APDCA launches sustainable digital infrastructure accord

The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association has launched the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord, backed at launch by 11 data centre and technology groups.

The accord sets voluntary targets in four areas: energy efficiency, clean energy use, water use, and the circular economy. It is designed as a non-binding framework that can evolve over time and support discussions between industry and governments across Asia-Pacific markets.

The signatories are AirTrunk, Digital Realty, EdgeConneX, Equinix, Global Switch, Microsoft, NTT Data, Princeton Digital Group, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Stack Infrastructure, and Vantage Data Centres.

The launch comes as data centre operators face closer scrutiny over electricity demand, land use, and water consumption, particularly as cloud computing and artificial intelligence drive demand for processing capacity. The accord is intended to create a regional baseline while recognising that market conditions vary across Asia-Pacific.

Unlike national rules, the framework does not create binding obligations. Instead, it sets out shared industry targets that members can use in discussions with policymakers and other stakeholders.

Regional Baseline

APDCA described the accord as the first region-wide baseline of sustainability commitments for the sector in Asia-Pacific. The framework reflects differences in climate, energy systems, and water conditions across a region that includes both highly developed hubs such as Singapore and fast-growing markets in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Jeremy Deutsch, chair of APDCA, said the initiative showed the industry was ready to work together to align digital transformation with sustainability in Asia-Pacific.

"The SDIA demonstrates how the industry is ready to work together to ensure that digital transformation and sustainability go hand-in-hand in Asia-Pacific," Deutsch said.

"It establishes the first APAC-wide baseline of industry commitments and provides a structured platform for government-industry dialogue on how to drive further progress. The industry is keen to work with policymakers and other stakeholders to deliver a sustainable digital and AI transformation in the region."

The accord also drew support from public sector officials in Malaysia and Singapore, two markets seeking to balance digital infrastructure growth with environmental constraints and policy targets.

Anuar Fariz Fadzil, chief executive of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, said the initiative came as digital and AI investment gathered pace across the region.

"The SDIA reflects the region's commitment to ensuring that digital transformation and sustainability progress hand in hand. As Malaysia advances towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030, the role of sustainable, resilient and energy-efficient digital infrastructure becomes increasingly significant. As the demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow in tandem with the expansion of cloud and AI technologies, such collaborative efforts will be key to shaping sustainable, climate-resilient digital ecosystems. MDEC remains committed to supporting this transition while strengthening Malaysia's position as a leading digital hub for the region," Fadzil said.

Policy Context

Governments across Asia-Pacific have taken different approaches to data centre growth. Some have introduced efficiency standards or planning controls, while others have encouraged new investment as part of broader digital economy strategies. That patchwork has left operators facing uneven expectations on sustainability metrics and reporting.

Singapore has been one of the clearest examples of a market trying to reconcile data centre expansion with resource limits. Aileen Chia, deputy chief executive of Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority, said the issue was already central to the city-state's policy approach.

"Data centres are a critical foundation to Singapore's digital economy but are resource intensive. This is not a new challenge, nor is it unique to Singapore. But it presents an opportunity for us to develop innovative solutions. Data centres in Singapore are already adopting measures to be more sustainable, such as by implementing the Tropical Data Centre and IT Energy Efficiency standards.

Singapore will continue to support data centres to promote these sustainable and energy efficient technologies in Singapore. We look forward to working closely with the industry to continuously improve the sustainability targets for long-term growth," Chia said.

For operators, the accord offers a common reference point at a time when demand for digital infrastructure is rising but public tolerance for unchecked resource use is weakening. Its impact will depend on how signatories apply the targets in practice and whether policymakers use the framework as a basis for more formal engagement across the region.

The initial group of 11 signatories includes some of the largest data centre developers and operators active in Asia-Pacific, alongside Microsoft, one of the sector's biggest customers and investors in digital infrastructure.