Key facts
- A global coalition of 40 mayors has united to establish standards for AI data centers.
- The pact addresses concerns about data centers draining power, water, and land resources.
- Signatories include cities from North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.
- The standards require data centers to use renewable energy, reduce water consumption, and benefit local communities.
- The initiative aims to prevent data center expansion from overwhelming urban infrastructure.
A global coalition of 40 mayors has united to establish standards for the rapid expansion of AI data centers, citing concerns over their strain on power, water, and land resources. The pact, launched by C40 Cities, an alliance focused on climate change, sets common requirements for data center development, including the use of clean energy, responsible site selection, reduced water consumption, and community benefits.
The initiative emerged from discussions between the mayors of Phoenix and Melbourne, who identified similar issues with data centers consuming significant electricity and water, and competing for land. Phoenix, a major North American data center market, faces potential doubling of its electricity demand from pending permit requests alone. Mayor Kate Gallego emphasized the need to balance innovation and job creation with local resident needs and planetary health.
In Melbourne, data centers could consume up to 20 billion liters of water annually, representing approximately 4% of the city's drinking water supply, which is already under pressure. The new standards demand that data centers be built on underused land, powered by renewable energy with battery storage, and required to minimize water use, cut emissions, and capture waste heat. They should also prioritize local job creation, sourcing, and community engagement.
While about half of the signatories are U.S. cities, the pact also includes signatories from Europe, Canada, Kenya, South Africa, India, Australia, and Lebanon. Notably, no cities from Southeast Asia, a region with significant data center growth and energy demand, have signed on, with some citing national policies as a barrier. Data centers are drawn to cities for the low latency required by AI systems, often forming clusters that drive development into both urban and rural areas.