Data centers must set standards for net-zero commitments
Climate change is a top priority worldwide. Carbon emissions – which act as greenhouse gases – trap the sun’s heat, leading to global warming. The world is now warming faster than ever before in history. Because warmer temperatures change weather patterns, they pose risks to humans.
The fossil fuels that produce carbon emissions – coal, oil and gas – contribute significantly to climate change. They are responsible for more than 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90 percent of all CO2 emissions.
Because data centers consume so much energy from fossil fuels – driven by the need to host high-quality IT infrastructures for customers – they produce 2 percent of US carbon emissions.
It is time for the industry to take action.
Head of sustainability at DataBank.
Taking the lead in conserving natural resources
Many data center providers are already leading the way when it comes to positively contributing to the conservation of the world’s natural resources. In fact, they move faster than any standard would require.
For example, several providers aim for net zero CO2 emissions. This includes three scopes as set out in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol established by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development:
Scope 1—direct emissions produced on site
Scope 2—emissions from purchased electricity
Scope 3—emissions produced by upstream and downstream inputs (suppliers and customers)
However, if the data center industry really wants to make progress in all three areas, providers must work together to set standards for achieving net-zero emissions. This will keep everyone accountable and moving in the right direction.
Aiming for Net Zero by 2030
While data center companies may join established frameworks, and others have developed frameworks of their own, there is no industry-wide standard. The data center providers with a framework for achieving net-zero commitments have positioned themselves to adapt their strategies as the industry adopts standards. A framework also allows them to quickly adapt as new technologies to reduce carbon emissions come onto the market.
Some providers have made commitments to reach net zero rates by the end of the decade. However, most have taken this further. Scope 1 and 2 emissions can be more easily addressed in the short term, but scope 3 net zero targets can be further articulated as that depends on the actions of suppliers and customers.
Finding a starting point for carbon emissions standards
One of the most prominent net-zero frameworks is set out by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Many companies, including some data center providers, have set objectives via SBTi. However, others, including many in the data center industry, are finding it difficult to adapt to the SBTi framework due to changing requirements and limitations.
SBTi has developed a one-size-fits-all framework and recently implemented much more stringent requirements, making it difficult for all industries to fit into their model. Data centers represent a rapidly growing industry in the business of selling power, and they must deliver that power 24/7 for mission-critical customer workloads.
We also seek rapid decarbonization to meet the sustainability needs of customers and communities. The unprecedented growth we are experiencing as an industry presents unique challenges.
These include setting short-term and absolute emissions reduction targets from a base year and aligning with the new SBTi obligation requirements. Developing an approach that enables the data center industry to achieve significant emissions reductions in all three areas in a pragmatic and fiscally responsible manner will be critical to continued success and credibility.
Even if SBTi alignment is not currently feasible, companies can still create net-zero targets and plans in line with the latest recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As the leading international body for assessing climate change, the IPCC outlines a science-based approach to net zero, in line with the Paris Agreement. This includes aligning on mitigation pathways to limit global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Alignment with the IPCC net zero pathway would allow a company to focus on maintaining credibility through transparency in reporting, setting priorities and driving meaningful emissions reductions across all three scopes. Companies can also develop a plan for purchasing credible and permanent carbon removal offsets for unavoidable residual emissions.
A collaborative sustainability ecosystem
The sustainability ecosystem among data center providers is collaborative: we all have the same end goal. The result is that a lot of knowledge is shared between companies, so that we can all move forward.
Many players in the digital infrastructure sector are participating in the iMasons Climate Accord (ICA) and other industry groups for additional knowledge sharing and collaboration. The ICA coalition unites on carbon reduction in digital infrastructures to achieve carbon neutrality.
The organization includes data center operators, suppliers and customers. We’re all trying to move the needle by sharing best practices.
An ambitious but achievable goal
Yes, the data center pledge to reach net zero is ambitious, but the goal is achievable, especially for Scope 1 and Scope 2 in the coming years.
Getting there is critical as the world continues to look for ways to make our planet sustainable. At the same time, power demand continues to rise as data centers play a crucial role in powering new technologies such as artificial intelligence and enabling people to connect to data instantly.
The data center industry must continue to lead the way in finding the right balance. By working together we can move things forward.
We recommended the best green web hosting.
This article was produced as part of Ny BreakingPro’s Expert Insights channel, where we profile the best and brightest minds in today’s technology industry. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Ny BreakingPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing, you can read more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro