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Data centers use at least 1% of the world’s electricity, and demand for their services continues to rapidly increase as does the demand for data-intensive technologies like artificial intelligence, smart and connected energy systems, distributed manufacturing systems, and autonomous vehicles1. In the U.S., data centers are one of the fastest growing sources of electricity demand and while projections of future demand and carbon footprint vary, it’s clear that broad, bold action must be taken to reduce emissions.

Data center services can also represent a significant portion of a company’s supply chain emissions. Data services providers and customers must work together to find collaborative strategies for energy management and clean energy procurement to reduce emissions, hit sustainability targets, and realize the industry’s potential for impact.

The Future of Internet Power (FoIP) initiative is led by a coalition of CEBA members developing solutions for data services customers and providers to collaborate on energy management and clean energy procurement. FoIP is aiming to power the internet with 100% clean energy.

FoIP takes a collaborative approach to overcoming market barriers by bringing together colocation data center (colo) and cloud customers, service providers, and industry stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for energy management and clean energy procurement across the data sector. CEBA members have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the FoIP initiative to shape its strategy and focus areas, contribute to the development of new tools and resources, and engage the community with thought leaders in the space.


1 Masanet, Eric, et al. “Recalibrating Global Data Center Energy-Use Estimates.” Science (New York, N.Y.), vol. 367, no. 6481, 2020, pp. 984–986.

The Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles

As customers of colocation and cloud services, we agree that the following principles, if followed by colocation and cloud service providers, will help us meet our sustainability goals. We will give preference to providers who do the following:

Options

Provide options for cost-competitive services powered by clean energy resources that reduce emissions beyond business as usual.

Data

Deliver monthly data on the colo customer’s direct and indirect energy consumption, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental data.

Incentives

Align the partnership between customer and service provider so both parties have an incentive to reduce energy consumption.

Collaboration

Provide options for customer collaboration on efficiency and clean energy enhancements.

Disclosure

Disclose individual sites and total global corporate footprint, as well as site-specific energy sources.

Advocacy

Engage in policy advocacy efforts that support the use of clean energy.

Download The Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles, Signatory Form, Statement of Support for Providers, Statement of Support for Other Industry Supporters

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The Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles can be signed by any company – CEBA membership is not required. The intent is to use the Principles to engage your partners in meeting your and their energy and sustainability goals. If you are a colocation or cloud services customer, download and complete the Signatory Form. If you are a colocation or cloud services provider, download and complete the Statement of Support for Providers. If you are in another industry that supports renewable procurement in data centers, download and complete the Statement of Support for Other Industry Supporters. Completed forms and an approved company logo should be sent to supplychain@cebuyers.org.

Corporate Colocation & Cloud Buyers’ Principles Toolkit

The Toolkit is designed to help sustainability teams and other internal advocates from signatory companies engage with their colos and cloud service providers to put the Principles into practice.

Resources
Filters
General Information
Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles

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Toolkit
Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles Toolkit

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FAQs
Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ FAQ

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White Paper
White Paper

GHG Emissions Accounting, Clean Energy Purchases, and Zero-Carbon Reporting: Issues and Considerations for the Colocation Data Industry

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White Paper
White Paper

Documentation Requirements for Supplier-Procured Clean Energy

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Forms
Signatory Form for Data Service Customers

Form for data center customer companies who want to formally support the Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles

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General Information
Statement of Support for Providers

For data center service providers who want to formally support the Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles

Download PDF

General Information
Statement of Support for Other Industry Supporters

For technical or other industry supporters who want to formally support the Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers' Principles

Download PDF

General Information
Walking Deck

To socialize the Corporate Colocation and Cloud Buyers’ Principles at your company

Download PPT

Toolkit
Template Emails

For use in socializing principles internally, engaging colo vendors, and inviting others to join the Principles as signatories or supporters

Download Templates

Future of Internet Power FAQs

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