Sustainability and ESG at MIL01
DATA CENTRES
Sustainability is at the core of many data centre business ’ outlook as the industry dials up its commitment in working toward net zero goals . Earlier this year , Data Centre Magazine ’ s Editor Maya Derrick was invited to STACK ’ s MIL01 campus in Siziano – on the outskirts of Milan , Italy – to see how STACK is establishing itself as a leading developer and operator of data centres with sustainability at its core .
Built in less than a year , MIL01 opened in July 2022 and is powered by 100 % renewable energy . This , in the words of STACK EMEA CEO John Eland , solidifies STACK ’ s position as a trusted development and operational partner .
Sherif Rizkalla has been CEO of STACK ’ s Italy business since September 2019 and added Switzerland to his responsibilities in
November 2022 . Welcoming people to the facility alongside other members of STACK executive team and Schneider Electric representatives , he showcases how far STACK ’ s EMEA branch has progressed , and looks forward to what ’ s on the horizon .
“ We are happy to share what we ’ ve built together and we ’ re also excited and eager to hear about how the world is developing in terms of sustainability and digital infrastructure in general ,” he opens .
MIL01 and STACK ’ s focus on sustainability With shy of 600MW of capacity up running and more developments in the pipeline , STACK ’ s EMEA operations are expanding with sustainability and ESG at the core .
“ We ’ ve been very focused on this aspect ,” Rizkalla adds , introducing STACK ’ s VP of ESG , Michillay Brown .
Sustainability and ESG at MIL01
Established just outside Italy ’ s busiest financial hub of Milan in Siziano , STACK ’ s MIL01 data centre is set across 10 hectares of land and boasts 22MW of IT capacity .
Staying true to STACK ’ s sustainability and ESG goals , STACK has planted an arboretum , or tree garden , brings biodiversity to what is otherwise an overwhelmingly industrial area and allows staff and clients to take a step back into nature .
Every element of the arboretum ’ s design has sustainability in mind , with the limestone pavements drains naturally and without releasing dust or pollutants , for example . Making up the 38 tree and
120 plant-strong garden is festuca grass which thrives in the Italian summer heat . Hawthorn , privet , photinia , red robin and viburnum tino trees and bushes have also been planted as they naturally filter
CO 2 emissions and are drought-resistant . The 3,000sqm of greenery will absorb thousands of kilos of CO 2 over a decade . MIL01 also features apiaries , more commonly known as beehives , with each containing up to 60,000 bees , producing 15kg of honey annually . Honeybees are responsible for 80 % of the world ’ s pollination . Protecting this endangered species is essential for biodiversity and environmental conservation .