Increasing Asset Value through Sustainability

Digital Realty has developed a thorough understanding of how to build resource-efficient and environmentally responsible data centers. Customers rely on us to help them achieve their sustainability goals.

Certifying new construction projects and major renovations is a hallmark of a best-in-class global real estate development business. Sustainable buildings have been shown to deliver increased asset value and lower operating costs as well as significant environmental benefits. Green building certifications are a tool we use to demonstrate to communities, customers, investors, and other stakeholders that our data center development activity is undertaken responsibly to minimize unwanted impacts on the environment. Digital Realty has a policy to certify major new developments and renovations in accordance with recognized green building rating standards.

We have successfully completed sustainable building projects throughout our global portfolio, including many that have been certified to the highest levels.

Between 2007 and 2018, about 60% of our certified projects have received Gold or Platinum-equivalent ratings.

In a growing number of markets, certification is becoming an expected feature for project approval by local authorities. Our data centers are designed to require fewer construction materials to construct while delivering industry-leading PUE (power usage effectiveness) levels—resulting in a smaller carbon footprint when compared to similar data centers.