Why Sustainability is Key for Data Centre Debates in 2026

The data centre sector has rarely moved at such pace – and rarely has there been so much uncertainty about its direction.

That tension was evident throughout Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit, held on 19–20 May. ‘The AI Data Centre Debate’, brought together leading voices from across the industry to examine how AI is reshaping its very foundations.

The panel featured Lonnie Salmon, Senior Director at Jabil, Jean-François Berche, CTO at GreenScale, Alex Bennett, CEO of NTT Global Data Centers and Jamie Allen, Head of Site Selection at Iron Mountain.

Alex set the tone early, highlighting the speed of change: "The rules have been rewritten and continue to be rewritten every three months," he said.

Against this backdrop, the panel explored a range of pressures – from supply chain disruption to the sustainability impact.

Supply chain strain intensifies

If the rules are constantly shifting, it is no surprise that supply chains are struggling to keep up.

Lonnie, drawing on his supply chain expertise, explained that the industry’s historic focus on cost and efficiency is giving way to a far more complex landscape.

"Within this new environment of AI, the need for orchestration across the whole environment becomes paramount," he says.

"You only have to look at some of the key shortages. Energy is number one. Number two, when you look at the semiconductor industry, you know, 50% of our industry now is being structured around memory.

"Go beyond that and you start looking at the industrial equipment that's required at a site level. Lead times and that environment are anywhere up to two three years long."

These extended timelines are further complicated by geopolitical instability. For example, with 40% of the world’s helium supply coming from Qatar, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz raises serious concerns for semiconductor production.

"If you don't have the helium, then how do you produce the high density memory, the high speed processing?" Lonnie asked.

Alex highlighted that internal execution is just as critical. "Power and supply chain are massive constraints for our business," he said. "But how we evolved as data centre operators and global businesses is just as important to examine."

Net zero versus growth

The industry is also grappling with how to balance rapid AI expansion with sustainability targets.

Lonnie was direct when asked about reconciling the two. "There's too much money in play," he said, suggesting that while some governments may regulate emissions, others may prioritise investment and growth.

Jean-François pushed back on the idea that data centres are disproportionately harmful. "What's the alternative?" he asked. "Data centres are big fridges and they're super efficient. If you don't like it, fine. Let's go back to the model where you have a computer room in your building. It's going to be super inefficient. We're not going to have control on on electricity and demand because we don't know what's going to look like."

Alex pointed to NTT’s targets – to reach net zero in data centres by 2030, across offices by 2035 and throughout its supply chain by 2040.

Jamie reduced the reality to a single concept: compromise. Whether that involves adding carbon capture to gas generation or paying a premium for power while waiting years for grid access, he said there is "not really much kind of in between".

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Rethinking water usage

Water usage remains one of the most contentious public concerns around data centres. Jean-François, however, dismissed much of the criticism.

"Data centres fixed water utilisation years ago," he said, pointing to the widespread adoption of closed-loop cooling systems. "Fourteen golf courses uses more water than one data centre. We don't talk about this."

Jamie supported this view, arguing that large-scale campus operators have already engineered solutions through on-site storage, private supply and grey water systems.

"Anyone that is in the large scale campus business knows that it isn't a design problem any more," he said.

When challenged on opposition in the US, Jean-François acknowledged regional nuances but stood firm.

"There is no data centre that is using water at the expense of the community," he said. "That's just not true."

Powering AI’s future

The discussion concluded with perhaps the most pressing issue: whether the industry can generate enough power to sustain AI’s rapid growth.

Lonnie was clear in his assessment of the UK. "The UK can generate more electricity than it ever needs," he said. "The problem is not generating the power. The problem is getting it from point A to point B."

Barriers such as permitting, planning and regulation continue to slow progress. Jean-François noted that these challenges are particularly pronounced in the UK and Europe, contrasting them with the US. "You go to Texas, you do a hole in the ground, you get gas, you power generation. Boom, done."

Jamie echoed this sentiment, emphasising that connectivity – not capacity – is the real issue.

"We definitely have enough generation," he said. "I don't think anyone would say there's an issue with the amounts of electrons that are in the UK. It's just so strenuous to build that route down to where we actually need that power."