- Date
- Tuesday 17 November 2026
- Location
- Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney or attend online
- CPD points
- 6
On this page
Exploring the pathway to sustainable data centres
Australia’s data centre sector is growing at a pace unlike almost anything else in our built environment. And the questions around energy, water, embodied carbon and social licence are growing just as fast.
What’s less certain is how the sector answers them.
The Green Building Council of Australia, in partnership with Data Centres Australia, is bringing the industry together to do exactly that.
The inaugural Sustainable Data Centres Forum is designed for the owners, developers, designers, operators and consultants responsible for sustainability outcomes across Australia’s data centre sector.
In partnership with
Why attend?
The agenda will be underpinned by the GBCA’s Sustainable Data Centres Issues Paper which will be launched at the forum. This paper is being developed by our Sustainable Data Centres Working Group, whose members bring expertise from data centre operations, sustainability, engineering, construction, finance and materials. This deep collaboration with industry ensures the Forum will be a unique event at which to make real progress in the pathway to sustainable data centres.
Our sessions and speakers will explore the pathway needed to drive sustainability outcomes in data centres. We will unpack what good could look like when we consider energy, water, infrastructure and community.
The event will also include curated, facilitated discussions where we aim to take conversations through to impact.
Key reasons to attend:
- Unpack the issues paper which will be launched at the Forum.
- Consider what frameworks and policies mean for growth and sustainability.
- Examine the sustainability balancing act of water, energy and cooling.
- Hear from case studies and innovators tackling embodied carbon, water and more.
- Workshop social licence and delivering real community value.
- Navigate sustainable finance and investment opportunities in a sector under growing scrutiny.
- Explore designing and building the next generation of high performing, future ready data centres.
- Take part in solution focused roundtable discussions, learn, share and network with industry.
Can’t make it to Sydney? Join the forum via virtual live stream on Tuesday 17 November.
This optional breakfast session examines where the market is heading, the opportunities and constraints shaping future development, and why sustainability considerations now extend far beyond operational energy efficiency. Gain a broad understanding of the forces influencing investment, growth and industry performance.
With market demand accelerating and expectations evolving, data centre leaders face a complex mix of opportunity and responsibility. This panel of senior industry leaders will explore the biggest drivers shaping the sector and share their perspectives on where sustainability can create competitive advantage, resilience and long-term value.
Further panellists to be confirmed.
Further panellists to be confirmed.
Developed through collaboration across industry, the Sustainable Data Centres Issues Paper identifies the sector's most significant sustainability opportunities, challenges and unresolved questions. This session formally launches the paper and explores the insights that emerged during its development, providing a foundation for discussion throughout the day.
The rapid growth of digital infrastructure is creating new demands on energy systems, water resources and essential infrastructure. This panel discussion explores the broader impacts of data centre development and operation, examining how the sector can balance growth with responsible resource management, community expectations and long-term resilience.
Further panellists to be confirmed.
The sustainability balancing act – water, energy and cooling trade-offs
Sustainability outcomes rarely exist in isolation. This session presents real-world examples and discussion with several rapid presentations including:
The energy-water nexus: Insights shaping the next chapter for NABERS
Case Study: Finding the balance
Sustainable finance and investment – what will the market reward?
As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, investors, lenders and asset owners are increasingly seeking credible evidence of long-term value and risk management. This session examines the growing relationship between sustainability performance and capital allocation.
Moderator:
Sustainability innovations changing data centres
Innovation will play a critical role in delivering the next generation of sustainable data centres. Through a series of fast-paced presentations, industry experts address some of the sector's toughest sustainability challenges.
Innovation 1: The site selection tool integrating planning zones, energy, water, fibre connectivity and potential community impacts into one platform.
Innovation 2: Designing out embodied carbon
Further presentations to be confirmed.
From social licence to community value
As data centres become increasingly visible in communities across Australia, it is essential to consider true community consultation and engagement. This interactive workshop explores how sustainability initiatives can create meaningful local benefits through employment, skills development, infrastructure, resilience and community partnerships. Delegates will work together to consider what it means for a data centre to be recognised not only as essential infrastructure, but as something of value.
Attendees select a relevant topic. The discussion will be curated and facilitated to focus upon possible solutions and the opportunities ahead.
