Data centres already consume around 1.5% of global electricity, and demand is set to more than double by 2030. This growth could push the sector to account for up to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, innovative uses of AI could cut 3.2–5.4 billion tonnes of emissions annually by 2035 – equal to 5-10% of global emissions.
This rapid growth raises a clear challenge: how can data centres expand at speed while reducing their environmental footprint?
A new whitepaper, Investable Green Data Centres: Where Sustainability Drives Performance, published by Systemiq with General Atlantic and Actis, and with contributions from GRESB and SDCL, argues that sustainability is not a trade-off and sets out practical pathways for investors. It shows how sustainability can align with speed, reliability and cost, while also protecting long-term asset value and unlocking stronger returns.
Priorities for developers and operators
For those building and running data centres, the basics still matter most: speed to power, reliability, operational performance, cost and a licence to operate. Sustainable solutions that help with these priorities are the ones most likely to scale.
The whitepaper points to several options already making an impact. Across power and storage solutions, cooling technologies, low-carbon materials, and efficiency-enhancing software, new technologies are helping to resolve commercial challenges while also improving sustainability.
Investment opportunities across regions
Investment momentum is already building, with more than $3 billion channelled into sustainable data centre solutions in 2024 alone. The paper shows that opportunities already exist through targeted strategies, though the picture looks different across regions:
- Europe – regulation is driving sustainability standards and creating more stable returns.
- US – growth is led by large-scale developers and operators, offering size and speed but with more technology risk.
- Asia – demand is booming, with local design needs shaping how projects are built.
Investors who understand these differences will be best placed to capture value and reduce risk.
How investors can act
The sector is at a turning point. It is central to the digital economy but under pressure to cut its carbon footprint. Investors need to decide how they will respond.
Our white paper suggests several choices:
- Decide where to shape new standards, and where to follow.
- Balance portfolios between stable, high-growth and higher-risk markets.
- Partner with operators, utilities and cities to deliver solutions.
- Understand what large customers want and how that will shape technology choices.
- Stress-test portfolios against different growth and demand scenarios.
Growth in data centres is not slowing. The question is whether this expansion repeats old problems or drives a shift to a more sustainable digital economy. Those who act now will be better placed to lead the change.
