Social Licence and Data Centres

AI, cloud and an increasingly digital economy are accelerating demand for data centre capacity. The strategic question for business leaders is no longer simply whether we need more digital infrastructure, but how we create it in a way that communities, policymakers, customers and investors will support.

Government recognises data centres as critical national infrastructure, yet new developments can face scrutiny over power, water, land, environmental impact, visual intrusion and local economic benefit. This makes social licence an increasingly important factor in the sector’s ability to grow at the pace the digital economy requires.

This panel will examine how leaders can turn that challenge into an advantage: building trust through evidence and transparency, demonstrating measurable social and economic value, and embedding responsible development into strategy from the outset. Rather than treating social licence as another ESG label, we will explore the practical models and methodologies that can help organisations reduce development risk, strengthen stakeholder confidence and create durable value for both business and community.