E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N

transformation. nce seen as powerhungry infrastructure giants, data centres are undergoing a dramatic sustainability are tightening regulations to ensure compliance. In Europe, for example, the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact commits operators to ambitious targets by 2030, while similar frameworks are being proposed globally.

With rising energy costs, intensifying regulatory pressure and growing customer demand for greener services, operators are accelerating efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance.

The evolution of sustainability practices in data centres is being shaped by a confluence of innovation, necessity and corporate responsibility. From hyperscalers to colocation providers, many operators are now adopting ambitious net-zero strategies and prioritising energy-efficient design from the outset.

In recent years, this has meant turning to renewable energy sources, investing in high-density servers that reduce physical footprint, and exploring alternative cooling techniques such as liquid immersion and free air cooling.

The push for greener operations is no longer confined to environmental departments – it’ s become a boardroom priority. Enterprises want partners whose infrastructure choices reflect their own ESG commitments, and governments

Crucially, sustainability no longer comes at the expense of efficiency. Thanks to advances in AI-driven monitoring and predictive analytics, data centres can now optimise energy use in real time, detecting inefficiencies before they escalate. Meanwhile, circular economy principles are influencing everything from equipment procurement to end-oflife asset management.

However, there are still barriers to overcome. In some regions, access to renewable energy is limited, while the rapid pace of digital growth – from IoT to Artificial Intelligence – is driving relentless demand for compute power. Balancing growth with green goals remains a central challenge.

Ultimately, the evolution of sustainability in data centres is not a one-off project but an ongoing journey. The industry is moving from intent to action, with innovation and accountability at its core.

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