TCO Development and SDIA aim to develop a sustainability certification for cloud infrastructure

The environmental impact of cloud services and data centers is growing, as more IT systems move from local computers to the cloud. With resource-intensive services such as AI on the rise, the demand for digital transformation, digital products and services, and sustainable solutions will continue to grow.

The collaboration between TCO Development and SDIA started about a year ago, to drive progress toward more sustainable data center solutions. Today, the relationship has intensified. The goal is to develop new criteria for cloud infrastructure as part of TCO Certified, comprising data center sustainability best practices, setting the standard for transparent and more sustainable digital resources.

“TCO Development has pushed the boundaries for more sustainable IT products for 30 years. By extending the certification scope to include services, we will be able to drive sustainability across a broader range of industries and influence the service providers to adopt more sustainable practices”, says Andreas Nobell, Development Manager at TCO Development.

“Reducing the environmental impact of IT is a strategic priority for organizations globally. As more organizations are moving away from generating their own digital resources, from on-premise IT infrastructure to procuring digital resources from external suppliers, ensuring environmental and social sustainability is critical”, says Max Schulze, CEO at SDIA.

TCO Development has certified data center products since 2019. More information can be found here.

About SDIA
Established in 2019, the SDIA. is a non-profit network of more than 100 organizations collaboratively working to build a sustainable digital economy. It aligns all stakeholders within the digital ecosystem – from industry to governments, suppliers, and consumers – to realize its Roadmap to Sustainable Digital Infrastructure by 2030.

TCO Certified is the global sustainability certification for IT products, empowering both IT buyers and brands to make more responsible choices. Our comprehensive criteria are designed to drive social and environmental responsibility and are updated continuously to push sustainability where it matters most. Compliance with all criteria is always independently verified for every product. Our Roadmap for Sustainable IT is the long-term plan for addressing issues in four key areas: climate, substances, circularity and supply chain. By using TCO Certified, you join a global movement for sustainable IT.