Dr Alejandro Gallego Schmid discusses the environmental impacts of data centres on the sustainability podcast On the ground
11 August 2026
Dr Alejandro Gallego Schmid was invited to contribute to a podcast exploring the environmental sustainability of data centres and their growing role in supporting artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
During the discussion, he highlighted how increasing demand for digital infrastructure is driving higher electricity use while also raising important challenges related to water consumption, material resource use, electronic waste and embodied environmental impacts. Drawing on his research in life cycle assessment and circular economy, Dr Gallego Schmid emphasised the importance of adopting a whole life cycle perspective when assessing digital technologies and argued that sustainable AI requires considering environmental impacts across the entire value chain rather than focusing solely on operational emissions. The podcast also explored how life cycle thinking can support better policy, business and infrastructure decisions as the UK continues to expand its digital economy.
The podcast raised public awareness of the environmental implications of AI and data centres and promoted evidence-based approaches to sustainable digitalisation.