The Green Grid has launched a new guide for businesses looking to create better efficiencies in their datacentres, and to stay within the law.

The environmental group said that the guide provides enterprises with a comprehensive and easy-to-understand list of facts and information about green policies, and will help them to prepare for future changes.

The Green Grid Energy Policy Research For Data Centres report includes details on legislation and voluntary incentives, and combines them with a 'how to' guide to improvement and compliance.

The group said that enterprises face a complex and growing number of regulations, and that many are unsure of how best to comply.

"The overall finding from the report is that legislation is continuously tightening, and therefore it is advisable to innovate now and seek out opportunities to manage future implications for all datacentres across the region," said Vic Smith, a Dell representative and EMEA technical work group chairman of The Green Grid.

Articles covered in the guide include revisions to the laws surrounding the energy performance of buildings, and the upcoming UK Carbon Reduction Commitment, which the group said "could present the most significant financial risk to the datacentre sector, as daily penalties will be enforced for non-compliance".