BREEAM's Role in Data Centre Sustainability

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a comprehensive sustainability assessment method designed to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings from procurement through design and construction. Recognized globally, BREEAM has certified over half a million buildings across 83 countries since its inception in 1990, reflecting the value of high-performing assets throughout the built environment lifecycle. In 2010, the BREEAM UK Data Centers scheme was launched, specifically addressing the design and construction of new-build data center facilities in the UK. This initiative responded to rising concerns about the energy consumption of data centers, taking a holistic approach to sustainability by addressing impacts such as management, water consumption, and transport.

Evolving Industry Standards and Challenges

The data center industry has undergone significant changes since the launch of the BREEAM UK Data Centers scheme, driven by new metrics, standards, and best practices. In response, BREEAM aimed to evolve its scheme to meet new sustainability challenges faced by data centers globally. In early 2019, BREEAM, supported by Keysource, conducted a survey to gather insights from industry professionals on how to improve the BREEAM data center assessment. The survey focused on understanding whether wider sustainability impacts were being addressed, identifying the most important sustainability impacts, evaluating current industry standards, and assessing the benefits of addressing these impacts.

Survey Insights and Geographical Focus

The survey received 58 responses, with half of the respondents being industry consultants or designers. Other participants included data centre infrastructure providers, sales representatives, analysts, communications officers, and content writers. Notably, over 60% of respondents primarily operated in Europe, indicating that the survey results were most relevant to the European industry.

Addressing Wider Sustainability Impacts

The majority of survey respondents (59%) believed that current industry standards do not adequately address wider sustainability impacts beyond energy efficiency. Key sustainability impacts identified as important for data centres included renewable energy sources (38%), circular economy (31%), waste heat reuse (28%), and water use (28%). These impacts often fall outside the direct control of data center operators, necessitating collaboration across different industries. The need for renewable energy sources highlights the scale of energy generation required for data centers, while the importance of a circular economy reflects global concerns about e-waste. Waste heat reuse and water consumption, influenced by cooling systems, also emerged as critical considerations.

Industry Standards and Practices

BREEAM and LEED, both holistic sustainability assessment schemes with data centre criteria, scored lower (28% and 17% respectively) compared to other specialized industry standards like the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centre Energy Efficiency. This preference may be influenced by the respondents' geographical focus on Europe and the specialized nature of data center requirements. Despite this, 28% of respondents believed that BREEAM effectively addressed wider sustainability impacts.

Challenges and Solutions

The survey identified several challenges in addressing sustainability impacts, including a lack of awareness (37%), lack of collaboration (26%), and lack of investment (21%). Respondents emphasized the need for better knowledge sharing, education, and collaboration within the industry. To overcome these challenges, 50% of respondents called for more regulation and enforcement, 44% advocated for increased awareness and education, and 28% suggested enhanced collaboration.

Benefits of Addressing Sustainability Impacts

While cost savings were a notable benefit of practicing sustainability, respondents primarily valued the reputational advantages, innovation, and awareness that come with sustainable practices. Many saw sustainability as a way to stand out in the market, future-proof operations, and fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. This indicates a broader understanding of sustainability's long-term benefits beyond immediate financial gains.

Conclusion

The BREEAM survey highlights the data center industry's growing recognition of the importance of addressing wider sustainability impacts. There is a clear call for increased regulation, better collaboration, and enhanced education to drive sustainable practices. As the industry evolves, it will be crucial to balance sustainability with operational efficiency and innovation to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. BREEAM's continued adaptation and response to industry feedback will be key to supporting the sustainable development of data centers worldwide.

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