Resources

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has drafted a proposal necessitating public companies to disclose climate-related risks in their registration statements and periodic reports. The proposal has a profound impact on data centers, as they contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 1.5% of all electricity consumption in the United States. This brief reviews the SEC's proposed requirements for all publicly traded companies.

As digital transformation continues to accelerate across the globe, the rising demand for data centers inevitably leads to increased energy consumption, carbon emissions, and water usage. Simultaneously, global awareness regarding sustainability is on the rise, prompting the emergence of key regulatory frameworks, such as the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), California Title 24 in the USA, Singapore’s Data Centre Energy Efficiency Scheme (DCS), Australia’s National Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), and United States SEC Climate Risk Disclosures. These directives, designed to manage environmental impacts, have highlighted the importance of sustainability in data center management. This whitepaper explores critical sustainability measures of data centers as outlined by various regulatory bodies, seeking to empower readers with a comprehensive understanding of data center sustainability in the light of these international directives. It delves into metrics like Average Delta T, Cooling Efficiency, Energy Consumption, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Total CO2, Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE), Server Utilization, and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE). By understanding and applying these measures, data centers can optimize their performance while reducing their environmental impact in an effective, compliant manner.

Singapore's Data Centre Energy Efficiency Scheme (DCS) is a government initiative aimed at promoting energy efficiency in the country's data centres. The scheme, launched in 2015 and managed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), has positioned Singapore at the forefront of energy efficiency initiatives in the IT sector, setting a positive precedent for other nations. This brief highlights the significant aspects of the DCS and interprets how it informs data center operations and paves the way for enhanced performance and sustainability.

Our compact guide explores the implications of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) for data centers, shedding light on the critical role it plays in promoting sustainable operations. Delve into the EED's vital metrics and learn how to effectively apply them to enhance your data center's environmental, economic, and social performance. Whether you're seeking regulatory compliance or aiming for sustainable transformations, this guide offers the insights you need.