.jpg)
The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) launched the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA), establishing the first industry-wide sustainability baseline for the region's data center sector. (Photo: iStock)
The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) formally launched the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) on March 26, establishing the first industry-wide baseline of sustainability commitments for the region’s data center sector.
Eleven major operators signed on as inaugural members, including Equinix, Microsoft, Digital Realty, and AirTrunk. The Accord arrives as AI-driven infrastructure investment accelerates across Asia-Pacific, putting pressure on energy grids and water resources in markets where common sustainability benchmarks have not previously existed.
Targets will be reviewed annually. A newly established SDIA Board will oversee the Accord, with structured government engagement built in. The SDIA covers four key areas: energy efficiency, clean energy use, water management, and circular economy practices.
SDIA’s four sustainability pillars: What commitments are required?
1. Energy efficiency: New data centers face PUE benchmarks from 2027
New data centers operating at 50% IT capacity utilization or higher must achieve a regional average power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.4 by January 2027. Existing facilities face a differentiated deadline: PUE of 1.45 in tropical climates and 1.35 in temperate climates by 2035, reflecting the cost and engineering constraints of retrofitting legacy infrastructure.
Unlock the full article to explore three key takeaways:
- New data centers must hit a PUE of 1.4 by January 2027, directly shaping cooling system selection and facility design decisions now.
- The 100% renewable energy target by 2030 is conditional on DPPA and REC access, a structural gap for several Southeast Asian markets.
- Water management is now a compliance requirement, with a WUE target of 1.8–2.0 and mandatory stress assessments in high-risk areas by 2030.
