Demand a pause on data centres in Wales

From Anglesey to Newport, Wales is facing a tide of proposals for new data centres. Data centres that consume the vital resources we all rely on.

Data centres can use massive amounts of electricity and huge amounts of water. As well as making extreme heat and air pollution worse.

Some Welsh councils have approved applications without fully considering the impact on people, wildlife and the climate – even though some planned sites are on the doorstep of communities already suffering severe heatwaves and poor air quality.

At a time when people are being asked to cut emissions and save water, how is it fair that Wales hasn't got a plan to control resource-guzzling data centres?

We can't let the demands of big tech be put before people and nature. Sign the petition to call for a moratorium (pause) on new data centres in Wales until there's a clear plan.

• What we're calling for:

  Tell the Welsh Government you want a moratorium (pause) on data centre developments until we have:

  • A clear plan explaining why data centres are needed and how many Wales can support, while still meeting its climate and nature targets.
  • Robust rules on energy and water use, and a requirement for all data centres to carry out Environmental Impact Assessments.
  • Safeguards to make sure communities are meaningfully involved in the decision-making process.
  • Assurance that applications for new sites that receive significant opposition will be properly scrutinised by the Welsh Government.