Data Center Sustainability

Data center sustainability refers to the practices and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of data center operations, including energy efficiency, renewable power adoption, and water conservation. As AI models require massive computational resources and energy consumption, data centers represent a significant contributor to an enterprise's carbon footprint and operational costs. Organizations must balance growing AI infrastructure demands with sustainability commitments, making this a critical governance concern for meeting regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations around climate responsibility.

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ResearchGlobal2026-09-16

AI E-Waste Could Hit 617 Million Metric Tons by 2050, Basel Action Network Warns

The Basel Action Network has published research estimating that AI-related e-waste could reach between 395 and 617 million metric tons by 2050. The projection accounts for the full data center hardware stack, not just servers and GPUs. Less than a quarter of current global e-waste enters formal recycling, leaving the rest in informal and often toxic disposal chains.

e-waste environmental risk ESG compliance data center sustainability Basel Convention supply chain Scope 3 emissions