Data Centre Sustainability: Rita Monteiro Joins Start Campus

Start Campus is building and operating one of the largest AI data centre campuses in Europe, creating a 1.2GW ecosystem.

It has announced the appointment of Rita Monteiro as its new Head of Sustainability.

Rita brings almost 20 years of experience in ESG, human resources and sustainability to her new role.

Rita’s career so far

After completing degrees in Human Resources Management and Organisational Psychology, Rita started her career in 2008 as a Human Resources Administrative Specialist.

Since then, she has held positions in many countries around the world, including Cape Verde, the Philippines, Thailand, the UK and the United Arab Emirates, as well as her home country of Portugal.

She first joined Amazon in 2017 as a Pathways Operations Manager, before becoming Senior Operations Manager and Principal Program Manager for Supply Chain.

In 2019, Rita took on the role of Head of Sustainability Japan, where she led the sustainability strategy for Amazon Japan.

In this role, she focused on the company’s external engagement strategy, piloting logistics programmes, developing a renewable energy strategy and working on decarbonising facilities.

She then moved to the United Arab Emirates, where she was the Global Head of Net Zero Carbon Program.

She led Amazon’s global Shipment Zero programme, which is its goal to deliver 50% of Amazon shipments with net zero carbon by 2030.

Since January 2025, Rita has worked in the UAE as Principal Energy, Sustainable Buildings and Partnerships for the AMET and APAC regions, working as part of the global energy and sustainability teams at Amazon.

As of June 2026, Rita has started her new position at Start Campus, returning to work in Lisbon, Portugal after almost 10 years away.

How is Start Campus sustainable?

Start Campus is operating the SINES Data Campus, which is a 1.2GW data centre in Portugal.

It uses liquid cooling technologies and has 100% renewable energy, as well as offering power and water efficiency.

The company was founded in 2020, with the aim to create Europe’s largest and most sustainable data ecosystem.

Its sustainability strategy focuses on minimising its impact on the environment, society and industry, aligning its efforts with 13 of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In its initial operations, Start Campus is testing the use of seawater cooling, working towards the goal of achieving net zero water across the entire campus.

This aims to eliminate the reliance on freshwater resources while reducing power consumption compared to traditional data centre technologies.

Start Campus is also supporting the transition to a circular economy, emphasising recycling and material reuse in its construction.

It is working alongside other players in the industry to create design, build and operational standards, supporting research for local and international institutions.

Rita’s position at Start Campus

In her new role at Start Campus, Rita will lead the development and implementation of its sustainability strategy.

She will use her vast expertise in sustainable buildings and infrastructure, as well as policy management and decarbonisation.

This will draw upon her knowledge of carbon reduction, renewable energy, external engagement and supply chain sustainability from her time at Amazon.

Announcing the move, Rita said on LinkedIn: “Late last year, my family and I made the decision to come home, for air quality, better weather and being closer to the people we love.

“Today I’m genuinely excited to share that I joined Start Campus as Head of Sustainability. Since the very first interview, the warmth of the team, the mission, the energy, were contagious.

“And the impact it’s already having in my home country makes it even more meaningful. It’s also my first time in data centres and I cannot wait to dig in.”