The concrete implementation of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, launched in January 2021, is gathering pace as new industry players join in and its first policy paper is presented to and assessed by the European Commission
Brussels, 21 June 2021 – Signatories of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact met today with the European Commission to present and assess the first policy paper setting forth the regulatory and policy recommendations needed to build a green cloud and data centre industry for Europe. The Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact is a major self-regulatory initiative launched to ensure that the cloud and data centre industry in Europe supports the continent’s goal to reach a climate neutral future
In addition, sixteen more data centre operators have signed the pact (Advanced Mediomatrix, Ark Data Centres, Basefarm, Blix Solutions, Bulk, Datacenter One, Eco Data Center, EBRC, EMC HostCo, EWL, IBM, Intel, Kao Data, Noris, ScaleUp, Switch Datacenters T-Systems), as have three industry associations (Bitkom, Data Centre United, FCDF). These new signatories join the 34 companies and 20 associations from across Europe committed to ensuring the design and operation of data centres across Europe meet ambitious sustainability criteria. The current signatories of the pact represent 90% of the industry in Europe and most of its key players.
The policy paper, developed at the request of the European Commission, includes a comprehensive set of 19 recommendations in relation to public procurement reglementations, to the procurement and development of renewable energies that can be used by the cloud and data centre industry, to the support of the development of circular water and energy management, and recycling in the ICT sector.
These recommendations for the European Union and its Member States should take to drive faster change towards a climate-neutral cloud and data centre industry in Europe – an essential and structural transformation if Europe wants to realise its goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
Signatories of the Climate Neutral Data Centres have agreed to implement measurable energy efficiency targets, purchase 100% carbon-free energy, prioritise water conservation, reuse and repair servers, and look for ways to recycle heat. The recommendations set forth in this first policy paper highlight how the regulatory and political framework for the ICT industry in Europe should be adapted to facilitate the realisation of these objectives.
Edan Dionne, VP, Environmental, Energy & Chemical Management Programs for IBM, new signatory of the Pact
“We believe that what IBM, and other members of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact commit to deliver is crucial to the systemic change Europe is embarking on to become a net-zero GHG emissions economy by 2050. Joining the Pact is yet another demonstration of IBM’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and we look forward to doing our part toward achieving our shared goal”
Alban Schmutz, Chairman of CISPE (Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe):
“Digitalisation of our society and economy is key to the green transition, and a green cloud and green data centres will need to underpin this transformation. This policy paper sets out how we get there, and how the European Union and its Member States can ensure that Europe is on the lead in the fight for a net-zero and digital future”
Michael Winterson, Chairman of EUDCA (European Data Centre Association):
“The Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact is pleased to welcome new operators and trade associations in this joint engagement to making the cloud and data centre industry climate-neutral by 2030. The policy paper presented today is yet another milestone that will help us deliver our goals and commitments, making Europe the global leader in the green and digital economy.”
About the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact
The Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact establishes a Self Regulatory Initiative which has been developed in co-operation with the European Commission. It supports both the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the world’s first climate neutral continent by 2050, and the European Data Strategy by making EU data centres climate neutral by 2030.
The Self Regulatory Initiative sets ambitious goals that will facilitate Europe’s essential transition to a greener economy. It commits signatories to ensuring their data centres are climate neutral by setting ambitious measurable targets for 2025 and 2030 in the following areas:
- Prove energy efficiency with measurable targets
- Purchase 100% carbon-free energy
- Prioritise water conservation
- Reuse and repair servers
- Look for ways to recycle heat
Progress towards achieving climate neutral data centres will be monitored by the European Commission twice a year.
For more details on the new Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, please visit ClimateNeutralDataCentre.net
New signatories – Cloud providers and operators of data centres
Cloud providers and operators of data centres
- Advanced Mediomatrix
- Ark Data Centres
- Basefarm
- Blix Solutions
- Bulk
- Datacenter One
- EBRC
- Eco Data Center
- EMC HostCo
- EWL
- IBM
- Intel
- Kao Data
- Noris
- ScaleUp
- Switch Datacenters
- T-Systems
Trade associations
- Bitkom
- Data Center United
- FDCF