What is the data centre industry underestimating most when it comes to sustainability?

What is the data centre industry underestimating most when it comes to sustainability?

Our early dcently Pulse responses point towards something interesting. When respondents are asked about sustainability priorities, three topics currently stand out: community and local value; materials, embodied carbon and circularity; and responsible supply chains.

And when asked what the industry is underestimating, community and local value emerges again.

These are early signals from an ongoing survey, not final conclusions about the whole industry. The picture will develop as more perspectives are added.

What does local value actually look like?

This raises some important questions. Are we doing enough to develop local workforces? Are communities seeing tangible benefits from the infrastructure being built around them? And are we considering local needs early enough when planning new developments?

Beyond the technical conversation

The industry spends considerable time discussing energy efficiency, carbon emissions and cooling technologies.

All important. But perhaps we need to spend just as much time discussing the relationship between data centres and the societies in which they operate.

At dcently, we want to explore this further through our recurring industry survey, dcently Pulse.

Created by the industry, for the industry

Our ambition is to bring perspectives from across the ecosystem together and gradually build a shared ESG Playbook — created by the industry, for the industry.

A recurring Pulse helps us keep listening as priorities, challenges and expectations evolve. Community perspectives belong in that conversation alongside those of operators, suppliers, investors and other stakeholders.