60 I ICT TODAY
In 2015, world leaders came together to create the Paris Agreement, a treaty meant to fight back against the
dangers of climate change. The goal was to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,
but in the years since then, global emissions have continued to rise. Increasing forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts
are constant reminders that every action counts, and with 2030 around the corner, every industry needs to act
now to reach this collective goal.
Building construction and operations are responsible for approximately 40 percent of global emissions, and data
centers are a major contributor. According to estimates from Uptime Institute, data centers are responsible for
up to two percent of global energy consumption in operations alone. Energy efficiency in data centers is a key
pain point for owners, whether hyperscale or a multi-tenant colocation facility. From a construction materials
manufacturer perspective, conditions such as airflow leakage for mechanical, electrical, and telecom penetrations
through wall and floor assemblies can have a major impact.
Strategies for Success for Data Center
Construction Sustainability
By Chris Kusel and Paula Przybylski
