Most Global Datacenters Built in High‑Risk Climate Zones, Report Warns

A new report from First Street reveals that nearly 80 percent of global datacenters are exposed to severe climate hazards such as floods, extreme winds and wildfires. These risks threaten operational stability, increase downtime and raise insurance and repair costs, especially as AI‑driven datacenter expansion accelerates. Chronic climate pressures like extreme heat and drought affect more than half of all datacenter markets, further straining cooling systems and water resources. The Americas host the highest share of datacenters in high‑risk zones, while the Asia‑Pacific region faces the greatest exposure to heat and drought. Despite safer regions like Finland, most new datacenter growth is happening in areas with the harshest climate conditions. Researchers warn that climate‑related disruptions can ripple far beyond the datacenter itself, impacting digital services and competing with local communities for power and water.

Read the full story on The Guardian →