Datacenter Construction Revealed as Major Emissions Source in Landmark Sustainability Study

A groundbreaking lifecycle assessment of datacenter operations has uncovered that construction phases contribute nearly as much to carbon emissions as ongoing operations—challenging conventional wisdom about where environmental damage occurs in digital infrastructure. European operator Data4's white paper, developed with engineering firm APL Data Center, provides the first scientific quantification of environmental impacts across a facility's entire lifespan.

The study analyzed a 5MW facility at Data4's Marcoussis campus near Paris over a 20-year period, revealing:

1. Construction Dominates Emissions: 39% of total CO2 emissions occur before servers are powered on, primarily from concrete and steel production. This nearly matches operational emissions (48%).
2. Material Impact: Building materials alone account for emissions equivalent to 300 French citizens' annual output. The facility requires mineral resources comparable to constructing 12km of railway track.
3. Water Paradox: While direct water consumption is minimal (equivalent to 12 people annually), 93% occurs indirectly through electricity generation (57%) and material production (36%).
4. Operational Realities: Cooling systems and UPS units drive the 48% operational emissions, though Data4's water usage effectiveness (0.039L/kWh) is 25x below industry average.

This data contextualizes Microsoft's 2024 admission of 30% emissions growth despite carbon-negative pledges, attributed largely to datacenter construction. Unlike facilities using water-intensive evaporative cooling, Data4's approach minimizes direct consumption but highlights embedded resource costs in materials like copper wiring and rare-earth batteries.

In response, Data4 committed to reducing new infrastructure's carbon footprint by 38% by 2030 through:

• Concrete reduction in foundations
• Cooling system optimization
• Metal recycling programs

"A sustainable digital future must be built on scientific foundations," stated Data4's Head of Environment & Innovation Linda Lescuyer. "We publish transparently to push the entire industry beyond superficial metrics."

The findings necessitate reevaluation of "green datacenter" claims, emphasizing that sustainability efforts must address supply chains and construction—not just operational efficiency. As AI workloads increase server density and resource demands, this study provides crucial benchmarks for meaningful environmental accountability.

Data4 White Paper | Microsoft Sustainability Report