The impact on climate, nature, and biodiversity has become a critical consideration for developing data centers. At Arup, we have worked for many years with data center clients to measure, evaluate, and reduce carbon emissions.

Increasingly, we are asked to consider the impact of these projects on the natural environment – the resilient and diverse ecosystems which enable our globally connected societies. This is an important step; the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis are inseparable issues, and neither will be successfully resolved unless they are tackled together.

The connection between data centers and biodiversity might appear indirect, but it is significant. Data centers require land for construction and operation, and the development of this land use can contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, data centers can also support biodiversity conservation. By adopting sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation, data centers can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to mitigating climate change, which is critical for protecting biodiversity at a global scale.

Understanding upstream impact

Integrating nature and biodiversity into data center projects to reduce the impact on the natural environment requires a strategic approach – akin to the one we have been using with clients for many years to measure, evaluate, and reduce carbon emissions throughout the value chain. We’ve now started to apply this thinking to nature and biodiversity on projects – a process that is highlighting the significance of the impact on nature across the wider data center value chain. Through the work our specialized teams have conducted, it has become apparent that in some cases, as little as 5% of a development’s overall impact and dependency on nature stems from the site and construction activities. The majority – for some developments approximately 95% - stems from upstream activities in the value chain. Activities such as extracting raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, and energy production contribute significantly to the overall ecological footprint of a data center. By addressing these upstream impacts, we can substantially reduce the environmental burden of our digital infrastructure.

Infographic of operational and embodied carbon from data centres

Onsite and offsite impacts of carbon emissions and nature 

Onsite and offsite impacts of carbon emissions and nature

The framework we use to guide us in our work with clients to identify and address these impacts is the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) initiative. Much in the same way that the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) sets out strategies for monitoring and reviewing climate-related impacts, risks, and opportunities in the value chain, the TNFD focuses on nature-based impacts, dependencies, and the associated business risks. The global initiative provides companies with a way to discover, report, and respond to the material dependencies and impact of their activities on nature and biodiversity. This is an evolving space, but companies that undertake TNFD reviews have increased stakeholder trust, enhanced their brand’s reputation, and identified new opportunities to create value or efficiencies.

Diagram, schematic.
Diagram, schematic.

Pillars of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) recommendations

Understanding the broader environmental impact of data center development is crucial, not only to safeguard all our futures and tackle climate change, but also to comply with current and upcoming legislation. The European Union's Nature Restoration Law, for example, sets out a framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050, and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and EU Taxonomy will mean that many businesses will need to report on their impacts and dependencies on nature. These laws underscore the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems, which is becoming a key consideration for data center projects.

This is why, at Arup, the diverse teams we bring together to ensure data center projects minimize their impact on the environment include technical design experts, nature specialists, and consultants specializing in policy and regulation. This multidisciplinary approach, combined with the use of environmental frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, enables us to work alongside our clients and collaborators to create better outcomes for people, planet, and business.

Integrating site-based strategies into our designs

Implementing strategies that assess impacts and dependencies across the value chain does take time and should certainly not diminish a focus on onsite efforts as a crucial part of the design process. Offering benefits to data center developers, their employees, and local communities, onsite interventions include green wall solutions such as Vertical Meadows. These living walls transform building façades and construction site fencing into vibrant, green spaces that provide habitats for pollinators and other species, and improve urban aesthetics which can help overcome zoning-related concerns.

Diagram.

Site-based biodiversity strategies for data centres. We see data centres as integral components of wider masterplans that incorporate community spaces and nature-based solutions.

Using natural landscapes instead of hardscaping creates opportunities to enhance the physical and mental health of individuals working in and around these facilities. It also has proven cooling benefits. Arup's uHeat tool has demonstrated the value of incorporating green spaces into urban environments to reduce localized average and peak temperatures. As data centers begin to grow into hyperscale facilities, these marginal gains can yield improved outcomes to cooling plant efficiencies, neighbors, and reduce climate-related risks.

With a range of potential benefits to be realized, our multidisciplinary teams look to include nature-based designs wherever possible. One example of this is through the use of Low Impact Development (LID) strategies to reduce rainwater or process water discharge. By using carefully selected natural habitats to slow runoff rates and remove contaminants, we can reduce a data center’s impact on local drainage infrastructure. Another example is the use of landscape design in combination with drainage features to replace or reduce impact-rated security fencing.

Good neighbors to people and nature

Looking ahead, we see data centers as integral components of wider master plans that incorporate community spaces and nature-based solutions. And by considering data centers within the broader context of urban planning, we can create environments that benefit both people and nature.

Arup’s own good neighbor theory emphasizes the importance of aligning the needs of technology, community, and nature. This approach encourages data centers to engage with local communities and integrate nature-based solutions into their designs.

To maximize their impact, innovative solutions that enhance biodiversity in data center projects need to reach beyond the site and extend into the value chain. Using initiatives such as the TNFD provides visibility of nature-based risks and opportunities to us as designers, as well as to our clients – enhancing decision making.

Data centers form the digital backbone of the modern economy and play a critical role in our daily lives. With thoughtful design and a commitment to sustainability, they can contribute positively to the environment and balance meeting our technological needs with respecting planetary boundaries.

This article is part of a series delving into opportunities within the data center sector. Future insights will explore topics such as nature-inspired design and the role of green spaces in fostering biodiversity and enhancing community engagement.