As part of its broader strategy to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2030, Meta has begun using mass timber to reduce the carbon footprint of its data center infrastructure. Traditionally built with concrete and steel—materials with high embodied carbon—Meta’s data centers are now incorporating engineered wood products that store carbon and require less energy to produce, transport, and install.

Mass timber refers to durable, wood-based products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), and mass plywood panels. These materials are engineered for strength, capable of supporting industrial applications like warehouses and data centers. Compared to concrete and steel, mass timber can cut the embodied carbon of construction materials by approximately 41%, and Meta is positioning it as a viable, scalable alternative for future development.

Meta’s first mass timber administrative building was completed in 2025 at its Aiken, South Carolina data center, in partnership with DPR and SmartLam. Additional projects are underway in Cheyenne, Wyoming (with Fortis Construction and Mercer Mass Timber) and Montgomery, Alabama (with Hensel Phelps and Binderholz). These pilots represent the beginning of a broader rollout that may eventually include critical data halls, not just auxiliary buildings.

Beyond emissions reductions, mass timber offers multiple benefits:

• Faster construction timelines due to prefabrication

• Reduced need for steel welding and concrete foundations, which lowers both costs and emissions

• High strength-to-weight ratio and fire resistance

• Aesthetic and biophilic advantages, with studies showing that natural materials in workspaces can improve occupant wellness, reduce stress, and boost productivity

Sustainability is also baked into the supply chain. Meta sources timber from third-party-audited, responsibly managed forests. In addition, suppliers may incorporate reclaimed wood and participate in climate-smart forestry practices, such as wildfire mitigation and tribal forest partnerships. The company is already backing sustainable forestry initiatives through partnerships with organizations like BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group in Brazil and EFM in Washington State, aligning these efforts with its net zero goals.

As Meta looks to scale this approach, the challenge lies in driving industry adoption of low-carbon materials like mass timber. By sharing its learnings and showcasing pilot buildings, Meta hopes to inspire broader change in data center construction and infrastructure development across the tech and real estate sectors.