The path to sustainable digital infrastructure

The Data Centre Alliance (DCA) has announced a partnership with the Carbon Trust, a climate consultancy. The collaboration is intended to support the sustainable development of digital infrastructure, with a particular focus on the transition to Net Zero within the data centre sector.

The partnership brings together the DCA’s position within the data centre ecosystem and the Carbon Trust’s experience in decarbonisation. Its stated aim is to support a coordinated approach to sustainability, energy use, and infrastructure development.

In response to increasing demand for digital services and AI infrastructure, the organisations intend to support growth while considering sustainability objectives. The partnership is expected to assist operators, investors, and supply chain organisations in addressing regulatory requirements, energy-related challenges, and carbon reduction goals.

Through the collaboration, the DCA and the Carbon Trust plan to:

• Provide sector-specific guidance on decarbonisation pathways for data centres
• Support the measurement, reporting, and disclosure of emissions and energy use
• Facilitate collaboration between operators, suppliers, and policymakers
• Contribute to the development of best practices and standards for sustainable digital infrastructure

According to the organisations, the partnership is intended to support the implementation of sustainability initiatives within the data centre sector and to integrate sustainability considerations into future data centre and AI infrastructure development.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts within the digital infrastructure sector to address increasing demand while working towards Net Zero objectives. The DCA and the Carbon Trust state that the partnership will support organisations across the sector through guidance, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise.