design to reduce construction waste, cooling
demand, and use of concrete.
• Choosing sustainable building materials (e.g., wood) and recycling or reusing materials
as much as possible decreases GHG emissions during construction of a data center.43
EcoDataCenter constructed the framework of its first data center in Fulun, Sweden, using
renewable cross-laminated timber, a type of engineered wood that is sustainable and has
a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional building materials such as concrete
and steel.
Standards and certifications
• Adopt publicly available industry standards and certifications (Appendix A) for data center
design and build e.g., EN50600 series and the ISO/IEC 22237 series. In addition, EDGE
certification, a green building certification system for emerging markets created by the
International Financial Corporation that targets data centers, enables developers to
optimize design, promote sustainability, and create marketable, cost-effective projects.44
plain textGrid suppli d pow r R n w bl Th rm l/ l ctric l n r n r stor b ckup R n w bl onsit n r tion from sol r nd wind turbin s Conn ct to n tion l w t r R sili nt loc l n tworks micro rid
Figure 5. Data Center Site Selection45 (Source: Adapted from Engine, 2023)
26 Guide to Green Data Centers
In Colombia, the Nebula Data Center is EDGE certified. EDGE recognizes buildings
whose design and infrastructure use at least 20 percent less water and energy than
conventionally designed buildings. Nebula consumes an estimated 5,000 kWh per
month when at full capacity. An equivalent center designed conventionally can have
a consumption greater than 6,000 kWh (20 percent higher).
plain textIn Nigeria, the Rack Centre is EDGE certified. To ensure that it could meet the rapid growth in demand for hosting capacity in Africa while minimizing its environmental impact and operating costs, Actis (a global investor in sustainable infrastructure) has spearheaded a program of green design philosophies and initiatives that will result in the data center achieving 35 percent energy savings and 41 percent water savings and deliver 45 percent savings in embodied energy in materials used.46
Case 5. EDGE Certification: Nigeria and Colombia
plain textThe Konza National Data Center in Kenya is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified, which means it has been scored on a wide range of sustainable design parameters including site selection, construction waste management, certified wood, water efficiency, and renewable energy.
Case 6. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification: Kenya
plain textThe Green Mountain Data Center, housed in a former North Atlantic Treaty Organization facility inside a mountain in Rennesøy with approximately 21,000 m2 of floor area, is said to be one of the greenest in the world. It uses the stable, cool temperature within the mountain and seawater for free cooling. The Norwegian government set a goal of using 100 percent renewable energy to power its data centers by 2020. They have achieved this by investing in hydroelectric power plants and wind farms and implementing energy-efficient cooling systems in their data centers.
Case 7. Green Mountain Data Center: Norway
Appendix C describes mitigation strategies and further resources more fully.
27 Guide to Green Data Centers
Sustainable ICT
Circular ICT equipment refers to technology devices designed under the circular economy
model to reduce waste and optimize resource use. This approach extends product life,
minimizes resource consumption, and enhances material recovery. Key aspects include
durable designs, modular components for easy upgrades, refurbishing equipment,
remanufacturing used devices, recycling valuable materials, and utilizing take-back
initiatives. This concept supports sustainability goals by curbing e-waste, conserving
resources, and fostering responsible technology production and consumption. ICT
equipment in data centers is resource and energy intensive to manufacture and requires
power and cooling to operate. Figure 6 shows typical data center equipment and the
materials used to manufacture it.
plain text46 51 14 46 60 51 14 Pd Sb Si* Pd Pt Sb Si Ch ssis St l 31 4 27 31 32 73 27 Pl stics (ABS, PC) Aluminium G B Co G G T Co Copp r Conn ctors Moth rbo rd PCB RAM - Print d Circuit Bo rd (PCB) St l S rv rs Pow r Suppl Aluminium Unit (PSU) Copp r H v REES Li ht REES Pl stic PCB Pl tinum Group M t ls 51 4 27 31 Sb B Co G 14 32 12 Si* G M Solid St t Driv (SSD) C ntr l Proc ssin N twork Unit (CPU) Switch H t tr nsf r N tur l r phit St l F ns 74 Copp r Int r t d circuits F rrous-b s d m t ls W Aluminium 60 Copp r 14 27 73 H rd Disk C bl s CRMS 72 74 St l Nd Br ss Si* Co Hf T W Driv (HDD) Copp r Zinc 66 Pl stics (PC-ABS) Pl stics (PVC, HDPE) M n t D S nth tic Rubb r PCB Pol ur th n (PUR) Compon nts M t ri ls Critic l R w M t ri ls (CRMs) > *Si m t l
Figure 6. Typical Information and Communications Technology Equipment in a Data Center (Source: Adapted from Internet Waste, 2020.47 )
Network equipment accounts for 2 percent to 5 percent of energy use in a typical data
center, storage equipment uses 20 percent to 30 percent, and servers consume the rest.48
Although the initial cost of procuring energy-efficient hardware is likely to be higher, it can
result in lower lifecycle costs, making it a more-cost-effective choice in the long run. A wide
range of ICT equipment might not be available in some LMICs. Although ICT equipment
historically has become exponentially faster, this trend has slowed, so investing in refurbished
equipment can be a good option to both reduce costs and promote sustainability.
28 Guide to Green Data Centers
Key Issues and Steps for ICT Equipment Upgrades & refreshes
Efficiency • Conduct regular assessments of existing ICT equipment
Choice and configuration of ICT equipment significantly to identify outdated or underperforming hardware
affect a data center’s environmental footprint. Sustainable that requires upgrading or refreshing. Automation and
procurement and use of ICT equipment can be achieved in connectivity can be leveraged to perform benchmark gap
many ways, including through the following steps.49 50 51 52 53 analysis in data centers by integrating with state-of-the-
art industry tools and systems.
Choosing energy efficient equipment • Create a lifecycle management approach/strategic
• Use energy efficiency-certified equipment and products plan for upgrades and refreshes considering technology
such as Energy Star- and TCO-certified servers and advancements, energy efficiency improvements,
storage devices to reduce overall energy consumption. warranty periods. Regularly review the plan to ensure
upgrades/refreshes occur in a timely manner to maintain
Improve server use optimal performance and evolving business needs. The
• Idle servers draw significant power, even though they are focus should be on refurbishing and repairing existing
not actively processing tasks. With server use typically equipment instead of buying new equipment to ensure the
less than 30 percent, idle servers consume about 60 data center is circular, especially considering hardware
percent of peak power, resulting in excess energy use efficiency gains may be limited.
and carbon emissions.54 Given that these idle periods last
seconds or less, simple energy-conservation approaches Ensure monitoring and reporting
may not be practical,55 so it is critical to develop • Implement common data center environmental
sophisticated strategies to address such inefficiencies, performance metrics as outlined in EN 50600, including
for example: measuring power, water and carbon use effectiveness
– Implement virtualization technology to ensure efficient and energy reuse effectiveness.
server management by better allocating resources and • Implement appropriate key performance indicators for
reducing server underuse. Strategies such as shutting measuring, benchmarking, and tracking to provide a
down servers when they are below a specific threshold, clear understanding of challenges such as unplanned
forecasting demand, incorporating day-night rhythms, downtime, capacity use, and resource allocation.
and modeling seasonality should be implemented.
– Right-size hardware based on specific workloads. Appendix C provides a detailed description of mitigation
Use load-balancing techniques to distribute workload strategies and further resources.
evenly across servers to improve resource use. For
instance, if there is high demand for parallel processes,
incorporating more graphics processing units would be
advantageous.56
– De-duplicate and compress data to boost storage
equipment's efficiency by freeing up storage and
allowing for better storage utilization. However, it
is essential to ensure that these measures do not
compromise the resilience of the storage system.
29 Guide to Green Data Centers
Sustainable Energy
Data centers are energy intensive, consuming 10 to 100 • Adjust energy consumption in accordance with availability
times as much electricity per floor space area as most of renewable energy and grid conditions to save costs and
commercial buildings.57 Effective energy management is decrease environmental impact. This can include creating
important for all data centers so that energy consumption incentives to schedule intensive activities during off-peak
and costs can be minimized. Data center operators can tariff periods or when renewable energy is available.
consider use of renewable energy, heat rejection reuse of
residual heat, and onsite generation of energy for parts of Planning for renewable energy
the facility, although this might not alleviate the need for • Select data center locations where renewable energy
back-up generators that can run the minimum baseloads. resources are accessible. A comprehensive approach is
The initial capital investment and ongoing costs associated necessary, which may involve a combination of renewable
with renewable energy systems can be barriers to adoption. sources, energy storage systems, and grid integration
To make informed decisions, it is necessary to consider the to ensure a reliable, sustainable energy supply for data
long-term benefits, cost savings, and return on investment centers while considering the environmental impacts of
of renewable energy systems to explore their economic each source.
viability. • Establish power purchase agreements with renewable
energy providers to secure a consistent, reliable supply of
The grid mix often determines the viability of powering data renewable energy for data center operations.
centers with renewable energy. Many LMICs have abundant • Install onsite renewable energy-generation systems such
renewable energy potential, including solar energy, wind as solar panels or wind turbines to source renewable
power, and geothermal energy, but lack infrastructure energy directly for data center operations. Use of
and markets for renewable energy generation and renewable energy, for example solar with a backup energy
distribution. Many global cloud providers include access to storage solution,60 can reduce emissions, noise pollution,
renewable energy in their investment decisions. Investing in and fuel consumption.
rewnewable energy projects holds significant potential for • Data centers can contribute to the urban environment by
substantial environmental benefits to both data centers leveraging their substantial grid connections to support
and the digital sector, whilst also contributing to long-term the energy system (e.g., by waste-heat sharing and
operational efficiency and energy stability.59 generating additional energy resources such as hydrogen
and heat).60
Key Issues and Steps for Sustainable • Explore partnerships with other organizations with
Energy Use similar needs to colocate or build energy production and
The following steps can be taken to achieve more storage. Partnerships could be formed with other large
sustainable energy consumption in data centers. energy consumers to create economies of scale and to
finance development of new renewable energy generation
Energy management facilities and linkages with the grid.
• Develop an energy management plan to monitor, regulate,
and conserve energy based on performance metrics and Energy storage
goals to drive efficiency improvements. It can reference • Renewable energy sources can be intermittent, and energy
standards such as ISO 50001 Energy Management and storage solutions and quick-ramping power supplies are
be verified internally or through third parties. necessary to manage fluctuations and ensure continuous
• Use submetering when possible to collect information power supply. Invest in demand-response capabilities to
on use for primary facilities and information and help integrate renewable energy.
communications technology systems or use equipment • Deploy energy storage systems such as batteries to store
with embedded energy-consumption metering. excess renewable energy during peak production periods
• Use digital tools to monitor and optimize energy use, and use it during periods of low renewable generation or
identify areas of inefficiency, and implement energy- high demand.
saving measures. Implementing Internet of Things-based • Implement modular renewable energy solutions that can
and artificial intelligence solutions for energy monitoring be easily scaled up or down to match the data center's
at the individual unit level allows for in-depth insights into energy requirements, allowing for flexible capacity
the performance of equipment, enabling opportunities expansion. Energy storage (e.g., batteries) coupled with
for predictive maintenance and optimizing energy renewable sources (e.g., solar, wind, biodiesel) can help
consumption. stabilize the grid network, including by offsetting peaks
and short-term intermittencies.
30 Guide to Green Data Centers
Backup power
• Ensure reliability during unexpected events by installing
backup power systems that are appropriately sized,
neither overdimensioned nor underdimensioned, to Scala Data Centers is a sustainable hyperscale data
provide reliable support when needed. Scrutinize power center operator in Latin America that was the first
backup requirements to eliminate energy costs from to use 100 percent certified renewable energy and
unnecessary or oversized redundant power supplies or achieve a PUE of 1.5, which is significantly lower than
uninterruptible power supply equipment.61 62 the regional average. As a member of the iMasons
• Use energy-efficient uninterrupted power supplies; 96 Climate Accord, Scala has received CarbonNeutral
percent to 97 percent efficiency is good and is available certification.65 66
on the market.63 64
Financing and stakeholder engagement Case 8. Use of Renewable Energy: Latin America
• Explore funding options and grants for renewable energy
projects.
• Form partnerships with renewable energy providers,
different agencies across the government, and industry
associations to access expertise and resources for The Facebook Odense data center has deployed
renewable energy integration. various energy-efficiency solutions: hyper-efficient
hardware, indirect evaporate cooling, renewable
Transparency and reporting wind energy. It also uses waste heat resources
• Ensuring the authenticity and traceability of renewable to power the local community through a district
energy sources can be complex, especially when dealing heating system. The energy recovered from its
with third-party energy providers. Purchase renewable servers is recycled using a newly constructed heat
energy certificates to verify and track renewable pump facility supported by 100 percent renewable
attributes of energy consumed, ensuring transparency energy. The heat recovery project is designed to
and accountability. recover 100,000 MWh of power annually to warm
• Develop and adopt standardized energy reporting 6,900 homes.67
metrics such as renewable energy factor, to track the
effectiveness of renewable energy integration.
Case 9. Facebook Uses Waste Heat: Odense, Denmark
plain textAppendix C provides a detailed description of mitigation strategies and additional resources.
24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact encompasses
a set of principles and initiatives that stakeholders
in the energy ecosystem can adopt to catalyze
transformative change. Several data center providers,
including Iron Mountain, Google, and Microsoft, have
committed to this compact, demonstrating their
efforts to achieve carbon-free energy sources.
