USGBC Highlights Data Centre Sustainability as 2,000 Facilities Pursue LEED Certification

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is encouraging data center developers and operators to improve environmental transparency and adopt more sustainable building practices as artificial intelligence drives increasing demand for computing infrastructure. Speaking at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in New York on 20 October 2026, USGBC representatives highlighted the growing importance of energy efficiency, renewable electricity and community engagement in data center development. As of September 2026, more than 2,000 data centers worldwide were LEED-certified or registered for certification, representing approximately 591 million square feet of building space, including around 350 certified facilities in the United States.

 

Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel at USGBC, emphasized that greater transparency could help data center developers address concerns about electricity consumption and environmental impacts. "Data center owners and developers are recognizing that they need to be more transparent," she said. The organization is developing additional compliance pathways for data center building performance as regulatory scrutiny increases. According to Beardsley, four US states have introduced data-center-specific building performance disclosure requirements, while other jurisdictions have broader energy benchmarking regulations.

 

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USGBC is also supporting the development of international sustainability benchmarks through the Greening AI Data Centers Coalition, launched in April 2026 with other building and climate organizations. The initiative aims to establish clearer sustainability criteria for data center construction and operations, addressing energy consumption, carbon emissions, water use and community impacts. Beardsley identified opportunities for data centers to integrate renewable electricity, battery storage and waste heat recovery into their operations. Such measures could help facilities manage peak electricity demand, improve energy efficiency, and potentially benefit neighboring communities.

 

Community engagement is becoming increasingly important as data center expansion creates new infrastructure and electricity requirements. Beardsley suggested that agreements between developers, utilities, and local authorities could include financing residential energy-efficiency improvements or installing battery systems that support both data center operations and community resilience. While these approaches offer potential environmental and economic benefits, their effectiveness depends on coordination and project-level implementation. The growing adoption of green building certification reflects increased attention to data center sustainability. However, LEED registration alone does not confirm that a facility has achieved certification or demonstrated verified emissions reductions.