MORE than 8,600 people have signed a petition calling for a halt to planning approvals for huge new AI data centres in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament petition urges ministers to introduce a moratorium on planning permission for hyperscale data centres until their environmental impacts have been fully assessed. Protest over Larbert Data Centre © Iona CraigIt also calls for mandatory environmental impact assessments for hyperscale AI data centres and for Scottish Government guidance on what constitutes a “green data centre”. Campaigners say the rapid expansion of large-scale data centres could put pressure on Scotland’s electricity grid and water resources, while making it harder to meet climate targets. The Scottish Government’s AI strategy supports the growth of “green” data centres, with ministers arguing Scotland can use its renewable energy resources, water-resilient design and opportunities to reuse waste heat to attract investment.