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Green Party Calls for Freeze on England Data Centres

8/29/2026

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Polanski Calls Data Freeze

On 28 August 2026, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a freeze on approving data centres in England.
Polanski noted that data centres were designated critical national infrastructure in 2024, granting them support during cyber-attacks or extreme weather.
The BBC reported 477 UK data centres, many near London and the south, facing drought.
Amanda Young said a data centre overlooks her Newport garden, leaving her uncertain about sites.

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Polanski Calls Freeze

On August 28, 2026, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a freeze on approving new data centres in England.
The proposal warned that expanding data centres would jeopardise water security, undermine climate targets and harm local communities amid a drought.
Labour rejected moratorium, labeling data centres critical infrastructure and saying a pause would hurt jobs.
Government noted data centres use 2.5% of electricity and under 1% of non-household water.

History

Historical Context

The UK Climate Change Act, passed on 26 November 2008, gave the Secretary of State a duty to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 80 % by 2050. After the 2019 amendment raised the goal to net-zero, the Committee on Climate Change has advised on infrastructure impacts, prompting Green Party leader Zack Polanski in August 2026 to call for a moratorium on new data-centre sites.

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Polanski Calls Data Freeze

On 28 August 2026, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a freeze on approving data centres in England.
Polanski noted that data centres were designated critical national infrastructure in 2024, granting them support during cyber-attacks or extreme weather.
The BBC reported 477 UK data centres, many near London and the south, facing drought.
Amanda Young said a data centre overlooks her Newport garden, leaving her uncertain about sites.

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