Kao Data_ESG Report 25-26_SP - Flipbook - Page 15
Introduction
Environmental
Social Sustainability
Governance
UK ICT SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
(data centres’ environmental levers)
Environmental management
& performance
Data centres are the ‘critical infrastructure’ backbone of the UK’s AI-driven
digital economy. They are essential not only for business success, but also
for supporting the everyday lives of all citizens. However, as data centres
become increasingly important, they are also using increasing amounts of
energy and water to keep up with the computing performance demanded
by AI factories. Data centres can also require rapid IT equipment upgrades
creating an e-waste mountain that must be tackled.
Kao Data faces a huge responsibility to tackle environmental
and climate related challenges within our industry, and
those faced by the communities we interact with. Our
environmental strategy includes our enhanced climate
neutral roadmap and climate strategy which align with the
targets and ethos of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact
(CNDCP). The CNDCP is a self-regulatory initiative and has
the backing of the UK government, with the primary goal of
making data centres completely climate neutral by 2030.
To catalyse environmental and social impact for local
communities, our Community Impact Strategy helps
empower local projects, supports grassroots innovation and
drives impact around our data centre locations. Many of the
projects we support have a strong climate resiliency focus,
enabling Kao Data to foster shared value as we grow.
Read more about: Our communities
Industry leadership and advocacy
Kao Data works within our industry via numerous impact
and innovation focused partnerships helping set the
benchmark for environmental performance in our industry.
These engagements include working closely with several UK
Government bodies such as the Department for Science,
Innovation and Technology (DSIT) & AI Energy Council, as
well as other public sector organisations, and academic
institutions to support the country’s sovereign AI and
advanced computing ambitions. In the table on page 16 we
have mapped our sustainability strategy levers against the
goals of the UK’s ICT sustainability strategy.
ICT sustainability strategy.
Utilising renewable energy
KAO DATA’S RESPONSE
100% renewably matched power by REGO
agreements, helping alleviate pressure on the
UK’s national energy grid. Renewable Hydrotreated
Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for back-up power at
all Kao Data built facilities and expansion in
existing facilities.
Smart facilities management, including remote
energy & water consumption monitoring devices
KAO DATA’S RESPONSE
With our CBRE partners we harness smart facilities
management and ‘digital twins’ technology to
dramatically reduce energy and water consumption.
100% waste recycling.
Sustainable data centre certi昀椀cation
(e.g. BREEAM/LEED)
KAO DATA’S RESPONSE
All data centres certi昀椀ed to BREEAM ‘excellent’
standard for construction and operation.
Training (e.g. OCP, Sustainability awareness, ISO)
KAO DATA’S RESPONSE
ISO 14001 & ISO 50001 + cradle-to-grave ISO standards
100% HSE mandatory training completed in 202526,plus additional training modules and supplier
engagement via CBRE tools.
ESG awareness informed by ESG+ Group at techUK.
Kao Data ESG Report 2025-26
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