Clear, credible benchmarks for sustainable data centre are being developed through the Greening AI Data Centres Coalition (GADCC). The coalition brings together nine of the world’s leading built environment, sustainability and finance organisations in response to the rapid global growth of AI-driven data centres and the increasing pressures these facilities place on energy systems and networks, water resources and local communities.

Alongside the UK’s Building Research Establishment, founding members include the Climate Bonds Initiative, the German Sustainable Building Council, the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, the Green Building Council of Australia, the Green Building Council South Africa, the Indian Green Building Council, the US Green Building Council and the World Green Building Council.

Together, the coalition combines expertise in building science, sustainability certification, performance benchmarking and green finance to address one of the fastest-growing and most resource-intensive building types worldwide.

AI data centres now rank among the world’s fastest-growing categories of buildings. Cities and regions across the globe face increasing concerns about their high electricity demand, growing water use, impacts on grid capacity and utilities, noise, and limited long-term employment benefits.