31 Guide to Green Data Centers
Sustainable Cooling
Efficient cooling is crucial for high-performance computing Data center operators can enhance their cooling practices
and server technologies, which generate substantial heat. by considering the following issues and steps:
The data center temperature must be maintained within
a certain range to prevent condensation and damage to Cooling solution
IT equipment, which causes downtime and data loss.68 • Use natural or ambient air cooling when environmental
Cooling data center IT equipment can account for more conditions allow by selecting data center location
than 40 percent of total energy consumption in large data carefully and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling
centers and even more in smaller ones.69 Excessive use of systems.
energy to cool increases carbon emissions. Many LMICs are • Implement energy-efficient cooling technologies such as
in climate zones with high temperate and humidity, such precision air conditioning, economizers, and containment
as humid subtropical and monsoon regions, which requires systems to optimize cooling efficiency and reduce energy
extra cooling, and some cooling technologies available in consumption.
cold, dry climates, for example using cold external air, are • Use innovative technologies such as liquid cooling to
unavailable. Continued efforts are needed to develop and increase cooling energy efficiency.75 Liquid cooling or
adjust cooling technologies to diverse climate zones.70 liquid-based heat transfer uses less energy than air
cooling. Adherence to relevant standards (Appendix A) is
Smaller data centers often prioritize reliability over energy crucial for liquid cooling solutions.
efficiency, leading to inefficient workload distribution. • Adopt modular cooling solutions that can be easily scaled
Installing proper air management systems can mitigate up or down based on load requirements to optimize
overcooling due to redundancy and hot spots, but smaller cooling capacity.
data centers often lack such systems. Addressing • Traditional cooling methods like water-based cooling can
energy consumption in smaller data centers is essential consume substantial amounts of water, straining local
to reduce overall energy waste. Finally, data centers water resources. Adopt water-saving cooling solutions
consume significant amounts of water for cooling, which such as closed-loop cooling systems, liquid cooling
puts pressure on local water sources and can contribute or liquid-based heat transfer, and waterless cooling
to water scarcity in regions already facing water stress. technologies to minimize water consumption. Closed-
Careful management of water resources is critical at the loop water cycles, although equipment intensive, can be
national and facility levels. implemented in collaboration with external organizations
such as wastewater treatment companies, and district
Key Issues and Steps for Efficient Cooling heating and cooling providers to share costs and
Controlling temperature and reducing heat is crucial for resources.
data center functionality and safety. Several factors lead
to inefficient cooling, for example:71 72
- Inadequate cool air supply, resulting in hot air recirculation • Server overheating due to poor rack airflow • Overcooling from poor air management, improper needs assessment, and redundant systems operating at installed capacity, rather than in a failover configuration • Uneven cooling due to rack configuration
Traditional refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons,
used in cooling systems, including computer room air
conditioning systems, have high global warning potential,
which contributes to GHG emissions and climate change.73
Adopting alternative refrigerants as substitutes for
hydrofluorocarbons in data center cooling systems has
the potential to reduce the emission of approximately 43.5
gigatons to 50.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent
from 2020 to 2050.74
32 Guide to Green Data Centers
Appropriate heat and air flow management allowing cool air to circulate more effectively.75 Figure
• Manage heat properly to avoid hotspots and inefficient 7 illustrates how raised-floor and overhead air supply
cooling (including overcooling), which results in equipment systems, such as computer room air- conditioners
failure and poor performance. (CRAC), are used to deliver chilled airflow to computer
• Implement proper airflow management techniques, racks, with the airflow passing through perforated tiles
including hot and cold aisle containment, raised floors, or ceilings into the cold aisles for heat exchange. The
and optimized server rack layouts (front to back), to heated air collects in the hot aisle and circulates back
ensure efficient heat dissipation and minimize hotspots. to the CRAC. Air conditioning units can also be placed
Deploy hot and cold aisle containment systems to near or inside the computer racks to minimize hot-air
segregate hot and cold airflows, preventing mixing and recirculation.
increasing cooling efficiency. Raised-floor computer • Establish energy performance metrics that are aligned
rooms have, for example, become more prevalent, with individual goals and objectives.
Figure 7. Cooling solution with a raised floor (Source: John Savageau.)
Temperature increase Monitoring
• Allow temperature to increase within acceptable limits • Keep room temperature stable and humidity low to
to reduce cooling demand. There are several guidelines ensure server reliability. Implementing temperature and
on thermal management for data centers, including humidity monitoring solutions is recommended.
on appropriate operating temperatures, such as those • Deploy solutions that provide real-time monitoring,
by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating enabling optimization by making it easier to identify
and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),77 European areas for improvement and measure the impact of
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)78 79, and changes, and manage cooling efficiently.
ITU80 81 • Use advanced analytics and machine learning to predict
• According to ASHRAE, the recommended temperature cooling requirements and identify potential for efficiency
range for A1 to A4 class hardware is 18°C to 27°C, which increases.
is higher than many data centers are configured.82 83
33 Guide to Green Data Centers
Use of refrigerants • Establish procedures for proper handling, storage, and
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the disposal of refrigerants to prevent accidental releases.
most suitable refrigerant options based on safety, Ensure compliance with regulations and best practices for
efficiency, scale and density of data center ITE, and refrigerant management such as the Montreal Protocol.
environmental impact. Replace high-global warning
potential refrigerants with low-global warning potential Waste heat use
alternatives (e.g., hydrofluoroolefins) or natural • Encourage use of waste heat and sector coupling when
refrigerants such as ammonia or carbon dioxide.84 A possible. Sector coupling involves the increased integration
carbon dioxide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning of energy end-use and supply sectors with one another,
system is 12 times as economical as a system using resulting in heightened efficiency, flexibility, reliability, and
traditional hydrofluorocarbons.85 Explore innovative sufficiency within an energy system. Challenges include
cooling technologies such as liquid cooling or exploit high upfront investment costs and complex infrastructure
low-temperature ambient i.e. outdoor air) that can integration into existing infrastructure or designing new
help optimize cooling efficiency and reduce reliance on distribution systemst. Building facilities that use internal
refrigerants. and external waste heat for cooling and electricity
• Use advanced monitoring systems to identify and generation can offer several benefits, such as reducing
address refrigerant leaks quickly. Conduct preventive waste and curbing energy requirements from conventional
maintenance to ensure proper functioning of cooling sources, thereby enhancing sustainability efforts.86 87
systems and minimize leakage risks.
plain textSome data center operators in Latin America are adopting free cooling - systems that utilize naturally available cool air or water to lower the temperature of a space or a system without the need for mechanical refrigeration. For instance, Equinix uses free cooling in its SP3 data center in Sao Paulo.88 SP3 has been intentionally designed with a strong focus on environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. Its infrastructure will seamlessly incorporate evaporative air cooling techniques and indirect free cooling strategies, harnessing external air to efficiently cool the data center when temperatures drop.
Case 10. Free Cooling: Brazil
plain textChimn -st l Insid Outsid irw for hot d t d t ir xh ust c nt r c nt r Hot ir from s rv rs Hot ir from s rv rs Built-up ir conditionin rooms LG CNS operates data centers in the Republic of Korea and globally. The Busan Global Cloud Data Center has been recognized for its high energy efficiency, with an annual average PUE of 1.39, and a winter low of 1.15 when cooling devices are not in operation. The Busan Global Cloud Data Center uses a unique chimney-style hot-air exhaust and a hybrid cooling system called the Built-Up Outside Air-cooling System to increase energy efficiency.89 Read more about the Republic of Korea’s effort to green the ICT sector here.
Case 11. Chimney-Style Airway: Republic of Korea
34 Guide to Green Data Centers
Water Management • Ensure that staff are equipped with skills and training to
Water is critical for data center efficiency, facilitating manage and use smart solutions effectively.
server and other equipment cooling and removing dust
and other particles from the air. Sourcing water from Monitoring
local municipal supplies or natural sources may have • Implement water management plans to support
implications for water availability in the surrounding area. compliance through recycling and reusing water, which
To address water management, it is important to consider minimizes water use and reduces the potential impact
the following.90 91 92 93 94 on the environment. This is particularly important
when choosing cooling systems based on water prices,
Water consumption and sourcing availability, and expected operational demand.
• Consider sustainable water sourcing options and explore • Monitor water use effectiveness. Implement standards
alternatives, such as using reclaimed (grey water) or and certifications relevant to your country that support
recycled (rainwater) water. Implement systems for water usage monitoring, such as Leadership in Energy
treating and reusing wastewater that data centers and Environmental Design and Building Research
generate. Implement community water programs that Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.
redirect clean cooling water from data centers to canals,
benefiting local farmers for irrigation purposes. For Regulatory compliance
example, up to 96 percent of the wastewater discharged • Consult regulatory agencies and environmental experts
from Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in to understand and meet requirements for country-
Oregon (United States) can be reused, reducing strain on specific water laws and regulations.
wastewater treatment plants.95 • Ensure regulatory compliance; obtain permits; monitor
• Incorporate water-efficient design principles into data use, discharge, and treatment; and report this to
centers, including by using water-saving fixtures and authorities. Regulatory compliance includes obtaining
optimizing equipment layout. permits for water withdrawal from surface or groundwater
• Use proactive measures such as leakage detection and sources; treating and discharging wastewater; and
smart monitoring in water and cooling management. monitoring and reporting water use, discharge, and
quality to government authorities.
Water discharge
• Manage wastewater properly to minimize environmental Appendix C provides details on mitigation strategies and
impact. resources.
Water risk management
• Develop risk assessments and contingency plans for
potential supply disruptions and have back-up cooling
strategies.
• Establish a collaborative water buffer system that
multiple large water users can share.
Smart water solutions
• Identify areas where investments can be made to use
digital technologies to optimize water use, enhance
efficiency, and improve monitoring, including smart
metering, real-time monitoring sensors, and automated
control systems. Ensuring leakage detection is vital, as
exemplified by previous incidents such as the Google
Cloud 2023 Paris data center flooding.96
• Engage with smart water solution providers to enhance
data center water management. These providers offer
systems to monitor, control, and optimize water use
that should be tailored to specific needs, aligning with
sustainability objectives of the data centre, and offering
benefits like real-time insights and supporting regulatory
compliance.
• Implement pilot projects to test smart water management
solutions, including evaluating performance and
gathering data to assess effectiveness before expanding.
35 Guide to Green Data Centers
E-Waste Management
E-waste, or discarded electronic equipment, poses
significant environmental and health risks because it The technical complexity of server racks means that
contains hazardous substances such as mercury. The they are constructed of mixed metals, which makes
rapid technology refresh rate in data centers, driven by them challenging to separate and sort, requiring design
increasing data demands, has contributed to the global improvements so that the materials can be recovered and
e-waste challenge; 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was recycled. Reliable, accredited IT asset disposition providers
generated in 2019 (only 17.4 percent of which was formally can be contracted with to dispose of and recycle e-waste
collected and recycled), resulting in an estimated US$57 or harvest or refurbish parts, but they are not available in
billion lost in recoverable materials.97 all countries.
When planning for a data center, it is crucial to consider It is important to follow the waste hierarchy (Figure 8)
equipment lifespan, typically 1 to 5 years for servers but to help reduce e-waste. The waste hierarchy is a ranking
up to 10 years with secondary use.98 Efficient e-waste system used for the different waste management options
management, including reuse, refurbishment, and proper according to which is the best for the environment.
recycling, can mitigate environmental impacts and increase
resource recovery. Integrating these strategies into the Hi r rch for -w st
data center lifecycle is essential to meet sustainability m n m nt:
objectives.
PREVENT
Many organizations lack an e-waste management strategy,
making recovering and recycling data center e-waste
REDUCE
challenging. Similarly, many countries, especially LMICs,
REUSE
lack comprehensive e-waste management regulations
and strategies. Lack of proper regulation poses significant RECYCLE
challenges in addressing the growing problem of e-waste.
Without effective e-waste management systems in RECOVER
place, there is risk of improper disposal, environmental
DISPOSE
contamination, and loss of valuable resources.99 It is
important to exercise due diligence when selecting
collaborators to ensure the responsible handling and lawful
disposal of equipment at end-of-life, mitigating the risk of
adverse outcomes. Figure 8. Waste Hierarchy Ranking System to Determine the
Most Environmentally Favorable Option
Key Issues and Steps to Improve E-Waste
Management
The frequent hardware refresh cycle means that 47
percent of data centers renew their systems every 1 to 3
years and an additional 28 percent every 4 to 5 years,100
although many organizations are moving away from these
short refresh cycles as the relative rate of improvement
over previous generations slows down with 5 to 8 years
becoming more common and cloud hosting companies
using equipment for 8 to 10 years.101
36 Guide to Green Data Centers
By implementing the following steps, data centers can Monitoring of e-waste quantities and flows
enhance their e-waste management practices, reducing • Monitor e-waste quantities and flows in data centers
their environmental footprint. to understand e-waste generation, facilitate proper
waste management strategies, and ensure regulatory
E-waste management plan compliance.
• Establish e-waste recycling and repurposing programs • Promote transparent disclosure of sustainability goals
to enable data center equipment to be used elsewhere. and commitments for end-of-life management to
Optimizing refresh cycles can notably reduce e-waste foster accountability while closely monitoring quantities
and enhance performance.102 and flows of e-waste to measure progress, assess
sustainability targets, and formulate effective strategies
Technology choice for data center infrastructure equipment.104
• Use products that are easily disassembled, allowing for
recovery of valuable materials and components during Implementation of standards
end-of-life recycling. • Circular solutions require product designs that
support material reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Disposal Recommendation ITU-T L.1023 provides a framework
• Collaborate with certified e-waste recyclers who adhere for evaluating circularity and design criteria related
to proper recycling and disposal practices, ensuring safe, to manufacturer capabilities and product durability,
environmentally sound management. recyclability, repairability, and upgradability.
