Developing sustainable data centers: A strategic roadmap to achieve net zero carbon and reduce environmental impact

Data centers are important, mission critical facilities essential to many aspects of modern life – and their scope continues to expand. Consequently, electricity demand from data centers is growing rapidly, set to reach 130GW by 2028 according to BCG, comprising 3% of total global consumption. With this continued growth comes increased concern over the impact on the environment.

If this is not addressed, this necessary capacity increase in data centers may be frustrated through regulatory barriers and negative public reaction. Ramboll's first-of-its-kind whitepaper addresses each aspect of these concerns directly, providing a holistic, detailed, and multi-pronged approach to reducing the climate impact of data centers.

"The construction of data centers powered by the rise of artificial intelligence is booming across the globe, driving unprecedented demand for electricity and significantly contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions, increased water consumption, waste production, habitat destruction, and resource depletion," says Ed Ansett, Ramboll's Global Director of Technology and Innovation. "These challenges can be managed and mitigated if data centers will be built with a sustainability, biodiversity, and circularity in mind from the very start."

For the next generation of data centers to have a lower environmental impact, several key aspects of their construction and operation must be changed in line with these principles. Our whitepaper examines each aspect in turn and gives data center operators actionable steps to transform their data centers and reduce negative impacts on the environment.

How can data centers become more sustainable?

Tackling operational and embodied carbon

Data centers accounted for about 1.5 percent of global electricity consumption in 2024 and the amount is expected to double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Due to the large quantities of energy consumed, operational carbon is the dominant component of total carbon footprint emitted by data centers. The report reveals that an operational carbon benchmark of net zero is achievable through optimized energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement, energy reuse and export, and demand response.

Embodied carbon, contained in the structure and materials of data centers, can be reduced by using low carbon steel and concrete, locally sourced materials, or reused materials from decommissioned buildings.

Protecting ecosystems through data center design

It is vital to integrate biodiversity considerations into planning, design, construction, and operation of data centers to minimize the negative impact on ecosystems, protect existing natural habitats, and promote diversity of species within and around the data centers.

For example, it is recommended to conduct early-stage ecological surveys to identify protected species, habitats, and ecological corridors, as well as engage landscape architects early in the process to influence site layouts.

Focus on circularity and water neutrality

Data centers can further minimize their environmental footprint by implementing circularity practices. The proposed circularity benchmark for data centers is that all materials are reused, reusable or recyclable, with zero output to landfill or incineration.

Data centers can consume large quantities of water, causing concern in water-scarce areas. This can be addressed with overall water neutrality, achievable with appropriate water reduction and reuse strategies. Data center co-location operators should avoid water-based cooling, maximize cycles of concentration, and use additional water resources such as rainwater.

"There are economic benefits for data centers owners if they focus on circular practices," explains Ed Ansett. "For instance, the sole physical byproduct of data center energy consumption is heat, which has historically been unused and released to atmosphere. Data centers are in an excellent position to export what would otherwise be wasted energy."