EU introduces greener regulations for business data centres

The European Union has implemented a new Code of Conduct for data centres, which the UK's minister for sustainable development Lord Hunt has urged firms to adhere to.

Though the UK is the first country to introduce legal targets for reducing emissions, Lord Hunt pointed out that a mass effort must be applied to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 per cent within the next 42 years.

He added that those firms who attempt to adhere to the EU guidelines will surely find that "what's good for the environment is also good for businesses".

Director general of British trade association Intellect John Higgins stated: "The EU initiative is an important landmark in the high-tech industries' response to the challenge of global warming."

Major organisations such as British Telecoms, Microsoft and Quest Software have already expressed their intentions to sign the code.

Elsewhere in the UK, London Mayor Boris Johnson said this week that he would pledge £15,000 towards the campaign to halt the expansion of a runway at Heathrow airport.