As AI and cloud computing continue to scale, data centers are becoming some of the most important infrastructure of the digital age. With that growth comes increased attention on energy use, water consumption, and embodied carbon—but also a powerful opportunity to rethink how we design, build, and operate these facilities more sustainably.
In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Sara Neff, General Manager of Sustainability and ESG at Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation, for a live conversation from Greenbuild in Los Angeles. Together, they explore how rapid data center expansion and ambitious climate goals can move forward in parallel—and why the moment ahead is full of possibility.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How Microsoft is scaling data center development while staying firmly committed to its 2030 goals to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste
- Why cooling systems and HVAC equipment are a major opportunity for reducing embodied carbon—and how smarter design choices are already making a difference
- Practical, “right now” uses of AI to reduce carbon, water, and energy use, from leak detection to optimizing low‑carbon concrete mixes
- What radical collaboration across owners, designers, contractors, and suppliers looks like—and why it is essential for sustainability at scale
- How shared standards, policy, and better measurement can help accelerate progress across the industry
- Why growing AI fluency across the AECO ecosystem could unlock faster, more durable climate solutions
Rather than framing AI as a tradeoff, this conversation highlights how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and targeted use of technology can turn growth into a catalyst for positive change. The result is a clearer picture of how the built environment can support both digital innovation and long‑term sustainability.
