Sustainable Data Centres: ESG, Compliance, and Futureproofing
Transform your data centre sustainability strategy with the CBOM methodology. Automate ESG compliance, align with ISO and EU regulations, and future-proof your operations for long-term success in an evolving regulatory landscape.
The Sustainability Imperative for Data Centres
Data centres today are under growing pressure to operate sustainably. Regulatory scrutiny, investor expectations, and tenant demands are intensifying. For developers, owners, and operators, prioritising sustainability is no longer optional — it's the foundation for reduced costs, enhanced risk management, and stronger market appeal.
The Challenge: Manual processes, siloed systems, and reactive strategies can't keep up with today's pace of regulatory change.
The Clear Decisions Solution: Our CBOM methodology transforms ESG and sustainability management into an intelligent, automated process — enabling proactive compliance, operational excellence, and market leadership.
CBOM Sustainability Transformation
Automated Compliance
Real-time ESG compliance automation with continuous monitoring and instant reporting.
Performance Optimisation
AI-powered improvement pathways to continuously optimise energy, carbon, and resource efficiency.
Competitive Advantage
Stand out with verifiable sustainability credentials and audit-ready documentation.
Key Regulations: CBOM-Driven Compliance
EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)
Article 12 mandates that data centre operators track and report sustainability KPIs.
Required Metrics:
- • Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
- • Renewable energy share
- • Waste heat reuse
- • Cooling efficiency
- • Water usage
CBOM Capability: Automated EED compliance monitoring and reporting, including real-time data capture and optimisation insights.
EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities
A unified EU framework defining what qualifies as environmentally sustainable.
Key Requirements:
- • Adherence to Code of Conduct for Data Centre Energy Efficiency
- • Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessments (CRVA)
- • GWP tracking
- • Sustainable water strategies
- • Circular economy initiatives
CBOM Capability: Supports alignment with taxonomy indicators, including automated CRVA workflows and circularity tracking.
ISO 14001 + ISO 50001 Integration
Environmental and energy management systems are essential for credible ESG reporting.
CBOM Support: Unified ISO readiness and tracking tools with automated documentation, auditing, and improvement workflows.
3 Best Practices for Futureproofing ESG Strategies
1. Automate ESG Compliance
Move away from spreadsheets and static audits. Use CBOM to track compliance in real-time, generate instant reports, and maintain audit readiness.
Benefits:
- • 90% less manual effort
- • Live compliance dashboards
- • Automated remediation alerts
2. Accelerate Net-Zero Progress
CBOM uses AI to identify optimisation opportunities and integrate renewable energy sources efficiently.
Benefits:
- • Faster net-zero pathway
- • Real-time carbon visibility
- • Continuous energy efficiency improvement
3. Enhance Biodiversity & Climate Resilience
Incorporate environmental metrics beyond energy and carbon. CBOM helps track biodiversity impact and implement nature-based strategies.
Benefits:
- • Stronger ESG positioning
- • Resilience to climate risks
- • Greater ecosystem accountability
CBOM-Traced Sustainability KPIs
Energy Performance
- • PUE
- • Renewable share
- • Energy intensity per rack
- • Improvement rate
Carbon Management
- • Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions
- • Carbon intensity (tCO2e/MW)
- • Net-zero tracking
- • Offset validation
Resource Efficiency
- • Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE)
- • Waste diversion
- • Heat reuse
- • Circular economy alignment
Environmental Impact
- • Biodiversity contribution
- • Local ecosystem engagement
- • Risk analysis
- • Climate adaptation metrics
Long-Term Sustainability Strategies
Regulatory Preparedness
CBOM tracks evolving laws and flags non-compliance risks — helping you stay ahead.
Technology Agility
Use AI and predictive analytics for proactive improvements — without replacing your existing systems.
Stakeholder Alignment
Demonstrate ESG leadership with dashboards and disclosures aligned to investor and tenant expectations.
Why Sustainability Wins in the Data Centre Sector
Sources: Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024/2025; IEA “Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks” 2024; JLL Global Data Center Outlook 2024; EU Taxonomy and SFDR guidance. Figures are indicative and vary by facility baseline.
Get Started with Clear Decisions
The sustainability challenge is only growing — and compliance is becoming more complex. CBOM empowers data centres to lead with confidence.