The Global Awards 2026 Spotlights Data Centre Sustainability

JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London will host the Global Sustainability Awards on 8 September 2026. The black-tie gala dinner will recognise companies, organisations and executives advancing sustainable business practices across eight categories.

Data centre operators and technology firms could gain visibility among stakeholders shaping digital infrastructure through the awards programme. The event combines industry marketing, media coverage and ceremony recognition to connect senior executives, sustainability specialists and technology leaders.

Involvement in the programme could demonstrate commitment to environmental performance, operational efficiency and responsible growth. Companies aligning with the awards may access business opportunities and gain recognition for technologies supporting a sustainable digital economy.

Digital infrastructure enables climate action

Submissions for the Global Awards 2026 close on 29 June 2026. Final judging and shortlist announcements will follow in July.

The programme features eight categories recognising different approaches to sustainability. Two categories focus specifically on technology and transformation within data centre and digital infrastructure sectors.

Data centres, AI, cybersecurity and digital technologies support global sustainability efforts.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, AI can help monitor climate change, predict environmental risks, improve resource efficiency, support circular economy initiatives, encourage sustainable consumer behaviour and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.

AI systems are already detecting methane emissions, providing flood and drought early warnings, optimising agricultural resource use and analysing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Research highlighted by the World Economic Forum demonstrates how AI supports climate monitoring, smart energy grids, sustainable urban planning, environmental protection, recycling and precision agriculture.

These technologies depend on secure digital infrastructure and robust cybersecurity frameworks protecting critical environmental data, operational systems and essential services from disruption.

According to Google, its data centres deliver more than six times the computing power per unit of electricity compared with five years ago.

Google maintains a 100% renewable energy match globally since 2017 and has invested billions in clean energy projects.

Google also highlights the importance of water stewardship, responsible cooling technologies and carbon-free energy in reducing the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.

According to IBM, green data centres use energy-efficient technologies, advanced cooling systems, virtualisation, renewable energy sources, waste-heat recovery and responsible equipment recycling to minimise environmental impact.

These measures could improve operational efficiency while reducing resource consumption.

AI, cybersecurity, advanced technologies and sustainable data centres are creating digital foundations that could accelerate decarbonisation, optimise resource use, support climate resilience and enable a more sustainable future.

The integration of these elements could show how digital infrastructure supports environmental objectives.

Assessment criteria for awards

The Tech & AI Award assessment focuses on four areas:

• how has technology or AI been applied to solve a sustainability challenge
• what measurable impact or improvement has been achieved
• how has the initiative improved data-driven decision-making or efficiency
• what innovation or scalability potential does the solution offer.

The Transformation Project of the Year is ranked on four criteria:

• what were the key objectives and outcomes of this project
• what actions or innovations were implemented to achieve transformation
• what measurable results or benefits were achieved post-completion
• how does this project contribute to the wider data centre ecosystem or industry progress.

Previous year's technology winners

Winners from last year demonstrated how innovation, technology and sustainable business practices can drive environmental and social impact. IFS won the AI in Sustainability Award, with GIST Impact receiving Highly Commended recognition.

IFS, a global enterprise software company, was recognised for its AI-powered Planning and Scheduling Optimisation solution. The technology helps industrial organisations reduce carbon emissions by cutting travel, fuel consumption and waste while supporting broader decarbonisation goals.

"We've won the AI in Sustainability Award for our solution PSO," says Michael Backstone, Global Climate Strategy Manager at IFS. "PSO is a scheduling optimisation engine that delivers a combination of operational, commercial and sustainability benefits."

"So it really is a win win win for customers," says Michael. "It's AI-driven using agentic flows and it gives our customers the ability to optimise all of their resources and drive sustainability benefits at the same time."

Reforestation and data centre recognition

Terraformation secured both the SME Company of the Year Award and the Sustainable Technology Award.

Jet Plant Hire was highly commended in the SME category and ECL & Croda Beauty received highly commended recognition in the Sustainable Technology Award.

Founded in 2020 by Yishan Wong, former CEO of Reddit, Terraformation was recognised for combining measurable ESG impact with technology to accelerate biodiverse reforestation worldwide.

Through seed banks, nursery kits, solar-powered desalination systems and its open-source Terraware platform, the company supports local and Indigenous communities, creates jobs and helps scale restoration projects globally.

Scala Data Centers received the Sustainable Finance Award, with Cisco & Terraformation highly commended. "It's a great honour to be here and to represent Scala Data Centers at this important award," says Ana Luiza Rodrigues, Sustainability Manager at Scala Data Centers.

"This recognition means a lot to us," says Ana Luiza. "I want to thank our scholars, my leaders and all of you. Thank you so much."

Founded in 2020, Scala Data Centers was recognised for sustainable digital infrastructure through green debenture issuances.

The company operates hyperscale facilities powered by 100% renewable energy and delivers carbon-neutral, highly efficient data centre services across Latin America, supported by HVO-powered backup systems and renewable self-generation projects.