Climate risks in data centre infrastructure: Learn strategies to reduce threats

How climate change is affecting data centres

Data centres are the backbone of connectivity, cloud services, and AI, yet as climate change accelerates, these critical facilities face growing risks. From extreme heat and flooding to wildfires, water stress, and severe storms, traditional planning methods often underestimate what lies ahead. Ramboll’s whitepaper 'Safeguarding data centres in an era of climate risk' examines how climate change is reshaping the landscape for data centre infrastructure and operations.

Increased temperatures and extreme weather pose substantial threats to the reliability and performance of digital infrastructure, making climate risk screening crucial for future-proofing data centre infrastructure design. This paper highlights significant physical risks, such as rising cooling demands during record-breaking heatwaves and the vulnerabilities of water-intensive cooling systems in regions already facing water scarcity.

This whitepaper also addresses transition risks associated with moving towards a low-carbon economy. These encompass policy and regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifts in market preferences. Stranded assets and rising operational costs are also concerns for data centre operators that rely on non-renewable energy sources. Embracing climate resilience through renewable energy solutions and efficient cooling technologies can mitigate these risks and align with evolving regulatory requirements.

Climate risk assessments and tools are crucial to help operators anticipate future hazards and make informed decisions in site selection and design. For industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, this paper also provides advice for ensuring competitiveness and trust. Dive into the full report to understand how climate risk is evolving, what is at stake for data centres, and the innovative solutions shaping their future.