From wind and sun to bits, bytes and warm homes: How Switch Datacenters is turning digital infrastructure into climate solutions
Switch Datacenters designs, builds and operates data centers that power the European digital economy. Their clients range from cloud providers and security companies to financial institutions and ecommerce platforms. With this role comes a responsibility to minimise environmental impact as energy demand grows. Switch Datacenters aims to prove that high performance and sustainability can reinforce each other.
We spoke with Cara Mascini, Chief Sustainability Officer at Switch Datacenters, about how the company uses Salacia to turn ambition into measurable progress.
A Mission Built on Efficiency and Impact
Sustainability at Switch Datacenters has long been driven by intrinsic motivation. Even before formal reporting began, the organisation invested in meaningful climate solutions. They repurpose heat from data centres to support homes, greenhouses and municipalities. In Diemen, they are facilitating a project to supply heat to households. In De Kwakel, they are working with horticultural greenhouses to start supplying green residual heat to them, thereby helping to ease the regional grid congestion of electrification and the move of natural gas at the same time.
What they lacked was measurable evidence of their impact. Cara explains:
“We always believed we were doing the right things. Now we finally have the data to prove it and to see exactly where we can improve.”
With increasing expectations from regulators, sector alliances and global clients who are CSRD obligated, Switch Datacenters needed consistent and reliable ESG data. They required a structured approach to report across multiple entities, meet the Energy Efficiency Directive and align with initiatives such as the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact.
Moving From Good Intentions to Measurable Results
It became clear that spreadsheets were no longer workable. Matching emissions to activities, aligning data with standards and consolidating information across the group required a professional system.
“The personal involvement from the Salacia team made all the difference. Fast, pragmatic and always accessible. We never felt like a number.”
Salacia now provides Switch Datacenters with a single reporting foundation across operations and development projects. Information is traceable, validated and aligned with established frameworks in a way that satisfies auditors, investors and clients.
Insights Leading to Action
Understanding the True Footprint
When Switch Datacenters consolidated data in Salacia, a clearer footprint emerged. Scope 1 and 2 were confirmed to be very small, while scope 3 contained the majority of impact.
“We expected scope 1 and 2 to be small, and they are. What surprised us was the scale of scope 3. That insight changes how we prioritise our actions.”
The platform also revealed measurement gaps. Heat and water flows had not been distinguished clearly between internal use and delivery to partners. Once boundaries were more clear, the footprint changed significantly and data interpretation became more reliable. And Switch Datacenters knows which steps need to be made to further improve.
“Insight is the foundation. Once you have it, you can steer with confidence and put your energy into impact rather than chasing data.”
These improvements will make future reporting cycles faster and more efficient.
From Operations to Development
Switch Datacenters is now extending ESG data into the early stages of data center development. Several locations are entering new construction phases and the goal is to capture embodied carbon and material use from the start.
“We want ESG data captured from day one so we can make better choices about materials and design.”
The company is exploring circular and modular construction and considering timber‑based structures for future locations. These design choices support carbon reduction and improve transparency across the value chain.
Creative Climate Solutions in Practice
Switch Datacenters most innovative work links digital infrastructure to societal impact. One project converts renewable energy into heat for greenhouses, turning wind and sun into bits, bytes and eventually tulips and cucumbers. Another supplies heat to households, while a third helps resolve grid congestion for local operators.
“Our heat reuse projects show that digital infrastructure can support real societal challenges, from reducing grid congestion to heating homes and greenhouses.”
These projects will now be integrated into Switch Datacenters ESG calculations and pathways towards 2030 and 2040.
A Faster and More Reliable Way of Working
Switch Datacenters estimates that reporting with Salacia is at least 50 percent faster than attempting to manage everything in spreadsheets. More important than speed, however, is the ability to take strategic decisions with confidence.
The carbon accounting module from Salacia’s ESG Data Hub (ESRS E1/GHG) forms the basis of their VSME and Energy Efficiency Directive reporting. Water metrics will receive deeper analysis next. Switch Datacenters also plans to expand automation, supplier engagement and scenario analysis using Salacia as a single source of truth.
Building the Foundation for Future Growth
By transforming their ESG processes, Switch Datacenters has created a reliable baseline for strategic decisions while meeting regulatory expectations. It enables transparent communication with investors and clients and helps reduce environmental impact across operations and developments.
As Cara summarises:
“Salacia gives us the insight we need to support our vision. It helps us understand where the real impact lies, so we can make better informed decisions.”
Switch Datacenters demonstrates that sustainability in digital infrastructure requires accurate data, strong governance and creative thinking. With this foundation, the company is ready to drive its sector towards a more resilient future.
