DENVER (July 7, 2022) – Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, has released its first annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability, equity and transparency. In the report, Vantage, which has 26 data center campuses on five continents, highlights a number of long-term goals to reduce its carbon footprint, promote an equitable workplace and prioritize employee and customer safety.
“At Vantage Data Centers, we take our commitment to sustainability and equity very seriously,” said Sureel Choksi, president and CEO of Vantage Data Centers. “Our first annual ESG report shows the significant progress we have made toward reaching our established goals, yet it also reflects that there is more work to be done on behalf of our employees, customers, investors and the environment. We look forward to sharing our initiatives and results to date with our numerous constituents and are excited to continue our partnerships aimed at advancing and preserving our world.”
As part of the report, Vantage used a third party to conduct a materiality assessment that surveyed customers, investors, employees, utility providers, community representatives and local governments about their top ESG priorities. The results of this assessment provided Vantage with the foundation that shaped the goals outlined in the ESG report.
Highlights of Vantage’s 2021 ESG report include:
Environmental Stewardship
- Net zero carbon emissions by 2030: In 2021, Vantage announced a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions globally by 2030, marking a significant step in the company’s long-term commitment to increase efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts at its hyperscale data center campuses worldwide. The company has several initiatives underway to reach this goal. For example, Vantage recently entered a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SolarAfrica to secure 87MWp of solar energy for its Johannesburg data center campus. This investment is forecasted to reduce the emission of CO2 in the region by an additional 3.8 million tons over the lifetime of the agreement. In addition, Vantage has reduced embodied carbon by approximately 1,800 MTCO2e in three recent expansions in Virginia, Arizona and California by using fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) instead of steel for some equipment supports and pedestrian walkways.
- Deploying renewable diesel fuel: Vantage recently replaced diesel fuel with Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in back-up generators at the company’s Cardiff, UK, data center campus. HVO’s primary environmental advantage is its far cleaner sourcing and creation, resulting in less embodied carbon compared to diesel fuel. The company plans to continue the use of HVO across the globe whenever possible.
- Making use of waste heat: The company is also exploring ways to make use of waste heat by exporting it from its Switzerland data center campus – which is sited in an area with an average January temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit – into the local district heat network for use by adjacent buildings.
Social
- JEDI Council: Vantage’s 85-member Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Council has created several programs to promote diversity, including the Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF). The WLF’s goals include increasing the number of women job candidates, ensuring women receive due recognition and promotions, and improving female representation within executive leadership.
- Giving back: Vantage has given back to its communities by donating with an employee match to UNICEF Poland, supporting those fleeing Ukraine as refugees, participating in blood drives and more.
- N+HUMANKIND campaign: Featuring employees from across the globe, Vantage launched a DE&I campaign titled, “N+HUMANKIND.” The campaign supports the idea that by embracing a diverse and inclusive workforce, individuals will be encouraged and empowered to be their best selves. The campaign is a call to the entire data center industry to take advantage of the benefits that accrue from a commitment to diversity.
Governance
- Risk management governance structure: Vantage employs an Executive Risk Council (ERC) that identifies and plans for possible or probable events, external and internal, that could negatively impact the company achieving their strategic objectives.
- A solidified internal audit process: Vantage leadership enhanced the organization’s management systems in 2021, solidifying its internal audit process, now governed by professional standards set by The Institute of Internal Auditors, and introducing a new, in-depth approach to enterprise risk management.
- Safety first: Vantage’s 2021 safety scorecard recorded zero employee and contractor fatalities and zero occupational diseases. The company launched an internal safety recognition program, as well as a Golden Ticket Program that recognizes contractors and subcontractors who demonstrate initiative in ensuring a safe workspace.
To download the full 2021 ESG report, click here.
About Vantage Data Centers
Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across five continents in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.
For more information, visit www.vantage-dc.com.
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Press Contacts
Mark Freeman
Vantage Data Centers
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Robin Bectel
REQ for Vantage Data Centers
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