Johnson Controls Earns Spot on Fortune’s 2025 Change the World List for Breakthrough in Data Centre Thermal Tech

"As AI reshapes the world, data centres are increasingly vital to modern life and economic growth," said Johnson Controls CEO Joakim Weidemanis. "Tackling the energy and carbon associated with data centres is both a challenge and an opportunity. Cutting the energy used for cooling in data centres unlocks more capacity to power advanced AI workloads. That's a strategic edge that drives the AI-enabled transformation of human society. We're proud to partner with our customers and proud to be recognised for the impact we're making."

Data centre cooling systems are critical for maintaining safe operating temperatures for high-performance chips, yet they can account for more than 30% of a facility's total energy. To address rising power demands and reduce daily water usage—which can reach millions of gallons—modern data centres are increasingly adopting energy- and water-efficient cooling technologies. At the same time, they are implementing noise-reduction strategies to minimise impact on surrounding communities.

The cutting-edge functionalities of the YORK YVAM are tackling these challenges head on by:

• Consuming 40% less power annually while still delivering the same cooling capacity as conventional solutions
• Using zero on-site water, supporting water conservation and improved water usage effectiveness
• Operating quietly at just 65 decibels at 10 metres, equivalent to background music in a restaurant

Johnson Controls' commitment to more efficient, socially responsible data centre operations is reflected through transformative investments in thermal management solutions, such as a state-of-the-art Advanced Development Engineering Centre (JADEC) to continuously raise the performance standard of chillers, air handlers and their subcomponents, and a dedicated Global Data Centre Solutions organisation to ensure that Johnson Controls delivers innovation, scale and consistency to its customers worldwide.

This marks the third time Johnson Controls has been recognised on Fortune's Change the World list. The company was honoured in 2023 for its heat pump technology innovations, which have been shown to reduce operating costs by more than 50% and cut carbon emissions by 60%. In 2022, Johnson Controls was recognized for its OpenBlue smart building platform, which transforms buildings from climate and financial burdens into dynamic, agile assets. Each year, Johnson Controls has been one of just 50 companies selected by Fortune's editors and writers from among hundreds of global nominees.

To view the full 2025 Fortune Change the World list, click here.