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

data centre is more than a bland industrial shell. It is a heavy, precious, complex and intense space through which an immense volume of information flows and transforms. It is almost magic.

But then, so is nature.

Both are deserving of respect. And yet, while we have lost almost threequarters of our wildlife since 1970, digital infrastructure continues to grow, creating both tensions and solutions in restoring abundance in the ecosystems on which we fundamentally depend.

In our energy system, the consolidation of technologies in data centres creates focused and constant electricity demands – these are increasingly challenging for our transitioning energy infrastructure to meet. As electricity generation becomes more volatile with intermittent and distributed sources of generation, it creates patterns of abundance and scarcity.

The ability of an energy consumer to change their consumption patterns accordingly will become increasingly valuable. Today’ s metrics often focus on operational efficiency – like Power Usage Effectiveness( PUE) or the Renewable Energy Factor( REF) – but we must also come to understand time-and- locationspecific abundance of energy.

Beyond energy, we must also re-evaluate the physical foundations for our digital world. Digital systems rely on hardware and infrastructure which are highly complex and emissions-intensive, yet their technological value is fragile and relatively brief.

At the beginning of this is the story of mining. An estimated 50 % of critical mineral supply being on or near Indigenous or land-connected peoples, with associated deep histories of social and environmental pressures. Respecting this value chain means maximising the lifespan of hardware, designing for reuse, and ensuring that end-of-life materials reenter sustainable supply chains.

Navigating towards sustainable digital infrastructure needs intelligence. We already have databases, carbon and biodiversity impact calculators, and green building frameworks that guide builders and operators on what actions they can take and how to explain the services impact to clients.

However, while 47 % of digital infrastructure providers have a net

zero emissions goal, only 34 % have estimated their scope 3 emissions – those tied to upstream infrastructure, goods and services. For the remaining two-thirds, not fully understanding scope 3 means an uncertain path to improvement and a missed opportunity to educate users on their role in responsible digital consumption.

We must interrogate ways forwards, understanding the dynamics of the power system and the imperative to maximise value of our digital systems relative to their material impacts. This will take greater intelligence but also a reinvigorated sense of respect for the resources throughout collaborators in the digital value chain. �

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