The City of Lincoln is joining an international effort aimed at establishing standards for the sustainable development and operation of data centers. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced Tuesday that Lincoln has become part of the Global Urban Data Centres Pact, a collaboration led by mayors in 42 cities worldwide.
The initiative recognizes data centers as critical infrastructure while encouraging cities to manage their growth without compromising climate goals, natural resources or energy affordability. “As data center construction expands across the country, cities have a responsibility to protect their natural resources, safeguard residents’ quality of life and ensure the community’s long-term vitality,” Gaylor Baird says.
“By joining this effort, Lincoln is helping advance a thoughtful approach to managing that growth responsibly.” The pact, organized by the global climate network C40, encourages local governments to work with the data center industry to establish standards that balance economic development with environmental stewardship and community interests.
The agreement outlines four guiding principles for future data center development:
- Strategic integration: Facilities should be located in coordination with local governments to support city planning, minimize public health impacts and align with climate goals.
- Sustainability and resource efficiency: Data centers should reduce environmental impacts by using clean energy, promoting water conservation through circular water systems and recovering excess heat where possible.
- Accountability and community focus: Operators should publicly share sustainability and public health data while supporting local businesses and creating green jobs through community investment.
- Cost security and shared prosperity: Data center developers should pay for needed infrastructure improvements and reinvest surplus revenue into projects that support sustainability and community infrastructure.
“In Lincoln, we know our water and energy resources are invaluable,” says Chief Sustainability Officer Kim Morrow. “When we pursue development opportunities, we prioritize safeguarding those precious resources for our thriving community. This pact underscores our commitment to work with industry on responsible growth for the digital economy.”