• Identify local or regional solutions to dispose of and • Require that equipment suppliers and e-waste recyclers
recycle e-waste. adhere to relevant standards.
• Partner with other organizations with similar disposal
needs. Use and support development of regional IT asset
disposition providers that can take hardware, harvest
parts, and sell them to consumers as low-cost computing
equipment (e.g., for laptops and desktop computers).
Data security
• Destroy data securely to avoid data breaches and
address privacy concerns.
• Implement strict protocols and standards for data
destruction before disposing of IT equipment and work
with certified IT asset disposition companies. This may
involve data wiping and degaussing to ensure complete
removal of sensitive data from electronic devices.1034
Physical destruction (e.g., shredding of hard drives)
should be avoided when possible to reduce waste,
especially when data security-compliant software wiping
is available.
Supply chain management
• Track and manage used equipment and e-waste Track and manage
throughout its lifecycle. used equipment and
• Include e-waste management criteria in procurement e-waste throughout
policies for IT equipment. Prioritize vendors that offer its lifecycle.
take-back programs, responsible recycling practices, and
environmentally friendly products.
• Regularly assess and audit vendors to ensure compliance
with e-waste management standards.
Knowledge and awareness
• Conduct awareness campaigns and training programs
to educate data center staff and stakeholders about the
importance of proper e-waste management and how to
follow proper practices.
37 Guide to Green Data Centers
Climate-Neutral Data Centre Pact and Circular Economy
plain textA study explored how Zimbabwean universities manage e-waste from data centers to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate health The Climate-Neutral Data Centre Pact's circular risks of improper disposal. Increasing use of ICT in economy working group prioritizes equipment repair universities has increased demand for data center and reuse to reduce natural capital consumption. infrastructure, resulting in improper disposal of Targets include achieving 100 percent assessment for obsolete equipment. It is crucial for universities reuse, repair, or recycling of used server equipment to develop data center e-waste management and increasing the amount of server material strategies and establish partnerships for design and repaired or reused, with a specific target percentage recycling.105 for repair and reuse by 2025.107
Case 12. Data Center E-Waste Management: Zimbabwe
Appendix C provides a detailed description of mitigation
strategies and resources, including circularity metric tools.
plain textA London South Bank University project on the circular economy for the data center industry (CEDaCI) is increasing reclamation and reuse of critical raw materials, prolonging product life through equipment reuse and remanufacture, and minimizing use of virgin materials and environmental impact associated with redundant equipment. The Circular Data Center Compass is a free online resource that was developed to guide the data center industry in choosing more circular options during the procurement, refurbishment, and disposal of servers by assessing the environment, social, and economic impacts and criticality of raw materials. The resource aligns with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 and other eco-design directives and regulations. 106
Case 13. Circular Economy for the Data Center Industry: United Kingdom
38 Guide to Green Data Centers
Greening Public Procurement
of Data Centers
Green public procurement (GPP) is an approach to enhancing environmental sustainability of procurement,
including for data centers and server infrastructure as well as cloud services. Introducing GPP in procurement
of data infrastructure can also support the broader data center market’s green transition.
plain textGreen procurement can span comprehensive green considerations or selected green priority areas. It is not a matter of all or nothing. Public organizations are encouraged to start integrating green aspects and learn from the experience. Green procurement falls within the wider concept of sustainable public procurement that includes environmental, social, and economic components. Existing GPP criteria serve as a foundational guide for sustainable procurement, helping align practices with broader goals, but adapting guidelines and international standards to the organization's specific needs, sustainability goals, and market context is crucial. This section builds on other resources developed by ITU and the World Bank (the key ones are listed below) that pertain to ICT and green procurement. • Circular and Sustainable Public Procurement for ICTs Guide and Recommendation ITU-T L.1061 "Circular public procurement of information and communication technologies" • Recommendation ITU-T L.1304: Procurement criteria for sustainable data centres • GovTech Procurement Practice Note. World Bank. • Institutional and Procurement Practice Note on Cloud Computing. World Bank • World Bank Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Green Reforms in Country Procurement Systems • World Bank Toward Environmentally Sustainable Public Institutions: The Green Government IT Index
Procurement Planning Choice of Procurement Route
The planning phase is crucial for green data center and data As mentioned in the Introduction, procuring a new data
services procurement, setting the tone for all subsequent center or using a service model encompasses several
procurement activities. During this stage, organizations distinct pathways, each with its own considerations in
identify needs, set objectives, conduct market research terms of what aspects of the data center operation a buyer
to explore options from different service providers, and can influence. The pathway choice depends on the procuring
establish criteria for their procurement process. organization's needs, budget, technical capabilities, and
environmental goals and business models available in the
Making environmental sustainability and social and market in a particular region.
governance considerations a priority at this stage can
embed green approaches in procurement decisions from
the beginning. Thoughtful planning enables organizations to
identify opportunities for energy efficiency, waste reduction,
and water conservation and align their procurement
practices with broader sustainability goals and regulatory
requirements.
39 Guide to Green Data Centers
Core Planning Questions
The planning phase for green procurement also requires that the procurement team ask
questions to set the direction for the procurement process (Table 2). This blends technical
needs with sustainability goals and regulatory and market questions.
QUESTION APPROACH KEY RESOURCES EXAMPLES OF GUIDANCE
What are the Define precise Internal data • Data Center Knowledge:
needs? requirements for analysis, IT How to Plan a Data Center
data center or data infrastructure • United Nations Environment Program:
services. assessment tools, Sustainable Public Procurement:
professional How to Wake the Sleeping Giant!
Consider capacity, consulting services. Introducing the United Nations
performance, Environment Programme’s Approach
security, scalability, • EU Green Public Procurement Toolkit:
and resilience. Needs assessment module
• ITU-T L.1304
What are the Align procurement Sustainability • World Bank: Green Public Procurement:
sustainability process with policy documents, An Overview of Green Reforms in
goals? organization's environmental Country Procurement Systems
sustainability impact assessment • Australian Government:
objectives and tools, sustainability Sustainable Procurement Guide
priorities. consulting services.
What are the Become familiar Regulatory • Data Center Alliance:
regulatory with local bodies' guidelines Policy Regulation and Compliance
requirements? and regional and resources, • Brazilian Government Decree on Data
environmental laws legal advisors, Center Energy Consumption
and regulations compliance
related to data assessment tools.
centers.
What are Understand what Market research • Uptime Institute Reports:
the market the market can reports, vendor Data Center Studies
capabilities? offer in terms of presentations and • Make ICT Fair
green data centers literature, industry
and services. trend analyses.
What are the total Consider not just Financial analysis • Datacenter Total Cost of Ownership
costs? upfront costs, but tools, lifecycle (TCO) Models: A Survey
also total cost of cost assessment • European Commission:
ownership, which software, financial Lifecycle Costing Tools
includes energy, advisors. • Sustainable Public Procurement
maintenance, and Regions: State of the Art
end-of-life disposal Report: Lifecycle Costing
costs.
Who are the Identify who will Stakeholder • ICLEI: The Procura+ Manual: A Guide to
stakeholders? be involved in mapping tools, Implementing Sustainable Procurement
or affected by stakeholder
procurement engagement
process and strategies,
operation of data communication
center. plan templates.
Table 2. Core Questions to Determine Needs
By answering these core questions at the outset, a clear roadmap for the green procurement
process can be created, ensuring that every step aligns with the organization's needs and
green objectives.
40 Guide to Green Data Centers
Green Leverage
Green leverage in procurement is when organizations strategically use their purchasing
power to encourage environmentally sustainable practices among suppliers. This involves
selecting vendors that prioritize energy efficiency, using environmentally sound materials,
and responsible waste management. By integrating green criteria into procurement
processes, organizations influence suppliers to adopt sustainable practices and contribute
to broader environmental goals, promoting positive change in supply chains and industries
through sustainability-focused purchasing decisions. Greening strategies in data center
procurement requires tailored approaches based on the service model employed-colocation
or Anything as a Service. Governments often encounter situations in green procurement
of data services wherein specific considerations appear beyond their control, particularly
in outsourced models such as cloud services. As shown below there are however ways to
include green considerations, especially in larger contracts. In addition large providers can
often take advantage of economies of scale and cross-site experience with sustainability
efforts. Each model comes with a different set of responsibilities and control levels for the
government. A non-exhaustive example of models and approaches is included in Table 3.
MODEL LEVERAGE APPROACH
Publicly • Complete facility control enables public data • It is possible to design, build, operate, and
owned centers to manage sustainable practices. decommission the data center using green
facilities However, economies of scales are often practices and considering costs and other
lacking, and implementation requires factors.
internal or externally sourced knowledge
which might not always be available..
• Local conditions determine opportunities
and barriers for renewable energy, cooling,
etc.
Colocation • Building-level considerations such as power • Certifications and standards: Governments
model and insulation fall under the data center should request that vendors provide evidence
hosting provider's purview, whereas IT of adherence to recognized environmental
hardware-level concerns, including server standards and certifications such as
energy efficiency, lie within the government's Leadership in Energy and Environmental
service boundary. Design, Building Research Establishment
• Buyers can select providers with green Environmental Assessment Method, Energy
certifications for their facilities and specify Star, and EU Code of Conduct for Data
energy-efficiency standards for servers and Centres, which serve as proof of vendor's
other hardware. commitment to green practices.
• Third-party audits: External environmental
auditors can be employed to verify vendors'
Anything- • Service provider manages building- and IT green claims. These independent audits
as-a- hardware-level considerations. provide an unbiased assessment of the
Service vendor's environmental footprint and policy
model adherence.
• Green contract clauses: Governments
can incorporate green requirements into
contracts, obligating vendors to meet
specific environmental standards or adopt
green practices, including clauses requiring
regular reporting on energy use, emissions,
waste, and other relevant sustainability
metrics.
Table 3. Data Center Models and Green Levers to Shape Environmentally Sustainable Choices in Data Center Procurement
41 Guide to Green Data Centers
Business Case for Green Procurement
Making a business case for green procurement necessitates long-term cost-benefit analysis.
Lifecycle cost i.e. total cost of ownership plus externalities provides a comprehensive
picture of costs. Total cost of ownership includes acquisition, operating, maintenance, and
end-of-use costs, whereas lifecycle cost can encompass environmental and social costs.
Table 4 shows how lifecycle costs and opportunities for a buyer for sustainability
and circularity are distributed across the lifecycle of a data center, depending on the
procurement approach used and cost category.
COST CATEGORY EXPECTED COST RANGE AS A OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREEN AND CIRCULAR
PERCENTAGE OF LIFECYCLE COST PROCUREMENT
plain textColocation Enterprise Managed Provider Service Server rooms
Capital 1-5 15-20 1-5 0 Energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure
expenditures, (e.g., Leadership in Energy and Environmental
facilities Design, Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Method),
waste reduction, end-of-life planning, and
water efficiency can offset initial capital
expenditures.
Capital 30-60 30-40 40-50 0 Energy efficiency and server optimization can
expenditures, IT reduce costs by reducing need for expansion
and energy use. Energy savings can offset
higher initial capital expenditures for equipment
operating in broader environmental conditions.
Operating 10-30 10-15 5-15 35-50 Requesting specific criteria on power use
expenses, effectiveness and best practices in cooling
facilities systems can lead to reduced operational costs,
whilst improving energy efficiency. Avoiding
high-global warning potential refrigerants by
using free or economized cooling solutions can
reduce operating costs, although significant
initial investment may be required.
Operating 20-40 25-35 30-40 50-70 Server optimization, end-of-life management,
expenses, IT and repairability and upgradability of IT
equipment can reduce costs by reducing need
for additional equipment, enabling recovery
of equipment residual value, and reducing
maintenance costs.
Decommissioning 5-10 5-10 1-5 0 Equipment decommissioning offers
opportunities for resale, recycling, proper waste
disposal, energy recovery, and supplier take-
back schemes.
Reaching end 1-5 1-5 N/A N/A Reaching the end of the facility’s lifespan end
of the facility’s of life allows for material recovery and reuse,
lifespan responsible waste management, and potential
conversion of the facility for other uses.
Table 4. Lifecycle Costs of Various Data Center Models and Opportunities for Sustainability
42 Guide to Green Data Centers
Considering these approaches and costs and asking • Education and training: Provide the procurement team
suppliers for related information increases demand from with current insights into sustainable technologies and
suppliers for information related to total costs, lifecycle practices, facilitating knowledgeable decision-making
analysis, and associated certifications. The goal is to regarding environmentally sound options during supplier
leverage procurement power to push the data center engagement and selection processes.
industry toward more-sustainable practices, regardless of • Communication: Convery sustainability priorities to the
the service model. market and potential service providers, underscoring
commitment to sustainability and motivating suppliers
Green Data Center Market Engagement to invest in sustainable solutions.
As demand for green data centers grows, understanding
how to engage with the data center market effectively is This section offers a brief overview; for more detailed
crucial. Particularly when introducing new, advanced green information, see the ITU Circular and Sustainable Public
and circular approaches to data center procurement, it is Procurement ICT Equipment Guide.
a good idea to engage with data center service providers
to acquire valuable insights. Engagement can take place Prioritizing Green Requirements
before, during, and after procurement. It is good practice to include green requirements early in the
procurement process so that sustainability and circularity
• Market research: Conduct thorough market research are included in addition to cost, security, safety and
to understand offerings and developments in green maintenance considerations, and are not treated just as a
data center solutions in the relevant country or region, "tie-breaker" amongst the lowest bidders.
including energy-efficient hardware, renewable energy
sources, and cutting-edge cooling technologies. Recommendation ITU-T L.1410 sets requirements and
• Supplier engagement: Establish early communication provides suggestions for selecting IT equipment, facilities,
with potential suppliers. Convey sustainability goals and and other components, including for the operational phase,
requirements and evaluate suppliers’ ability and readiness but its application is limited to existing data centers,
to meet these specifications. making it less useful as a procurement criterion. This makes
• Request for information: Issue a request for information it important to develop a set of procurement criteria that
to gather in-depth information about suppliers' consider data center design, including location, low-energy
sustainable practices and technologies. equipment, and a plan to reduce total environmental impact.
