Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association launches the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA)
The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) today launched the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA), a landmark regional initiative to advance sustainability across the data centre sector. The Accord aims to promote sectoral alignment, leadership and industry-led solutions to sustainability challenges.
The SDIA establishes the first APAC-wide baseline of credible, practical and forward-looking industry targets. In doing so, the Accord recognises the diversity of climatic, environmental, energy and water conditions across Asia-Pacific markets.
It sets shared voluntary targets across four critical sustainability areas – energy efficiency, the use of clean energy, water use, and the circular economy – to advance the region’s transition to climate-resilient, low-carbon digital infrastructure.
SINGAPORE, 26 March, 2026 – In conjunction with International Data Centre Day, the Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) today unveiled the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) – a landmark APAC-wide initiative to advance sustainability across the data centre sector.
The SDIA establishes the first APAC-wide baseline of credible, practical, and forward-looking industry commitments. The Accord recognises the diverse conditions across Asia-Pacific markets and reflects a shared commitment to sustainable digital growth.
The SDIA sets voluntary targets across four critical sustainability areas to support the region’s transition to climate-resilient, low-carbon digital infrastructure:
Energy efficiency
Use of clean energy
Water use
Circular economy
The Accord is voluntary and non-binding in nature and is intended to complement, not replace, national and regional regulatory frameworks. It serves as a forum for ongoing collaboration and dialogue between industry and government. Designed as a living framework, the SDIA’s targets and commitments are intended to evolve over time.
“The SDIA demonstrates how the industry is ready to work together to ensure that digital transformation and sustainability go hand-in-hand in Asia-Pacific”, said Jeremy Deutsch, Chair of APDCA. “It establishes the first APAC-wide baseline of industry commitments, and provides a structured platform for government-industry dialogue on how to drive further progress. The industry is keen to work with policymakers and other stakeholders to deliver a sustainable digital and AI transformation in the region.”
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Anuar Fariz Fadzil said the initiative is timely as the region accelerates its digital and AI growth.
“The SDIA reflects the region’s commitment to ensuring that digital transformation and sustainability progress hand in hand. As Malaysia advances towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030, the role of sustainable, resilient and energy-efficient digital infrastructure becomes increasingly significant. As the demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow in tandem with the expansion of cloud and AI technologies, such collaborative efforts will be key to shaping sustainable, climate-resilient digital ecosystems. MDEC remains committed to supporting this transition while strengthening Malaysia’s position as a leading digital hub for the region,” he said.
Ms Aileen Chia, Deputy Chief Executive of Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) commends the Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association’s efforts to develop the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord to guide more sustainable development of data centres.
“Data centres are a critical foundation to Singapore’s digital economy but are resource intensive. This is not a new challenge, nor is it unique to Singapore. But it presents an opportunity for us to develop innovative solutions. Data centres in Singapore are already adopting measures to be more sustainable, such as by implementing the Tropical Data Centre and IT Energy Efficiency standards.
Singapore will continue to support data centres to promote these sustainable and energy efficient technologies in Singapore. We look forward to working closely with the industry to continuously improve the sustainability targets for long-term growth,” she said.
The full Accord is now available on the APDCA website.
Signatories to the SDIA:
AirTrunk
Digital Realty
EdgeConneX
Equinix
Global Switch
Microsoft
NTT Data
Princeton Digital Group
ST Telemedia Global Data Centres
Stack Infrastructure
Vantage Data Centers
About The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA)
The APDCA is an association that brings together leading commercial data centre operators in the Asia Pacific to shape policy pathways and drive informed discussions about the systems and infrastructure needed to build a secure and sustainable digital future.
For more information, please visit the APDCA website at www.apdca.org.
About MDEC
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is the national agency under the Ministry of Digital driving Malaysia’s digital economy. Celebrating 30 years of accelerating digital transformation, MDEC leads the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative, fueling innovation, investment, and inclusive growth across the digital landscape. Guided by the pillars of digital rakyat, digital economy, and digital government, MDEC champions Malaysia’s path to becoming an AI Nation by 2030 and partners globally to build a resilient, competitive digital ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.mdec.my.
About IMDA
IMDA leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg), Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).