Scala receives carbon neutral certification in Brazil

Scala Data Centers, a hyperscale data centre platform based in Brazil, has announced it has reached net-zero carbon emissions in the country for 2020/2021, resulting in the company receiving the carbon-neutral certification, awarded by Natural Capital Partners, experts in carbon neutrality and climate finance. The certificate means that Scala is the first Latin American data centre company to attain carbon neutrality.

Rebecca Fay, Chief Marketing Officer at Natural Capital Partners, said: "We are delighted to be working with Scala on its carbon-neutral programme as the Company supports these critical projects in Brazil. Preventing deforestation and shifting to sustainable fuel use are two of the highest impact ways that we can deal with climate change”.

Scala’s carbon compensation projects 

The company has also invested in carbon compensation projects that will also deliver a number of other sustainable development benefits to Brazil. These include preventing deforestation in 105,000 hectares of rainforest and building sustainable economic livelihoods for communities in the northern region of Brazil, along the Purus, Juruá, and Valparaíso rivers, in the state of Acre, and changing the fuel source of the kilns at the Kitambar ceramics factory in the state of Pernambuco to renewable biomasses such as mesquite and cashew tree wood, which help to protect a region of 895 sq km from deforestation.

"Actions speak louder than promises, and our commitment to sustainability is evident through our dedication to supporting an array of different projects throughout Brazil”, said Christiana Weisshuhn, Executive Director of Strategy and Marketing at Scala. "We want a better future for our employees, our customers, the communities in which we operate, and our society at large, and we are proud to be doing our part”. 

According to Scala, the carbon-neutral certification was achieved through its commitment to projects to significantly increase energy efficiency and reduce water consumption. Since 2020, the company has been operating under 100% renewable energy under long-term PPAs which are backed by renewable energy certificates (RECs). 

Marcos Peigo, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Scala, said: "We are setting a new standard for the data centre industry by proving through tangible actions that it is possible to reconcile robust growth with investments based on sustainability. 

Rebecca Fay added that Natural Capital Partners is “grateful for Scala's important work”.