Several international green building organizations have come together to establish the Greening AI Data Centres Coalition (GADCC), a global alliance that aims to set benchmarks for what qualifies as a “green” data center. Members say the goal is to give investors, operators, governments and communities clearer criteria for environmental claims and reduce greenwashing in a rapidly expanding sector.
Founding members include the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Climate Bonds Initiative, German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and World Green Building Council as detailed in a press release.
Data centers account for an estimated 1.5 percent to 2 percent of global electricity use, and demand from data centers, AI, and cryptocurrency is expected to more than double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Water use is also rising, particularly for cooling, with some facilities consuming as much as small towns depending on design and location. Yet, existing certification systems do not offer a consistent global definition of a sustainable data center. It plans to develop shared benchmarks covering energy use, emissions, water consumption, and broader environmental impact to guide investment and development decisions.
Several coalition members emphasized the need for common standards and expressed their thoughts and concerns to support the necessity of forming this new coalition.
James Fisher, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Building Research Establishment (BRE), said, “As AI infrastructure continues to expand, collaborative approaches grounded in recognised standards such as BREEAM will be essential to support more sustainable outcomes for buildings, infrastructure and the communities they serve.”
Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative, said, “Trillions are going into building AI data centers, but without clear standards, it risks becoming a climate disaster. The solutions are simple: use clean energy, recycle water and re-use heat, this coalition is about setting the rules to get that right.”
Dr. Christine Lemaitre, CEO, German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), said, “Data centers are becoming an increasingly significant subject in Europe too, requiring comprehensive and sustainable planning and implementation in order to minimize any negative implications for climate protection.”
Davina Rooney, Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), said, “Artificial intelligence is driving rapid growth in data centers around the world, including here in Australia. This coalition will bring global expertise together while recognising that local conditions, from climate to grid dynamics, must shape how sustainable data centers are delivered.”
K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said, “Greening AI data centers is no longer a choice; it is an imperative for a sustainable digital future. India has a total of 1.4 GW of total Designed IT Load out of which more than 850 MW of IT load is Green Certified.”
Peter Templeton, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), said, “As a strategic asset class, data centers are central to technological innovation and economic growth. Through this coalition, we are committing our collective expertise to balancing this growth with responsible development that protects energy affordability, local resources, and quality of life.”
Georgina Smit, CEO Designate, Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), said, “A standardised definition for “green data center” is essential to ensure that expansion aligns with national climate commitments, infrastructure capacity, and long-term economic resilience. This is necessary for the market to adopt a ‘build-right’ rather than a ‘build-fast’ approach, resulting in a more resilient, investable, and future-fit digital infrastructure ecosystem.”
The coalition brings together industry groups as concerns grow over the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure. Analysts warn that without cleaner energy and efficiency improvements, expansion could strain power grids, increase water stress, and raise electricity costs in some regions.