Data center environmental regulations emerge in EU and Chicago

Regulators and local leaders are implementing new measures to address the environmental impact of data centers. In the European Union, a new delegated regulation will establish a common scheme for rating the sustainability of data centers. This system will use a central database to issue electronic labels based on key performance indicators, specifically Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE). The goal is to provide transparency for local governments and communities while encouraging developers to adopt more efficient designs through competition.

In the United States, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has emphasized the need for environmental justice in data center policy. Speaking at a panel discussion, Johnson noted that Black and Brown communities have historically borne the brunt of pollution and environmental risks associated with economic growth. To address this, Johnson issued an executive order to enhance the evaluation of air pollution permits for diesel backup generators, implement noise regulations, and establish a cross-departmental review process for planned data center developments.