Two major data centre operators in Europe, CyrusOne and Aruba, announced that each had successfully audited an operational data centre as compliant with the terms of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP or ‘Pact’). The Pact sets stringent targets for environmental performance and sustainability goals in five key areas covering energy efficiency, use of green power, water use, recycling and reuse of waste heat. Collectively meeting these targets will ensure data centres are climate neutral by 2030.
CNDCP has developed a detailed Auditing Framework to test compliance with the Pact’s sustainability goals. This framework was shared with the European Commission at the end of 2022 and it is now available for any independent auditing firms to use with their customers. These first audits, conducted by Bureau Veritas, demonstrate the effectiveness of the Framework and of the Pact as an enforceable commitment to climate action.
All data centre operators that are signatories to the Pact are required to audit their compliance to its goals using data from January 1 to December 31 following the first anniversary of their signing. The auditing process ensures that Pact signatories provide independent verification of compliance with their commitment to make data centres climate neutral by 2030.
Data centre operators that can demonstrate verifiable environmental credentials may find it easier to access significant low-cost green funding for their developments as part of schemes including the recent European Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. Audited compliance with the Pact climate neutral targets could be a significant factor in enabling access to such green funding.
The Pact Auditing Framework can also be used to assist data centre operators as they seek to demonstrate alignment with a wider range of existing and planned regulations including the Energy Efficiency Directive and the EU Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852 for Owners and Operators of the Data Centre facilities.
