EMILY BACKUS
SUSTAINABILITY
EMILY BACKUS
TITLE: SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR COMPANY: VANTAGE DATA CENTERS INDUSTRY: DATA CENTRES LOCATION: NORTH AMERICA
Emily drives regional sustainability strategy from end to end, from new site development to design, construction and operations.
positivity, LEED certification and a 100 % carbon-free electricity match for this project.
“ Building and operating our campuses in a way that prioritises sustainability and environmental responsibility while delivering hallmark reliability for our clients is a win for everyone,” says Emily Backus, Vantage’ s North America Sustainability Director.“ We take sustainability and biodiversity seriously, and from the beginning, we aimed to raise the bar for how data centres can support both digital infrastructure and local ecosystems.”
What pollinatorfriendly design looks like Central to this effort is the restoration of local pollinator habitats, with a particular focus on the rusty patched bumblebee. The species has been documented in the region in the past, so there is hope the bees will return to the area given the right conditions.
The approach is both practical and science-based. It begins with reintroducing plant diversity through a carefully selected mix of native species that bloom across seasons. Earlyflowering plants are critical to support queen bees emerging from hibernation, while summer and fall species provide sustained nutrition for growing colonies.
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