Integrating Environmental Mitigation into the Design of Data Centres

The data centre industry is expanding rapidly to support growing digital infrastructure needs. The planning system determines where and how data centres can be built, often attaching conditions to consented development. Meanwhile, environmental permits typically require that Best Available Techniques (BAT) are implemented to control ecological impacts from regulated aspects of data centre operations.  

By incorporating environmental best practices early in the design process, developers can ensure compliance with planning and permitting regimes whilst mitigating environmental impacts avoiding delays or enforcement actions.

This article outlines how effective mitigation strategies can be integrated into data centre planning, allowing for sustainable and regulatory compliant development.

Climate Risk and Energy Efficiency

According to the International Energy Agency, data centres contribute approximately 1% of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Whilst backup generators are typically used only for a few hours per year, energy companies have occasionally proposed using them for extended periods to support the grid during high-demand periods. Sustainable alternatives, such as battery storage, are being explored, but concerns over the use of materials like lithium and cobalt present additional challenges. These too contribute to GHG emissions.

When determining applications for Environmental Permits, the Environment Agency (or equivalent in devolved nations) may require a Global Warming Report. This assesses site-specific GHG emissions and compares energy generation and waste management technologies against lower-carbon alternatives.

Air Quality and Noise Management

Air quality and noise considerations are central to planning applications and Environmental Permitting. With well-integrated mitigation, emissions and noise impacts can be effectively controlled. These can be tested in air quality and noise assessments often required to be submitted to accompany planning and Environmental Permitting applications.

Regarding air quality, diesel generators can release nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), potentially affecting local air quality. However, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, compliance with emissions limit levels and well-designed exhaust stacks can mitigate impacts.

Cooling systems and backup generators can generate noise, particularly in urban areas. Acoustic enclosures, noise barriers, and optimised site layouts help minimise disruption to surrounding communities.

Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Ecosystems may be subject to negative effects which arise from:

• construction activities and the footprint of the data centre together with any associated provision of services including grid connections
• operation effects such as the provision of artificial lighting can influence the behaviour of habitats and nocturnal wildlife

The potential for significant effects is normally managed as part of the planning application process. Indeed, planning policy sets expectations including that developments should minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity, and this is now strengthened by formal requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG). Before construction, the discharge of biodiversity net gain requirements leads to the submission of additional information including a Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) for approval by the LPA. This will provide information on onsite habitats, and targets for their condition and should take account of anthropogenic and environmental pressures including air pollution.

Water and Land Management

Additionally, data centres can consume large quantities of water. The discharge of cooling water into local sources can harm aquatic ecosystems both through chemical and temperature changes. Closed-loop water systems can mitigate this risk, reducing the need to extract or discharge more water.

Diesel fuel storage also presents risks of land and groundwater contamination through leaks or spills, necessitating careful management.

Within the planning system, water pollution and flooding can be mitigated by using Sustainable Drainage Systems, designing on-site drainage systems effectively and implementing measures in a Surface Water Drainage Scheme to ensure water quality is protected.

What does this mean going forward?

Fuel storage, delivery, and handling must also meet BAT standards. Measures include double-skinned tanks to prevent leaks; overfill protection alarms to reduce spill risks; integrated bunding to contain accidental fuel leaks; and oil-water interceptors to prevent the discharge of contaminated water.

By integrating mitigation measures early, data centre developers can avoid delays and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. This is because planning approvals may require assessments of air quality, noise, biodiversity, and water management; and data centre operators are required to obtain an Environmental Permit for sites with backup generator arrays exceeding 1MW gross thermal input, even if used infrequently. The typical need to apply BAT also ensures data centre operators adopt sustainable solutions.

At Temple, our air quality, noise & vibration, ecology, planning, permitting and carbon consultants can help you achieve planning and permitting compliance and implement mitigation measures to ensure compliance while minimising environmental impact. We are experienced in preparing the environmental documentation needed to support data centre applications.

For specialist guidance on environmental risks in the data centre sector, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Early engagement is key, as environmental permit consent for larger data centres can take approximately six months.