Rethinking Data Center Sustainability Beyond Energy Efficiency
The rapid digital transformation happening across every industry has fueled significant growth in data centers and supporting infrastructure. From streaming services and cloud computing to AI workloads and real-time analytics, we rely on a hidden network of servers, cables, and cooling systems to keep our digital lives moving.
According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center electricity demand is expected to reach over 1,000 TWh by 2026, more than double the 2022 levels, emphasizing the urgent need for lifecycle carbon reductions beyond energy efficiency alone. One Terawatt-hour (TWh) equals one billion kilowatt (kWh) hours!
Efforts to improve data center sustainability have centered on operational efficiency: reducing electricity consumption, optimizing cooling systems, and shifting to renewable energy sources. While these measures are critical for lowering costs and boosting performance, they don’t capture the complete picture of environmental and business impact.
Achieving significant progress toward a low-carbon future while also maintaining a competitive edge means going beyond operational improvements to understand the full lifecycle of products — from raw material sourcing to manufacturing, use, and end-of-life.
By looking at Product Carbon Footprints (PCF), companies can uncover hidden risks, identify new opportunities for efficiency, and make informed decisions that support both business objectives and environmental goals.
What Makes a Product Carbon Footprint Essential?
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is a holistic measurement of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a product from cradle to grave — including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use phase, and disposal.
For data infrastructure companies, PCFs uncover emissions hotspots that energy efficiency metrics alone might overlook. Servers and network devices, for example, might be optimized for lower operational energy consumption but still carry a significant embodied carbon footprint from manufacturing processes and materials.
By quantifying PCFs, manufacturers and service providers gain a comprehensive understanding of where to target decarbonization efforts beyond operational energy use. This approach aligns with growing stakeholder expectations and preemptively addresses tightening regulations.
Market Drivers Pushing for Low-Carbon Infrastructure
While some companies take a more measured approach to communicating sustainability efforts, the push for low-carbon infrastructure continues to accelerate. The top three drivers — customer expectations, investor scrutiny, and regulatory evolution — are making lifecycle emissions data, such as PCFs, not just a competitive advantage but a business necessity.
Customer Expectations
Large enterprise customers are increasingly prioritizing low-carbon infrastructure when selecting data services. Companies like Microsoft and Google are prioritizing partners who can demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
Transparent product-level emissions data, including Scope 3 contributions, is becoming a prerequisite for doing business in a net-zero economy.
Investor Pressure
Investors want evidence of real climate action and comprehensive risk management. Transparent PCFs, along with emissions reporting, demonstrate that a company understands and is actively mitigating environmental risks — strengthening its position with climate-focused investment funds.
Regulatory Evolution
Policies like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the upcoming digital product passport are setting a new standard for product-level emissions transparency. As regulations expand, supplier PCFs become critical components of Scope 3 reporting — and subject to greater scrutiny. Companies that act early on PCF reporting are better positioned to stay compliant and competitive as expectations rise.
Uncovering Hidden Opportunities Through PCFs
PCFs do more than satisfy external demands. They unlock opportunities for innovation and cost savings. For example:
Material Innovation: Identifying high-emission materials can lead to switching to lower-impact alternatives, such as using recycled aluminum instead of virgin metals.
Design for Circularity: By considering end-of-life emissions, companies can design products that are easier to repair, reuse, or recycle.
Supply Chain Collaboration: Sharing PCF data with suppliers enables more strategic partnerships focused on reducing emissions across the value chain.
SSC in Action: Powering Progress
In an era where data-driven sustainability is essential, global data networking companies trust SSC to chart a path toward emissions reduction, operational excellence, and product transparency. Our integrated approach empowers data centers and their suppliers to improve performance, reduce environmental impact, and identify cost-saving opportunities across their value chain.
Our 2024 Sustainability Report shows how that strategy empowered measurable change across the global data infrastructure:
Building Trust Through Transparency
Transparency is the foundation of credibility in sustainability. Organizations that proactively share PCF data earn respect from customers, regulators, and investors alike.
“We’re seeing more clients move beyond operational energy metrics and look at embodied carbon across ALL products — from racks, concrete and steel to mechanical and electrical equipment. Product Carbon Footprints give them the roadmap to future-proof their infrastructure and truly support clients’ net-zero commitments.”
Marquis Miller, EIT - SSC Operations Manager
In a sector defined by rapid growth and intense competition, transparency around product-level emissions is becoming a key marker of leadership — not only building trust with customers, but also aligning with the emerging expectations that now shape procurement decisions, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks.
The Business Case for Early Adoption
While implementing PCFs requires initial investment, the long-term benefits are substantial:
Cost Reduction: PCF insights reveal material and design efficiencies that drive long-term savings.
Customer Retention: Transparency around emissions strengthens partnerships with clients pursuing aggressive climate goals.
Regulatory Readiness: Early adopters are better equipped to meet tightening regulations without disruption or costly catch-up.
The SSC Approach: Carbon Transparency will Shape Digital Leadership
The transition to a net-zero economy will reshape every industry, but none more so than those powering our digital lives. The companies that thrive will be those who move beyond energy efficiency alone and embrace full lifecycle accountability through PCFs. By investing in PCFs now, data infrastructure leaders not only future-proof their operations but also actively shape a more sustainable digital future for everyone.
For organizations looking to address these challenges with clarity and confidence, a range of tools and frameworks are available to support the transition from intention to measurable impact.
At SSC, we apply proven methodologies that help companies lead with transparency and act with precision:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs):
Quantify full product emissions and enable data-driven design and procurement decisions.
Sustainable Product Innovation (SPI):
Enables product development teams to utilize life cycle thinking to optimize and reduce the impacts of products. SSC’s proven process integrates SPI tools into a company’s stage-gate or new product development process to help organizations consider alternative materials, processing sourcing, and other aspects to reduce the life cycle impacts of a product.
Scope 3 Training Academy:
Equips organizations and their suppliers with the knowledge, tools, and support to measure, report, and reduce Scope 3 emissions—making carbon strategy a strategic, collaborative advantage.
Meet the Experts
Cara Vought, LCACP
Senior Technical Consultant
Cara has over 13 years of experience in product stewardship and corporate sustainability strategy. She specializes in developing life cycle assessments (LCAs) and product carbon footprints, conducting independent LCA reviews to ISO standards, supporting industry associations and collaboratives in program development, and facilitating audits for sustainable manufacturing initiatives and LEED certifications.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, with minors in Sustainable Energy Technology and Environmental Engineering. Cara also served as an adjunct professor at Jefferson University, where she taught architecture and design students how to think about materials sustainably. She believes that sustainability is an ever-evolving field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. With a passion for education, she works closely with SSC’s clients to help them expand their knowledge and integrate sustainability into their business practices.
Marquis Miller, EIT
Operations Manager
Marquis has experience working on Life Cycle Assessments, Material Ingredient Reporting, Sustainability Actions Plans, Waste Diversion Assessments, Waste Characterizations, and LEED EB:OM certifications. Marquis graduated from Kings College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with minors in Engineering and Mathematics, and received a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University.