Ireland's policy on data centres was under the microscope today at the EU's climate committee
Ireland's Climate Minister Darragh O’Brien faced scrutiny from the EU climate committee regarding the country's reliance on data centers. MEPs questioned the environmental impact of these facilities, specifically citing concerns over high energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between digital infrastructure expansion and European climate sustainability goals.
CLIMATE AND ENERGY minister Darragh O’Brien faced tough questioning today on Ireland’s data centre policy when he visited the EU’s climate committee in Brussels.
O’Brien was in attendance at the committee to update its members on Ireland’s priorities for the EU Presidency in relation to climate action and environmental protection.
He told committee members that the Irish presidency of the EU will see the Environmental Council work towards a “whole-of-society approach to building a climate-neutral, sustainable and resource-efficient economy”.
While there, he was questioned by MEPs on various aspects of the EU’s climate policy, with a number of MEPs quizzing the minister on Ireland’s approach to data centres and how it aligns with climate targets.
Ireland is home to over 80 data centre operations, and in recent years the current government have made facilitating data centres a cornerstone of Ireland’s industrial policy.
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