Prominent industry-led organizations that promote sustainability in the built environment have joined forces to develop performance standards for data centres. The newly formed Global AI Data Centres Coalition (GADCC) thus far encompasses nine national and international entities focused on benchmarks to guide and measure energy, carbon, water, waste, biodiversity and community impact considerations for data centre development and operations.

The coalition also aims to enlist sponsors of green financial products, such as bonds and sustainability-linked loans, to support data centre development that reflects green performance criteria. GADCC’s founders are now looking to broaden their base to include other potential stakeholders, such as investors, data centre developers and operators and organizations with sustainability and climate risk resilience agendas.

“Trillions are going into building AI data centres, but without clear standards, it risks becoming a climate disaster. The solutions are simple: use clean energy, recycle water and re-use heat. This coalition is about setting the rules to get that right,” observes Sean Kidney, chief executive officer of Climate Bonds Initiative, one of the coalition’ initial members.

The other eight include: World Green Building Council; Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark; the U.K.’s Building Research Establishment (BRE); Germany Sustainable Building Council; Green Building Council of Australia; Green Building Council of South Africa; India Green Building Council; and United States Green Building Council.

“By setting clear, credible standards, this Coalition will help ensure the growth of AI infrastructure supports climate goals, community resilience and long term sustainability,” pledges Cristina Gamboa, chief executive officer of the World Green Building Council.