The Greening AI Data Centres Coalition (GADCC) consists of nine global bodies working to develop sustainability benchmarks
Green AI data centres will be important in the drive to net zero, as it is the fastest-growing building type in the rise of AI.
The GADCC is working to establish a set of credible standards to spearhead sustainable growth of computing power.
Defining “green” AI data centres
A set of guidelines will help investors, operators, communities, and policymakers in creating these data centres that reduce emissions, protect water resources, do not overload energy systems, or affect local communities.
Data centres currently use 1.5%-2% of the world’s generated electricity, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects this to double by 2030. The water footprint is not far behind, putting pressure on local water supplies and risking driving up consumer costs.
The GADCC is working to deliver a common sustainability criteria with an internationally aligned framework, and bring market enablement to support developing green finance instruments.
“The future of AI must be powerful, responsible, and truly green”
The nine members of the GADCC are:
1: The Building Research Establishment (BRE)
James Fisher, head of strategic partnerships at BRE, said:: “BRE is pleased to be part of the Greening AI Data Centres Coalition, bringing together organisations with shared expertise across the built environment. As AI infrastructure continues to expand, collaborative approaches grounded in recognised standards such as BREEAM will be essential to support more sustainable outcomes for buildings, infrastructure and the communities they serve.”
2. The Climate Bonds Initiative
Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, said: “Trillions are going into building AI data centres, but without clear standards, it risks becoming a climate disaster. The solutions are simple: use clean energy, recycle water and re-use heat. this coalition is about setting the rules to get that right.”
3. The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB)
Dr. Christine Lemaitre, CEO of the DGNB, said: “Data centers are becoming an increasingly significant subject in Europe too, requiring comprehensive and sustainable planning and implementation in order to minimise any negative implications for climate protection. In this context, the link to the municipal context plays a particularly important role. Developing common standards in a timely manner that work on a global scale is a key task, making our coalition particularly significant.”
4. The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)
Dr. Chris Pyke of GRESB, said: “Data centers are the fastest-growing, most impactful category of real asset. GRESB shares the Greening AI Data Centers Coalition goal of providing investors with the information they need to constructively engage with developers and operators to protect financial value and improve social and environmental outcomes. Investors – equipped with timely and relevant information – can play a key role in making essential data center development safe and sustainable.”
5. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)
Davina Rooney, chief executive officer of the GBCA, said: “Artificial intelligence is driving rapid growth in data centres around the world, including here in Australia. As this infrastructure expands, we need clear expectations for sustainability that protect energy systems, water resources, and communities. This coalition will bring global expertise together while recognising that local conditions, from climate to grid dynamics, must shape how sustainable data centres are delivered.”
6. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Mr K S Venkatagiri, executive director of the IGBC, said: “Greening AI data centres is no longer a choice; it is an imperative for a sustainable digital future. For over two decades, IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) has championed green data centres, proving that energy efficiency, resilience, and scale can go hand in hand. India has total 1.4 GW of total Designed IT Load out of which more than 850 MW of IT load is Green Certified. As AI accelerates demand, sustainability must accelerate innovation. The future of AI must be powerful, responsible, and truly green.”
7. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the USGBC, said: “We are proud to be a founding member of this coalition to accelerate sustainable design and operations in data centers worldwide. As a strategic asset class, data centers are central to technological innovation and economic growth. Through this coalition, we are committing our collective expertise to balancing this growth with responsible development that protects energy affordability, local resources, and quality of life.”
8. The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC)
Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the WorldGBC, said: “Data centres are rapidly becoming part of the physical fabric of our built environments, with significant impacts on energy systems, water resources and local communities. As a founding member of the Greening AI Data Centres Coalition, the World Green Building Council is proud to help bring together global expertise from across the building and construction sector to define what truly sustainable data centres look like. By setting clear, credible standards, this Coalition will help ensure the growth of AI infrastructure supports climate goals, community resilience and long term sustainability.”
9. The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA)
Georgina Smit, CEO designate of the GBCSA, said: “GBCSA is proud to join this collective effort to develop an internationally aligned framework for greening data centres. As Africa’s primary digital infrastructure hub, South Africa hosts over half of the African continent’s installed capacity. A standardised definition for “green data centre” is essential to ensure that expansion aligns with national climate commitments, infrastructure capacity, and long-term economic resilience. This is necessary for the market to adopt a ‘build-right’ rather than a ‘build-fast’ approach, resulting in a more resilient, investable, and future-fit digital infrastructure ecosystem.”
The GADCC will be open to new partners in the future.
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