Making an impact–Verne’s ESG mission

Many of us want to work for a company that is driven by a greater purpose. At Verne, sustainability has been at the heart of our mission since we first opened our doors more than a decade ago. In my three years here I've seen first-hand how sustainability isn't just a buzzword, but a core value embedded in every decision we make. Whether it’s our commitment to use renewable energy, our efficient data center design, our use of renewable diesel, or our initiative to help heat local communities, sustainability is always center stage. I came in as a data engineer which enabled me to dig deep into data centers and sustainability. What I have discovered is how impactful we can be when we prioritise the environment, social responsibility, and strong governance.

I’ve recently taken on the role of Head of ESG with the purpose of driving this mission forward. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is essential for any growing digital infrastructure company, not just from a sustainability perspective, but also our role in building a socially inclusive and ethically responsible industry.

At Verne, this role couldn’t have come at a better time. Over the past two years, we’ve expanded significantly, extending our reach across Finland, Iceland, and the UK. What were once three separate data center operations now form a unified Nordic-focused entity, requiring us to align diverse reporting systems and business practices into a single, cohesive approach. As we look ahead to 2025, we’ll see business take us further into new markets, making this reconciliation of ESG practices very timely.

It is also timely when we look at the legislation for data centers coming out of the EU. The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires data centers to track and report on metrics that are typically information belonging to the customers, not the colocation data center operator. The EU Taxonomy is establishing criteria for companies and investors to identify sustainable economic activities that contribute to climate and environmental objectives. There is also the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) that requires comprehensive sustainability disclosures, prompting data centers to enhance transparency and accountability across their operations.

For our customers, all of this legislation brings a higher level of transparency. We have always believed that accountability and transparency are key to developing best practices for the industry. Our actions will now be externally measured and reported, offering customers clear insights into our practices. This enables them to make more informed decisions about their data center infrastructure and where their data should be processed and stored.

Looking ahead to the next twelve months, the team here at Verne will be digging into all of this and more. We’ll be exploring our own climate transition plan. While our locations give us a tremendous sustainability advantage, we are always looking at innovative ways to improve sustainability for ourselves and our customers. We hope to build on the metrics we’ve previously shared and release a sustainability report with a more holistic view of our activities and plans.

At Verne, we are continually shaping best practices when it comes to data center sustainability. We remain steadfast in that journey and will continue to take a proactive approach to ESG, rather than viewing it as a box-ticking exercise.  Ultimately, prioritising ESG isn’t just about compliance; it’s about ensuring long-term value for both the company and society. By embedding these principles, I’m confident we can foster resilience, attract like-minded talent, and strengthen our reputation with investors and partners who share our commitment to creating a sustainable future in digital infrastructure.