Intelligent Data Centres Issue 21 | Page 21

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE POWERED BY THE DCA INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE POWERED BY THE DCA

Fifty shades of green –

The DCA ’ s aim to create a more sustainable future

The DCA explains the reason for its new Sustainability Special Interest Group ( SIG ), why it has been set up and what it will achieve as we consider the impact of data centres on the environment both now and into the future .

The data centre remains the

beating heart of our digital world . Businesses and society rely on these facilities to keep connected , informed and entertained . However , it is important that we all recognise that these services come at a price not just on the pocket , but also in the environment . With every gigabit of data processed , transferred or video streamed , just that little bit more energy is consumed and even more technology is needed to service it . This is ultimately something every one of us needs to recognise and own .
The COVID-19 pandemic especially has given business the impetus to consider their buying choices and habits . It seems , now more than ever , people are willing to participate in sustainable practices or work towards improving sustainability .
For the past seven years , the DCA has included sustainability as part of the DCA Energy Efficiency Special Interest Group remit . Despite both subjects being intrinsically linked , they have now both become such big issues in their own right that the decision was made to separate them into two dedicated working groups , with John Booth , Carbon3IT , remaining Chair of the Energy Efficiency Group , and Astrid Wynne , Techbuyer , becoming Chair of the newly formed Sustainability Group .
John Booth , Chair of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainability group , said : “ The conversation is changing because the world is changing . Climate change , energy and resource scarcity is now further up the agenda than ever before and governments around the world are slowly but surely beginning to address these problems .
“ Data centres are complex , ‘ systems of systems ’, involving ICT equipment , servers , storage and networking , resilient power supplies , cooling as well as the actual buildings themselves . We must look at raw material extraction , processing , manufacture , transport , in use and disposal for all elements within the system and if necessary redesign all of this to be more sustainable .”
Why , and why now ?
DCA CEO , Steve Hone , said : “ Continuing to simply consume more and more data without considering the impact we are having on our environment is irresponsible and unsustainable . We all have a moral duty to try to leave this world in a better condition than we found it .
“ The UK government ’ s commitment to a sustainable future includes a pledge that the UK is to be carbon-neutral by 2050 . The headline is wonderful , but it is www . intelligentdatacentres . com Issue 21
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