1. Introduction
Enterprise data centres are a critical component of digital infrastructure, yet they carry a substantial embodied carbon footprint. This paper evaluates the embodied carbon of IT equipment in data centres, focusing on Lifecycle Stages A1–A5 (raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and installation). The assessment is specific to enterprise data centres in Paris, France, assuming a power density of 10 kW per rack.
2. Scope and Methodology
The embodied carbon assessment is measured per:
- Megawatt (MW) of IT Load – The total IT power capacity deployed.
- Square Metre (m²) of IT White Space – The occupied floor area for IT equipment.
This study draws from Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and industry standards, including CIBSE TM65, iMasons Climate Accord, and Iron Mountain’s sustainability research.
3. Embodied Carbon Estimates for IT Equipment
3.1. Embodied Carbon Per MW of IT Load
| Component | Embodied Carbon (tCO₂e per MW) | Key Contributors |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | 400 – 700 | CPUs, DIMMs, motherboards |
| Networking Equipment | 100 – 250 | Routers, switches, fibre-optic cabling |
| Storage Devices | 50 – 150 | HDDs, SSDs, RAID enclosures |
| Racks & Enclosures | 30 – 80 | Steel, aluminium |
| Cooling Systems | 150 – 300 | CRAH/CRAC units, chillers, refrigerants |
| Total IT Equipment | 750 – 1,500 | – |
Sources: CIBSE TM65, Iron Mountain, iMasons Climate Accord
3.2. Embodied Carbon Per Square Metre of IT White Space
| Power Density (kW/rack) | Embodied Carbon (kgCO₂e/m²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW/rack | ~5,000 – 7,000 | Lower density results in lower carbon intensity per m² |
| 10 kW/rack | ~8,000 – 10,000 | Higher density increases carbon per m² but reduces overall facility footprint |
Sources: CIBSE TM65, Iron Mountain
4. Breakdown of IT Equipment Embodied Carbon Contributions
4.1. Servers
- Embodied Carbon: ~922 kg CO₂e per unit
- Key Contributors:
- High energy demand in chip fabrication (CPUs, DIMMs, motherboards).
- Frequent refresh cycles increase lifetime emissions.
- Reduction Strategies:
- Extend server lifespan to 6–7 years.
- Prioritise modular upgrades instead of full replacements.
4.2. Networking Equipment
- Embodied Carbon: 100 – 250 tCO₂e per MW
- Key Contributors:
- Fibre-optic components, large-scale routers, switches.
- Reduction Strategies:
- Consolidate network devices to reduce redundancy.
- Opt for low-carbon manufacturing processes.
4.3. Storage Devices
- Embodied Carbon: 50 – 150 tCO₂e per MW
- Key Contributors:
- HDDs are more carbon-intensive than SSDs.
- RAID configurations increase material demand.
- Reduction Strategies:
- Prioritise SSDs for improved efficiency.
- Use compression and deduplication to reduce storage needs.
4.4. Racks & Enclosures
- Embodied Carbon: 30 – 80 tCO₂e per MW
- Key Contributors:
- Steel and aluminium materials.
- Reduction Strategies:
- Use recycled materials where possible.
- Optimise space efficiency to reduce overuse of enclosures.
4.5. Cooling Systems
- Embodied Carbon: 150 – 300 tCO₂e per MW
- Key Contributors:
- CRAH/CRAC units, chillers, refrigerants.
- Reduction Strategies:
- Implement air-side economisation and liquid cooling.
- Optimise modular cooling systems to reduce oversizing.
5. Best Practices for Reducing Embodied Carbon in IT Infrastructure
| Strategy | Impact |
|---|---|
| Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) | Identify high-carbon components early. |
| Sustainable Procurement | Select suppliers with low-carbon supply chains. |
| High Server Utilisation | Reduce idle hardware, increase efficiency. |
| Extended Hardware Lifespan | Lowering refresh rates from 3–5 years to 6–7 years reduces annual emissions. |
| Efficient Cooling Design | Use modular cooling, economisers, and liquid cooling. |
| Low-Carbon Materials | Prioritise recycled aluminium and steel. |
| Circular Economy Practices | Encourage refurbishing, resale, and recycling. |
Sources: CIBSE TM65, iMasons Climate Accord, Iron Mountain
6. Conclusion
This assessment finds that enterprise data centre IT equipment contributes 750–1,500 tCO₂e per MW of IT load, with servers, cooling systems, and networking equipment being the primary contributors. The embodied carbon per m² of IT white space ranges from 8,000–10,000 kgCO₂e/m² at higher power densities.
Key Takeaways
- Servers contribute the highest embodied carbon (~922 kg CO₂e per unit).
- Cooling systems account for 20–30% of total embodied carbon, making efficiency improvements crucial.
- Reducing refresh cycles and increasing server utilisation significantly lowers lifetime emissions.
- Modular IT and cooling designs reduce overbuilding and embodied carbon.
- Recycled materials in racks and enclosures further reduce the facility’s carbon footprint.
By adopting strategic procurement, design, and operational best practices, enterprise data centres can significantly lower their Scope 3 carbon footprint.
7. References
- CIBSE TM65 – Embodied Carbon in Building Services
- iMasons Climate Accord – IT Equipment Carbon Transparency Initiative
- Iron Mountain – Lifecycle Carbon Impact of IT Equipment
- Schneider Electric – Data Centre Sustainability: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions
- Meta – Estimating Embodied Carbon in Data Centre Hardware
- Uptime Institute – Embodied Carbon in Data Centres: Challenges and Best Practices
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – Net Zero Data Centres: Embodied Carbon Considerations
This Technical Information Paper presents a structured, best-practice approach to evaluating and mitigating embodied carbon in enterprise data centre IT infrastructure.