ESG Today writes that Microsoft plans to use wood instead of steel and concrete to reduce the lifecycle emissions of its data center constructions, as it aims to become carbon-negative by 2030. But why data center building materials? Well, it turns out that all the new data centers the company built in 2023 resulted in a 30% hike in Scope 3 emissions, a setback for the long-term climate objectives.

According to the World Economic Forum, steel and concrete account for 7 and 8% of the global emissions, which is why the American tech company looks to replace them with more sustainable alternatives that are still durable enough.

Microsoft will thus use cross-laminated timber (CLT), a lightweight, durable and fire-resistant prefabricated wood material. Additionally, it is said to provide better insulation compared to steel, improving the building's general thermal performance. With the new material, the carbon footprint of the buildings could drop by as much as 35% compared to steel-made constructions and 65% compared to concrete ones.

At the same time, Microsoft will start investing in companies that are manufacturing low-carbon construction materials to ensure a new stream of sustainable resources. Among these companies are Stegra, formerly known as H2 Green Steel, Boston Metal and CarbonCure.