The construction of new data centers is inspiring frank discussions worldwide. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and 42 other mayors from across the globe signed a pact this week encouraging higher standards for local data center development.
The C40 Cities Global Urban Data Centres Pact was launched at London Climate Action Week. Fifteen U.S. cities signed the pact, which includes signatories representing 20 countries across six continents.
C40, a global network of nearly 100 mayors focused on clean energy and local resilience, says 1,700 data centers are located in their network cities today — and more are coming.
In a joint article for Politico, Gallego and Nicholas Reece, lord mayor of the city of Melbourne, wrote, “Left unchecked, this expansion could significantly increase emissions, strain resources, push up residential energy prices and erode public trust.”
“We cannot afford to let this become a race to the bottom or to allow the fear of missing out on new technology result in data centers being waived through our planning processes,” they wrote.
The pact outlines four standards local leaders and data center developers should follow when looking to build.
First, facilities should not be located in areas where they will add excess heat, noise or air pollution to neighboring communities.
Second, projects should not extend the life of fossil fuels — either on the local grid or as a backup power source for the facility.
The third part of the agreement says companies need to provide transparent environmental and economic impact data.
Lastly, the mayors agree data centers must pay their fair share for energy, water and network access and should direct any excess revenue toward local sustainability and resilience initiatives.
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