Amid the challenges brought on by climate change, Equinix is committed to preserving our collective future by addressing pressing environmental challenges to ensure the sustainability and resiliency of our communities, global society and business. Our multi-faceted approach leverages numerous opportunities to advance sustainability within our industry and create long-term value for all our stakeholders. We set ambitious carbon emissions-reduction targets to minimize our operational impact; engage with suppliers and organizations that share our values to advance low-carbon policies; and share renewable energy procurement knowledge to accelerate the clean energy transition. We also pioneer green building and design innovations throughout our data centers to do what it takes to address climate change.
Equinix advances a bold environmental agenda through a range of commitments:
Addressing the Urgency of Climate Change Through Our Targets
Scaling Renewable Energy Purchasing
Designing the Sustainable Data Center of the Future and Investing in Innovation
Assessing and Mitigating Climate Risk
Advocating for Change and Inspiring Others
Our Progress
23% reduction
in operational
emissions
across Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) emissions from 2019 baseline
96%
renewable energy
Fifth year in a row with +90% global renewables coverage
Thermal
Efficiency
Commitment
First digital infrastructure company to commit to optimizing overall power use by operating its data centers within wider temperature parameters
A
CDP climate
change
rating
Achieved highest ranking score for the first time
595 MW
of PPAs
under long-term contract with 225 MW of operational PPAs and 370 MW in development¹
17%
of Qualified²
Scope 3 emissions
covered by supplier-set science-based targets towards our near-term SBT 66% supplier engagement target³
$45M
invested in 2022 toward energy efficiency
Driving operational excellence and energy demand reduction across our global footprint
1.46
average annual PUE
5.5% improvement in Power Usage Effectiveness from 2021
10
Whole
Building
LCAs
completed
as of the end of 2022, helping drive carbon-informed design and construction decisions
1 MW (megawatt): PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)
2 Includes Category 1 and 2 Scope 3 emissions
3 SBT (science-based target)
Metric | Units | 2019 (Baseline) |
2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Consumption | GWh | 5,700 | 6,430 | 7,140 | 7,750 |
Renewable Energy | GWh | 5,250 | 5,840 | 6,770 | 7,430 |
% Renewable Energy | % | 92% | 91% | 95% | 96% |
PUE (Annual Average) | Quotient | 1.54 | 1.51 | 1.48 | 1.46 |
Energy Intensity | GWh / million USD revenue | 1.028 | 1.077 | 1.084 | 1.077 |
GHG Emissions: Scope 1 | mtCO2e | 40,700 | 55,100 | 50,700 | 40,300 |
GHG Emissions: Scope 2 (location-based) |
mtCO2e | 2,079,000 | 2,280,200 | 2,307,600 | 2,405,200 |
GHG Emissions: Scope 2 (market-based) |
mtCO2e | 306,000 | 327,700 | 254,800 | 228,200 |
GHG Emissions: Scope 3 | mtCO2e | 1,311,000 | 1,318,000 | 1,504,000 | 1,292,000 |
Carbon Intensity (location-based) |
mtCO2e / million USD revenue | 381 | 389 | 355 | 337 |
Carbon Intensity (market-based) |
mtCO2e / million USD revenue | 62 | 64 | 46 | 37 |
Energy and emissions are assured to ISO 14064-3:2019 standards for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Equinix references the WRI/WBSCD Greenhouse Gas Protocol to calculate our carbon footprint. Our energy and renewable energy consumption, Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions are independently assured to ISO 14064-3:2019 Standards for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information about our energy and emissions performance and response to climate change, refer to our annual CDP Climate Change submissions. Due to the importance of water stewardship to the data center industry and our efforts to address the topic, we are working toward disclosing to CDP Water Security in 2023.
To review Equinix’s annual CDP Climate Change disclosure, download it below.
Equinix will achieve its near term science-based targets and reach climate neutrality by 2030
Equinix leverages green bonds to foster sustainability innovation
Equinix has a long-term goal to use 100% clean and renewable energy
Equinix designs and builds sustainable data centers and pilots new sustainable technologies
Equinix robustly manages our use of all resources
Sustainability is embedded in our corporate office initiatives
Equinix manages climate-related risks and opportunities
Advocacy is a hallmark of our strategy as we leverage the buying power of many companies