Nine of the world’s leading built environment and sustainable finance organisations have launched a global initiative to set standards for sustainable data centre development.
The Greening AI Data Centres Coalition (GADCC) will develop benchmarks to define what ‘green’ means for data centres.
The GADCC aims to help investors, operators, communities and policymakers cut greenwashing and direct capital toward facilities that reduce emissions, while protecting water resources, energy systems and local communities.
Founding members are the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Climate Bonds Initiative, the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the US Green Building Council (USGBC), World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).
“Trillions are going into building AI data centres, but without clear standards, it risks becoming a climate disaster,” said Sean Kidney, chief executive of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international organisation that mobilises capital to support sustainability projects.
Kidney added: “The solutions are simple: use clean energy, recycle water and re-use heat. This coalition is about setting the rules to get that right.”
Data centres consume roughly 1.5% to 2% of global electricity and the International Energy Agency has predicted that demand will more than double by 2030, while Goldman Sachs predicts that 60% of new data centre demand could rely on fossil fuels, adding 220m tonnes of CO₂ globally.
Data centres are also water intensive, with some large data centres consuming up to 5m gallons per day.
James Fisher, head of strategic partnerships at the Building Research Establishment (BRE), said: “As AI infrastructure continues to expand, collaborative approaches grounded in recognised standards such as BREEAM will be essential to support more sustainable outcomes for buildings, infrastructure and the communities they serve.”
Cristina Gamboa, chief executive of the World Green Building Council, added: “Data centres are rapidly becoming part of the physical fabric of our built environments, with significant impacts on energy systems, water resources and local communities.
“By setting clear, credible standards, this coalition will help ensure the growth of AI infrastructure, supports climate goals, community resilience and long‑term sustainability.”
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