A datacentre is a facility housing computer systems and telecommunications equipment, typically including servers, data storage systems and networking infrastructure. These buildings require substantial energy for both powering equipment and cooling systems, placing them at the intersection of digital technology and environmental impact.
The rapid growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and online services has driven expansion of datacentre infrastructure globally, raising questions about energy consumption, water use for cooling and carbon emissions. Some operators now pursue renewable energy sources and more efficient cooling methods to reduce environmental footprint.
The environmental implications of datacentres feature in Field Notes: Datacentres, geoengineering risks and Bradford’s green plan.