• Innovation partnerships: Foster a culture of innovation See Table 5 for more details on prioritizing procurement
by establishing partnerships with suppliers. Encourage objectives.
them to propose unique solutions that align with your
sustainability objectives.
43 Guide to Green Data Centers
SCOPE PLANNING QUESTION APPROACH
Building How can we ensure the Request certification with, for example, EDGE standard.
building envelope is as green
as possible?
Efficient How can we procure a data Prioritize data centers with low power use effectiveness
electricity center or data services ratios, water use effectiveness ratios, energy reuse
consumption that minimizes electricity effectiveness ratings, and where the energy reuse factor
consumption, particularly (outlined in EN 50600) highlights greater use of renewable
cooling and ancillary power? energy sources. Evaluate energy-saving technologies and
solutions such as efficient cooling systems and advanced
power management.
Renewable How can we ensure that Prioritize data center providers that can supply or
energy sources renewable energy sources facilitate access to renewable energy sources. Follow
are being used to power principles and actions from the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy
data center operations? Compact and explore options for implementing power
purchase agreements.
Adherence Can we accept higher Evaluate the potential for using the American Society of
to optimal operating temperature Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
temperature ranges for greater energy Technical Committee 9.9 allowable temperature range in
range efficiency? data centers.
Water use How can we reduce water Consider data centers that use innovative methods to
reduction use in our data center reduce water use, such as water-efficient cooling systems
operations? and recycled or grey water.
E-waste How can we include Prioritize data center providers demonstrating adherence
provisions for responsible to local, national, or international e-waste management
e-waste management? guidelines. Ask for information on how they handle
and dispose of e-waste, including certifications (e.g.,
e-Stewards, R2). Use suppliers with take-back programs,
which allow return of electronic equipment at end-of-
life and guarantee its proper disposal. Include provisions
that outline responsibilities for managing e-waste and
associated costs.
Compliance with How can we ensure Be aware of current and future regulations and select data
environmental compliance with emerging center providers that demonstrate compliance with these
regulations environmental regulations regulations.
and reporting requirements?
Environmental, How can we incorporate Include ESG criteria in requests for proposals. Weigh ESG
social, and ESG considerations into our responses in selection scoring models and seek providers
governance data center procurement demonstrating firm commitments to ESG goals.
(ESG) issues process?
Comprehensive How can we ensure Seek data center providers that offer comprehensive
environmental transparency and environmental impact reporting, encompassing power
impact reporting accountability regarding use effectiveness and other metrics related to recycling,
the total environmental material sourcing, and broader ESG issues.
impact of our data center
operations?
Table 5. Prioritizing Green Procurement Objectives
44 Guide to Green Data Centers
Power Purchase Agreements in Data Center Procurement
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a tool that facilitates procurement of green
energy in data centers. By including PPAs in the tender process, public authorities can
promote sustainable energy procurement that contributes to their environmental
objectives.
plain textPPAs are contracts between data center operators and renewable energy providers. They guarantee a stable supply of renewable energy at a fixed price, reducing a data center’s carbon footprint. To incorporate PPAs into a data center tender, a public authority can specify sustainability goals and express the intention to procure renewable energy through PPAs. Supplier proposals can be evaluated based on their experience facilitating PPAs and renewable energy procurement. The PPA arrangement can be considered an evaluation criterion alongside other factors while explicit contractual provisions are defined to ensure compliance. Find out more in the World Bank resources on PPAs and energy purchase agreements
Case 14. Case 14: Use of Power Purchase Agreements: South Africa
plain textAfrica Data Centres has signed a 20-year PPA with Distributed Power Africa to procure solar energy. Distributed Power Africa will supply renewable energy to power its South African operations via wheeling (energy delivered from the renewable energy site to the customer via existing distribution or transmission networks).
45 Guide to Green Data Centers
Procuring the Data Center or data services
This section provides guidance to help navigate the procurement process. It gives ideas
on defining requirements and evaluating suppliers by their sustainability criteria and
considering lifecycle costs. It also offers links to additional technical resources for further
support.
Bidding Type
Data center procurement usually involves acquiring goods, works, and services. Each of
these might require different procurement methods and greening considerations.
• Goods: server hardware, storage devices, network equipment, cooling systems, backup
power supplies. Energy Star or other standards can be used.
• Works: construction or modification work for the data center facility involving site
preparation, construction of the data center building, and installation of cooling and
power systems and security systems. Green building specifications can be included in
procurement documents. It is important to consider capacity building, partnerships, and
guidelines that can foster the needed skill set in local markets.
• Services: design and building of the data center, maintenance services, managed services
for running data center operations. Specialized service providers are emerging that can
advise during the planning phase, including on market-relevant green specifications for
goods and works.
Standards, Labels, and Certifications
Labels, certifications, and standards can be employed to enhance data center
environmental sustainability by providing established frameworks and benchmarks for
assessing and improving various aspects such as energy efficiency, resource conservation,
waste management, and overall environmental impact (Appendix A). Considerations for
data center procurement include:
• Use of existing labels, certifications and standards: Leverage sustainability impact
assessments, solutions, and verifications that established labels in the industry provide.
• Flexibility in label and certification selection: If a specific label limits the supplier pool
or does not fully apply to data centers, consider specifying underlying criteria instead to
allow broader participation.
• Following good practices: Ensure labels are objective, accessible to all interested parties,
and based on verifiable, nondiscriminatory criteria.
• Legal and transparent use: Adhere to legal requirements and good practices for label
use, including open participation, accessibility, and third-party establishment.
Green data center standards and certifications guide organizations in optimization of
environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, offering recommendations, codes of
conduct, and good practice guidance. They cover power and cooling efficiency, renewable
energy use, carbon footprint reduction, waste management, and water conservation.
Adhering to these standards and certificates enables data centers to minimize environmental
impact, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce operating costs. Various standards bodies
and initiatives have established universal green data infrastructure standards. Although
standards set the bar for good practices, approaches should be tailored to country- and
project-specific circumstances.
46 Guide to Green Data Centers
Exactly how standards and certifications are incorporated into the procurement process
may vary based on specific procurement policies and requirements, market capabilities and
conditions, and the nature and scale of the data center project. Table 6 shows examples of
standards and suggestions of how they might be applied in procurement, depending on the
abovementioned variables.
AREA APPLICATION IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT POSSIBLE LABELS AND
CERTIFICATIONS
Greenhouse gas Procurement procedures can require that data ISO 14001 (Environmental
emissions centers and data service providers report their Management), ISO 50001 (Energy
carbon footprint and reduction plans. Potential Management), Science-Based
suppliers could be asked to prove compliance Targets Initiative, ITU-T L.1410
with environmental regulations and initiatives.
Energy use Procurement processes could prioritize data Energy Star, EU Code of Conduct
centers and service providers with lower for Data Centers, Uptime Institute’s
energy use. Specifications for data centers Tier Standard, ISO 50001 (Energy
can include expected energy draw and density. Management), Leadership in Energy
Energy use analysis could be requested, and Environmental Design, ITU-T
focusing on IT equipment and facility support L.1420 (methodology for energy
hardware. consumption)
Environmental During procurement, measurement of EU Code of Conduct for Data
key performance environmental metrics such as power use Centers, Green Grid Data Center
indicators effectiveness, water use effectiveness, energy Maturity Model
reuse effectiveness, and energy reuse factor
can be requested, specifying the condition
of the measurement or assessment (load
and external environment condition). Data
centers could be required to have specific
certifications, such as Energy Star ratings, or
comply with the EU Code of Conduct for Data
Centers or the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
Power and cooling Data center and data service providers could Green Grid Data Center Maturity
analysis be asked to submit a power and cooling Model
analysis demonstrating efficient power use
and cooling management.
Energy reuse Public procurement processes could encourage ISO 14001 (Environmental
the installation and use of effective heat reuse Management), Green Grid Data
systems in data centers. Center Maturity Model
Table 6. Standards, Labels, and Certifications (Note: ISO, International Organization for Standardization; ITU, International Telecommunication Union.)
47 Guide to Green Data Centers
Green Procurement Criteria equipment, encompassing server active state efficiency
Green public procurement (GPP) criteria function as a guide, and end-of-life management. Award criteria (e.g., idle state
directing the process of selection, technical requirements, power and renewable energy factor), distinguish between
awarding procedures, and performance clauses throughout suitable suppliers, encouraging surpassing minimum
procurement. Selection criteria function as initial filters, sustainability standards. Lastly, sustainability practices,
aligning potential suppliers with sustainability goals, for such as ongoing energy consumption monitoring, are
example, server use and cooling energy management. enforced for the duration of the contract via contract
Detailed technical specifications designate the required performance clauses. Table 7 outlines these components to
characteristics of servers, data storage, and network guide a greener procurement process.
TENDER STAGE POSSIBLE CRITERIA
Selection criteria Server use (depends on application that will be running in data center, generally
for data center ICT only applicable when procuring a service from a data center owner such as pay-as-
equipment you-go cloud computing), control of hazardous substances (Basel Convention), data
storage and network equipment, cooling energy management.
Technical specifications Server active state efficiency (e.g., a computer must offer processing power
management that is enabled by default and allows reduced power consumption in
times of low use; see Server Efficiency Rating Tool and Energy Star), ICT operating
range (temperature and humidity), design for repair and upgrading of servers
and data storage, end-of-life management of servers, data storage and network
equipment, environmental monitoring, cooling system best practices, waste heat
reuse readiness, renewable energy factor, global warming potential of refrigerants,
IT room temperature set point, IT availability classes (e.g., uptime tier, International
Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 22237
availability class).
Award criteria Server idle state power, server deployed power demand, server use, end-of-life
management of servers, design PUE curve, PUE improvement from baseline, cooling
system energy consumption, waste heat reuse (for new data centers), waste heat
reuse (for managed services), renewable energy factor, local energy produced by
renewable sources, global warming potential of refrigerants.
Contract performance Monitoring of IT energy consumption, monitoring of IT equipment use and reporting
clauses on end-destination of servers, data storage and network equipment, demonstration
of PUE at handover, monitoring of PUE input values, implementation of best
practice designs, monitoring of cooling system’s energy consumption, monitoring of
heat supply and connection, renewable energy factor, global warming potential of
refrigerants.
Table 7. Possible criteria Possibilities and Sources (Note: ICT, information and communications technology; IT, information technology; PUE, power use
effectiveness)
Further Considerations During the Tendering Stage: Operational performance criteria should be set explicitly
When a specific technological solution, for example a and linked to contract performance clauses for monitoring.
cooling system, forms part of a data center, the bidder If monitoring shows that the delivered service does not
with the best tender might be required to provide proof of meet the requirements, the contracting authority can apply
their claims. If this proof is satisfactory, the contract can penalties or work with the supplier to make improvements.
be awarded. Test reports only ensure that a sample has
been tested, not necessarily the items delivered under the Many resources are available online to provide template
contract. criteria for green procurement. Organizations such as the
ITU and European Union have developed comprehensive
Contract Execution Stage: At this stage, the criteria guidelines and criteria lists that can be adapted to suit
should be related to measuring operational performance, particular requirements.
such as PUE input values and other environmental metrics.
48 Guide to Green Data Centers
Greening the Enabling Environment
for Data Centers
As the data center sector globally strives for sustainability, governments can influence this transformation
through various instruments, including laws regulations, incentives, and services that can guide the data
center sector toward greener outcomes, for example by enforcing sustainability standards and motivating
operators to adopt green technologies.107 Other parts of the enabling environment evolve in more complex
relationship with other stakeholders, for example skills, innovation, and financing.
plain textThis chapter covers four areas: • Data center policy framework discusses policies and regulatory tools. • Data center public services and utilities covers sustainable energy, water, and e-waste management. • Data center enablers covers skills, innovation, and financing. • Measurement, reporting, and verification addresses environmental reporting and transparency. The enabling environment reflects the maturity of the digital sector and other country-specific factors, and measures to influence the enabling environment should consider these. In a country with a weak data center and cloud market, efforts should be focused on strengthening the overall market and inspiring and attracting green investment. In a crowded market, measures might focus on safeguarding shared resources such as water and energy and encouraging sustainable market development.
Data Center Policy Framework
The policy framework that the government establishes at
various levels can influence the design and development of
green data centers. This influence encompasses multiple In 2020, Chinese authorities launched a plan to build
policy instruments, from high-level policies and targets eight computing hubs and 10 data center clusters
to detailed procedures and guidelines. For development of across China. Fundamental guidelines include
green data centers, an integrated policy framework can optimizing PUE and maintaining internet latency.
guide and support the various components of the data The plan emphasizes green requirements, energy
center sector, such as building envelope, ICT equipment, efficiency, clean energy, and green procurement.
cooling, energy, and e-waste management, as previously Major technology firms such as Tencent, Alibaba,
outlined. Baidu, Huawei, ByteDance, Kuaishou, and UCloud
are building data centers in western China.108
Policies and Targets
Many countries have introduced national digital strategies
and policies to enhance digital access, literacy, innovation, Case 15. Eastern Data, Western Computing National Plan: China
and investment, and many have also recently addressed
data centers and green considerations. These policies
define what is expected to be achieved, how to achieve
these targets, and how green data centers support broader
development goals related to digital development and
climate action.
