Researchers scrutinize datacenters' lifecycles, aiming to make them more sustainable

Constructing datacenters accounts for 39 percent of their total carbon dioxide emissions, almost as much as operating them, according to an environmental analysis covering the entire lifecycle of a facility.

The finding comes from a white paper published by European datacenter operator Data4, which conducted a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of one of its own facilities with the assistance of design and engineering consultants APL Data Center.

It claims the results represent a comprehensive, scientific view of the impact it is having on the environment, as LCA is a rigorous framework for evaluating the effects throughout the lifecycle, including raw material production.

Data4 estimates that over 20 years, the carbon footprint of its datacenter comes to 12.6 million kg of CO₂ equivalent, or matching the carbon emissions of about 300 French people over the same period.

The facility in question is a 5 MW unit at its Marcoussis campus ...