DENVER, Nov. 20, 2025 – Cologix, a leading network-neutral interconnection and hyperscale edge data center company in North America, has reached a significant sustainability milestone. The company announced today that its Montréal MTL8 facility has been awarded Gold Certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, establishing it as one of the first colocation data centers in Canada to receive this esteemed green building designation.
A New Benchmark for Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
This achievement underscores Cologix's position as Canada's frontrunner in developing sustainable, AI-ready infrastructure. The LEED Gold certification, one of the highest levels attainable within this globally recognized framework administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified in Canada by the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC), validates the facility's exceptional performance across multiple environmental criteria.
The certification process evaluated MTL8's accomplishments in energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, and overall environmental impact reduction. This recognition arrives at a critical juncture as artificial intelligence evolves from theoretical training to powering real-world, mission-critical applications where latency is paramount.
Powering AI Responsibly
Applications such as real-time fraud detection, instant language translation, and generative AI copilots demand always-on, high-performance infrastructure. Supporting these essential services makes designing facilities with sustainability at their core more crucial than ever.
"This milestone marks a turning point for Canada’s digital infrastructure," stated Laura Ortman, CEO of Cologix. "AI’s future depends on infrastructure that is both innovative and responsible. With hyperscale capacity, dense interconnection and 99+% renewable energy, MTL8 proves that we can provide our customers with the performance needed for AI workloads while advancing sustainability commitments. This facility exemplifies the future of data center design — powerful, efficient and built with purpose."
Key Sustainability Features of MTL8
The MTL8 data center incorporates several advanced features that contributed to its LEED Gold status:
- 99+% Renewable Energy: The facility is powered entirely by Hydro-Québec’s hydroelectric energy, supporting zero-carbon operational goals.
- Advanced Cooling Efficiency: It operates with an annualized Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.3 through innovative HVAC and cooling systems.
- Extensive Reforestation: More than 500 trees and shrubs were planted on-site, with biodiversity interventions implemented to protect the adjacent Bertrand Stream ecosystem.
- Sustainable Construction: The project utilized sustainable materials and processes, including a green roof, to reduce embodied carbon throughout the building's lifecycle.
- Environmental Site Management: The site features noise pollution controls, atmospheric dispersion systems, and advanced water reclamation to safeguard local ecosystems.
- Waste Stream Management: LEED-compliant waste reduction programs minimize landfill contributions and prioritize recycling throughout both construction and ongoing operations.
Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the USGBC, commented on the achievement, stating, "LEED certification is the ultimate recognition of global green building leadership, signaling that a space has undergone rigorous third-party verification and meets the highest green building standards. The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work and play."
This certification solidifies Cologix's commitment to setting a new benchmark for sustainable colocation in North America, demonstrating that high-performance computing and environmental stewardship can successfully coexist.
