NEXTDC launches 'first of its kind' carbon neutrality program

Australian data center provider NEXTDC has launched a carbon neutrality program, the likes of which have been called the first of its kind in the local market.

The NEXTNeutral data center program encourages organisations to advance their own sustainability priorities, and to work with NEXTDC with the aim of using carbon offsets to 'decarbonise the digital economy'.

NEXTDC currently operates as a 100% carbon neutral company under the Australian Government's Climate Active Program, while the NEXTNeutral solution has also been certified as a Climate Active colocation solution.

The company states that it is moving forward with its commitment to sustainability by encouraging its entire ecosystem to operate at zero net carbon emissions within the NEXTDC data center space.

NEXTDC chief executive officer Craig Scroggie says the company was the first data center operator in Australia to be certified as Climate Active.

"Our customers, partners and stakeholders care deeply about environmental sustainability and the industry's future impact on the environment. We are dedicated to reducing the impact our data centers have on our natural surroundings.

One of those partnerships is with Qantas Future Planet (a partnership in itself between Qantas and Tasman Environmental Markets). The partnership enables NEXTDC to negate its carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon offsets.

According to the company, carbon offsets purchased under NEXTneutral are used to fund a portfolio of selected ecological projects which include the restoration of wetlands and rainforests impacted by commercial development; the protection of pristine Australian habitats such as the Great Barrier Reef; and supporting Indigenous culture and traditional sustainable land management practices such as cool fire burning.

Qantas sustainability and Future Planet executive manager David Young says the carbon neutral offering builds on a long-standing partnership history with NEXTDC.

"It is a testament to NEXTDC's commitment to sustainable engineering and the important role offsets play in mitigating the environmental impact of energy use. NEXTneutral is evidence that big data can have a zero footprint.

Scroggie adds that the data center industry supports growth in technology and information creation, but all of the networks and computers consume huge amounts of electricity.

"We remain focused on the overall efficiency of our data centers, demonstrated through our NABERS 5-star efficiency ratings, and contributing to the global efforts in managing climate change", said Mr Scroggie.

"The next step in our journey is to extend our own carbon offset program to our customers. It's with great excitement that we now invite everyone in our ecosystem to join NEXTneutral and offset 100% of their carbon footprint.