Despite the fear of a potential AI ‘bubble’ bursting, data centre development is showing no sign of slowing down in the UK. Recent predictions put data centre spending at over £10 billion by 2029, while almost 100 new facilities are currently progressing through the UK’s planning system. The government is committed to expanding its AI capabilities and becoming an ‘AI superpower’, and if it aims to keep up with global demand and technological advancement, the UK has no choice but to continue investment in data centres.
There is no shortage of discussion around the energy demand and carbon emissions challenges associated with the growth of data centres. The new UK Net Zero Buildings standard and the EU’s updated Energy Efficiency Directive reflect a shift towards overcoming these concerns. However, often left out of the conversation is the effect data centres have on nature.
We are living in a global biodiversity crisis, with research showing humans are driving biodiversity loss among all species. While this topic tends not to be at the forefront of UK sustainability conversations, our ecosystems are at serious risk from rushed infrastructure development. Many data centres fit into this category, often being built on large greenfield sites and risking the loss of crucial habitats.
If the UK is to ride the AI wave sustainably and responsibly, we must limit the damage of these developments. Luckily, there is reason to be optimistic. When delivered responsibly, data centres do not have to damage their environments. In fact, they can actually reverse nature damage and boost biodiversity.
Evolving regulation – the first incentive
Data centres may soon be forced to consider their biodiversity impact due to the changing regulatory landscape. While the UK charts its own course post-Brexit, the EU's Nature Restoration Law – mandating biodiversity recovery by 2050 – signals the direction of travel for environmental regulation globally. Similar frameworks are being implemented by different authorities across the globe, and the UK won’t want to lag behind in its environmental ambition.
In practice, this means data centre operators must move beyond traditional environmental impact assessments and toward demonstrating genuine ecological contribution. Working collaboratively with ecologists can ensure data centres actively support and promote their surrounding natural environment.
The business opportunity – the second incentive
Many developers are also recognising that ecological enhancement isn't simply environmentally responsible – it's commercially advantageous. Biodiversity-positive projects face fewer planning delays, generate less community opposition and attract tenants increasingly focused on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.
This approach also builds resilience. Climate change brings increasing risks from extreme weather events, water scarcity and temperature fluctuations. Data centres designed with natural systems integration will be better positioned to adapt to these challenges while maintaining operational reliability.
With planning authorities increasingly scrutinising biodiversity outcomes, and communities demanding more in their environmental expectations, forward-thinking developers recognise this isn't just about compliance. It's about future-proofing investments and building genuine social licence to operate in an era of heightened environmental awareness.
What can data centres do?
The data centre industry is already well-versed in systematic environmental assessment through carbon accounting. The same rigorous, evidence-based approach can - and should - be applied to nature.
By adopting frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), businesses can incorporate nature into their financial and business decisions. At Arup, we have been using similar methodologies for years to help projects evaluate and reduce carbon emissions across the value chain. Now, we’re applying that same thinking to nature.
This methodological shift is already yielding results. Assessment approaches that evaluate nature-related risks, dependencies and opportunities across the entire data centre value chain are revealing significant potential for ecological enhancement that traditional environmental impact assessments often miss.
The key is moving beyond checkbox compliance toward strategic integration of ecological considerations into core business decisions – from site selection through to operational management. But what do the operational solutions look like in practice?
The opportunity for data centres to benefit their environments is more extensive than many realise: sustainable drainage systems can recreate wetland habitats while managing surface water; green roofs and living walls provide nesting sites and food sources for urban wildlife; and native tree planting creates visual screening while establishing wildlife corridors.
A recent Arup project in Spain illustrates the potential of this approach. Working across multiple disciplines – including ecology, landscape design and water management – the development team created environmental interventions that recovered local species, improved habitat connectivity for animal movement and restored degraded watercourses. The result was measurable biodiversity net gain and a facility that became a genuine community asset rather than an unwelcome neighbour.
These approaches aren't confined to rural locations. Urban data centres can reduce local temperature extremes through strategic landscaping, while utilising plants and their natural ability to filter and purify air to improve air quality. Finally, the added benefit of extra green spaces benefits both wildlife and local communities.
An AI superpower without costing the planet
The UK has ambitions to become a leader in the AI space. While this is commendable, it is not enough on its own. It must coincide with becoming a pioneer in promoting data centres working with nature, not against it. In so many industries, we now understand that progress cannot come at the expense of the planet, and data centres are no exception.
The crisis the world’s ecosystems are facing requires us to take on this challenge urgently. If those of us working in the data centre industry want to be remembered for a boom that brought about a positive change to the world, we must look to partner data centres with nature. This means going beyond abiding by current laws, but ensuring teams across disciplines are working to identify opportunities to help restore nature, not just limit damage. This must be done early on in project design and as a central element, not as a side note.
Operators that contribute to biodiversity net gain will stay ahead of their competition, and reap the commercial benefits – however, for me, the biggest incentive is the legacy we leave behind. Do we want to be remembered as an industry that opposed our natural world and caused extinctions, or one that set an example of industry working alongside nature?
