IDS Group delivers bespoke data centre services to private sector clients across the UK and EMEA. Their expertise spans network infrastructure, design and consultancy, smart hands, security, ICT fit out, migration, Hot and Cold Aisle containment, and low voltage electrical services. As part of the Hexatronic Group, headquartered in Sweden, IDS operates at the forefront of digital infrastructure, an industry that underpins the global economy’s transition to AI and advanced digital services.
With this rapid growth comes responsibility. The data centre sector is energy-intensive, placing increasing pressure on natural resources and contributing to global carbon emissions. IDS Group recognised both the challenge and the opportunity: to lead this digital transformation sustainably by embedding environmental responsibility at the heart of its operations.
We recently spoke with Rachel Elizabeth Moorthy, Sustainability Manager at IDS Group, to discuss the company’s sustainability journey so far and how their partnership with Positive Planet is helping to shape a positive future for the digital infrastructure industry.
Why Sustainability Matters to IDS Group
The expansion of the data centre industry brings tremendous opportunity, from economic growth to technological innovation, but it also presents significant environmental challenges. IDS Group is committed to operating responsibly, managing its environmental impact, and supporting its customers in achieving their own sustainability goals.
As part of the Hexatronic Group, IDS Group must align with evolving EU regulations such as ESRS and CBAM, while also meeting expectations from shareholders, leadership, and global technology customers. These stakeholders increasingly view sustainability not as a nice-to-have but as a core part of business strategy. For IDS Group, this meant integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations and culture.
“Working with Positive Planet was an absolute breeze. From the start, the team understood our unique needs and brought the right expertise to guide us through the complexities of the carbon accounting requirements we were facing. Their deep knowledge allowed them to distil complex concepts and tailor explanations specifically to our niche industry. They were consistently prompt, reassuring, and accessible whenever we needed support.
Much like the function of a switchboard in a data centre, they expertly connected insights, managed the flow of information, and ensured clarity between the project scope and our team. Thanks to their guidance, we have achieved a confident level of competency in carbon accounting and data consolidation and are well-equipped to accelerate progress on our sustainability strategy.“
Rachel Elizabeth Moorthy, Sustainability Manager, Impact Data Solutions
The Challenge
Before partnering with Positive Planet, IDS Group faced several key challenges common within the fast-growing data centre industry. The company lacked robust sustainability data and foundational knowledge around carbon accounting. At the same time, it faced increasing pressure from customers and regulatory bodies to disclose accurate, verified emissions data at both company and service levels.
IDS Group was also required to provide quarterly emissions data, meaning the business needed a streamlined, reliable process for measurement and reporting. Meeting these complex requirements efficiently demanded specialist expertise and a clear sustainability framework.
The Positive Planet Solution
To address these challenges, IDS Group engaged Positive Planet to deliver a comprehensive sustainability programme. This included carbon footprint measurement and baselining for 2024, a detailed carbon reduction plan, supply chain engagement, product-level carbon footprint assessments, and bespoke sustainability training.
Through this collaboration, IDS Group became fully compliant with both customer and Group disclosure requirements. More importantly, Positive Planet’s guidance helped IDS Group develop a deeper understanding of sustainability principles and carbon accounting, enabling the business to set meaningful goals aligned with its long-term strategy. This process also directly supported the business in achieving UKAS accreditation for ISO 14001:2015, a major milestone that underpins its environmental management system, and in publishing its first company-level sustainability report, marking a new level of transparency and accountability.
Positive Planet also delivered Carbon Literacy Training sessions for the sales team. This training helped team members feel confident when discussing the Product Carbon Footprint of the Vulcan product range with customers, ensuring that all communications are accurate, transparent, and free from greenwashing risk.
The Benefits
Working with Positive Planet has given IDS Group the confidence and capability to report accurate carbon data and accelerate its progress towards its 2030 carbon neutrality goals. The partnership has enhanced internal understanding of carbon management, improved reporting accuracy, and increased overall efficiency across the business.
In the short term, IDS has achieved compliance with key customer and Group requirements. In the longer term, the company’s carbon reduction initiatives will contribute to cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and the decarbonisation of its customers’ supply chains. By embedding sustainability within its business model, IDS is strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and positioning itself as a trusted, responsible partner within the data centre industry.
Next Steps
Looking forward, IDS Group plans to continue driving its sustainability agenda by deepening engagement with suppliers and aligning its ambitions with sister companies across Hexatronic’s Data Centre division. The company remains focused on playing a leading role in building a more sustainable digital future. In partnership with Positive Planet, IDS Group is demonstrating that innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, setting the standard for a greener, more efficient data centre industry.