New OVHcloud tool tracks cloud emissions across services and lifecycle

OVHcloud has released an updated version of its Environmental Impact Tracker, a tool designed to help users measure emissions linked to their cloud usage. The new version builds on its earlier carbon calculator by covering more cloud services and moving toward broader environmental metrics beyond just carbon output.

At launch, the tracker works with Baremetal, Hosted Private Cloud, and Public Cloud Compute products. Support for Public Cloud Storage and Web Hosting is expected soon. OVHcloud says the tool now accounts for differences in how services are used and the types of infrastructure involved, which helps improve accuracy.

The tracker covers emissions across all three scopes, from manufacturing to daily operation. It also includes lifecycle data tied to energy use and hardware production. That includes emissions tied to the electricity used, as well as those from building and running the infrastructure.

A third-party review by digital responsibility firm IJO evaluated the tracker’s methodology and found it to be transparent and in line with current practices.

New features and data breakdowns

One change in this version is how emissions are calculated during usage. The app now combines country-level averages with supplier-specific electricity data, providing users with more location-specific reporting.

It also adds details about emissions tied to reused or refurbished hardware. These updates break down how component reconditioning contributes to the overall footprint.

Looking ahead, the tracker will expand to include other environmental indicators such as water use, land impact, and resource consumption. Once added, users will be able to see a broader view of their infrastructure’s impact, not just its emissions.

According to OVHcloud, these updates are aimed at giving users more data to assess the environmental cost of their infrastructure and possibly adjust how they build or run workloads.

Sustainability claims and ranking

The update is part of OVHcloud’s ongoing efforts to offer more measurable data on environmental performance. OVHcloud has often pointed out its commitment to sustainability, and is now backing that with user-facing tools.

In early 2025, OVHcloud was ranked in the top 16% of companies in its sector by S&P Global Ratings, based on criteria like energy use and environmental policies.

The company designs its own data centres and servers, and it has long used water-cooling systems to cut energy usage. These decisions contribute to relatively low power and water usage scores (PUE and WUE) when compared to industry averages.

Grégory Lebourg, Global Environmental Director at OVHcloud, said tracking infrastructure emissions is now a basic requirement. “We support our customers in understanding and controlling their impact,” he said. “That’s why we continue to improve the Environmental Impact Tracker.”

More updates are expected in the coming months, including support for additional metrics and cloud products.

(Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki)

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