Join us in building the new data center ESG playbook
A new initiative brings the data center ecosystem together to define how we build and operate responsible infrastructure aligned with EU Sustainability ambitions.
As digital infrastructure becomes the backbone of modern society, the data center industry faces growing pressure to address its environmental and societal impact. Yet despite rapid growth, the sector still lacks a shared framework for what sustainable and responsible data center operations should look like.
Cecilia Hjertzell and Johanna Flood are launching dcently to help fill the gaps they have identified across the industry.
“We want to create a space where the industry can come together and openly discuss what is missing, what the challenges are, and how we move forward together,” says Cecilia Hjertzell.
dcently aims to connect the entire data center value chain — customers, operators, investors, technology providers, and suppliers — to identify material ESG topics, share best practices, and collaborate on practical solutions for a more sustainable industry.
“Data centers are a key enabler of society’s digital transformation,” says Johanna Flood. “That also means the industry itself must actively drive its own sustainability transition.”
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers currently account for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption, with demand expected to double as AI adoption, cloud computing, and digital services continue to expand.
Through a series of six collaborative industry sessions, dcently will work with participants to develop a shared sustainability playbook for data centers. The initiative will focus on defining the industry’s most material ESG topics, identifying solutions, strengthening sustainability requirements across the supply chain, and creating greater transparency around best practices and responsible infrastructure development.
The network is designed as a collaborative forum where stakeholders can openly discuss challenges, exchange experiences, and accelerate progress together applying the Chatham house rules.
In addition, dcently plans to establish a sustainability award for the data center industry, with criteria developed collectively by the industry itself.
“This is not about one company setting the rules,” adds Cecilia Hjertzell. “It is about creating a shared direction for an industry that is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly important to society.”
About the Founders
Cecilia Hjertzell
Cecilia Hjertzell has worked with sustainability, branding, and communication within the IT and telecom sector for decades. She previously worked as Chief Sustainability and Marketing Officer at T.Loop, with brand strategy at Telia company and has extensive experience in sustainable IT initiatives and stakeholder engagement. Cecilia was also part of founding the CIO CO2 Network, is a trained Climate Reality Leader, and currently serves as Chair of Ocean Community Nordic.
Johanna Flood
Johanna Flood brings extensive experience from sustainability in the industrial and energy sectors, from ABB and as Global Head of Environment for Hitachi Energy. Over the past three years, she has focused on the data center industry as a senior sustainability consultant, supporting companies such as EcoDataCenter and atNorth in developing sustainability strategies and ESG initiatives.
