SPONSORED BY
INTRODUCTION
​Rapid growth in data centre capacity and electricity consumption is a global phenomenon, with investment in data centres expected to reach more than $1tr by 2029. But this growth comes with complex environmental and social challenges, in terms of the demand for land, energy, water, nature conservation and the impact on local communities.
​
This free online conference on 11-13 May 2026 will explore a cross-sector, holistic approach to developing and operating data centres that achieve a positive environmental and social impact.
Join the event to hear from, and put your questions to, international speakers from data centre developers and operators, energy and water companies, regulators and lawyers.
​Date: 11-13 May 2026​​​
​​
​
Format: Online
​
​
Price: Free to attend
​
JOIN A GLOBAL, CROSS-SECTOR AUDIENCE
Join over 350 data centre developers & operators, policy makers, sustainability advisors, infrastructure experts and more
From over 190 companies
16 industries including developers, big tech energy and water utilities, government, construction, investment and legal
Representing over 35 countries across the globe
EVENT OVERVIEW
Day One: Assessing environmental impacts and developing standardised approaches to decarbonisation goals
Monday 11th May
2-4pm GMT / 9-11:30am ET
-
Outlining the current research into the environmental impacts and evaluating the need for a holistic approach to minimise these
​
-
Effectively collecting the data needed for robust and transparent reporting on the environmental impacts of data centres
Day Two: Strategies for resource optimisation and efficiency
Tuesday 12th May
2-5pm GMT / 9am-12pm ET
-
Future-proofing the grid to minimise energy usage and meet growing demand
​
-
Achieving water stewardship in data centre development and operations
Day Three: Achieving positive environmental and community impacts through effective site selection
Wednesday 13th May
2-5pm GMT / 9am-12pm ET
-
Reviewing the current planning and due diligence process for the location and development of data centres
-
A sustainable approach to site selection to achieve long-term environmental and community benefits
​
-
Achieving biodiversity net gain goals
​
-
Site selection in relation to urban planning
EVENT AGENDA
Assessing the environmental impacts of data centres and developing standardised approaches to decarbonisation goals
DAY ONE
​Monday 11th May, 2-4pm GMT / 9-11:30am ET
Exact timings to be confirmed
​2pm GMT / 10am ET
​​Welcome from Environment Analyst
​
​
​Opening remarks from the Chair
​
​
Session 1: Outlining the current research into the environmental impacts and evaluating the need for a holistic approach to minimise these
The impact of data centres on water availability, demand on the power grid, air, land and natural resources are currently looked at in silo. An integrated, systems-approach is needed to help organisations accurately monitor and report on these impacts in a standardised way, enabling comparability and transparency in the market.
​
​
Session 2: Effectively collecting the data needed for robust and transparent reporting on the environmental impacts of data centres
An overview of the processes and opportunities for data centres can set net zero targets, where decarbonising data centres fits into the bigger picture alongside water consumption and land-use and energy use, and the value of setting targets.
-
Methodologies for quantifying environmental impacts, including decarbonisation, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), scope 2 and 3 (embodied) emissions and wider value chain emissions)
-
Discussing the SBTi Data Center Framework
Panellists:
-
Amanda Skeldon, Built Environment Engagement Specialist, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)​
​​2:10pm GMT / 10:10am ET
2:40pm GMT / 10:40am ET
​​​2:05pm GMT / 10:05am ET
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Get a first look at the speakers for this event! We're in the process of confirming speakers - to discuss speaking opportunities please contact emily.ridge@environment-analyst.com
Brian Granahan
Director
Illinois Power Agency
Amanda Skeldon
Built Environment Engagement Specialist
​Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Helen Munro
Head of Environment & Sustainability
Pulsant
Coleman Peiffer
Senior Manager, Data Center Services at Alliant Energy and Vice-Chair of the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition
Hal Corin
​Head of Development
​Viridi Parente
Rich Kenny
Managing Director at Interact, Co-Chair of the UK GDSA Planetary Impact Working Group & Co-Chair of the IEEE Water Resource Management Technologies Industry Connections Program
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
-
Data centre developers
-
Data centre operators
-
Energy companies
-
Water utilities
-
Technology companies
-
Government agencies
-
Regulatory bodies
-
Land-owners
-
Real estate and asset management firms
-
Lawyers
-
Investors
-
Environmental and sustainability consultants and advisors
