Green Globes for Data Centers
Scaling Up Sustainability
The Clear Choice for Data Center Certification
Data centers are at the heart of our digital lives. They’re technological, structural, mechanical, and electronic marvels – both inside and out. But their always-on operations and growing energy demand have a significant environmental impact if not designed, constructed, and operated with sustainability in mind.
See the agenda and confirmed speakers
Why Green Globes for Data Centers?
Measurement and reporting are critical components of any ESG initiative. Investors, leadership, customers, and the local community are demanding impact transparency in all sectors, particularly for energy-intensive industries like technology.
As inherently complex and intricate facilities, data centers require a personalized sustainability certification that can keep pace with evolving technologies, shifting operational requirements, and stakeholder demands.
The Green Building Initiative (GBI), the global provider of Green Globes, is dedicated to improving the impact of the built environment on climate and society.
Green Globes is a federally recognized three-in-one certification system and is the premier choice for data centers due to its unparalleled support, collaboration, and flexibility features. The process helps owners, operators, and lesees of new or existing mission-critical facilities achieve the most sustainable, healthy, and resilient outcomes, creating a more efficient and valuable asset. Green Globes certification ensures building owners and operators are executing on their commitments to design and/or operational excellence and community impact while demonstrating accountability to stakeholders.
With certifications for new construction, existing buildings, core and shell, and sustainable interiors, Green Globes offers a transparent and collaborative assessment process and includes:
- Specialized supporting resources to improve data center design, construction, and operation
- An interactive user-friendly online questionnaire that provides transparency and encourages an integrated project team
- Support from a dedicated third-party assessor and GBI Project Manager
- A site assessment by a third-party assessor, that can be conducted either in-person or virtually
- No “one size fits all” prerequisites, allowing all buildings to participate regardless of size, type, location, or budget
- Multiple pathways to achieve credit for certain criteria, including Energy Performance, to promote criteria integration and allow for flexibility
- A Design Review Report (new construction), and final report (all programs) detailing achievements and personalized recommendations for improvement.
View the Green Globes for Data Centers Overview
Learn more about the tailored certification system to enhance the sustainability, wellness, and resilience of data centers.
Get started with Green Globes for Data Centers
Provide us with your basic project information by creating an account and receive a quote for Green Globes third-party assessment and certification.
Who We Work With
“Pursuing green building certification was a natural next step for Aligned. We’re proud to lead the industry in power usage effectiveness (PUE) and ESG measurement and reporting, and Green Globes has helped us earn additional recognition for our efforts. Our team appreciates that Green Globes Assessors walk the job site as part of the process. Having another set of eyes making sure we’re building what we say we’re going to build is key.”
– Michael Welch, Vice President of Design and Procurement, Aligned Data Centers
Aligned’s ORD-01 Becomes First Illinois Data Center to Earn Green Globes® for New Construction Certification
Why Prioritize Sustainability in Data Centers?
In 2022, the International Energy Agency reported that data centers consume nearly 1% of global electricity and contribute to 0.3% of CO2 emissions—and this market is rapidly growing, particularly with the advancement AI. However, the industry continues to work towards sustainability with new technologies and best practices. This includes the use of more sustainable building materials and construction, exploring alternative energy sources, and embracing innovative cooling solutions. In the wake of AI, sustainability is becoming more crucial for data centers for several reasons:
Green Globes Certification Encourages
Future Proofing
Lower Energy Consumption
Cost Efficiency
Improved Reputation
Future-proofing: Investing in sustainability ensures the long-term viability and resilience of data centers amidst evolving environmental challenges and regulations.
Energy consumption: AI applications require vast amounts of computational power, leading to increased energy consumption. Sustainable practices help reduce the carbon footprint of data centers, mitigating environmental impact.
Cost efficiency: Implementing sustainable technologies such as renewable energy sources and energy-efficient cooling systems can lower operational costs for data centers in the long run.
Reputation and customer demand: Businesses and consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and investors are taking notice. Choosing sustainable data centers aligns with their values and can enhance a company’s reputation.
GET STARTED WITH GREEN GLOBES
Provide us with your basic project information by creating an account and receive a quote for Green Globes third-party assessment and certification.
Get Started