54% of Global Data Center Capacity Faces Rising Heat Risks
54% of Global Data Center Capacity Faces Rising Heat Risks
US · Published Jul 1, 2026
A new report from First Street highlights the growing climate risks to global data center capacity due to rising temperatures.
Data centers, which already operate under high heat conditions, are increasingly vulnerable as average temperatures rise, heatwaves become more frequent, and water resources face stress.

Impact & Risks

The findings indicate that data centers in regions with chronic heat and water stress are at heightened risk of operational inefficiencies and potential failures. This could lead to increased costs for cooling, reduced system reliability, and higher energy consumption. The Asia-Pacific region, with 89% of its data center capacity in high-risk areas, faces the most severe challenges. North America and Europe also have significant exposure, with nearly half of their data center capacities in vulnerable zones. These risks could disrupt digital infrastructure and impact industries reliant on data services.

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