BCS Consultancy has launched a new Sustainable Development Service focused specifically on data centre projects, signalling a strategic shift as the sector faces mounting pressure from AI-driven growth, regulatory scrutiny and community resistance. The consultancy has appointed James Rogers Jones as Head of Sustainable Development to lead the initiative.

The launch reflects the rapidly changing operating environment for data centre developers. Power constraints, planning uncertainty and growing public concern around energy and water use are increasingly shaping project viability. BCS said the new service is designed to help clients navigate these challenges by embedding sustainability considerations directly into decision-making, rather than treating them as a separate compliance exercise.

AI growth reshapes sustainability priorities

BCS said the surge in demand for AI-related infrastructure has brought unprecedented attention to the environmental footprint of data centres, particularly around electricity consumption, cooling requirements and water usage. In response, sustainability is becoming a core operational issue rather than a reputational or reporting concern.

The consultancy stressed that the new Sustainable Development Service is fully integrated into its existing capabilities across project management, cost management, commercial advisory and technical delivery. According to BCS, this represents a fundamental evolution in how it supports clients across the full lifecycle of data centre developments, from early strategy through delivery and expansion.

Read more: Equinix Malaysia: AI, Regulation and ESG Are Reshaping the Future of Digital Infrastructure

From compliance to long-term strategy

The new service will focus on helping clients make long-term, defensible decisions in an increasingly constrained environment. BCS said its work will include data centre roadmaps, portfolio-level strategies, sustainability frameworks and policy advisory, with an emphasis on aligning infrastructure development with regulatory expectations and community realities.

The firm linked the launch directly to rising opposition to data centre projects in several European markets, where concerns over grid capacity, land use and local environmental impacts have already led to delays and cancellations. Operating across the EMEA region, with offices in London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Vienna and Milan, BCS said it has seen sustainability considerations move to the centre of planning discussions across all major markets.

Planning risk and community scrutiny

BCS noted that data centre development in parts of Europe is increasingly constrained by access to power and local planning decisions. Developers are facing more intense scrutiny over how large facilities affect surrounding communities, including concerns about noise, water stress and the impact on local electricity prices.

The consultancy said these issues will be a key focus of its forthcoming BCS 2026 Data Centre Trends Report, which will examine how community expectations are evolving. According to BCS, local stakeholders are now asking for more than renewable energy commitments, with water usage and affordability becoming central to project acceptance.

Explore OneStop ESG Marketplace: AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Leadership focused on operational sustainability

Rogers Jones joins BCS with experience advising major data centre operators and investors, including Digital Realty, Google, GreenScale and AtlasEdge. His background spans strategy, compliance and operational sustainability, positioning him to bridge sustainability objectives with delivery realities.

“Data centres underpin our modern economy and are one of the most impactful industries in the world,” Rogers Jones said. “These assets can deliver enormous value to both clients and the communities they serve.”

He added that sustainability in the sector is no longer primarily about ESG signalling or distant carbon targets, but is increasingly tied to energy security, price stability and operational resilience.

Client expectations drive advisory shift

BCS said client demand is shifting toward advisory support that combines commercial planning with environmental and social considerations, particularly as developers work through site selection, grid access and planning approvals.

Chris Coward, Chief Operating Officer at BCS Consultancy, said developers are facing multiple pressures at once, from power availability and planning risk to long-term resilience and community scrutiny. He said the new service is designed to simplify how clients achieve sustainability outcomes by embedding expertise directly into project delivery teams.

The consultancy positioned the appointment of Rogers Jones as a reinforcement of its broader focus on long-term planning across the full project lifecycle. BCS said sustainability considerations will increasingly influence project definition, procurement strategies and stakeholder engagement as AI-driven demand continues to shape new builds and expansions across Europe.

Explore ESG Solutions on our marketplace - OneStop ESG Marketplace.

Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.

OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.

Stay informed with the latest insights on OneStop ESG News.

Discover meaningful career opportunities on OneStop ESG Jobs.