This Recommendation specifies best practices aimed at developing green data centres. A green data centre can be defined as a repository for the storage, management, and dissemination of data in which the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact. The construction and operation of a green data centre includes advanced technologies and strategies. The Recommendation provides a set of rules to be referred to when undertaking improvement of existing data centres, or when planning, designing or constructing new ones.

The proposed best practices cover:

• data centre utilization, management and planning;
• ICT equipment and services; cooling;
• data centre power equipment;
• data centre building;
• monitoring.

The environmental impact of a data centre should be assessed in line with [ITU-T L.1400], [ITU-T L.1410] and [ITU-T L.1420].