HKUST PPOL Fall 2024

STUDY FOCUS The paper examines the environmental impact of data center deployment and analyzes policy responses aimed at enhancing their sustainability. Focusing on six major data center hubs— Singapore, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Ireland, Germany (Frankfurt), the USA (Virginia), and the UK (London)—the study identifies three primary policy responses: moratorium, adjustment, and continuation. It assesses the degree of policy change, the duration of these changes, and their effects on data center deployment rates. Findings indicate that while all regions adapted their strategies, only two implemented longterm measures through stricter environmental standards. The analysis reveals that moratoriums can effectively stabilize resource consumption in the short term, while continuation strategies may lower costs but face opposition. POLICY RECOMMENDATION To promote sustainable data center growth, policymakers should implement stricter environmental standards and consider moratoriums as temporary measures to manage rapid deployment. Additionally, integrating multi-regional infrastructural strategies that align IT infrastructure needs with available energy resources can enhance the effectiveness of sustainability efforts. This holistic approach will help balance growth with environmental responsibility. STUDY FOCUS The paper examines the adoption barriers for electric cars (ECs) and electric motorcycles (EMs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, contributing to the understanding of electric mobility in developing countries. While much of the existing research has focused on ECs in industrialized nations, this study highlights the unique challenges faced in a context where motorcycles dominate transportation. Utilizing a quantitative survey of 944 potential adopters, the authors employed exploratory factor analysis and regression modeling to explore how various structural conditions—such as environmental, economic, social, and institutional factors—impact the psychological barriers to purchasing ECs and EMs. The findings reveal both commonalities and distinct differences in the barriers affecting the adoption intentions for these two technologies, enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay between structural conditions and psychological factors in urban settings. POLICY RECOMMENDATION To promote the adoption of electric mobility in developing countries, policymakers should implement targeted strategies that address the specific barriers identified for both electric cars and motorcycles. This includes enhancing infrastructure for charging stations, providing financial incentives, and fostering public awareness campaigns. Additionally, engaging with local communities to understand their unique needs and preferences can help tailor interventions that effectively encourage the transition to electric mobility, ultimately reducing environmental impacts and improving energy security. Soares, Ian Varela, Masaru Yarime, and Magdalena Klemun, “Balancing the Trade-off between Data Center Development and Its Environmental Impacts: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Responses in Singapore, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, USA, and the UK,” Environmental Science and Policy, 157, 103769 (2024). Truong, Nhi, Gregory Trencher, Masaru Yarime, Brendan Barrett, and Kazuyo Matsubae, “Barriers to the adoption of electric cars and electric motorcycles in Vietnam,” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 131, 104204 (2024). 20 SCHOLARLY SHOWCASE

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