By Silvina Dalton, Co-Founder of DelPlata Green
It took place in September 2015 in New York City. A total of 193 United Nations Member States present at the Sustainable Development Summit defined the Agenda 2030 with 17 Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) as a framework, with the aim of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Later, in December 2015 during the COP 21 In Paris, the participating countries achieved a historic Agreement, committing to keeping the temperature increase well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, limiting the increase to 1.5°C; to increasing adaptive capacity and promoting climate resilience and low-emission greenhouse gas (GHG) development; and to increasing financial flows to a level compatible with a climate-resilient, low-carbon development trajectory.
At that time, this call was presented as a historic opportunity to work together and to transform the Homo Economicus in Homo Reciprocans thinking as Otto Scharmer suggests in the Ecosystem in replacement of the Egosystem, seemed like something distant and perhaps exaggerated that did not impose an immediate work agenda on us.
Fortunately, a large number of government, business and individual actors embraced these goals and established action programs to contribute to their fulfillment, using the technology, he human talent and the financial resources, essential companions on the journey to achieve the SDGs.
However, according to data published by ECLAC, today we find ourselves facing a critical situation with only a third of the 169 targets included in the SDGs on track to be achieved and only seven years away from the deadline to fulfill them.
Collective action and greater commitment from all stakeholders are essential to fulfilling the vision of the 2030 Agenda.
From the technology sector The challenge is to work in transform our products and services so that we impact the largest number of SDGs, considering that we are very close to the target date.
In the case of data centers, there is a tendency to focus solely on goals related to climate change and energy use (SDG 13 and SDG 7), overlooking the fact that the 17 SDGs are much broader and integrated, recognizing that action in one area will affect outcomes in others and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
With this in mind, let's now analyze all the actions we could take in data centers to address a greater number of SDGs and achieve a positive impact on them.
As we have mentioned, there is concrete support from data center operators for compliance with the SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and the SDG13 (Climate Action) whose impetus was the result of the categorical definition of objectives of Carbon Neutrality established primarily by Hyper-Scaler companies a few years ago, and which have spread to the entire supply chain.
The good practices responsible for this transformation within the data center, or what is defined as Scope 1, can be summarized in the use of virtualization, optimization of cooling systems, and the use of new power management technologies.
If we broaden our view to the energy distribution network or Scope 2, good practices include investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or hydroelectric for full or partial operation of the data center, subject to local availability and business continuity plans (BCP).
All these good practices help reduce energy consumption and have a positive impact on the SDG7 & 13.
Let's analyze some good practices in addition to those related to energy management.
The data centers that minimize water consumption By using innovative cooling systems or reusing it for these purposes, they fully contribute to the SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Those who establish waste reduction strategies Whether by recycling or reusing electronic equipment or extending its useful life; by minimizing the use of paper or responsibly managing the disposal of electronic waste, they contribute to compliance with the SDG12 (Responsible Production and Consumption).
Data centers that have clear policies diversity and inclusion in its workforce They carry out community actions and support educational initiatives in their area of influence, contributing to the fulfillment of SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG5 (Gender Equality) and SDG10 (Reduction of Inequalities).
Additionally, considering the financial element, we can mention as good practices investing in renewable energy projects, or participating in reforestation initiatives, or issuing green bonds. All of these contribute to combating climate change and thus support the SDG13 (Climate Action).
Data centers that have good practices related to the protection of personal data, supported by cybersecurity strategies, whether with in-house services or contracted to other companies, contribute to compliance with the SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Finally, partnerships with other companies, chambers, industries and governments to share these good practices and work collaboratively to support the other 16 SDGs fully contribute to the SDG17 in all areas (Partnerships for the Goals).
In conclusion, good practices in all areas of the data center and their coordination between internal areas and with external agents are not considered unattainable today, considering the human, technological, and financial resources available.
However, it is essential that data center operators implement policies that focus on the comprehensive transformation of the social, environmental, and economic aspects of the ecosystem impacted by these operations.
In that case, we can affirm that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole and that the collective action of all actors is on the right path to achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Fountain: Data Center Dynamics