NEXTDC’s corporate operations go 100% carbon neutral

Much has been said of the environmental impact of data centers, and now NEXTDC is looking to do its part in curbing its own contribution.

The data center-as-a-service provider has now announced that its corporate operations have been certified carbon neutral under the Australian Government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), administered by the Australian Federal Department of Environment and Energy.

According to the company, this makes it the first data center provider in Australia with 100 percent carbon neutral operations.

NEXTDC has formed a new partnership with Qantas, which will see the company source carbon offset credits from Qantas Future Planet to meet ongoing requirements under the NCOS.

The Qantas Future Planet initiative is now in its 12th year and the world's largest airline carbon offset programme, supporting carbon offset projects like fire management with Indigenous land owners in the North Kimberley, supporting rainforest communities in Papua New Guinea, and protecting more than 7,000 hectares of Tasmanian wilderness.

NEXTDC also plans to make available a NCOS-compliant colocation opt-in program to customers who are committed to offsetting their carbon emissions in NEXTDC facilities, with an end goal of its customers also achieving 100 percent carbon neutral operations.

NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie says the company has implemented numerous innovations that drive leadership through sustainable engineering outcomes to drive a more efficient use of energy across its entire footprint, showcasing how companies can be engineered to simultaneously achieve positive outcomes for both the environment and their bottom line.

"NEXTDC supports the science of climate change and we're not afraid of using that conviction to show others how our business interests can help create a better future for all," says Scroggie.

"We build and operate a national footprint of Australia's most energy efficient data centers which serves as a reminder that organisations can be engineered to both support the environment and improve business efficiencies.

Qantas Group executive Andrew Parker is excited for what the future holds.

"The Qantas Future Planet program is more than carbon offsetting – it's about connecting and collaborating with sustainability leaders," says Parker.

"Together with our customers, we've offset more than three million tonnes of carbon at more than 40 certified offset projects around the world. We're thrilled NEXTDC is joining our network of leaders.

Scroggie says data center providers are well positioned to leverage renewable energy technology, which allows NEXTDC and the industry at large, to meet and exceed Australia's greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 26 percent to 28 percent from 2005 levels under the Paris Agreement.