Episode #76 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Loren Long, Director of Sustainability at DIAL - Digital Infrastructure Advisors and Managing Director of Clear Sustainability.
- Understand the key sustainability reporting and compliance challenges facing the data center industry
- Discover Loren Long's career journey and how he became a leader in data center sustainability
- Explore the differences in sustainability approaches between Europe and the US
- Recognize the growing importance of sustainability in data center operations and growth
- Identify strategies for balancing profitability and sustainability in data centers
- Learn about the role of sustainability in data center marketing and public relations
- Gain insights into the future of sustainability in the data center industry
- Recognize the need for early career education and training in data center sustainability
- Explore how sustainability can impact career development in the data center field
- Highlight the influence of sustainability on data center investments and decision-making
Host:
Joshua Feinberg, CEO
DCSMI
Special Guest:
Loren Long
Director of Sustainability at DIAL - Digital Infrastructure Advisors
Managing Director of Clear Sustainability
Loren Long, Managing Director of Clear Sustainability and Director of Sustainability at Dial Digital Infrastructure Advisors, discusses the evolving landscape of sustainability in the data center industry. He highlights the stringent sustainability reporting regulations in the EU and their impact on US companies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive compliance strategies. Loren critiques the over-simplification of sustainability metrics and the potential pitfalls of decarbonization efforts, such as the environmental impact of lithium extraction. He advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability, including addressing the entire supply chain and the broader environmental implications. Loren also stresses the importance of early career education and training in sustainability and the need for more internships and developmental positions in the industry.
Outline
Sustainability Reporting and Compliance Challenges
- Loren Long discusses the challenges of tracking compliance
- California and New York have sustainability reporting regulations, similar to the EU but less stringent.
- Loren Long explains that billion-dollar companies in California must report on scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
- The conversation transitions to Loren Long, the guest, and his role in the data center industry.
Loren Long's Career Journey
- Loren Long shares his career path, which started in the army, then telecom, and eventually led to the data center industry.
- He co-founded DartPoints, which focused on distributed data centers, but later sold it to private equity.
- Loren decided to focus on sustainability, investing in education to understand sustainable development goals and their global impact.
- He founded Clear Sustainability to help companies navigate regulatory requirements and understand the consequences of sustainability regulations.
Sustainability in Data Centers
- Joshua Feinberg and Loren discuss the differences in the focus on sustainability between the US and Europe.
- Loren highlights the regulatory environment in Europe, where sustainability is mandatory, compared to the US, where it is more aspirational.
- The conversation touches on the challenges of balancing profitability and sustainability.
- Loren emphasizes the need for honest discussions with policymakers and the community to address sustainability issues.
Global Sustainability Efforts
- Joshua and Loren discuss the global impact of sustainability efforts, focusing on the Nordics and the US.
- Loren mentions the challenges of implementing sustainable practices in different regions, such as geothermal energy in Iceland, versus other locations.
- The conversation covers the need for tailored solutions for different geographical and climatic conditions.
- Loren highlights the importance of addressing sustainability issues early on to avoid future complications.
Career Advice for Young Professionals
- Joshua asks Loren for advice for young professionals interested in client-facing roles in the data center industry.
- Loren emphasizes the need for various skill sets in the industry, including sales, marketing, HR, and finance.
- He recommends internship programs and early developmental positions to help new professionals gain experience.
- Loren mentions programs like CNet and the National Data Centre Academy as resources for education and training.
Sustainability as a Career Path
- Loren advises former colleagues looking to change careers to focus on sustainability.
- He explains the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and its implications for supply chain responsibility.
- Loren discusses the importance of understanding and reporting on environmental impacts and human rights.
- He highlights the growing need for expertise in supply chain, legal, contracts, operations, and carbon accounting.
Challenges in Sustainability Reporting
- Loren discusses the challenges of sustainability reporting, including the complexity and variability of methodologies.
- He mentions the competitive nature of sustainability reporting and the difficulty in ensuring consistency.
- Loren emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to sustainability, considering all environmental impacts.
Future of Sustainability in the Industry
- Loren predicts a shift in the industry's approach to sustainability, moving from aspirational to mandatory.
- He expects sustainability discussions to become more serious and prominent in operational and financial contexts.
- Loren highlights the role of large investors in driving sustainability efforts and the potential for increased regulatory pressure.
- He emphasizes the importance of addressing sustainability issues early to avoid future complications.
Impact of Climate Change on Data Centers
- Joshua and Loren discuss the impact of climate change on data centers
- Loren emphasizes the need for a coordinated response to climate change, regardless of political views.
- He hopes that the seriousness of climate change will lead to more agreement and action.
- The conversation touches on the broader implications of climate change for the industry and society.
Guest Resources
- Connect with Loren Long, Director of Sustainability at DIAL - Digital Infrastructure Advisors and Managing Director of Clear Sustainability, on LinkedIn
- Follow DIAL - Digital Infrastructure Advisors on LinkedIn
- Follow Clear Sustainability on LinkedIn
- Learn About DIAL - Digital Infrastructure Advisors
- Learn About Clear Sustainability
- Ep. #36 Rich Kenny, Managing Director at Interact -- Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast
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