A restorative approach: why biodiversity matters

Cora Olsen, Director of Sustainability, atNorth

At atNorth, we talk a lot about efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable design – and there’s good reason! Another important pillar in our approach to sustainability is  nature and biodiversity.

As part of our ‘Building for Good: Reimagining the Data Center’ blog series, this second installment explores how biodiversity and nature restoration are essential to truly sustainable digital infrastructure.

In honour of International Day for Biological Diversity, we feel it’s incredibly important to address how climate action and nature preservation go hand-in-hand. This year’s theme, “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”, is so closely aligned with the  sustainability strategy we are currently developing. Nature restoration, regeneration and sustainability aren’t just key environmental goals for atNorth, but these are also foundational to how we build a resilient, ethical, and future-focused business.

Data centers are now central to modern life – as demand for compute continues to grow, so too does environmental responsibility. The reality is that digital infrastructure is dependent on natural resources – from land use and water management to supply chains and energy sourcing, every decision we make impacts the planet.

That’s why we’re taking a broader view of sustainability at atNorth – one that prioritizes decarbonization, technological advancement and restoring nature.

Infrastructure that Respects Biodiversity

Our commitment to nature and biodiversity is a new focus area for us  and it’s one we take seriously. An increasing demand for compute capacity is driving the development of large-scale campuses in more rural settings. This shift brings new opportunities and responsibilities where site selection can require careful evaluation to preserve areas of high natural value and minimize environmental impact.

We are currently developing a biodiversity and nature restoration framework that will guide how we approach every stage of our data center lifecycle, from site selection and design to operations and waste management. The first site where this framework will be applied is DEN02, which aims to incorporate sustainability restoration, circular economy principles, and community engagement to create a true blueprint for the future of the data center.

As we grow, we will factor in space for nature wherever possible and strive not only to do no harm, but to leave a regenerative legacy.

Designing with nature in mind

In our 2024 sustainability report, we outlined our commitment to supporting biodiversity through responsible site selection, low-impact cooling technologies, and circular economy principles. We aim to ensure that our operations work with the environment, not against it, by preserving or restoring nature and limiting ecological disruption wherever possible.

Our DEN02 campus is a good example of this, where approximately 44% of the site is expected to  be dedicated to restoring nature and biodiversity of the land.

We’re also continuously exploring opportunities to integrate nature-based solutions into our long-term planning. Our sustainability roadmap aims to help us better understand our actions and integrate biodiversity-conscious practices into the way we build, operate, and grow.

Collective Responsibility, Shared Future

The future of technology must be grounded in advancing digital innovation, as well as a commitment to the planet and the health of the ecosystems that sustain us. We believe that true sustainability means looking beyond the walls of our data centers and toward the ecosystems that support life on this planet. Biodiversity underpins everything — from food security to clean water to climate stability – we cannot exist without nature.

While there are challenges and unanswered questions ahead, we remain committed to being part of the solution, not the problem. Our approach to biodiversity is still evolving, but the direction is clear: restoration, regeneration, and respect for the natural world will guide how we build and grow our business with nature and sustainable development in balanced harmony.