Energy usage of data centres

26.3.2020

Question for written answer E-001883/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ciarán Cuffe (Verts/ALE)

The growth of the digital single market and the increased digitalisation of society has led to exponential growth in the usage of online services and storage of data. A large amount of energy is required for the storage of this data in centres around Europe. The environmental footprint of the tech sector is significant, estimated at 5-9 % of the world’s total electricity use and more than 2 % of all emissions. There has been little discussion on the amount of electricity that will be needed to facilitate this increase, the amount of CO2 which will be emitted as a result, or its negative effect on the environment.

This situation conflicts with the Commission’s goal of making Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

Can the Commission comment on whether any measures are being taken in order to reduce the emissions of data centres specifically to address this issue?