Embodied Carbon Considerations for Data Centers

The economic approach to data centre design decision-making has evolved to consider the whole lifecycle, but only in terms of total cost of ownership. Where a sole focus on operational emissions could fall short, incorporating a Whole Life Carbon approach into the design process can identify which design selections achieve the lowest carbon emissions over the entire lifecycle of the data centre.

Research suggests that 10-20% of embodied carbon can be eliminated from construction projects with no increase in cost. This white paper from the i3 and EYPMCF GHG Abatement Group, provides guidance on embodied carbon within data centres, as well as using Life Cycle Assessment when considering the impact and benefit of design choices on a Cradle to Cradle basis, taking into account the circularity of the building and its components.