49 Guide to Green Data Centers
The United Kingdom government has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Greening
Government Commitments 2020-2025 focus on reducing the environmental impact of ICT infrastructure. The U.K.
government has published the HMG Sustainable Technology Strategy 2018-2020 and collaborated with industry
to obtain accurate data, establishing a new baseline for 2020-25. This is reflected in the Greening Government: ICT
and Digital Services Strategy 2020-2025. To compile the annual Greening Government ICT report, departmental
information on the energy footprint of cloud services is collected, which involves collaboration between government
departments and suppliers such as Microsoft and AWS. For the 2021/22 annual report, 34 departments and
organizations reported figures on their environmental footprint.110
plain textFigure 9 is an example of data provided in the 2022 annual Greening Government ICT report showing hosting kWh consumption data from on premises, off premises, and cloud data centers. En r consumption b hostin 63m 60m 56m 40m S rv rs kWh 19m 20m 7m 3m 0m Off-pr mis On-pr mis Oth r S rv rs Priv t Cloud Public Cloud D t C ntr D t c ntr (LOAPS) C t or Off-pr mis D t C ntr On-pr mis D t C ntr Oth r S rv rs (LOAPS) Public Cloud Priv t Cloud Figure 9. Energy Consumption According to Host (Note: See resources on how the U.K. government is greening its ICT infrastructure)
Case 16. Government Greening ICT Strategy: United Kingdom
50 Guide to Green Data Centers
Regulation and Industry Standards
Data centers are significant consumers of water and energy, affecting availability of these
resources in communities and often necessitating regulatory management. Governments
can use regulations to manage resources and implement mechanisms to enable regulatory
enforcement.
Standards (Appendix A) offer scientifically and technically evaluated information to enable
governments to define rules on constructing and managing green data centers. Although
these standards typically emerge from industry, governments have an essential role in
facilitating their adoption by agencies and ensuring uniformity across different jurisdictions.
More universally adopted standards for data centers are needed, such as those outlined
in Appendix A. Governments can consider setting minimum requirements for green data
infrastructure, which allows the data center industry to demonstrate their adherence to
good practices, ensures comparability and consistency, and fosters innovation.
plain textIn 2021, facing drought-induced energy shortages, Brazil's government issued measures to curb federal agencies' energy use. With hydroelectricity providing 65 percent of the country's power, the drought significantly affected capacity. The new decree mandated technical limits on data center cooling, appropriate air conditioner sizing, power-saving settings on computers, remote cloud access, purchasing of energy-efficient equipment, adherence to energy standards for new or renovated buildings, and regular equipment maintenance.
Case 17. Decree on Data Center Energy Consumption: Brazil
plain textThe EU Code of Conduct was established to guide data center operators toward cost-effective energy reduction without disrupting critical operations. It enhances comprehension of data center energy demand, promotes awareness by delivering focused information to managers, owners and investors to enhance efficiency, and provides energy-efficient best practices and objectives. As a voluntary initiative, it expects signatories to honor agreed commitments. The European Union aims to encourage adherence through an awards scheme.
Case 18. Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers: European Union
51 Guide to Green Data Centers
Procedures, Guidelines, and Tools Procedures,
Procedures, guidelines, and tools help answer the question of how, when developing green guidelines, and tools
data infrastructure projects. Procedures and manuals outline the specific tasks that data help answer how
center stakeholders must perform to comply with relevant standards and frameworks, when developing
with step-by-step instructions. Most national public policy on green data infrastructure is green data
in this category. Development of these supporting policy instruments should be tailored to infrastructure
solve country-specific challenges and barriers to green data infrastructure development. projects.
plain textThe Indian Green Building Council developed and launched a Green Data Center rating system in 2016 to offer services to the growing data center industry. The system's emphasis is on enabling data center projects to showcase enhanced energy performance through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Case 19. Green Data Centers Rating: India
plain textThe Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd created a technical code on minimum requirements for specification of green data centers focused on energy efficiency and carbon footprint. The code also outlines best practices that data centers should adopt to achieve a sustainable industry.
Case 20. Specification for Green Data Centers: Malaysia
plain textThe German Blue Angel Ecolabel for data centers establishes criteria for sustainable data centers, addressing energy-efficient, climate-friendly data center operation and resource-conserving IT operation. BMZ (the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), the Environmental Label Jury (which includes consumer organizations, trade organizations, academia, the media), and RAL gGmbH (the awarding body) developed it. It organizes the process for developing the relevant award criteria in independent expert hearings, which involve all relevant interest groups. This approach ensures multi-stakeholder buy-in.
Case 21. Blue Angel Ecolabel for Data Centers, Germany
52 Guide to Green Data Centers
Tax Incentives and Finance
Limited capital to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency and lack of reliable
carbon monitoring are among the obstacles to promoting green development of data
infrastructure. Governments could explore financial and fiscal incentives to address these
barriers.
plain textThe New South Wales State Government Energy Saver Program provides eligible businesses a 50 percent subsidy for data center energy audits, which promotes cost efficiency. Data centers in Australia receive a 1- to 6-star rating based on PUE from operational data, allowing performance to be compared.
Case 22. CitySwitch Energy Audit Subsidy for Data Centers: Australia
plain textSince 2018, French data centers have been able to reduce their domestic tax on final electricity consumption by adopting an ISO 50001 energy management system and good energy management practices. To assist in obtaining ISO 50001, the Association Technique Énergie Environnement offers a subsidy covering up to 20 percent of annual energy expenses capped at €40,000.111
Case 23. Subsidy for ISO Certification: France
Summing up, governments can apply a range of measures (Table 8) that target the
components introduced for greening data centres, which encompass sustainable design
and construction, sustainable and circular ICT equipment, energy, sustainable cooling, and
e-waste management, as well as addressing cross-cutting concerns.
53 Guide to Green Data Centers
COMPONENT POLICY ACTION REGULATIONS PROCEDURES, FINANCIAL
GUIDELINES, TOOLS AND FISCAL
INSTRUMENTS
Building Develop national Develop regulations Guidelines on green Grants and
envelope strategy with on permission for design and construction, investments in
green targets new data centers in guidance notes on research and
and national areas with energy and sustainable building development, loans,
connectivity water scarcity. material selection, guarantees for risk
plans considering financial incentives to mitigation.
potential site encourage sustainable
location of green solutions.
data centers.
ICT equipment Outline Support development National guidance on IT Tax incentives for
expectations of standards on equipment transition, decommissioning
for government energy-efficient eco-design, and energy of energy-intensive
agencies in ICT, IT requirements labeling measures; green legacy equipment.
data center, and and efficient IT public procurement policy
cloud industry infrastructure for IT equipment and
on green data design. Strengthen devices.
infrastructure compliance of ICT
development. hardware with green
regulations.
Energy Establish Develop regulatory National indicators to Facilitation of
accreditation, framework that measure decoupling thermal networks
certification, encourages systems process of energy by allowing flexible
and inspection integration, waste demand from greenhouse energy prices,
schemes to heat reuse, smart gas emissions in publicly supported
ensure conformity heating and cooling, data centers, green bank guarantees for
with energy and energy storage. procurement policy of renewable energy
efficiency and Provide standards for cleaner energy for data purchasing power
sustainability data center backup centers, guidelines on agreements, feed-in
standards. power supply and data center energy tariffs, incentives
power storage. information system. for renewable energy
investments.
Cooling Develop regional Participate in Data collection for Transparency for
regulations standards-making cooling energy demand energy prices and
for water process at national, measurement, national tariffs and tax
consumption regional, and guidance on operation credits for adopting
and wastewater international levels. and maintenance of efficient cooling
management, innovative cooling technologies.
regulations on methods, guidelines on
data center data center temperature
cooling energy and humidity.
consumption.
E-waste Enhance e-waste Develop regulations Guidance notes on Extended producer
regulations to to support sound ICT equipment refresh responsibility
ensure effective environmental cycle and end-of-life (manufacturers
enforcement and e-waste disposal. management, regulations and importers
implementation; on environmentally sound responsible for entire
and foster the management of e-waste. product lifecycle),
development of environmental taxes,
e-waste policies subsidies, grants to
or regulations in establish recycling
countries without. facilities, deposit-
refund systems, and
tax incentives to
businesses engaged
in e-waste recycling.
Table 8. Green Data Infrastructure Policy Framework
54 Guide to Green Data Centers
Data Center Public Services and Utilities
Energy and water resources are critical for the operation of data centers. Services such as
e-waste disposal are also essential to support sustainable industry development.
Sustainable Energy
Increasing data center demands strain energy resources, requiring a balance between
data center energy needs and other national and regional energy demands. Shifting power
consumption from fossil fuels to renewable energy is the most critical part of reducing a
data center’s carbon footprint. The ICT sector is the largest purchaser of renewable energy
globally, and data centers can be anchor tenants or developers for renewable energy
projects.112 Most large, global data center players have ambitious commitments to use
renewable energy sources. This means that access to renewable energy is an important
criterion for these companies when choosing countries for data center investments.
Governments should engage the digital sector as an ally in national efforts to move toward
renewable energy.
plain textIn 2019, Google signed a contract with AES Chile to build 23 wind turbines in Chile’s Biobío region. The project is part of a hybrid wind and solar project that is generating clean energy for Google’s first data center in Latin America. The wind farm is operational and is expected to ensure that the data center runs on 80 percent carbon-free energy.112
Case 24. Solar and Wind Powering Data Centers: Chile
There are a range of barriers the private sector and governments might face when deploying
renewable energy for data centers:
• Incompatible, inadequate grid capacity for renewable energy expansion
• Shortage of transmission and distribution infrastructure
• Inadequate regulatory support of PPAs linked to independent power producers, limiting
renewable energy investments
• Lack of a level playing field for renewable electricity and major power suppliers such as
coal and natural gas
• General lack of knowledge and inability to keep pace with a fast-moving industry
Governments play a significant role in reducing these barriers and supporting the green
energy transition.
In addition, data centers generate excess heat, which can be used in buildings or centralized
district heating.114 115 For this to be done efficiently, it will require government planning and
provision of incentives.
plain textIn the Netherlands, there is increasing discussion about developing new data centers, but the fast-growing data center market is increasing national and regional energy consumption, so the Dutch government has restricted establishment of hyperscale data centers. Regional strategies are being developed to ensure that data center growth is balanced with local energy supply.116
Case 25. Rules for Establishing Hyperscale Data Centers: The Netherlands
55 Guide to Green Data Centers
Renewable energy providers such as NextEra Energy, Invenergy, and Ørsted are vital
players in the green data center space. They collaborate with governments and technology
companies to develop renewable energy projects, ensuring a sustainable and dependable
power supply for data centers.
Water Management
Water is a critical resource for green data infrastructure development. A 15-MW mid- Water is a critical
size data center uses as much water as three average-size hospitals or more than two resource for green
18-hole golf courses.117 When data centers consume significant amounts of water, they data infrastructure
compete with other local users for access to water resources. For example, as much as 57 development.
percent is sourced from potable water. Many data center operators source their water from
reservoirs because access to rainfall, gray water, and surface water is seen as unreliable.118
Additionally, fewer than one-third of data center operators measure water consumption.
Effective water governance through integrated water resource management is imperative
for developing green data infrastructure, especially in countries and regions with water
scarcity.
plain textThe U.S. Federal Energy Management Program offers strategies for water efficiency in cooling systems that feature cooling towers in new and existing federal data centers and provides agencies with resources to identify potential water-saving opportunities for these water-intensive applications.
Case 26. Federal Energy Management Program for Cooling Water Efficiency: United States
plain textIn Hong Kong, the Water Supplies Department approves freshwater supplies for cooling purposes. Data center projects and participating businesses using freshwater cooling towers for water-cooled air conditioning systems must apply for participation in the scheme. The government also created a thematic website with a code of practice for the lifecycle of water-cooled air conditioning systems.119
Case 27. Voluntary Freshwater Cooling Tower Scheme: Hong Kong
56 Guide to Green Data Centers
E-Waste Management
From a cost and lifecycle perspective, management, and disposal of e-waste from data
centers is difficult because of the frequent refresh cycles of ICT components, particularly in
regions with inadequate e-waste management infrastructure. Governments have a crucial
role in addressing these difficulties by understanding the e-waste challenges specific to
data centers, implementing regulatory policies for electronic stewardship, establishing
country-specific services and capacity-building initiatives, and fostering collaboration
among multiple stakeholders, for example credible IT asset disposition providers. Such
measures are essential for effectively managing data center e-waste and minimizing its
environmental impact.
plain textNigeria is investing $15 million in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Environment Program to initiate a circular electronics system. The project is designed to promote eco-friendly recycling practices, improve e-waste worker conditions, and generate safe jobs.120
Case 28. Circular Electronics System: Nigeria
Policy Instruments for Public Services and Utilities
Renewable energy
• Offer feed-in tariffs, facilitate PPAs between data centers and renewable energy providers,
and establish renewable energy certificate programs.
• Identify and remove barriers to data centers’ access to renewable energy and offer tax
credits, exemptions, or grants to operators that adopt and invest in renewable energy
technologies.
• Incorporate the renewable energy requirements of data centers into the framework of
national grid policies, ensuring seamless integration. Additionally, establish and implement
net energy metering policies to facilitate the efficient management of renewable energy
generation and consumption within data centers, ultimately contributing to a more
sustainable energy ecosystem.
