Sustainability in Data Centers - Why Now?

Presented by Shruti Sethi (Microsoft) | Frances Amatruda (Meta) IT & Communication Technology (ICT) industry’s contribution to Carbon Emissions is projected to increase nearly 4X from 2020 to 2040. The most significant contributions of greenhouse gases in this sector are attributable to the data center segment, with a share of 45% (per Gartner). An effort to control this major sector causing climate change is imminent. A significant challenge with these efforts panning out is the long lead time in major Sustainability improvements. Approaches such as “Designing for Sustainability” and “Shaping Customer Demand for Sustainable Services” can accelerate Data Center’s contribution towards impeding Climate Change. But these endeavors face several obstacles causing long turnaround time. This creates an urgency for adopting Sustainability Strategy & beginning initiatives now rather than later. Via this panel, we aim to elucidate the factors that cause delays in Sustainability impacts and emphasize the urgency for the Data Center community to start at once.