Data centers spark U.K. campaigners' national days of action

Campaigners and communities in the U.K. held two days of action on 27–28 February to highlight environmental concerns about the projected growth of data centers; MPs have opened an Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into their energy and water impacts.

Communities and campaigners across the U.K. organised two days of action on 27–28 February to raise environmental concerns about the rapid projected growth of data centers. The events were organised by the non-profit Global Action Plan and included public demonstrations and online meetings hosted by groups such as Action to Protect Rural Scotland and Global Justice Now. The activity coincided with a new inquiry by Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee into the environmental impacts of data centers. Officials and experts have noted uncertainty about future energy and water demand as the sector expands. Key points: - The national days of action ran on 27–28 February and included a march in London and online events focused on data centre impacts on communities and the environment. - The Environmental Audit Committee has launched an inquiry to examine how much energy and water data centers are likely to use and how that could affect the U.K.'s net zero goals; committee chair Toby Perkins said impacts should be considered before large-scale approvals. - Energy secretary Ed Miliband told the committee that future energy demand from data centers "remains inherently uncertain," according to a published letter. - Industry and academic specialists noted possible system pressures: research cited by a consultancy and the World Economic Forum projects data centre capacity growth could account for 8–10% of the increase in electricity demand by 2035, and experts flagged significant local water use for large hyperscale facilities. Summary: Campaigners staged national actions to highlight environmental and community concerns as Parliament begins a formal inquiry into the sector's energy and water requirements. The inquiry is under way; the eventual findings and any policy responses are undetermined at this time.