• Support renewable energy generation aligned with national renewable energy targets.
• Implement green procurement policies that give preference to data centers using
renewable energy.
• Encourage reduced use and reuse of energy.
• Develop supportive policies for waste heat reuse.
• Facilitate public-private collaboration to increase renewable energy use and investment.
Water
• Understand water demand and supply in the context of data center growth.
• Clarify water ownership for better administration.
• Raise awareness of pollution and downstream effects caused by data center water use.
• Address community concerns and data center water demand.
• Establish water footprint benchmarks for resource efficiency and conduct regular audits
to ensure monitoring of consumption.
• Promote free cooling technology and potable water sources for data center cooling.
• Develop water efficiency standards and regulations, set targets for water use reduction,
and promote adoption of water-efficient technologies.
• Establish collaboration between operators, water utilities, and relevant stakeholders to
exchange best practices for sustainable water use.
57 Guide to Green Data Centers
E-waste
• Establish or strengthen regulations and standards for e-waste management, including
specific requirements for data centers. These regulations can cover proper disposal,
recycling, and documentation of e-waste and use of certified recyclers. Impose fines on
or prosecute illegal operations or noncompliance.
• Establish extended producer responsibility regulations to shift responsibility for end-
of life management of electronics to producers, which will encourage them to design
products that are more easily recyclable and facilitate establishment of collection and
recycling infrastructure.
• Adhere to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.
• Support e-waste recycling facility development and establish certification programs and
standards for facilities to meet environmental and safety requirements, recognizing good
practices in e-waste management.
• Assess the environmental performance of IT suppliers regularly and stay informed about
environmentally friendly options in the marketplace.
• Establish an index of certified e-waste management companies and their compliance
with specific standards. Facilitate supply chain coordination and partnerships between
various stakeholders, including manufacturers, recyclers, and consumers.
• Address data security concerns for ICT equipment reuse to minimize e-waste generation.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships between industry associations, recycling
organizations, and other stakeholders to promote knowledge sharing, best practice
exchange, and development of innovative solutions for e-waste management.
Data Center Enablers: Skills, Innovation, and Financing
Governments need to focus on enhancing engagement and skill development to create
secure, stable, and sustainable frameworks, systems, and institutions that promote the
advancement or development of green data centers:
• Facilitate development of green technology and innovation.
• Strengthen knowledge, skills, and training related to data centers and sustainable
practices.
• Build a supportive financing and investment environment.
58 Guide to Green Data Centers
Innovation and Technology
Data center technology is evolving rapidly. Numerous prominent technology companies and
organizations are driving innovation and contributing substantially to the advancement of
green data centers.121 Below are some examples of the extensive range of private sector
innovations.
plain textExamples of data center innovations in the private sector • Google has made significant commitments to renewable energy and operates on 24/7 carbon-free energy. It has achieved carbon neutrality across its global operations, and has introduced advanced cooling techniques, optimal server efficiency, and innovative modular data center designs.122 123 • Microsoft is committed to attaining carbon-negative operations by 2030 and has invested significantly in renewable energy and immersive cooling. It has developed data centers powered entirely by renewable energy sources, prioritizes energy efficiency through artificial intelligence-driven optimization, and launched a circular centers program as part of its zero-waste sustainability efforts to facilitate the reuse and recycling of servers and hardware within its data centers.124 • Facebook is recognized for its pioneering data center designs and energy efficiency measures. It has committed to sourcing 100 percent renewable energy and has made substantial investments in solar and wind projects.125 Facebook's Open Compute Project promotes collaboration and open-source sharing of energy-efficient data center designs.126 • Apple data centers have been powered by 100 percent renewable energy since 2014, and it has formed partnerships with renewable energy suppliers to ensure sustainability.127 • AWS has committed to achieving 100 percent renewable energy for its global infrastructure. The AWS Cold Storage Data Center uses less energy than traditional data centers by using a cold storage system to store data instead of using heat pumps to keep the servers cool. This approach uses 90 percent less energy than traditional approaches.128 AWS also offers services to help customers optimize their energy consumption. • Intel, a prominent chip manufacturer, participates in green data center initiatives. It designs energy-efficient processors and collaborates with data center operators to enhance server efficiency and is investing in research and development on innovative data center technologies and addressing areas such as heating, cooling, and water use.129
The industry is continuously evolving, and numerous other companies, large and small, are
working toward green data center solutions. Although strides have been made, developing
solutions tailored to the needs of LMICs is still crucial. This involves not only developing
locally created solutions, but also fostering technology transfer. Policy makers should
encourage innovative, affordable technologies suitable for their regions.
Collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing among these key players and the broader
technology industry contribute to ongoing innovation and advancement of green data
centers. Research and development in renewable technologies must be supported, and
cross-border knowledge sharing with industry and universities should be facilitated to
promote adoption of green IT, efficient cooling, and smart data center management.
plain textGlobal initiatives and alliances are useful starting points for inspiration and potential collaboration, including: • The Green Grid • The Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) • The Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA)
59 Guide to Green Data Centers
Skills and Training
Highly technical skills are needed to manage and operate data centers, with additional skills Demand is projected
required for green data center development, and the demand for skilled green data center to increase to about
staff outweighs the supply worldwide, with many data center owners and operators unable 300,000 engineers
to hire qualified personnel. Demand is projected to increase to about 300,000 engineers worldwide by 2025.
worldwide by 2025, with at least half of current data center engineers coming closer to
their retirement age.130
This challenge is even greater in LMICs, where staffing requirements are expected to increase
unevenly across regions. Most of the demand will be in Asia-Pacific, driven by expected
cloud and Internet giants and colocation capacity growth in China and Southeast Asia.
Market demand in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is foreseen to exhibit comparably
aligned trends among these regions.. In Latin America, growth is expected to be driven
by several markets, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.131 The available pool of
qualified engineers in these regions is limited.
By implementing sustainable standardized designs, data centers developers can streamline
the construction and deployment process, reducing the need for highly specialized skills and
labor. Modular designs allow for pre-engineered components that can be easily assembled,
making it more feasible to build and operate sustainable data centers in regions where
skilled workforce availability is limited.
plain textLaos' first state-run data center opened in 2016 with support from Japanese partners. The data center's servers were housed in shipping containers for easy transport and setup. Containerized data centers consume less power than facilities housed in self-standing structures. The container was designed to use an indirect outside air cooling system. The setup involved transporting the containers to the desired site and connecting the equipment and was completed in seven months.
Case 29. Containerized Data Center: Laos
Governments and the private sector should work together to enhance educational efforts
and provide training programs that include sustainability topics. This could be achieved
by integrating these subjects into existing curricula, establishing short courses on best
practices, and increasing awareness of green solutions and materials.
60 Guide to Green Data Centers
Financing
As the demand for data storage and processing continues to grow worldwide, various
regions are recognizing the economic and technological opportunities presented by
establishing sustainable and green data center ecosystems. International investors and
industry leaders are often keen to engage in partnerships and initiatives that support the
development of sustainable data centers, leveraging their financial resources, technological
insights, and operational know-how to drive innovation and growth in this evolving sector.
Thus, establishing a sustainable data center sector can greatly leverage global capital and
expertise, although cultivating an environment conducive to business is essential to attract
this investment. This involves understanding the key factors that developers and investors
consider when making investment decisions. It may be necessary to reduce restrictions on
foreign direct investment, increase the ease of doing business, protect intellectual property
rights, and de-risk green digital and energy investments.
Although LMICs are investing in data centers and the digital economy, there is a financing Although LMICs are
gap when it comes to greening efforts. Globally, and especially in LMICs, there is a need investing in data
to de-risk and encourage green investments. Governments and development financing centers and the
institutions should consider financing models and incentives that factor in the costs and digital economy,
expertise needed to build and operate sustainable data centers. there is a financing
gap when it comes to
IFC, for example, offers guidance on EDGE certification and rewards interested companies greening efforts.
with access to finance.
plain textThe Digital Investment Facility (DIF), co-funded by the European Commission, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), is a mechanism to enhance investments in data infrastructure such as data centers and Internet exchange points. The DIF will focus on green, secure data infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and is designed to facilitate integrated partnerships between key stakeholders, including the public sector, the private sector, and development finance institutions, to boost investments in digital connectivity under global gateway partnerships.
Case 30. The Digital Investment Facility
61 Guide to Green Data Centers
Supporting Policies for Technology Development and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification
Innovation, Skills, and Training Capital To ensure the environmental responsibility of data centers,
To foster the growth of sustainable data centers, governments and operators must measure, document,
a range of supportive policies can be implemented, and verify their environmental footprint accurately.
spanning technology development and innovation, skills This accountability hinges on consistent, transparent
enhancement, training initiatives, and financing strategies. reporting.132 133 134 135 For example, the new EU Energy
These policies collectively contribute to creating an Efficiency Directive highlights that owners and operators
environment conducive to the advancement of green data of data centers greater than 500 kW must publish their
centers and their integration into national infrastructure: environmental performance at least once a year, increasing
transparency. This includes energy consumption, power
Technology development and innovation use, temperature, heat use, and renewable energy use
• Encourage market development of innovative, affordable based on CEN/CENELEC EN 50600.136
technologies tailored to LMICs.
• Support research into renewable technologies. Several steps can be taken to establish this foundation and
• Facilitate technology transfer and regional knowledge help regulate transparency.
sharing. • Integrate reporting requirements and sustainable ICT
• Provide funding for green solution development. strategies into government sustainability reporting and
• Increase fiber optic cable deployment. establish core sustainability key performance indicators
for performance along the supply chain. This initial step
Skills and training promotes accountability and demonstrates a clear
• Increase knowledge and awareness of sustainable design commitment to sustainability within the government and
and construction, circular ICT equipment, renewable its operations.
energy solutions, sustainable cooling, and e-waste • Enhance data transparency in supply chains, focusing
management. on carbon emissions, environmental impacts, materials,
• Integrate sustainability topics into engineering curricula. and chemicals. Governments can promote innovative
• Provide short courses for data center managers. technologies such as digital product passports and
• Develop apprentice programs. blockchain that help track and validate this data.
• Enhance government practitioner knowledge about green • Adopt common international reporting frameworks
procurement. and standards, allowing key performance indicator
• Establish partnerships with industry experts and monitoring and ensuring alignment with global best
organizations to deliver training to government practices. Departments and agencies can be required
employees. to report relevant metrics, for example annual GHG
emissions, energy use, and waste related to ICT and
Financing digital services.
• Ease limitations on foreign direct investment in green • Establish a robust measurement infrastructure and
data centers while forging public-private collaborations. use suitable tools for metric collection. An independent
Prioritize regional stakeholders and proprietors to evaluation and auditing system can be considered to
enhance oversight of national and vital infrastructure. verify data collected from various systems and platforms.
This approach also promotes an environment where • Ensure transparency and disseminate data. Data should
regional expertise and insights are harnessed to drive be made public and accessible to relevant stakeholders
innovation and address national sustainability concerns. annually.137 Forming collaborations between the public
• De-risk green energy investments. and private sectors can improve the efficiency of sharing
• Reduce energy taxes and taxes on imported energy- data within data center contexts.
efficient equipment. • Establish internal and external benchmarks, including
• Invest in renewable energy projects or offer subsidies for key performance indicators, to assess performance and
renewable technology installations. progress. Agreement on suitable measures and standards
• Implement green procurement policies and align with for measurement and data collection is required to ensure
sustainable investment practices/requirements. accurate, meaningful comparisons.
62 Guide to Green Data Centers
Best practices for greenhouse gas emission reporting
As highlighted in the Introduction, reporting plays a crucial role in promoting the environmental sustainability and
climate resilience of data centers by fostering awareness, transparency, and accountability. The Greenhouse Gas
Protocol has become a widely used standard for measuring and reporting emissions which are categorized into
three ‘scopes’ (Figure 10). These scopes offer a worldwide framework to quantify and control GHG emissions across
diverse organizations and industries. This structure effectively addresses the issue of "double-counting" emissions
in corporate reporting. ISO 14064 also classifies GHG emissions into these categories.
plain textMany companies use science-based targets developed by the Science-Based Targets Initiative, whose guidelines stipulate that organizations must account for and set measurable targets. GHG emissions are broken down into the following three categories: • Scope 1: emissions from corporate internal operations, including direct emissions • Scope 2: emissions related to energy use for their operation • Scope 3: value chain emissions (if they exceed 40 percent of their total emissions footprint)139 Organizations can set emissions reduction targets or customer engagement targets for these categories. Not addressing scope 3 emissions could present investment risks for companies, because it is likely that reporting on these will become mandatory.139 140 141 ITU, together with GSMA and GeSI published Scope 3 Guidance for Telecommunication Operators and is developing similar guidance for data centers. CO2 CH N 2O HFCs PGCs SF 6 SCOPE 2 INDIRECT SCOPE 3 INDIRECT SCOPE 1 INDIRECT SCOPE 3 INDIRECT Purch s d Busin ss L s d Us of sold Tr nsport tion l ctricit , tr v l ss ts products nd distribution H tin , St m nd Fu l nd n r Emplo Fr nchis s Proc ssin of Coolin for r l t d ctiviti s commutin sold products own us Purch s d W st Comp n Comp n End of lif L s d oods nd from f ciliti s v hicl s tr tm nt of ss ts s rvic s distribution sold products C pit l Tr nsport tion Inv stm nts oods nd distributon Upstr m ctiviti s R portin comp n Downstr m ctiviti s Figure 10. Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes (Source: Adapted from this website)
63 Guide to Green Data Centers
If an organization operates in multiple subsectors (e.g., a mobile operator also running fixed networks and data
centers), it can split emissions and add subsector targets to achieve a company-wide target. Geographic differences
between ICT operators, such as differences in electricity grid factors and availability, must also be recognized.
