The complaint against the European Commission for lack of transparency in providing information related to energy and water consumption of data centers has recently been filed by the non-governmental organization Lighthouse Reports. This action is a response to increasing criticisms regarding the environmental effects of these centers, which are recognized as an essential part of information technology and artificial intelligence infrastructures.
Details of the Complaint and Criticisms
The complaint, which is based on the Aarhus Convention, an international treaty that guarantees the right to access environmental information, accuses the European Commission of deliberately concealing information related to energy and water consumption of data centers. The organization states that current regulations prevent the public from accessing this information, fueling growing concerns about the environmental impacts of these centers.
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Increased Demand and Environmental Challenges
Given the rising demand for artificial intelligence services and consequently the energy consumption of data centers, the European Commission has announced its goal to triple the capacity of these centers in the coming years. At the same time, rising energy prices and public dissatisfaction across Europe regarding these centers are increasing. Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy, emphasized that if these centers do not adhere to environmental goals, Europe's future successes in this area will be at risk.
According to the Commission, data centers are expected to consume about 20.7 terawatt-hours of electricity and over 8 million cubic meters of water by 2025, representing a 26% increase in electricity consumption and a 52% increase in water consumption compared to 2024. However, these figures do not fully reflect reality due to incomplete data, and there are criticisms regarding the lack of transparency in collecting this information.
New Measures for Transparency
The European Commission has recently introduced a new transparency label aimed at directing investments towards data centers with lower environmental impacts. However, Lighthouse Reports has pointed out that these measures are insufficient, and key information regarding energy consumption and other important parameters is still not being published. The organization believes that prioritizing trade secrets over public information rights undermines the credibility and trust in these institutions.
The complaint by Lighthouse Reports, which seeks greater transparency in the operations of data centers, could become a turning point in public and political discussions in Europe. This complaint will be reviewed by the Committee on the Respect of the Aarhus Convention in November and may lead to significant outcomes regarding information transparency.
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