QTS Publishes Third Annual Environmental, Social and Governance Initiatives Report

QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS), a leading provider of hybrid colocation and mega scale data center solutions, today announced it has published its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives Report.

Available online here, the 2020 ESG Report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: Core option and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) real estate standards⁽¹⁾ and aligns with the guidance of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures.

“QTS is proud to have achieved a leadership position in the data center industry for its sustainability initiatives,” said Chad Williams, Chief Executive Officer, QTS. “We view sustainability as the ongoing stewardship of our people, customers and communities and a key opportunity to drive shareholder value. It is this sincere belief and commitment that is making QTS’ sustainability program financially, culturally and operationally sustainable. We are on track to achieve our key sustainability milestones led by our commitment to procure 100% of our power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2025.”

QTS’ legacy of corporate sustainability can be traced back to early initiatives to redevelop large scale infrastructure into world-class data centers, providing a significant opportunity to recycle existing materials. Over the years these initiatives expanded into business practices aligned around a company culture that is Powered by People. The ESG Initiatives report documents the Company’s vision of enhancing the care and improvement of human life and minimizing its carbon footprint through technology, manpower and advanced construction and procurement initiatives.

Based on progress and success in 2020, the Company has updated its environmental goals in the 2020 report as follows:

·       Procure 100% of its power from renewable energy sources by 2025.

As of the end of 2020, QTS procured 36% of its energy from renewable sources with a visible path toward achieving our goal of procuring 100% of power from renewable energy sources by 2025.

·       Conserve at least 15 Million gallons of water per year.

On average QTS has conserved 15 million gallons of water annually since 2016. Going forward the Company looks to measure year-over-year improvement in water usage effectiveness (WUE).

·       Report to GRESB, CDP, EcoVadis, RE100 and the EPA Green Power Partnership.

·       Pursue Green Building Certifications in 100% of owned facilities by 2025.

As of the end of 2020, 72% of QTS’ facilities are LEED certified or Green Design certified and the Company has made significant progress with Energy Star certifications that will continue in 2021.

·       Recycle 90% of its Operational Waste by 2025.

To date, QTS has recycled over 1.3 billion pounds of material and recycled 68% of its operational waste.

·       Install EV charging stations at 75% of its facilities by 2025.

As of the end of 2020, QTS has installed Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations at 55% of its facilities.

“I am pleased with how the QTS organization stepped up and delivered for each other, our customers and communities during the strongest year of operating performance in QTS’ history,” Williams said. “The strong foundations we have laid, in part through impactful ESG programs, have prepared our business to continue to set a new standard for service delivery in the data center industry.”

Other significant achievements during 2020 in advancing QTS’ ESG initiatives include:

·       35%+ increase in QTS’ renewable energy procurement year-over-year

·       Ranked #1 by GRESB in sustainability among data centers globally for the second consecutive year

·       Highest year of charitable giving in QTS history to more than 80 different organizations

·       Initiated a new corporate partnership with World Vision to make clean water accessible to thousands of families globally

QTS is committed to push toward more sustainable solutions and build facilities that are among the most energy and water efficient in the world. The Company embraces transparency of operational data, and will continue to report on its progress toward achieving its long-term ESG goals.