Figure 11 shows a typical process that can be followed to reduce data center GHG emission scopes.143
plain textS t r duction D v lop o ls inv ntor Monitor nd C lcul tion optimiz nd r portin Tr nsl t into ctions Figure 11. Steps to Reduce Data Center Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes Organizations are encouraged to consider the trajectories in Recommendation ITU-T L.1470142 as references to define a level of ambition for scope 3 emissions reduction targets. These targets should align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, specifically the 1.5°C target, and employ methods consistent with the necessary decarbonization efforts to limit global temperature rise within this threshold. Resources such as Guidance for ICT Companies Setting Science Based Targets146 and Recommendation ITU-T L.1470 can provide helpful guidance. Organizations should also use suppliers committed to or setting science-based targets. In addition to carbon reporting, it is important to report on all environmental impacts, as previously discussed, including e-waste metrics, actual power use, water use, and other environmental indicators outlined in the LCA environmental impact indicators. See EN 50600 for details.
Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Policy Instruments
Challenges and opportunities arise when implementing policy instruments for sustainable
data centers.
Opportunities
Implementing policies can increase sustainability and significantly reduce the environmental
impact of data centers. Given ever-increasing digital demand, this is vital for mitigating
climate change. Meeting growing market demand for green data centers positions a
country or region as a sustainable hub for data center operations, attracting investment
and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Financial incentives such as tax credits, grants, and subsidies can motivate data center
operators to adopt green technologies and practices, fueling economic growth, creating jobs
in renewable energy, and attracting investment in sustainable data center infrastructure.
There is substantial potential for innovation and cost savings. Implementing efficient,
sustainable technology can decrease energy consumption and waste, ultimately reducing
operational costs, and can spark innovation, creating new products, services, and methods
of operation and fostering a resilient, future-ready industry.
64 Guide to Green Data Centers
Challenges
Resistance from data center operators can be anticipated. They may view new regulations
as burdensome or disruptive to their current operations. The task is to help them understand
that long-term benefits outweigh initial inconveniences. Existing regulations and policies
may not be conducive to adoption of green practices in data centers; outdated frameworks
should be revised.
Costs associated with compliance can pose a significant challenge. Implementing energy-
efficient technologies or transitioning to renewable energy sources can involve significant
upfront costs, including expenses for adopting new technologies, adjusting operational
processes, and investing in skill development for staff. This can be particularly difficult
for small operators with tight budgets. Operators may be hesitant to invest without clear
financial incentives or support. It is important to balance the need for sustainability with
market competitiveness and profitability.
The complexity of implementing and enforcing specific policy instruments should be
considered. These policies often involve numerous stakeholders and intricate technical
elements. Ensuring clear understanding, compliance, and enforcement across sectors can
be challenging and resource intensive. It is important for governments to establish robust
monitoring mechanisms to track progress and enforce compliance.
65 Guide to Green Data Centers
Appendix A. Key Cross-Cutting Industry
Standards and Certifications
STANDARD, DESCRIPTION
CERTIFICATION, OR
RECOMMENDATION
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Outlines requirements and provides guidance for companies and other
Corporate Accounting and organizations preparing corporate-level GHG emissions inventories
Reporting Standard
International Organization Includes ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 50001 (energy
for Standardization management), and ISO/IEC 22237-1:2021 (classifies data centers based on
energy efficiency and other criteria)
ITU-T L. Series ITU-T Study Group 5 on Environment, EMF and Circular Economy is responsible
Recommendations for developing methodologies to evaluate the impacts of ICT on climate change.
ITU-T Recommendations provide guidance on using ICT in an eco-friendly
manner and methodologies to reduce the adverse environmental effects of ICT
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1471: Guidance and criteria for information and
communication technology organizations on setting net zero targets and
strategies
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1470: GHG emissions trajectories for the ICT sector
compatible with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1450: Methodologies for the assessment of the
environmental impact of the information and communication technology
sector
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1420: Methodology for energy consumption
and greenhouse gas emissions impact assessment of information and
communication technologies in organizations
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1300: Best practices for green data centres
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1304: Procurement criteria for sustainable data
centers
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1320: Energy efficiency metrics and measurement
for power and cooling equipment for telecommunications and data centres
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1302: Assessment of energy efficiency on
infrastructure in data centre and telecom centre
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1301: Minimum data set and communication
interface requirements for data centre energy management
• Recommendation ITU-T L.1305: Data centre infrastructure management
system based on big data and artificial intelligence technology
Global Reporting Initiative Sets standards for sustainability reporting
Standards
Uptime Institute Provides green certification and standards for data centers, offering programs
to optimize energy use; includes Efficient IT Assessment and Tier Standard for
resilience levels
Telcordia GR-3160 Provides guidelines on environmental protection for equipment, fire safety, and
space planning
Certified Energy Efficient Global framework that increases data center energy efficiency, improves
Data Centre Award performance, and decreases operational costs
(CEEDA)
Science Based Targets Drives ambitious climate action in private sector by enabling organizations to
Initiative (SBTi) set science-based emissions reduction targets, with specific guidance developed
for the ICT sector
66 Guide to Green Data Centers
STANDARD, DESCRIPTION
CERTIFICATION, OR
RECOMMENDATION
EDGE certification Green building certification system for emerging markets created by the
International Financial Corporation that enables developers to optimize designs;
promote sustainability; and create marketable, cost-effective projects
Leadership in Energy and Global certification program that evaluates sustainability and efficiency of
Environmental Design buildings, including data centers, based on criteria such as energy and water use,
(LEED) site selection, materials, and indoor environmental quality
TCO Certified servers Leading global sustainability certification for information technology products
addressing environmental and social factors throughout the product lifecycle,
including supply chain responsibility, hazardous substances, and circular criteria
Green Grid Data Center Framework and tool that increases data center energy efficiency and improves
Maturity Model (DCMM) performance, focusing on areas such as power use effectiveness, cooling
efficiency, equipment use, and monitoring systems
Certified Green Provides proof that an organization has not only adopted green computing
Computing Facility (CGCF) facility best practices, but has also implemented them effectively
certification from Green
Climate Initiative
American National Comprehensive guide for data center design worldwide covering various types of
Standards Institute/ data centers that includes design concepts, site selection, building architecture,
Building Industry core systems, facility systems, security, and commissioning and provides
Consulting Service requirements, guidelines, and best practices for all aspects of data center design
International 002-2019
Data Center Availability
Class Methodology
National and regional • Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centres (European Union): to
examples encourage data center operators and owners to reduce energy consumption
while maintaining critical functions of data centers by promoting energy-
efficient practices and fostering collaboration among stakeholders
• European standard (CSN EN 50600): general concepts, building construction,
power distribution, environmental control, telecommunications cabling
infrastructure, security systems, management, and operational information
systems
• ETSI EN 303 470 (European Standard): energy efficiency measurement
methodology and metrics for servers
• Energy Star certification (United States): provided by Environmental
Protection Agency, recognizes energy-efficient products and buildings,
including data centers, that meet Environmental Protection Agency energy
efficiency criteria
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (United
Kingdom): sustainability assessment method and certification for buildings,
including data centers, that evaluates criteria such as energy efficiency, water
use, materials, and waste management
• SS 564 Part 1 (Singapore): focuses on data center sustainability, covering
energy and water use, consumption, and efficiency; includes best practices
for sustainable data center design and management of electrical systems,
mechanical systems, and ICT equipment
GHG, greenhouse gas; ICT, information and communications technology; ISO, International Organization for Standardization;
ITU, International Telecommunication Union.
67 Guide to Green Data Centers
Appendix B. Resiliency Measures
for Data Centers 145 146 147
Site Selection for resilience
• Data centers
– Engage resilience and risk experts early in project assessment process to benefit from
their expertise in evaluating and mitigating climate-related risks.
– Prioritize site selection that minimizes exposure to environmental risks such as flooding,
landslides, subsidence, and adverse weather conditions.
– Prioritize flood risk factors when evaluating potential data center sites or sea-level rise
or storms in vulnerable regions such as small island developing states.
– Consider local risks such as political instability, previous underground mining activities,
and distance from polluting sites when choosing a data center location.
– Ensure sufficient distance between primary data center and sites such as flood plains
and earthquake fault lines to mitigate concurrent losses from events.
- Small server rooms – Place server room in a separate building to mitigate potential resilience risks such as fire and plumbing leaks from bathrooms or kitchens. Avoid basements and top floors to reduce risks of condensation or water damage. – Ensure that server room has sufficient space for potential expansion of server system.
Design and Build
• Adopt industry standards for data center design and construction such
as EN 50600 and International Organization for Standardization/International
Electrotechnical Commission 22237 series.
• Encourage adoption of sustainability certifications and frameworks such as EDGE
certification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or Building Research
Establishment Environmental Assessment Method to promote climate resilience in
data centers.
• Use building materials and construction practices that minimize risk of water damage.
• Install fire suppression systems to mitigate fire hazard, adhering to pressure-relief
venting requirements.
• Prioritize continuity of power, communications, and cooling, integrating redundancy
at every level.
• Ensure reliable, sufficient backup power to withstand extended grid power outages.
• Install uninterruptible power supply systems to provide emergency power during
sudden outages.
• Incorporate onsite backup power generators to extend uninterruptible power supply
functionality for prolonged periods.
• Use socket strips with voltage filters when using a single power supply for the entire
IT system.
68 Guide to Green Data Centers
Operations
• Strategy and planning
– Develop resilience strategy and action plan for data center operations.
– Refresh resiliency strategy regularly based on latest weather and storm models.
– Establish baseline of service resiliency, including considerations for climate change
impacts.
– Continuously apply resilience measures to mitigate climate-related risks.
– Regularly assess climate risks.
- Server room operations and management – Ensure proper climate control in server room, maintaining recommended temperature and humidity levels in accordance with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ 2021 Equipment Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments. – Install monitoring systems such as video surveillance and sensors to detect problems such as overheating, fire, and water damage. Use alarm management systems and incident reporting tools.
Resources
• Studies, guides, and methodologies
– Data Center Tier Certification
– Microsoft: Datacenter Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment Methodology, 2023
– No Broken Link: The Vulnerability of Telecommunication Infrastructure to Natural
Hazards, World Bank, 2019
– Uptime Institute: The Gathering Storm: Climate Change and Data Center Resiliency,
2020
– The UK's Core Digital Infrastructure: Data Centres: Climate Change Adaptation and
Resilience, 2016
– The Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment
– European Union: A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Initiative
- Climate risk tools – World Bank climate and disaster risk screening tools – United Nations Environment Program: A Practical Guide to Climate Resilient Buildings and Communities, 2021 – Think Hazard – Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance – Green Grid – Climate-Neutral Data Centre Pact, European Data Centre Association
69 Guide to Green Data Centers
Appendix C. Mitigation Measures
for Data Centers
BUILDING ENVELOPE-MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Design and Build
• Planning
– Site selection to access cleaner energy and water resource
– Brownfield and retrofit construction as a carbon-reduction solution148
– Containerized modular data center design to reduce use of concrete and construction
waste and cooling demand
– Use of prefabricated materials and off-site manufacturing as a carbon- and waste-
reduction solution149
– Use of lean manufacturing to reduce operational losses and promote a low-carbon
strategy
– Plan for circularity and minimized waste generation; plan early to optimize reduction
of carbon emissions through alternative layout and substitute materials based on
comparative analysis of materials and their impact on carbon emissions
– Initiating collaboration with the design and construction team at an early stage to
incorporate sustainability measures for constructing green data centers
– Inspiration from resources such as Open Standard for Data Center Availability for good
practices on data center design
– Local renewable energy production (solar/wind) on data center premises
- Design – Energy-efficient data center architectural design150 – Design of building orientation with respect to sun path to control thermal loss and save energy151 152 – Multi-story data centers for greater land availability, cost effectiveness of the investment
- Construction – Use of environmentally friendly, locally available materials where possible – Sustainable transportation of building materials (construction transport can account for up to 10 percent of project carbon dioxide emissions153) – Climate-responsive building materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce thermal loss from the structure154 – Recycled building materials, especially steel and metal – Good practice and innovations in building technologies, for example: * Steel-reinforced concrete structures to reduce waste and capture carbon over their lifecycles155 * CarbonCure, which injects waste carbon dioxide into concrete to help decarbonize1556 * Nature-based solutions for greening buildings to decrease energy and cooling demand157 – Financial instruments to support adoption of sustainable technology and equipment (e.g., sustainability-linked finance)
70 Guide to Green Data Centers
Resources
• Overview of ANSI/BICSI 002-2019, Data Center Availability Class Methodology
• EDGE certification
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
• Green Globe
• Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator
• EU Buildings as Material Banks: material tracing passport enabling tracking of
materials throughout supply chain
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
• Country examples
– German Sustainable Building Council System: Global Benchmark for Sustainability
– Japan: Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency
– United States: Green Globes Building Certification
– France: High-quality environmental standard
CIRCULAR AND SUSTAINABLE INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) EQUIPMENT
Hardware and Equipment Selection
• Select equipment suitable for the data center power density to avoid overtaxing
cooling system.
• Use energy efficiency-certified equipment and products such as Energy Star and TCO
Certified servers, storage devices, and other network hardware.
• Consider installed devices' embodied energy and environmental impact relative to
their refresh and replacement frequency.
• Promote provision of power and cooling based on actual power draw capability of
equipment instead of power supply unit or nameplate rating.158
• Use equipment that includes mechanisms for external control of energy use.
