Zero‑Carbon Data Centers: Small Parts, Big Stakes
Hyperscale builds are accelerating, and so are carbon promises. That pressure flows straight down the supply chain. If your product touches a data center shell, rack, cable path, cooling loop, floor, coating, or label, your embodied carbon now influences whether you get spec’d at all.
Why the race is on
AI buildouts are reshaping power demand, which keeps sustainability leaders on the hook for bigger, faster cuts. Global electricity use from data centers is projected to more than double to around 945 TWh by 2030, with AI as the main driver (IEA, 2025) (IEA, 2025). In the United States, this segment accounts for a large share of expected grid growth through 2030 (EIA, 2025).
Energy was step one, materials are step two
Operators are matching consumption with cleaner electricity, then turning to embodied carbon in the buildings and equipment that house compute. Google even flags cloud regions with higher carbon‑free energy percentages so customers can choose lower‑carbon locations (Google Cloud, 2025). At the build stage, pilots with mass timber and lower‑carbon concrete show double‑digit embodied‑carbon cuts for new facilities (Microsoft, 2024).
The multiplier effect of “minor” inputs
One fastener at 0.12 kg CO₂e looks trivial until a campus uses 1.2 million of them. That is 144 t CO₂e, roughly the same order as a sizable mechanical package. Cable trays, coatings, sealants, anchors, castors, labels, filters, even rack grommets, repeat across thousands of rooms and refresh cycles. Small per‑unit impacts multiply, then show up in Scope 3 reports that determine who gets future work.
Why EPDs tip the scales
When a product‑specific, third‑party verified EPD is available, procurement can count the declared values. Without one, many teams default to conservative database factors, which function like a quiet penalty in carbon budgets. That penalty can push a product off the shortlist even if price and performance are solid. An EPD removes guesswork, unlocks credible comparisons, and shortens sign‑offs because reviewers can trust the verification.
What buyers will ask for now
Expect requests for product‑specific EPDs that follow EN 15804 or ISO 14025, declared at the plant level where possible. They will want a clean bill of materials alignment, a reference year for data, and machine‑readable outputs so data can flow into internal dashboards. Some owners also ask for evidence of recycled content, low‑carbon mix designs, or renewable feedstock shares alongside the EPD to defend design choices in their audits.
The BOM reality of data centers
Data centers are libraries of repetition. A single campus can install the same coating, cable tie, or HVAC filter tens of thousands of times, then repeat during refresh cycles every few years. If your item is cheap, standardized, and everywhere, it is a carbon line item with leverage. Treat it as such, or someone else will.
Fast path to an EPD without drama
Start with the SKU families that repeat the most per megawatt built. Pull utility, production, material, and waste data for a recent 12‑month period. If a product is new, a prospective EPD based on three months of production is often feasible, then updated once a full year of data accrues. Choose the PCR your competitors use, unless an expiring rule would force a rework soon. Publish with a reputable program operator and request a digital dataset alongside the PDF so procurement can ingest it in hours, not weeks.
Quality that passes the hyperscale sniff test
Auditors look for consistent system boundaries, transparent secondary data choices, and credible allocation. They notice if your declared unit does not match how the product is actually purchased. They also notice typos, which sounds petty but it signals sloppiness. Make review easy with clear assumptions, referenced cut‑off rules, and a tidy annex of evidence.
The spec win arithmetic
An EPD for a repeating, “minor” input can pay back on one medium campus. Multiply a one‑time credential across racks, rooms, and regions and the revenue story compounds. If you want a seat at the zero‑carbon table, treat every nut, tray, sealant, and coat as a carbon product. The market is moving either way, and it is moving quickly, definately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do data center owners really look at embodied carbon for small parts like fasteners or coatings?
Yes. Repetition turns small per‑unit impacts into large totals across a campus, and product‑specific EPDs let owners count your actual values instead of conservative defaults.
If my product is new, can I publish an EPD before we have a full year of data?
Often yes. A prospective EPD can start with shorter datasets, then you update once a complete 12‑month reference period is available, following program operator rules.
Which PCR should we use for a niche component?
Start with the competitive set and the most commonly used PCR for similar products. Consider expiry dates and operator preferences to avoid rework during your next renewal.
Will an older in‑date EPD hurt us against a newer one?
Not usually. If it is valid and verified, buyers rarely penalize age unless it is close to expiring within the next few months.
What data format should we provide to buyers?
Give them the verified PDF plus a machine‑readable file from the program operator so the numbers load directly into their internal tools without manual entry.
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
