Thursday, 5 February 2026
Data4, a European data centre operator, together with engineering consultancy APL Data Centre, has published a document presenting a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of a 5 MW data centre. According to the companies, the report applies recognised international standards and is intended to provide a broader view of the environmental impact associated with this type of facility.
The publication comes at a time of increasing demand for digital infrastructure linked to the expansion of cloud services and artificial intelligence technologies. The study argues that the environmental impact of data centres should be assessed across their full life cycle rather than through selected operational indicators alone.
The report, titled “Data Centres: Measuring impacts for more effective actions,” evaluates environmental effects from the extraction of raw materials and construction, through operation, to eventual dismantling. The methodology follows ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards for life-cycle assessment.
According to the findings, excluding servers, the production of construction materials and equipment such as concrete and steel accounts for 39 percent of the total carbon footprint calculated over a 20-year period. Operational emissions account for 48 percent over the same horizon. The study also indicates that direct water consumption at the analysed facility represents less than 0.1 percent of total impact, with most water use occurring indirectly through electricity generation.
Linda Lescuyer, Head of Environment and Innovation at Data4, said the aim of the publication is to provide a detailed measurement framework that can support design and operational decisions within the sector. Thomas Martin, Deputy CTO and Head of Sustainability and Innovation at APL Data Centre, stated that life-cycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis can help identify areas where environmental performance can be improved.
The white paper forms part of Data4’s “Data4Good” programme, under which the company reports it has introduced measures including the use of lower-carbon concrete, renewable energy power purchase agreements and the development of water-free cooling systems.
The report is also relevant to the Polish market, which has seen increased data centre investment in recent years driven by demand from businesses, public institutions and cloud service providers. Industry representatives note that broader environmental assessment methods may influence future project planning and regulatory discussions. Adam Ponichtera, Director of Data4 Poland, said the analysis highlights the importance of comprehensive environmental measurement in the development of digital infrastructure.