• Encourage audits of existing physical equipment and services.
Data and Storage Management
• Implement effective data storage management to reduce server requirements,
including removing dark data.
• Reconfigure virtual machines to improve resource use and reduce energy demand.
• Be aware of fluctuating workloads from applications and software developments
when considering type of workloads during design and operation.
Operational Strategies
• Regularly check usage rate of servers to identify unused servers or servers with low
usage and redundant applications for server management improvement.
• Consolidate multiple applications without conflicting software requirements on one
server to reduce hardware use and energy consumption.
• Implement server virtualization to improve equipment use and reduce cost, material
waste, electricity use, server sprawl, and cooling loads.
• Decommission unused servers and consider removing low-use services (verifying
impact of service before doing so). Put idle equipment into low-power sleep mode or
shut it down.
• Maximize system performance through balanced memory configuration to reduce
energy use.
• Monitor and report use and energy consumption of equipment.
• Implement automation solution for real-time infrastructure, device, and function
coordination to optimize energy balance.
• Audit existing ICT environmental requirements.
• Choose remote power control according to operational needs.
• Implement power-monitoring system for racks and infrastructure to increase energy
efficiency and support better capacity planning.
71 Guide to Green Data Centers
Refresh
• Assess power use data to strengthen server room operation and refresh needs.
• Refresh servers with higher energy-efficiency levels.
• Refresh power distribution equipment (uninterruptible power supplies, power
distribution units) and power supplies to ensure greater efficiency gains.
Resources
• Standards, Codes, and Guidelines:
– European Union: Data Centres Energy Efficiency Code of Conduct
– EU eco-design directives
– Recommendation ITU-T L.1300-Best practices for green data centers
– Recommendation ITU-T L.1303-Functional requirements and framework of green data
center energy-saving management system
– International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical
Commission (ISO/IEC) 30134-4:2017 Information technology-Data centers-Key
performance indicators-Part 4: IT Equipment Energy Efficiency for servers
– ETSI-EN 303 470 Environmental Engineering; Energy efficiency measurement
methodology and metrics for servers
– Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and
Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing
– ICT Standard by International Federation of Global and Green Information and
Communication Technology
– National Resources Defense Council: Utility Energy Efficiency Program Design: Server
Room Assessments and Retrofits
– European Union Energy label
– China Energy Label
- Product Guides and Fact Sheets: – European Union: The Product Environmental Footprint Guide - Uninterruptable power supply – Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Ecolabel – Fact Sheet: Improving Energy Efficiency for Server Rooms and Closets – Energy Efficiency in Small Server Rooms: Field Surveys and Findings
- Certification and Labeling Programs: – Green-e certification program – Light Certification Scheme (ICTFOOTPRINT.eu) – Energy Star data center equipment – Energy Star Score for Data Centers – Green Information Technology Professional – Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
72 Guide to Green Data Centers
ENERGY SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Energy Management Plan
• Audit energy savings to identify opportunities for increasing energy efficiency in
specific areas.159 160
Backup Power Storage
• Explore alternatives to diesel backup generators.
• Consider microgrids to leverage a wide array of green power technologies.
• Use gas or hydrogen fuel cells.
• Use lithium-ion batteries.
• Eliminate 90 percent of emissions over the fuel’s lifecycle by using hydrotreated
vegetable oil-powered backup generation instead of diesel.161
• Apply energy-efficient Energy Star label uninterruptible power supply to reduce
energy waste by up to 52 percent compared to conventional uninterruptible power
supply battery backups162 or apply European Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency of
air conditioning uninterruptible power supplies.
• Evaluate the backup frequency and security levels concerning power distribution and
backup power technology.
• Use redundant uninterruptible power supply systems to provide grid support. Due
to the need for redundancy, data centers usually possess significant backup power
capacity, which can be fed back into the power grid.
Renewable Energy
• Position data centers in areas conducive to their integration with renewable or
cleaner energy sources, thereby enhancing the availability and accessibility of such
sustainable energy options.
• Encourage data center power purchase through renewable or cleaner energy via
power purchase agreements (PPAs) or energy purchase agreements
• Explore onsite renewable energy sources.
• Develop cross-border transmission infrastructure and open up existing networks to
increase transmission capacity allocation.
• Support system flexibility (e.g., demand response; storage such as pump storage,
hydro, batteries, thermal storage) for data center renewable energy demand.
• Use portable scale approach to handle megawatt growth and avoid overprovisioning.
Use technology readiness level scale.
• Encourage open access to PPA market.
• Facilitate long-term fixed pricing for renewables.
Waste Heat Use and Sector Coupling
• Evaluate technical and economic feasibility of heat recovery.
• Consider implementing cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power, which
utilizes both heat and electricity for practical applications. Such systems can reach
an efficiency of 80 percent.163
• Convert waste heat to easier-to-transport electricity.
• Integrate waste heat into district energy system.
• Use waste heat for cooling through absorption refrigerators.
• Incorporate waste heat use into design phase of cooling system.
• Use waste heat for cooling in high-temperature regions such as subtropical areas.
73 Guide to Green Data Centers
Resources
• Measurement and management standards
– Power use effectiveness
– Energy reuse effectiveness
– ISO 50001 Energy Management
– EU Renewable Energy Factor (e.g., CSN EN 50600-4-3)
• Renewable energy commitments and initiatives
– RE100
– 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
– Clean Energy Buyers Association
– Global System for Mobile Communications Association policy note on access to
renewable energy
– Southern African Renewable Energy Investment and Growth Programme
– Africa Renewable Energy Initiative
– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership
• Renewable energy policies and regulations
– PPAs and energy purchase agreements, World Bank
– Regulatory indicators for sustainable energy
– International Energy Agency renewable energy policy database
– International Renewable Energy Agency renewable energy policies
– Renewable technology innovation indicators, International Renewable Energy Agency
– Association of Southeast Asian Nations renewable energy policies
COOLING
Design
• Natural cooling strategies
– Use free cooling (naturally cool air or water) to lower data center air temperature. Free
cooling resources include geothermal, thermal reservoirs, low-temperature ambient air,
and evaporating water.
• Mechanical cooling systems
– Install air conditioner or computer room air handler units to remove hot air from
surrounding area.
• Airflow management: hot and cold aisle containment
– Separate cold and hot air within the room and remove hot air from cabinets to prevent
cold and hot air from mixing inside server rooms; implementation via blank panels,
curtaining, equipment configuration, and cable entrance and exit ports.
• Innovative cooling techniques
– Adopt innovative cooling solutions such as liquid cooling to increase cooling performance
efficiency.
– Considering modular cooling plants for growing demand for heat loads.
• Water supply
– Encourage use of reclaimed water where available to minimize use of potable water.
– Encourage transition to waterless or connect to water-cooled systems and improve
adaptation of data center cooling systems.
Operation
• Information technology (IT) equipment management
– Reorganize IT equipment and remove unnecessary servers. Virtualize idle servers to
reduce cooling energy demand.
– Prevent exhaust air from leaking into intake area.
• Temperature and humidity control
– Prioritize supply air sensors for monitoring and control, given the better control point
setting and the benefits of a consistent supply air temperature for all underfloor air.
– Assess chilled water temperature for dehumidification processes and avoid overcooling
the water.164
74 Guide to Green Data Centers
– Choose equipment with power and inlet temperature monitoring capabilities to
optimize cooling.
• Cooling system optimization
– Identify the cooling units with the lowest sensible load i.e. the load neglecting the
effects of humidity, estimate the number of required cooling units by dividing the IT
load by the smallest sensible cooling unit capacity, and reduce the number of operating
cooling units by shutting units off.
– Raise the operating temperature, which shortens the cooling period and decreases
energy consumption.
• Fan control and monitoring
– Upgrade fan monitoring and controls. Use variable-speed controls to slow fan speeds.
Fan energy consumption is a function of the cube of fan speed, so slowing the fans
brings an immediate measurable reduction in energy consumption of approximately
24 percent.165
• Use of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies
– Draw on artificial intelligence and neural networks to regulate the data center’s cooling
system.
• Staff management and planning
– Make changes in computer environment in a methodical, planned, well-communicated
way.
– Perform energy audit to review and report preparatory metrics of cooling system.
– Consider cooling system with economizers for new-build server rooms.
Monitoring and Automation
• Data center automation
– Facilitate data center automation process by installing an energy management
system that monitors and controls data center system cooling power consumption
and cooling efficiency in real time.
• Liquid cooling monitoring system
– Install a monitoring system for liquid cooling to check the electrical and chemical
stability of the coolant regularly, the state of the IT equipment, the state of the power
equipment, the data center’s energy consumption, and the safety of the liquid for
employees and the environment.166
• Refrigerant monitoring
– Use quality monitoring equipment to examine the chemical composition of additives
in the refrigerant, as well as electrical conductivity, pH, corrosion rate, and turbidity.167
Resources
• Guidelines and standards
– Liquid Cooling Guidelines for Datacom Equipment Centers- American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
– New Guideline for Data Center Cooling-American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers
– Recommendation ITU-T L.1320 : Energy Efficiency Metrics and Measurement for Power
and Cooling Equipment for Telecommunications and Data Centres
– Cooling Efficiency Ratio-ISO
• Research reports
– Innovative Data-Centre Cooling Technologies in China - Liquid Cooling Solution
– Chilling Prospects: Providing Sustainable Cooling for All
• Metrics
– Water use effectiveness
• Information and educational resources
– Questions and Answers on Data Center Cooling Issues
– Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications: Google DeepMind AI Cooling
– Innovative Cooling Projects: Microsoft Project Natick-subsea data center
75 Guide to Green Data Centers
E-WASTE
Design
• Consider reuse potential when designing servers to increase possibility of easy repair
and refurbishing.
• Incorporate materials that can be recycled without residual materials going to landfill.
• Enhance the server refresh cycle by replacing servers with remanufactured and
refurbished units that prioritize energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Additionally, extend the operational lifespan of servers to maximize their usage
duration.
Decommissioning
• Strengthen industry commitment to sustainable end-of-life management with
transparent published goals for enforced accountability. Adopt extended producer
responsibility principles.
• Divert e-waste from landfills by recycling and reusing materials and equipment,
including repurposing or redeploying elsewhere in the organization.
• Establish an IT asset recovery service with a certified provider.
• Reuse processing and memory components, such as hard disk drives.
• Replenish products or sell in second-hand markets or through wholesale channels.
• Reassign IT equipment for refurbishment and remanufacturing if environmentally
and economically more viable.
• Recover materials for remanufacturing.
– Sustainably source recyclable materials.
– Divert materials from irresponsible recycling.
– Ensure that recycled materials are responsibly managed and that disposition vendors
do not dispose of them in low- and middle-income countries.
Resources
• E-waste standards and certification
– ITU-T Recommendations on e-waste
– ISO 14001:2015
– WEEELABEX - pan-European requirements
– R2:2013 standard (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International)
– TCO certified
• E-waste reports and monitoring
– ITU’s work to combat e-waste, including through ITU Telecommunication Development
Sector, to create a circular economy for electronics
– Global E-waste Monitor 2020 (United Nations Institute for Training and Research and
ITU)
– Global E-waste Statistics Partnership
• International agreements and conventions
– Basel Convention (international treaty on control of transboundary movements of
hazardous waste and its disposal)
• Organizations and initiatives
– E-waste Coalition
– Regional cooperation on e-waste management in Latin American countries (United
Nations Industrial Development Organization)
– Solving the E-waste Problem Initiative
– Circular Electronics Partnership
– Global Electronics Council
– Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy
– WEEE Forum
– International E-Waste Management Network
– e-Stewards
76 Guide to Green Data Centers
CIRCULARITY TOOLS
Tools have been developed for transitioning to a circular economy, such as LCA for
monitoring environmental impact and lifecycle costing for calculating economic impact.
Lifecycle Costing
• ISO 15686-5:2017 provides requirements and guidelines for performing lifecycle cost
analyses of buildings and constructed assets and their parts, whether new or existing.
Lifecycle Assessment
• ISO 14040:2006 sets out the principles and framework for conducting a life
cycle assessment (LCA), detailing its stages and limitations but not specifying
methodologies.
• ITU-T L.1410 addresses environmental LCAs of ICT goods, networks, and services.
This LCA standard is based on ISO 14040:2006 and tailored for ICT LCA.
Material Passports
• Involves sharing information about materials used in a product throughout its lifecycle,
including physical properties, safety data, logistics, and recyclability. Multiple
parties are developing the material passport concept in mainly European countries,
for example, through the BAMB2020 project. As a tool to create transparency and
unlock circularity, the European Commission has proposed digital product passports
that share product information throughout the product lifecycle. The European
Commission is drafting a regulation on digital product passports, with final approval
expected in 2024.168 ITU is also developing a global digital ICT product passport to
achieve a circular economy.
Material Circularity Indicator
• The material circularity indicator is a decision-making process designed to evaluate
how well an organization or product does as it transitions from a linear to a circular
economy by measuring use of virgin material and resultant waste sent to landfills or
energy recovery.
Circular Scoring Assessment
• ITU-T L.1023 provides an assessment method for circularity scoring of ICT goods
consisting of three steps:
– 1) Set the relevance and applicability of each criterion for circular product design for
the ICT goods.
– 2) Assess the margin of improvement of each criterion.
– 3) Calculate the circularity score (0 to 100 percent) for the ICT goods at hand for
all three circular design guideline groups (product durability; ability to recycle, repair,
reuse, and upgrade from equipment level; and ability to recycle, repair, reuse, and
upgrade from manufacturer level).
77 Guide to Green Data Centers
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