Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025

Archetype Description Implication High cooling need, versatile cooling optionsCooling degree days *Water stress levelRenewable energy share Regions with material cooling needs that have access to renewable power and low water stressDCs can optimize efficiency through a variety of energy sources and cooling methods High cooling need, incorporate water coolingRegions with material cooling needs that have limited access to renewable power but low water stressDCs focus on energy efficiency, focusing less on water usage in the near termHigh cooling need, prioritize renewable powerRegions with material cooling needs that have access to renewable power but are water stressedDCs may look to renewable power to maximize efficiency and reduce water use Low cooling need, optionality in coolingRegions with low cooling needs that have access to renewable power or have low water stress or bothDCs optimize operations based on the available resources with limited impactHigh cooling need, constrained on cooling optionsRegions with material cooling needs that have limited access to renewable power and high water stressDCs may require innovative solutions (e.g. onsite water recycling, SMRs for power)** to optimize Low cooling need, constrained on cooling optionsRegions with low cooling needs that have limited access to renewable power and high water stressDCs may look to low-impact cooling methods (e.g. free air cooling) when possible Low/medium High/very high 162 data centres ~880 MWBrazil 31 data centres ~230 MWJohannesburg109 data centres ~1,500 MWPhoenix108 data centres ~1,200 MW 48 data centres ~1,900 MWBeijingUnited Arab Emirates 32 data centres ~240 MW London 137 data centres ~1,000 MW 537 data centres ~4,700 MWVirginia84 data centres ~1,000 MWTokyo 96 data centres ~1,100 MWAtlanta Sydney67 data centres ~500 MWMumbai51 data centres ~1,400 MWShanghai 82 data centres ~700 MWColumbus 131 data centres ~1,600 MWOregon Dallas 156 data centres ~1,300 MW High cooling need, but versatile High cooling need, renewable power High cooling need, water coolingHigh cooling need, constrained Low cooling need, optionality Low cooling need, constrainedVery high/high solar potential Very high/high wind potential Very high/high geothermal potentialSAMPLE IMPLICATION Dallas Dallas has significant cooling needs, but optionality given moderate water stress and high renewable energy share.SAMPLE IMPLICATION United Arab Emirates DCs in the United Arab Emirates may seek innovative solutions (e.g. recycle water) to manage cooling requirements.FIGURE 12 Notes: *Cooling degree days are used to indicate cooling requirements. The metric reflects how far above 15.5°C the daily average temperature is over the course of two years. See additional methodology in Appendix B. **SMR = small modular reactor. Data centres (DCs) – summary of archetypes and sample implications58 Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 25