Tres Cantos launches Green Data City seal for data centers

The Tres Cantos City Council in Madrid has introduced the ‘Green Data City’ (GDC) seal, an accreditation framework for data centers operating within the municipality. The initiative requires facilities to meet national and international standards regarding energy efficiency, sustainability, cybersecurity, and operational resilience.

Mayor Jesús Moreno designated data centers as the municipality’s ‘fifth strategic sector,’ joining space and defense, audiovisual, biotechnology, and scientific innovation. The GDC strategy includes a roadmap through 2030 focused on the circular economy, clean energy, water management, and the recovery of heat generated by these facilities.

To obtain the seal, data centers must hold various certifications, including LEED Gold, CEEDA, ISO 50001, and ISO 27001, alongside operational standards such as ASHRAE, SOC 2, and TIER III. The local government aims to use this framework to attract technological investment, create skilled employment, and strengthen digital sovereignty while ensuring industrial growth remains compatible with environmental sustainability.