The submission focuses on the need for a stronger public accountability framework for data centres in Australia, treating them as infrastructure with significant environmental, social, cultural and public interest implications. It argues that Australia should halt the fast-tracking of data centre developments immediately and develop a rigorous, public interest regulatory framework.

This report examines the environmental footprints of the energy required to power artificial intelligence's (AI’s) rapid expansion. It frames AI’s environmental footprint as a governance and justice challenge, not only a technical problem. The benefits of AI often flow across borders and sectors, while the environmental burdens can be concentrated in specific communities and regions.

A surge in Australian data centre construction driven by artificial intelligence (AI) risks pushing up power bills and climate pollution, according to this report. With more than 90 projects in the pipeline, this report proposes that every new data centre in Australia must be subject to strong standards for both its energy and water use.

Australia is in the midst of a data centre boom. This report reveals how the rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres in Australia is set to derail the renewable energy transition, entrench gas and accelerate climate pollution, prompting calls for an urgent moratorium on data centre approvals until appropriate guardrails are in place.

This submission responds to the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry on Data Centres, focusing on planning frameworks, governance, transparency and accountability. It argues for a whole‑of‑life public accountability framework that treats data centres as major infrastructure, and sets out 9 recommendations to strengthen regulatory oversight, environmental protection and public‑interest outcomes in NSW.