TOWARD OUR DIGITAL FUTURE
Leitmotiv is a think-and-do tank for an alternative digital economy.
3 days ago
3 days ago
3 days ago
We are releasing our first insights from the analysis of the EED data reported by data centers in the Netherlands
Our research showed that according to information reported by data centers in the Netherlands, only one-third of their data center space is filled with IT equipment (including servers) and two-thirds of the available electrical connection capacity remains unused.
And – only 104 of the approximately 160 data centers of more than 500 kW have reported to the RVO, despite their legal reporting obligation.
In our most recent blogpost, we state our four key conclusions about the lack of data center environmental transparency in the Netherlands. Our findings were also published in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
We are releasing our first insights from the analysis of the EED data reported by data centers in the Netherlands
Our research showed that according to information reported by data centers in the Netherlands, only one-third of their data center space is filled with IT equipment (including servers) and two-thirds of the available electrical connection capacity remains unused.
And – only 104 of the approximately 160 data centers of more than 500 kW have reported to the RVO, despite their legal reporting obligation.
In our most recent blogpost, we state our four key conclusions about the lack of data center environmental transparency in the Netherlands. Our findings were also published in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
We are releasing our first insights from the analysis of the EED data reported by data centers in the Netherlands
Our research showed that according to information reported by data centers in the Netherlands, only one-third of their data center space is filled with IT equipment (including servers) and two-thirds of the available electrical connection capacity remains unused.
And – only 104 of the approximately 160 data centers of more than 500 kW have reported to the RVO, despite their legal reporting obligation.
In our most recent blogpost, we state our four key conclusions about the lack of data center environmental transparency in the Netherlands. Our findings were also published in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
July 2025
We submitted a detailed response to a call for evidence by the European Commission for an EU Cloud and AI Development Act.
The initiative assumes that Europe has to triple its data center capacity within the next 5-7 years. We challenge those assumptions, propose a concrete set of workable policy interventions that would enable fair and robust competition on digital infrastructure markets and warn about the significant environmental and social effects of expanding Europe's data center capacity.
July 2025
We submitted a detailed response to a call for evidence by the European Commission for an EU Cloud and AI Development Act.
The initiative assumes that Europe has to triple its data center capacity within the next 5-7 years. We challenge those assumptions, propose a concrete set of workable policy interventions that would enable fair and robust competition on digital infrastructure markets and warn about the significant environmental and social effects of expanding Europe's data center capacity.
July 2025
We submitted a detailed response to a call for evidence by the European Commission for an EU Cloud and AI Development Act.
The initiative assumes that Europe has to triple its data center capacity within the next 5-7 years. We challenge those assumptions, propose a concrete set of workable policy interventions that would enable fair and robust competition on digital infrastructure markets and warn about the significant environmental and social effects of expanding Europe's data center capacity.
Are Big Tech and data centers investments really green?
Many investment funds contain stocks of Big Tech corporations and co-location companies with a big data center footprint. These data centers contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. We are undertaking research to support strategic litigation together with a legal NGO to address labeling such investment funds as 'green'.
Are Big Tech and data centers investments really green?
Many investment funds contain stocks of Big Tech corporations and co-location companies with a big data center footprint. These data centers contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. We are undertaking research to support strategic litigation together with a legal NGO to address labeling such investment funds as 'green'.
Are Big Tech and data centers investments really green?
Many investment funds contain stocks of Big Tech corporations and co-location companies with a big data center footprint. These data centers contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. We are undertaking research to support strategic litigation together with a legal NGO to address labeling such investment funds as 'green'.
Our perspective
Our digital economy is
broken.
Our digital economy is
broken.
Our digital economy is
broken.
The AI boom has sparked an unprecedented build-out of digital infrastructure that consumes vast amounts of resources while contributing to climate change, pollution, and grid congestion.
The AI boom has sparked an unprecedented build-out of digital infrastructure that consumes vast amounts of resources while contributing to climate change, pollution, and grid congestion.
The AI boom has sparked an unprecedented build-out of digital infrastructure that consumes vast amounts of resources while contributing to climate change, pollution, and grid congestion.
A handful of extremely powerful corporations dominate the supply chain of the digital economy from chip production to cloud services and beyond.
A handful of extremely powerful corporations dominate the supply chain of the digital economy from chip production to cloud services and beyond.
A handful of extremely powerful corporations dominate the supply chain of the digital economy from chip production to cloud services and beyond.
And the benefits of digitalization - that were believed to be manifold and democratically shared a mere decade ago - appear to be captured mostly by a new tech elite and their political allies.
Our 'Leitmotiv' is to promote an alternative digital economy that operates within planetary boundaries and where the benefits of digitalization are shared equitably and democratically .
Leitmotiv focuses on research that can help reshape the digital economy. Our research is meant to contribute to legal advocacy and strategic litigation. We aim to support an active community of NGOs, grassroots activists, donors, and others in civil society in various regions of the world
Leitmotiv focuses on research that can help reshape the digital economy. Our research is meant to contribute to legal advocacy and strategic litigation. We aim to support an active community of NGOs, grassroots activists, donors, and others in civil society in various regions of the world
Leitmotiv focuses on research that can help reshape the digital economy. Our research is meant to contribute to legal advocacy and strategic litigation. We aim to support an active community of NGOs, grassroots activists, donors, and others in civil society in various regions of the world
