Responsibility Environment Innovation Integration People

ESG Strategy

Goal: Achieve operational carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy usage by 2030.

Our ESG strategy dynamically adjusts according to laws, regulations, regulatory requirements, stakeholder concerns, and the actual development of our business.

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Material Topics and Handling Strategies

MATERIAL ISSUE STRATEGY
1Renewable Energy

Reducing carbon footprint by increasing the proportion of renewable energy usage
2Carbon Emission
3Energy Management
4Water Resource Management

Promote "green" rated data center;

Optimize design, construction, and operational efficiency to reduce resource consumption
5Waste Management
6Building's Environmental lmpact
1Customer Experience

Empowering through intelligent infrastructure platform to optimize customer service process management
2Employee Engagement and Development

Promoting diversity, inclusivity, and career advancement while ensuring full protection of occupational health and safety
3Diversity and Inclusiveness
4Occupational Health and Safety
5Supply Chain

Drive positive outcomes with our value chain and community
6Community Engagement
1Corporate Governance

Maintain high standards of corporate governance
2Business Compliance
3Anti-Corruption
4Cybersecurity

Rigorously maintain data security and privacy
5ESG Oversight

Strengthen the continuous tracking and management of ESG goals through accountability

Material Topics Matrix

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SDG Benchmarking

We thoroughly aligned our material topics with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), ensuring our efforts are in sync with the UN Vision 2030 and SDGs.

SDG
Benchmarking

Responsibility

100% employee receive anti-corruption and compliance training.

Environment

Building an inclusive and resilient business ecosystem that drives the entire value chain towards green transformation, supporting the sustainable development of the digital economy.

Innovation

Promoting the Smart DC solution to achieve rapid delivery, providing a solid infrastructure support for the development of the digital economy.

Integration

All suppliers adhere to the《GDS Supplier Code of Conduct》and sign the《Sustainable Development Commitment Letter》

People

Foster employee career development pathways, offer competitive benefits packages, and establish a comprehensive training system.

ESG Management Framework

To integrate sustainable development management fully into our corporate governance system, GDS continuously improves the sustainable development management framework at all levels, including the Board of Directors, committees, working groups, and frontline data center operations teams, ensuring efficient internal execution while responding to external stakeholder demands.

Board of Directors

  • The top decision-making body for the company's ESG initiatives
  • Oversee the sustainability strategy, policies and measure
  • Review and approve annual ESG report

Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee

  • Provide the Board with strategic advice on ESG work and report the progress on ESG initiatives
  • Pre-approve annual ESG report

Sustainability Committee

  • Develop and execute the ESG strategy and follow up the implementation of materal issues
  • Responsible for ESG-related risk management
  • Continuously monitor ESG performance indicators

Sustainability Working Group

  • Responsible for the daily implementation of the ESG strategy, regulary gather and submit information and prepare quarterly and annual ESG reports
  • Manage communications with internal and external stakeholders
  • Stay abreast of regulations associated with sustainable development, including climate change responses, and develop and implement sustainability action plans

ESG Performance Highlights

GDS has taken concrete actions to fulfill our commitment to sustainable development, which is fully reflected in our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. These indicators not only demonstrate our commitment to responsible operation but also highlight our outstanding performance in driving innovation and leading change.

Through continuous improvement and a spirit of constant progress, we aspire not only to become an industry benchmark but also to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all stakeholders.

Responsibility

  • Female board members account for18%
  • 100% employee receive anti-corruption and compliance training
  • Complete audit on Anti-Corruption Policies and Procedures

Environment

  • Renewable energy accounts for 38.0% of total energy consumption
  • 87% of new self-uilt data centers since 2020 have received or are applying for green building certifications
  • Average annual, PUE1.28
    Carbon Trading 61,788 tons,
    100% Solid Waste Handled

Innovation

  • ISO27001, ISO27701, ISO22301 certified
  • 100% employee received cyber security training
  • 36 DCs receive Uptime M&O certification

Collaboration

  • 9.647 customer satisfaction
  • 100% supplier signed《Sustainable Development Commitment Letter》

People

  • 15% female employee ratio
  • 30% female employee ratio in senior level management
  • 0 work-related fatality during past 3 years
  • 0.085 TRIR for all full-time employee and contractors
  • Employee annual average training hours 32.1 hrs

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

Download 2023 ESG Report