- ‘Climate neutral’ certification for all customers
- Offsetting contributions to support a range of climate protection projects
ZURICH 16 MARCH 2011 – INTERXION HOLDING NV, (NYSE: INXN), a leading European provider of carrier-neutral colocation data centre services, today became the first data centre operator to launch a comprehensive carbon offsetting partnership with Swiss non-profit foundation myclimate. The new programme provides Interxion Switzerland customers with 100% carbon-neutral colocation services by offsetting any unavoidable CO2 emissions via a range of climate protection projects in Europe and the developing world. All Interxion customers will receive a myclimate ‘climate neutral’ certificate, which they can apply to their data centre infrastructure as part of their environmental impact assessments.
The Interxion/myclimate emission calculation is comprehensive. All emissions necessary for the development, creation, maintenance and operation of data centre services are realistically figured into calculations. Only then is the climate-neutral certificate awarded.
myclimate, the non-profit foundation, has Swiss roots and is among the global leaders when it comes to voluntary carbon offsetting in high-quality carbon offset projects. myclimate carbon offset projects meet the strictest international quality standards (CDM and Gold Standards). Apart from reducing greenhouse gases, these projects demonstrably contribute to sustainable development. Therefore, both the local population and the climate benefit. In addition, myclimate sets up carbon assessments and raises awareness about climate change and climate protection with climate education projects. Partners and clients of myclimate include Unilever, SEAT Switzerland, Bosch, Virgin Atlantic, SWISS and Lufthansa.
“We very much welcome Interxion’s efforts to minimise its environmental footprint and to offset remaining carbon emissions through myclimate-sponsored projects,” said René Estermann, myclimate CEO. “It is key to the environmental cause that organisations like Interxion and their customers set an example and demonstrate their sense of responsibility and take appropriate measures in order to reduce the carbon footprint accepted with ICT infrastructure.”
As part of this initiative Interxion offsets all its emissions in carbon offset projects in Switzerland and abroad. For example, electricity is produced from biomass; hydro-electric power plants are restored and have their energy efficiency increased; and solar cookers are distributed.
“This partnership is not simply about being able to pass on climate-neutral certification to our customers. For us, the quality of the projects was also a top priority, and that is why we opted to collaborate with myclimate,” said Eddy Van den Broeck, Managing Director, Interxion Switzerland. “myclimate develops and supports projects that directly reduce greenhouse gases and in so doing, directly protects the climate.”
“This is a major step forward in our journey towards the sustainable data centre,” said Peter Cladingbowl, Interxion SVP Engineering and Operations Support. “Interxion goes to great lengths to minimise the environmental impact of its data centres through energy-efficient design and operation, and we also offer our customers low-carbon energy wherever possible. This new agreement with myclimate tackles the remaining emissions and will lead to positive benefits for the environment in Europe and in the developing world, as well as attracting more environmentally-aware customers to our services.”
