An AI Era: Data Centre Energy to be Addressed at Davos 2025

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The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 takes place from 20 to 24 January - Credit: World Economic Forum/Thibaut Bouvier
Johnson Controls and Microsoft executives join global leaders to examine sustainable cooling technologies and industrial decarbonisation at Davos 2025

The World Economic Forum's 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos has positioned sustainability at the centre of discussions on AI and climate change, under the banner "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age."

The event programme is planned around five thematic priorities, which include:

  • Rebuilding trust
  • Reimagining growth
  • Investing in people
  • Safeguarding the planet
  • Industries in the intelligent age 

Johnson Controls, a building technology and sustainability company, plans to present cases for some of these solutions at the summit - including to support the data centre industry.

Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls, says: "Addressing energy demands resulting from the AI revolution and exponential growth in data centres will be key. 

"Through innovative cooling technologies, we can cut energy use by nearly 80% and zero out on-site water consumption for keeping chips cool in data centres."

Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls, was featured in Sustainability Magazine's Top 100 Women 2024

Decarbonisation takes centre stage

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President at Microsoft, will join technology sector leaders including Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet and Google, to examine the environmental impact of AI infrastructure.

The programme includes sessions on industrial decarbonisation as a growth strategy, with Ester Baiget, President and CEO at Novonesis and Co-Chair of the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, addressing Europe's industrial competitiveness. 

Ester says: "Climate transformation isn't about avoiding risks. It's about building resilience and unlocking growth. It's about turning challenges into competitive advantages and innovation opportunities."

McGinty adds: "For CEOs worried about business growth, we can show that leaning into decarbonisation offers a competitive edge, as seen in Johnson Controls' own success in reducing both carbon and operating costs."

Ester Baiget, President and CEO at Novonesis and Co-Chair of the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders

The summit will host 26 sessions on environmental protection, featuring speakers including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Al Gore, Former US Vice President. Sessions will examine carbon pricing mechanisms and nature markets, alongside discussions of weather pattern changes and preparations for COP30.

Addressing AI infrastructure in technology and finance sectors

More than 30 sessions will examine industries in the AI era, with participation from Marc Benioff, CEO of enterprise software company Salesforce and Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of transport technology company Uber.

Additionally, Christina Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank and Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, will address financial sector preparations for technology-driven market changes.

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO at Uber

McGinty adds: "At Davos, world events like military conflicts, trade wars, inflation and the AI revolution will dominate discussions. But I also expect climate change and sustainability will be crucial, especially in light of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. 

"The challenge — and opportunity — will be to highlight the essential connection of climate action to progress against the array of top-of-mind concerns."

The summit's focus on technology access has drawn participation from international development organisations. Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President and CEO for Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, will also join discussions on automation technology deployment.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), will address healthcare technology access, while Helen E. Clark, UNDP Administrator and Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, will examine technology deployment in developing regions.

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Nuclear power capacity and electric vehicle supply chains feature on the agenda alongside sessions on AI governance and economic resilience. This is particularly relevant for the data centre industry at the moment, as more companies operating data centres are starting to go nuclear.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, will participate in discussions on nuclear energy expansion.

Alvaro Lario, President of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Alvaro Lario, President of the UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), explains: "I call on leaders at Davos - especially governments, private investors and innovators - to invest funding, know-how and technologies in pursuit of a more shared prosperity that will benefit us all. 

"We must harness the intelligent age to ensure emergent technologies are accessible to all, especially the world's poorest. Letting them fall even further behind risks global development and increases the risk of hunger and conflict everywhere."


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