Our net-zero target is not an arbitrary milestone; it is a calculated response to verified climate risk models. We have formalized our alignment with the IPCC’s Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), specifically anchoring our strategy to RCP 1.9 and RCP 2.6. These pathways serve as our navigational North Star, as they represent the primary scenarios scientifically proven to be compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Why Model Against RCP 1.9?

RCP 1.9 is the most ambitious climate pathway, requiring rapid and deep decarbonization. By stress-testing our operations against this specific model, we are doing two things:

• Future-Proofing Assets: We design our infrastructure with climate adaptation in mind, ensuring our data centers remain robust against the specific physical risks — such as thermal stress and water scarcity — predicted by these warming models.
• Validating the Roadmap: We have anchored our 2030 target to the demanding standards of RCP 1.9. By adhering to this pathway, we ensure our approach to net-zero is verifiable and substantive, backed by the physics required to limit warming to 1.5°C.

We view this alignment as a core component of our risk management strategy under our Environmental Management System (EMS). By planning for rigorous climate scenarios, we proactively enhance our business resilience against evolving regulatory landscapes and potential operational disruptions.

A New Operational Standard: Real-Time Emissions Accounting

To meet the rigor of RCP 1.9, we must move beyond lagging annual indicators. We continue to integrate real-time emissions accounting across all our data center regions. By partnering with data leaders like WattTime and REsurety, we are working toward tracking carbon intensity on an hourly basis.

Why Hourly Granularity Matters

The carbon intensity of the grid changes every minute. A server running at 2 PM during the clean-power peak has a completely different footprint than a server running at 7 PM at the emissions-intense peak. By tracking this variance, we unlock two competitive advantages:

1. Carbon-Aware Network Analysis: Our globally distributed architecture dynamically routes traffic to ensure optimal customer performance. By integrating emissions metrics into our operational intelligence, we are beginning to map the relationship between network demand and regional grid carbon intensity. This foundational research provides a deeper understanding of our energy footprint and will inform our long-term efficiency strategies.
2. Regulatory Readiness: As global disclosure mandates become increasingly rigorous and stakeholders demand greater transparency, broad estimations are no longer sufficient. Our capacity to deliver granular, market-based emissions data positions Akamai well ahead of emerging compliance curves. This precise level of traceability not only ensures we are prepared for evolving global standards, but also provides our customers with the highly impactful data they require for their own Scope 3 reporting.