Equinix Joins European Cloud and Data Center Providers to Make Historic Pledge Towards Climate Neutrality by 2030

Rhea-AI Summary

Equinix has announced its participation in the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact, a significant initiative involving various European cloud infrastructure and data center providers. This Pact aims to ensure that European data centers achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, aligning with the European Green Deal. Key commitments include improving energy efficiency, utilizing 100% carbon-free energy, and implementing sustainable practices. Equinix's past efforts include sourcing 100% renewable energy for its EU sites. The European Commission will monitor progress biannually.

Positive

• Equinix joins a significant industry initiative to promote carbon neutrality by 2030.
• The company has previously committed to 100% renewable energy in the EU, reinforcing its sustainability credentials.

Negative

• None.

AMSTERDAM and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinix, the world's digital infrastructure company, today announced it will join European cloud infrastructure and data center providers and European trade associations, to form the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact and Self-Regulatory Initiative.

The Pact marks the first time the industry has come together to solidify its commitment to ensure that European data centers are carbon neutral by 2030. The industry is seeking to play a leading role in transitioning Europe to a climate neutral economy, in support of the European Data Strategy and the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the world's first climate neutral continent by 2050.

The Pact also establishes a Self-Regulatory Initiative for the industry, which will set goals to facilitate the transition to a greener economy in Europe. Equinix, and other operator signatories, commit to the measurable and ambitious targets set for 2025 and 2030, which include:

• Improving the efficiency of energy use
• Purchasing 100% carbon-free energy
• Water conservation through the selection of efficient and appropriate cooling solutions
• Recycling of servers, electrical equipment and other related electrical components
• Reusing data center heat where practical, environmentally sound and cost effective

The European Commission will monitor progress on achieving the goals outlined by the Initiative twice a year.

Equinix, along with a dozen trade associations and over twenty Cloud and Colocation datacenter operators, announced the formation of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact and the Self-Regulatory Initiative at Kickstart Europe.

More information on the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, can be found here.

The Pact and Self-Regulatory Framework support and enable Equinix's sustainability commitments. In 2019 and 2020, Equinix purchased 100% renewable energy for all of its sites in the EU and reached over 90% renewable energy globally. Every megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy procured reduces the carbon footprint of both Equinix and its customers, greening their digital supply chains and addressing the urgency of global climate change.

Quotes

• Maurice Mortell, Managing Director, Ireland, Equinix:
  "Digital technologies are an essential part of the EU's goal to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Cloud infrastructure and data center providers are a crucial component within this, as we have historically provided cloud first solutions to enhance the carbon efficiency within our sector whilst supporting other industries to meet their own climate neutrality goals. At Equinix we firmly believe that it will take a concerted effort by numerous companies, governments and people to protect our planet and create a better future. Which is why we're proud to be a signatory of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact and Self-Regulatory Initiative, to take a leap forward in ensuring that our industry plays a leading role in taking climate action and transitioning Europe to a green economy." 
    
• Alban Schmutz, Chairman, Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe:
  "With cloud infrastructure the backbone of the European Union's digital economy, our industry is committed to the idea that we must all play a central role in addressing climate change. This commitment underpins a roadmap for Europe's cloud infrastructure industry to offer climate neutral services to customers by 2030." 
    
• Apostolos Kakkos, Chairman, European Data Centre Association:
  "Data centers are the supporting pillars of the fourth industrial revolution and, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, are essential infrastructure of not only the digital economy but of the entire global economy. It is our duty to commit to a self-regulatory initiative that will help to ensure the operational availability, sustainability and the future of our industry."

Additional Resources

• Equinix Sustainability [website]
• Equinix FY19 Sustainability Report [PDF]

About Equinix
Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) is the world's digital infrastructure company, enabling digital leaders to harness a trusted platform to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure that powers their success. Equinix enables today's businesses to access all the right places, partners and possibilities they need to accelerate advantage. With Equinix, they can scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of acquiring, operating and constructing IBX data centers and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix products and solutions, unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; a failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

 

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SOURCE Equinix, Inc.

FAQ

What is the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact involving Equinix?

The Pact is an initiative aimed at making European data centers carbon neutral by 2030, with Equinix as a key participant.

What commitments has Equinix made under the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact?

Equinix commits to improving energy efficiency, purchasing 100% carbon-free energy, and implementing sustainable practices.

How has Equinix demonstrated its commitment to sustainability?

Equinix has purchased 100% renewable energy for its EU sites in 2019 and 2020 and has surpassed 90% renewable energy usage globally.

When will the progress of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Operator Pact be monitored?

The European Commission will monitor the Pact's progress twice a year.