Operators are pushing net-zero targets beyond 2030

Reducing data center carbon emissions is a growing challenge in 2024. Rising demand and higher power and cooling requirements for IT workloads mean that the industry’s energy consumption (and emissions) will continue to increase. At the same time, sustainability regulations are getting stricter and the availability and cost of renewable energy varies widely by region.

These factors are affecting operators’ progress towards climate goals. Results from the Uptime Institute Sustainability and Climate Change Survey 2023, conducted at the end of 2023, suggest many operators are reassessing their net-zero carbon emissions targets and, in some cases, extending their deadlines beyond 2030 (see Figure 1). This trend will likely continue over the near term as companies face more pressure to report their progress toward these goals to both regulators and investors.