World · Malaysia Bureau
Data centres could produce 44 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions
Environmental advocacy group RimbaWatch has identified 66 data centre facilities across Peninsular Malaysia, with half concentrated in Johor state. The facilities could collectively emit 44 million tonnes of carbon annually, raising concerns about the sector's environmental footprint.
LSN Malaysia ·
RimbaWatch's mapping exercise has documented the growing proliferation of data centre infrastructure across Peninsular Malaysia, identifying a significant concentration of operations that warrant closer scrutiny regarding their environmental impact.
According to the environmental group's findings, Johor emerges as the primary hub for data centre development, hosting approximately half of the 66 facilities mapped across the peninsula. The state's strategic location and existing industrial infrastructure have made it an attractive destination for investments in this capital-intensive sector.
The potential annual carbon emissions of 44 million tonnes represents a substantial contribution to Malaysia's overall greenhouse gas output. This figure underscores the environmental considerations that policymakers and industry stakeholders must weigh against the economic benefits associated with data centre operations, which support digital infrastructure, cloud services, and technology sector growth.
The findings highlight growing tensions between Malaysia's digital transformation agenda and its environmental commitments. As the nation continues to position itself as a regional technology hub, questions emerge about the sustainability of rapid data centre expansion and the adequacy of current regulatory frameworks governing emissions from these facilities.
RimbaWatch's assessment adds to ongoing debates about balancing economic development with environmental stewardship in Malaysia's rapidly evolving technology landscape.