Data centres go green as EU launches code of conduct

Data centres are reported to be responsible for almost three per cent of electricity use in the UK and this is expected to double by 2020. Within the next 12 months Defra will be seeking compliance by the main IBM Data Centre used for Defra systems.

Minister for Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation, Lord Hunt, has welcomed the launch.

Hunt said: “If we are to tackle dangerous climate change, we need to reduce emissions and the decision businesses make play a key role in meeting this challenge. By signing up to this new code of conduct companies can save energy and save money too, which goes to show that what’s good for the environment is good for business.”

The EU Code of Conduct was developed in close collaboration with the industry, including the British Computer Society (BCS). Signatories will be expected to implement the code’s energy efficiency best practice, meet minimum procurement standards, and annually report energy consumption.

BT, TelecityGroup, IOMart, Quest Software and Microsoft are all said to be interested in signing up to the code.