Toward a More Effective and Comprehensive Assessment of Data Center Environmental Impact

Abstract

The escalating demand for data and computational power has led to the rapid expansion of data centres, significantly increasing their environmental footprint. Data centres now account for an estimated 2% to 4% of global electricity consumption. Although various best practices and key performance indicators (KPIs) have been developed to mitigate this impact, creating a comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental sustainability of data centres remains challenging. Existing certification schemes, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), were originally designed for traditional building infrastructure and are increasingly applied to data centres. However, these frameworks primarily focus on building-related aspects, inadequately addressing the unique mechanical, electrical, and IT dimensions critical to data centres. This study introduces a comprehensive evaluation model applied to the LEED framework, identifying significant gaps and proposing enhancements. The findings highlight notable discrepancies and limitations within the current LEED version, emphasising the need for tailored approaches that accurately reflect the distinct characteristics and operational demands of data centres.