Science Based Targets Initiative Drops Proposal for Stricter Data Center Emissions Rules

The Science Based Targets initiative has dropped a proposed rule that could have accelerated cuts to carbon dioxide emissions from data centers, according to a report by The Financial Times. A corporate climate watchdog, the Science Based Targets initiative, decided against recommending a protocol that would have made it more difficult for companies to use clean energy investments to offset fossil fuel pollution from data centers.

The proposal was based on guidance from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is used in Europe and California. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol has stated that both fossil fuel power and offsetting green energy should be produced in the same market at around the same time.

That approach would help ensure accurate reporting and create a credible link between companies and their energy sources.

To meet electricity needs for new data centers built to support artificial intelligence, companies including Amazon and Meta have installed gas turbines in parts of the United States where local power supply is insufficient. These turbines are highly polluting.

The companies have offset those emissions by purchasing certificates backed by wind, solar and other green power projects. The certificates can apply even if the renewable projects are in different states or generate power at different times of day.

For example, a gas-powered data center operating at night in Texas can use certificates from solar energy purchased during the day in California.