Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
Being a good global citizen isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart business. Explore how our commitment to ESG is helping enterprises cut costs and meet their sustainability goals.
Building for a better tomorrow.

Energy efficiency is better for the planet and lowers costs for our customers. We are honored to be the only data center company named the Energy Star Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for our energy efficiency efforts.
Our data centers are designed to require fewer construction materials while delivering industry-leading Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). This not only lowers our customers’ carbon footprint but also their costs.
In 2021, we surpassed one gigawatt of IT capacity certified in accordance with sustainable building standards (12.9 million square feet), the first data center provider to achieve this milestone.
Over 50% of our certified projects since 2009 have received LEED Gold or Platinum-equivalent ratings, delivering increased asset value and lowering operating costs for our customers.
Spotlight on sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just something we talk about. It factors into everything we do, from idea to execution.
64%
Our global renewable energy coverage (14% increase from 2020).
68%
Our global carbon reduction target.
$6 Billion
Cumulative amount in green bonds issued.
34
Number of our data centers that are Energy Star certified.
Discover how we're reducing our environmental impact
Certifications
Our numerous green building certifications show our commitment to responsible data center development and minimizing environmental impact for all stakeholders.
Conservation
Our data centers run efficiently thanks to our diligent monitoring and implementation of innovative energy and water conservation measures.
Clean energy
We partner with energy producers, developers, and utilities to provide renewable energy and meet the clean energy goals of our clients.
Green Bonds
As a top green bond issuer in the data center industry, we finance eco-friendly projects through standard bonds that have added environmental features.
Sustainability
Our Sustainability Policy outlines our dedication to improving our environmental impact and aligning with both customer and business goals.
Social Initiatives
#DIVERSITYatDigital
Our social initiatives aim to elevate corporate citizenship, enrich the communities we serve, and inspire change through ethical and equitable operations.
Ethics
We uphold the highest ethical standards and seek guidance from internal and external sources to maintain integrity and lawful practices.
Our Code of Business Conduct & Ethics addresses conflicts of interest, fair dealings, confidential info, gifts & entertainment, financial accuracy, legal compliance, public communication, environment, health & safety, and employment.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
We recruit based on skills, knowledge, attitude, and experience, without discrimination of gender, sexual orientation, age, family status, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religion.
We promote diversity policies that ensure our workplace represents the qualified applicant pool in the regions we operate. We also evaluate pay equity annually.
Community engagement
Driven by a passion for giving back to the communities where we operate, our #DoBetterTogether initiative ignites and celebrates employee engagement and community involvement, allowing us to make a lasting positive impact.
Governance at Digital Realty
Stakeholder Engagement
We understand the importance of building relationships with those who impact and are impacted by our business. That's why we prioritize engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders, including our employees, customers, investors, partners, government agencies, reliable suppliers, as well as communities and non-governmental organizations.
Resilience
We're proactive in addressing the financial impact of climate change on our business. We take a comprehensive, multi-level approach, from preparation and planning at each individual site, to managing risks across the entire enterprise. At a societal level, we advocate for a shift towards a low carbon future.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines core company principles and describes the standards our suppliers must meet to establish and maintain a business relationship with us.
Global Environmental Occupational Health & Safety (EOH&S) Policy
Embodying our commitment to quality and performance, our EOH&S Policy paves the way for a safer, healthier, and sustainable future.