Roundtable topics include:
- Working with the grid
- Cooling innovation
- Backup power
- Embodied carbon and materials
- Circularity
- Nature
- Community impact, value and local benefit
- Investment, finance and ESG performance
Roundtable facilitators include:
A rapid report back capturing the strongest opportunity, barrier and insight from each table.
What will a leading sustainable data centre look like in 2035? This future-focused plenary explores how designers, operators, developers and sustainability leaders are rethinking energy, cooling, embodied carbon, water, resilience and nature considerations to create facilities that are ready for the demands of an increasingly digital world. Delegates will hear how today's decisions can shape the next generation of high-performing, future-ready data centres.
Panellists include:
Speakers
Kane Thornton
Stacey Johnson
Said Hirsh
Simone Concha
Michael Puli
Magali Wardle
Kylie Cochrane
Evan Smith
Jeffrey D. Van Zetten
Dena Jacobs
Michael Dolan
Jack Cook
Professor Priya Rajagopalan
Belinda Dennett
David Earl
Inge Sarunic
Callum Burgess
Prameena Karunairaj
Suzi Davies
Tanzin Authoi
Joe Karten
Davina Rooney
Jamie Wallis
Jorge Chapa
Katy Dean
Breakfast session – start the day ahead of the room
Begin your day at the Sustainable Data Centres Forum with an optional breakfast session on Australia’s data centre landscape.
This session examines where the market is heading, the opportunities and constraints shaping future development, and why sustainability considerations now extend far beyond operational energy efficiency. Gain a broad understanding of the forces influencing investment, growth and industry performance.
When:
Tuesday 17 November, 7.45 – 8.45am
Where:
Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney – doors open 7.30am
Duration:
1 hour, including breakfast
Capacity:
Spots limited
Price:
Included with your in-person conference ticket
Speakers:
To be announced
Pricing
Save by registering early or as a member. Prices include GST.
Group discounts
Groups of 3-6 receive a 10% discount and can book through our website.
Groups of 7+ please contact us directly.
Venue information
Sustainable Data Centres Forum will be held at Dockside in Darling Harbour.
Dockside
Balcony Level 1 – Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park, Sydney NSW 2000
Entry
Follow signs to Dockside and make your way to Level 1 / Balcony level.
Getting there
Head down Druitt Street toward Sussex Street.
Take the Druitt Street ramp (beside the Darling Park Towers).
Continue over the Druitt Street foot bridge and down the stairs until you reach the Cockle Bay Wharf promenade.
When facing the water, the W Hotel (old IMAX) should be on your left – turn right and walk towards Nick’s Seafood Restaurant/towards the Cockle Bay Wharf bird fountain.
Behind the Pelican fountain towards the clock, and take the escalators or elevators up to LEVEL 1 / Balcony level.
Head down Market Street towards the Shelbourne Hotel.
Take the ramp towards the Pyrmont Bridge.
At the escalators, go down to the Rooftop level/start of Pyrmont Bridge and turn left at Rouge.
Head down the escalators once more to LEVEL 1 /Balcony level and continue walking past Café Del Mare to reach the venue.
The Closest Bike Parking is on Sussex Street
These are free standing racks. You can lock your bike to both sides.
Address: Sussex Street, Sydney 2000
You can plan and view further existing bike parking’s from City of Sydney website
Please note there is no on-site parking. We recommend the following:
Darling Park Car Park (opening hours vary, please refer to Wilsons Parking website for further details).
201 Sussex Street Upon entering the car park, follow the signs to Cockle Bay Wharf parking. Take the elevator up to level B and walk across the pedestrian bridge to Dockside.
Take a bus to the QVB and walk down Market Street towards Darling Harbour.
With thanks to our partners
Partnership enquires
The Sustainable Data Centres Forum is an unmatched opportunity to be positioned at the forefront of Australia’s most significant new infrastructure conversation – with direct visibility among the owners, developers, designers, operators and consultants driving sustainability outcomes across the sector.
We’re seeking values-aligned partners from across the industries that intersect with data centre development: energy, water, technology, finance, construction and community.
To receive our partnership prospectus or arrange a conversation, reach out to:
Brooke Ravens, Partnership Manager: brooke.ravens@gbca.org.au
Get in touch – contact us
Reach out to the right team for bookings, partnerships, or speaking opportunities at the Sustainable Data Centres Forum.
Bookings & General Enquiries
Education and Events team
Forum bookings, registrations and general questions
Speaking Opportunities
Nicola Scudamore
Senior Manager Industry Development
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Last updated: 12 October 2026