Equinix Inc., a digital infrastructure company, has been placed in the Leaders category of the first IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Datacenter Services Sustainability 2025–2026 Vendor Assessment. The report assessed global data center providers based on their environmental practices, strategies, and ability to support customer sustainability goals.
The IDC MarketScape report cited Equinix’s long-term approach to sustainability, including its focus on energy, water use, and emissions management. “Equinix is distinguished by its strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” the report stated.
“Equinix has demonstrated leadership in sustainable datacenter operations,” said Olga Yashkova, research manager, Enterprise Workloads and Datacenter Infrastructure, IDC. “Its comprehensive strategy, from renewable energy sourcing and water stewardship to circularity, heat export and green financing, positions the company as a Leader and a trusted partner for organizations seeking to decarbonize their digital infrastructure and address business and regulatory requirements.”
The data center operator operates more than 270 data centers across 77 metropolitan areas in 36 countries. These facilities serve enterprises, cloud providers, and AI-driven platforms. According to IDC, Equinix applies consistent sustainability programs across its global colocation network, focusing on managing energy and water use.
“Equinix is positioned to respond to growing demand for sustainable digital infrastructure,” said Christopher Wellise, VP, Sustainability at Equinix. “Our work on sustainability, combined with new energy solutions and operational improvements, supports our customers as they manage environmental and regulatory requirements worldwide,” he said.
The report highlighted several specific initiatives. In 2024, Equinix exported 14.5 gigawatt-hours of residual heat from its data centers, a 245% increase from the previous year. In cities such as Helsinki, Toronto, and Paris, this excess heat is supplied to district heating systems and nearby facilities.
On water management, Equinix reported an average Water Usage Effectiveness of 0.95 in 2024. The company uses customer-facing water reports and engineering solutions such as water-free energy sources, thermal storage, and water reuse, especially in areas with limited water supply.
Equinix also reported a global average Power Usage Effectiveness of 1.39 in 2024, a 6% improvement year over year. The company aims to reach a global average PUE of 1.33 by 2030.
Also, Equinix has committed to net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040, with targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative. The company also reported 96% global renewable energy coverage in 2024 and more than $9 billion in green bonds issued since 2020 to fund sustainability-related projects.