Data centers: an already responsible industry with room for further improvement

CSR and data centers: a longtime concern

Although often criticized, the development of digital technology and its infrastructure continues to grow. Equipment manufacturers and data center operators share a responsibility to build a sustainable industry. Users also have a responsibility to make reasonable use of digital services.

In terms of CSR, the data center industry has now reached a certain level of maturity, and the vast majority of data centers are now adopting a responsible approach:

• Energy optimization “by design”, based on controlling and reducing PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness).
• Sustainable work site management, including consideration of pollution prevention and, above all, the impact on biodiversity and nearby residents.
• Data center operation in accordance with ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 standards, with a focus on continuous improvement of environmental and energy performance.
• Application of circular economy principles, in particular through the use, where possible, of reconditioned equipment, whether IT or technical, such as UPS systems, for example.

The positive momentum in the sector goes far beyond the environmental dimension alone. While the industry is clearly a pillar of the digital economy, it also generates a wide variety of jobs—from engineering to construction and maintenance—and contributes directly to digital sovereignty issues.

CSR best practices: ongoing efforts

Energy and environment

The environmental dimension, historically the primary concern of players in the sector, remains a major focus on which they continue to strengthen their commitments.

In terms of greenhouse gases (GHGs), data centers are pursuing ambitious “low-carbon” trajectories, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the European Climate Neutral Data Center Pact. The systematic implementation of carbon assessments and life cycle analyses is becoming standard practice, driven by demanding certifications such as BREEAM and LEED, which are increasingly being adopted by players in the sector.

Preserving water resources is another priority: players are limiting or even eliminating water consumption for cooling by using alternative solutions, such as free cooling. However, there is still some lag due to the relatively long lifespan (several decades) of data centers, which does not always allow for the immediate deployment of the latest technological innovations, particularly in the area of cooling.

As for the recovery of waste heat, while studying its potential is often mandatory, particularly for facilities classified for environmental protection or when applying for approval, its implementation depends on technical and economic feasibility. This is why proximity to an existing heating network is now one of the criteria for choosing a site for a future data center, in order to enable the heating of local infrastructure such as housing, public facilities, or municipal swimming pools.

Social

The sector offers a wide variety of careers, from engineering to operations, maintenance, construction, and support functions. The number of jobs continues to grow, driven by the rise of the digital economy and the regional roots of infrastructure. In this context, nearly 20,000 jobs are expected to be created in France by 2030, stimulated by the development of artificial intelligence and the growing challenges of data sovereignty.

However, training and professional integration represent a major challenge shared by all stakeholders, who are developing initiatives to attract, train, and retain talent. Innovative initiatives are enhancing the sector’s appeal: in France, for example, the “Les Plombiers du Numérique” (Digital Plumbers) reintegration program, supported by France Datacenter, offers training courses dedicated to young people entering the job market to enable them to quickly integrate into data center professions.

Governance and ethics

Data center players are strengthening their commitments to ethics and governance by adopting practices based on transparency, regulatory compliance (including the GDPR), anti-corruption, and risk management. Responsible purchasing policies and increased vigilance in the supply chain complement these measures.

These requirements meet both customer expectations in terms of security, quality of service, and trust, and the growing role of data centers as essential infrastructure for ensuring digital access. Finally, the industry is integrating digital sovereignty issues by ensuring data protection and maintaining strategic infrastructure within the country.

Societal

Faced with the often numerous questions raised by local populations during implementation projects, the sector must anticipate harmonious integration that respects local residents and biodiversity. This requires in-depth impact studies, the implementation of mitigation measures, and early dialogue with stakeholders, particularly local authorities.

The industry must also educate the general public to build transparency and trust. This involves demystifying these infrastructures for the public by explaining their essential role in the smooth running of our everyday digital services.

With this in mind, France Datacenter provides the general public with several key resources, such as the EUDCA (European Data Center Overview), which outlines the challenges facing the sector and the concrete responses of European players, and “Questions, statements and realities about data centers”, designed to debunk misconceptions and better inform the public.

Data centers: remaining CSR challenges

While the commitments already made demonstrate the industry’s clear commitment to sustainability, this approach must continue.

• Anticipating the impacts of climate change. With more frequent heat waves, droughts, and increased risks (floods, storms, etc.), how can service continuity be managed in uncertain contexts, with data centers that can have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years? An in-depth analysis of long-term risks, particularly regarding the reliability of electrical networks and the implementation of reinforced solutions to address extreme weather events.

• Innovating while remaining competitive and ensuring business continuity. Designing more sustainable data centers often involves implementing technologies or solutions that are still relatively untested, which introduces a certain level of risk for both operators and customers. This is why it is necessary to conduct POCs (Proof of Concept) to validate the reliability, performance, and integration of these innovations before any large-scale deployment. While these approaches may generate higher initial costs, they also accelerate the adoption of virtuous solutions, provided that all stakeholders, including insurers, are on board in order to evolve business models and insurance coverage.

• Maintain and upgrade existing data centers. Due to their lifespan, data centers cannot always immediately integrate the latest technological innovations, particularly in terms of cooling. This structural latency creates a gap between the pace of innovation in the sector and the actual capacity of infrastructure to adopt it. In this context, undertaking a retrofit (renovation, optimization, and modernization) whenever possible and relevant is a preferred strategy. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of existing facilities, but also enhances the value of existing real estate assets in the regions.

• Strengthen skills development and the feminization of the sector. This involves working to raise awareness of the sector and its many professions among the younger generations, starting in elementary school. But it also means gaining the support of the general public by highlighting the inseparable link between infrastructure and everyday digital uses, as well as the sector’s early commitment to CSR.

Data centers ensure the continuity of digital services. As such, and in the face of tomorrow’s challenges, it is necessary to mobilize the entire ecosystem (operators, equipment manufacturers, customers, regions, schools) to move forward in a spirit of partnership and find solutions collectively.