QTS Publishes Third Annual Environmental, Social and Governance Initiatives Report

Rhea-AI Summary

QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS) has released its 2020 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives Report, showcasing its commitment to sustainability in the data center sector. Key goals include procuring 100% renewable energy by 2025, conserving 15 million gallons of water yearly, and achieving Green Building Certifications for all owned facilities. QTS aims to recycle 90% of operational waste and has made substantial progress with 36% renewable energy procurement as of 2020. The report highlights QTS's leadership in sustainability, being ranked #1 by GRESB for the second consecutive year.

Positive

• Achieved a leadership position in sustainability within the data center industry.
• Set a goal to procure 100% of energy from renewable sources by 2025, with 36% achieved in 2020.
• Ranked #1 by GRESB for sustainability among data centers globally.
• Recycled over 1.3 billion pounds of material, aiming for 90% operational waste recycling by 2025.

Negative

• Still reliant on non-renewable energy sources, with only 36% renewable energy achieved as of 2020.
• Goals for water conservation and waste recycling remain targets rather than completed achievements.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS), a leading provider of hybrid colocation and mega scale data center solutions, today announced it has published its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives Report.

Available online here, the 2020 ESG Report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: Core option and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) real estate standards¹ and aligns with the guidance of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures.

"QTS is proud to have achieved a leadership position in the data center industry for its sustainability initiatives," said Chad Williams, Chief Executive Officer, QTS. "We view sustainability as the ongoing stewardship of our people, customers and communities and a key opportunity to drive shareholder value. It is this sincere belief and commitment that is making QTS' sustainability program financially, culturally and operationally sustainable. We are on track to achieve our key sustainability milestones led by our commitment to procure 100% of our power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2025."

QTS' legacy of corporate sustainability can be traced back to early initiatives to redevelop large scale infrastructure into world-class data centers, providing a significant opportunity to recycle existing materials. Over the years these initiatives expanded into business practices aligned around a company culture that is Powered by People. The ESG Initiatives report documents the Company's vision of enhancing the care and improvement of human life and minimizing its carbon footprint through technology, manpower and advanced construction and procurement initiatives.

Based on progress and success in 2020, the Company has updated its environmental goals in the 2020 report as follows:

• Procure 100% of its power from renewable energy sources by 2025.
  As of the end of 2020, QTS procured 36% of its energy from renewable sources with a visible path toward achieving our goal of procuring 100% of power from renewable energy sources by 2025.
  
  
• Conserve at least 15 Million gallons of water per year.
  On average QTS has conserved 15 million gallons of water annually since 2016. Going forward the Company looks to measure year-over-year improvement in water usage effectiveness (WUE).
  
  
• Report to GRESB, CDP, EcoVadis, RE100 and the EPA Green Power Partnership.
  
  
• Pursue Green Building Certifications in 100% of owned facilities by 2025.
  As of the end of 2020, 72% of QTS' facilities are LEED certified or Green Design certified and the Company has made significant progress with Energy Star certifications that will continue in 2021.
  
  
• Recycle 90% of its Operational Waste by 2025.
  To date, QTS has recycled over 1.3 billion pounds of material and recycled 68% of its operational waste.
  
  
• Install EV charging stations at 75% of its facilities by 2025.
  As of the end of 2020, QTS has installed Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations at 55% of its facilities.

"I am pleased with how the QTS organization stepped up and delivered for each other, our customers and communities during the strongest year of operating performance in QTS' history," Williams said. "The strong foundations we have laid, in part through impactful ESG programs, have prepared our business to continue to set a new standard for service delivery in the data center industry."

Other significant achievements during 2020 in advancing QTS' ESG initiatives include:

• 35%+ increase in QTS' renewable energy procurement year-over-year
• Ranked #1 by GRESB in sustainability among data centers globally for the second consecutive year
• Highest year of charitable giving in QTS history to more than 80 different organizations
• Initiated a new corporate partnership with World Vision to make clean water accessible to thousands of families globally

QTS is committed to push toward more sustainable solutions and build facilities that are among the most energy and water efficient in the world. The Company embraces transparency of operational data, and will continue to report on its progress toward achieving its long-term ESG goals.

About QTS
QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: QTS) is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 7 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe. Through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities. Visit QTS at www.qtsdatacenters.com, call toll-free 877.QTS.DATA or follow on Twitter @DataCenters_QTS.

1. SASB Activity Metrics SASB industry standards contain activity metrics that are designed to assist in the accurate evaluation and comparability of reporting. Note, other SASB metrics are provided in the relevant sections of this report.

Investor Relations Contact:
Stephen Douglas, EVP Finance
ir@qtsdatacenters.com

Media Contact:
Carter B. Cromley
(703) 861-7245
carter.cromley@qtsdatacenters.com

 

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SOURCE QTS Realty Trust, Inc.

FAQ

What are QTS's sustainability goals outlined in the 2020 ESG report?

QTS aims to procure 100% renewable energy by 2025, conserve 15 million gallons of water annually, and achieve Green Building Certifications for 100% of owned facilities.

How did QTS perform in renewable energy procurement in 2020?

QTS procured 36% of its energy from renewable sources by the end of 2020, with a visible path towards 100% by 2025.

What recognition did QTS receive for its sustainability efforts?

QTS was ranked #1 by GRESB in sustainability among data centers globally for the second consecutive year.

What initiatives does QTS have to enhance its waste recycling?

QTS aims to recycle 90% of operational waste by 2025 and has recycled over 1.3 billion pounds of material to date.

What was QTS's charitable giving in 2020?

QTS reported its highest charitable giving in history, supporting over 80 different organizations.