Sustainability Impact of AI & Data Centers

Join the Net Impact Amsterdam community for an in-depth exploration of the sustainability impact of AI and data centers with leading experts in the field.

AI is disrupting everything - from healthcare to finance - but how sustainable is its rise? With global data center electricity consumption expected to double by 2030 and AI usage growing exponentially, are we prepared for the environmental cost of AI adoption?

According to the International Energy Agency, AI’s electricity consumption could rival that of entire countries within the next decade. With over 8,000 new data centers planned globally, how can we ensure they’re built with climate in mind? Yet, sustainability isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. As KPMG notes, AI can be a powerful enabler of decarbonization when deployed on clean grids and optimized for energy efficiency.

Join us as we unpack the latest strategies—from renewable procurement and circular IT design to dynamic workload scheduling and next-gen powering models. Together, we’ll explore how industry leaders, technologists, renewable energy providers, and standard setters can build a future where AI innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

What to Expect:
Throughout the session, expert speakers and panelists will share perspectives on key topics, helping participants develop a deeper understanding of and exchange on the environmental consequences of the rapid growth of AI & data centers - and different mitigation strategies.

Agenda (subject to change):

1. Arrival between 18:30 - 19:00

2. Introduction to Data Centers and their sustainability impact (19:00 - 19:15) - Jacquelina Zhou, Sustainability Advisory & ESG Tech at KPMG and Klara Keutel, Energy Market Expert at Vattenfall

3. Latest sustainability practices at data centers - Vinh Thong Le Nhut, Director Energy Risk Management, Digital Realty (19:15 - 19:25)
Digital Realty develops and runs hundreds of data centers around the world. As part of its sustainability efforts, the organization has 1.5GW of renewable energy assets under contract and already meets 75% of their energy consumptionby renewables.

4. Using server heat for hot showers - David Kohnstamm - Founder & CEO, Leafcloud (19:25 - 19:35)
Leafcloud is rethinking data centers: By retrofitting existing urban buildings, they reduce new constructions and resource waste. And the waste heat from the servers is recycled for building heating & hot showers.

5. Q&A and Panel Discussion on Strategies for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Data Centers (19:35 - 20:00)

• Circularity & Resource Efficiency
• Clean Energy Procurement
• Demand Optimization
• AI as Enabler

6. Interactive session with all participants (20:10 - 20:40)

7. Networking & Drinks (20.40 to 21.30)

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Net Impact Amsterdam