How data centre expansion risks derailing climate goals

>> Download the report and infographic here <<

The increasing popularity of AI and other digital technologies is driving a boom in the need for data centres. AI is framed as a vehicle for progress, but its unchecked evolution also has a dark side: it risks undermining climate goals, destabilising energy systems, and deepening environmental and social inequalities.

Until now, efforts to make data centres more sustainable in the EU have prioritised efficiency — and while this is needed, it is not the only solution. We urgently need to go beyond efficiency and integrate sufficiency, circularity, and transparency principles into the foundations of digital infrastructure.

The environmental impacts of data centres

• 🔌 Data centres use a lot of energy – much of which still comes from fossil fuels.
• 🏭 Emissions are high (and estimated to be 662% higher than what is publicly disclosed).
• 💧 Many materials are needed for data centres — from hardware and components to critical raw materials, land, electricity, and water. This affects the environment and local communities.
• 🗑️ Equipment quickly goes out of date, adding to the e-waste problem.

This undermines climate goals, destabilises energy systems, and deepens environmental and social inequalities.

What policymakers can do about it

Data centres are essential infrastructure, but instead of allowing computational excess, we need laws that focus on more than just efficiency, prioritise transparency, and adopt principles of sufficiency – with society involved.

EU toolbox

The EU has already introduced some relevant regulatory tools, but without a clear, overarching vision for making data centres more sustainable, there’s still much work to be done. Here’s what EU policymakers can build on:

Read the details in our report, drafted in collaboration with Open Future.