Equinix Advances Sustainability with Future First Strategy
Renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and hydro power, are becoming increasingly crucial for powering the internet and other technologies.
Equinix, an American multinational company, specialises in internet connectivity and colocation centres, also referred to as carrier hotels.
Equinix is continuing to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability by achieving major environmental milestones in 2024, reinforcing its Future First strategy to integrate responsible business practices across its global operations.
Renewable energy success
In 2024, Equinix achieved 96% renewable energy coverage across its global portfolio, marking the seventh consecutive year surpassing 90%.
This performance places Equinix among industry leaders in operational sustainability.
The company also executed 370MW of new power purchase agreements (PPAs), including its first agreements in the Asia-Pacific region, furthering its ambition to achieve 100% clean and renewable energy coverage.
Equinix’s eligible green projects, aligned with its 2024 Green Finance Framework, are based on the Green Bond Principles of June 2021 and Green Loan Principles of February 2023.
These projects span green building development, renewable energy innovations, advanced energy efficiency measures, resource conservation and decarbonisation initiatives.
Efficiency gains and emission reductions
A core achievement of 2024 was the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 10% against a 2019 baseline.
“We believe in a future where technology drives sustainable growth. Future First is our commitment to sustainability as we deliver digital infrastructure that fosters positive change through secure and efficient solutions,” says Adaire Fox-Martin, CEO and President of Equinix.
“In 2024, we remained true to our commitments around sustainability and operational excellence, delivering greater than five nines of uptime for our customers and improving our power usage effectiveness by more than 6%.
“We also achieved our seventh consecutive year of greater than 90% renewable energy coverage and executed 370 megawatts of new power purchase agreements (PPAs).”
Equinix also improved its annual average global power usage effectiveness to 1.39, a 6% enhancement from 2023, and achieved a water usage effectiveness score of 0.95 across its data centre portfolio.
Significantly, Equinix invested US$51m into energy efficiency measures and achieved a 245% increase in community heat export projects compared to 2023 – amounting to 14.5GWh of heat returned to local communities.
These environmental accomplishments helped Equinix secure a place on CDP’s prestigious Climate Change A List for the second consecutive year.
Of the more than 23,000 companies disclosing environmental data to CDP in 2023, less than 2% received the top score.
Financing a greener future
Further cementing its commitment, Equinix intends to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from its green bonds to finance or refinance eligible green projects.
Its strategy covers project expenditures up to two years prior to and three years – following the issuance of the bonds.
In 2024, Equinix issued €650m (US$740m) principal amount of 3.25% senior green notes due in 2031 and €500m (US$569m) principal amount of 3.63% senior green notes due in 2034.
Equinix used rate locks to hedge a significant portion of the interest rate risk associated with the issuance of the Euro green bonds.
Accounting for these hedges, the six-year and ten-year Euro green bonds are expected to carry an effective coupon to Equinix of 3.27% and 3.65% respectively.
"We view green finance as an integral part of our sustainability strategy at Equinix," says Katrina Rymill, SVP Corporate Finance & Sustainability, Equinix.
"Our green bonds demonstrate Equinix's continued commitment to design, build and deliver the most reliable, secure and sustainable data centre and digital infrastructure possible in order to benefit our customers, our investors and the communities in which we operate."
This funding approach underpins Equinix’s sustainability mission by enabling continued investment in environmentally responsible infrastructure and technologies.
Driving social impact and governance excellence
The Future First strategy not only addresses environmental goals but also encompasses social and governance dimensions.
Equinix remains focused on bridging the digital divide and fostering belonging within its workforce, working alongside organisations such as Generation, Skillsbridge and Disability:IN to broaden access to digital opportunities.
Equinix’s continued integration of sustainability into its operational DNA, supported by frameworks such as the Green Bond Principles and ongoing innovations in energy and water efficiency, positions it strongly for future growth.
As cloud adoption and artificial intelligence continue to accelerate global demand for digital infrastructure, Equinix is poised to meet this challenge sustainably, fostering a positive impact for its customers, communities and the environment.
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
