Data centres play a vital role in the digital age, housing the services that power data storage, processing and training of generative AI models. But how can we meet their immense resource demands while ensuring sustainability, resilience and responsible growth?

This session will explore the unique sustainability challenges and opportunities of data centres in the Australian and global context. We’ll consider how data centres differ from other building types, the ownership and operating models that influence sustainability outcomes and the role of planning policy, regulation and grid interactivity in shaping the sector’s future. We’ll look at resource demands driven by artificial intelligence, the critical need for parallel investment across infrastructure and the emerging technologies shaping industry.  

What You Will Learn

• Unpack the unique sustainability challenges of data centres and the role of Green Star

• Understand how data centres differ from other building types and gain insights into the escalating resource demands of data centres in the era of artificial intelligence.

• Explore the influence of ownership and operating models on sustainability outcomes.

• Identify opportunities for grid interactivity and the role of planning, policy, and regulation.

• Examine climate adaptation strategies and the environmental implications of critical infrastructure development impacts on nature and biodiversity.

• Discover leading practices in water optimisation and resource efficiency

Our experts:

• Simone Concha, Director, Natural Progress  

• Nishi Vissamraju, Head of Sustainability, NEXTDC  

• Alex Sear, Director, ADP Consulting

• Jamie Wallis, Senior Manager Buildings, Fitouts & Performance, Green Building Council of Australia

Who Should Attend

This session will be valuable for professionals working across the built environment and infrastructure sectors including sustainability leaders, data centre designers and operators, policy makers, regulators and utility providers.