Where do Data Centres Fit in Johnson Controls’ Green Goals?

Johnson Controls is setting out its approach to sustainable data centre operations as part of its 2026 Sustainability Report, detailing emissions reductions, efficiency improvements and progress towards net zero by 2040.

The report arrives as global carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, with the World Meteorological Organization recording a 3.5 parts per million (ppm) increase between 2023 and 2024 – the largest rise since measurements began in 1957.

Against this backdrop, data centre operators face increasing pressure to manage energy use and emissions while supporting growing demand for AI and cloud services.

Johnson Controls positions its work across decarbonisation, energy efficiency and thermal management as central to this challenge, particularly in mission-critical environments such as data centres where uptime is essential.

Emissions targets and governance

The company has reported a 46% reduction in operational carbon emissions against a 2017 baseline, placing it on track to exceed its 2030 target of 55%. This progress forms part of a wider plan to reach net zero operational emissions by 2040.

To support delivery, Johnson Controls has established a Sustainability Leadership Council alongside a Governance and Sustainability Committee. These structures oversee strategy and track performance, supported by assessments that evaluate both financial risk and environmental impact.

Joakim Weidemanis, CEO of Johnson Controls, links sustainability directly to operational performance.

"Our purpose is grounded in the belief that what we do matters for human society,” he says. “In the mission-critical environments we serve, performance, reliability and sustainability are foundational for the future.

"Our 2026 Sustainability Report shows that in the industries where failure is not an option, we put energy efficiency to work to unlock growth opportunities and enable peak performance, which frees up capital for long-term growth in the places that really matter."

Improving data centre efficiency

As AI workloads expand, data centres require increasing amounts of power not only for computing but also for cooling and supporting infrastructure. Johnson Controls is developing systems aimed at reducing non-IT energy consumption – meaning the electricity used for cooling, power distribution and other facility functions rather than computing – by more than 50% in many North American hubs.

At gigawatt scale, this reduction translates into substantial energy savings. The company estimates that efficiency gains at this level could free up enough electricity to power more than 200,000 households each year.

Thermal management is a key focus. Data centres generate large volumes of heat from servers, and managing this heat efficiently is critical to performance. Johnson Controls is developing solutions that reuse waste heat, transforming facilities from energy consumers into potential sources of usable heat.

Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer at Johnson Controls, frames efficiency as a business decision.

"With energy prices on the rise, the most forward-looking companies are treating energy efficiency as a business strategy to drive every dollar into innovation, technology adoption and competitive advantage," she says.

"Energy efficiency is one of the fastest ways to lower operating expenses, reduce emissions and improve performance at the same time.

“At Johnson Controls, we're proud to help customers turn decarbonisation into a source of financial strength and competitive advantage."

Technologies such as absorption chillers, which use waste heat to reduce electricity demand for cooling, and heat pumps, which capture and reuse heat for other processes, form part of this approach. The company also highlights cooling systems that operate without on-site water use, addressing another key constraint for data centre operators.

Extending sustainability across infrastructure

While data centres remain a central focus, Johnson Controls applies similar principles across other sectors, including healthcare and commercial buildings. These projects demonstrate how energy efficiency measures can deliver both cost savings and emissions reductions.

The company also emphasises retrofitting existing buildings rather than relying solely on new construction. This approach reduces the need for greenfield development, limiting environmental impact while improving performance in existing facilities.

For data centre operators, this aligns with a broader shift towards upgrading infrastructure to meet modern efficiency standards, rather than building entirely new capacity where possible.