A new analysis by First Street finds that nearly 80% of global data center capacity is located in areas exposed to climate-related hazards. Across 97 global markets examined, about 79% of capacity faces elevated risk either from acute events—such as flooding and wildfires—or from chronic conditions like extreme heat, drought and related stressors. Quartz reports that the study estimates chronic risks from heat and drought threaten more than half of data centers worldwide, while CNBC similarly describes most capacity as being at risk from both immediate climate events and ongoing climate pressures. The outlets note that the risks are tied to where the largest and fastest-growing data center markets are concentrated, including exposure to hazards such as flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, and additional factors like wind and drought. Together, the coverage indicates that data center infrastructure is highly exposed to climate hazards affecting both disaster-prone and heat-stressed regions, with implications for operational resilience.
Most global data center capacity faces elevated climate hazards, First Street study finds
A new analysis by First Street finds that nearly 80% of global data center capacity is located in areas exposed to climate-related hazards. Across 97 global markets examined, about 79% of capacity fac...
- First Street analysis finds about 79–80% of global data center capacity faces elevated climate risk.
- The study examines 97 global markets where data center capacity is concentrated.
- Risks include acute hazards such as flooding and wildfires.
- Chronic risks include extreme heat and drought, affecting more than half of data centers.
- Reported hazards also include extreme heat and other weather-related threats such as wind, depending on location.
New research from First Street finds the world's largest and fastest-growing data center markets are concentrated in locations exposed to flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, wind and drought risk. NEW YORK, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new First Street analysis finds that climate risk is...
13 hours agoA First Street analysis of 97 global markets found that chronic stress from heat and drought threatens more than half of all data centers worldwide
16 hours agoThe vast majority of data centers globally face either acute risk from climate change events or chronic risk from ongoing climate issues like extreme heat.
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