BRE Global has launched a new environmental assessment method to measure the sustainability of data centres.
The new BREEAM, one of a raft of bespoke assessment methods being drawn up by BRE, is designed to allow developers, occupiers and investors to measure and compare the environmental impact of different buildings using BRE’s traditional five-star rating system.
The tool was created with Digital Realty Trust, the world’s largest wholesale data centre provider, which has agreed to adopt the new method on all of its new buildings.
Paul Gibbon, director of sustainability at BRE Global, said: “We will be refining the data-centre scheme over the first 12 months of its operation following feedback from actual assessments and, in time, these specialist schemes will become part of the standard suite for BREEAM.”
Digital Realty Trust chief technology officer, Jim Smith, said: “The BREEAM certification process has tremendous value for the data-centre industry and we are adopting its guidelines as best practice for the way we design, build and operate data centres around the world.
“This is the latest in a long list of industry firsts that Digital Realty Trust has achieved for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility and we are very proud to be leading the way in green data centres.”
BRE said its bespoke ratings could soon be expanded to include other sectors such as hotels, sports facilities and visitor centres.
