Rarely do companies spruik the terms of debt arrangements with potential employees, but AirTrunk chief executive Robin Khuda says the data centre operator’s $10 billion in ESG financing has become a key talking point in its recruitment efforts.

Under the terms of its novel sustainability-linked loan, AirTrunk pays less interest on its debt so long as it hits key measures surrounding its carbon, energy and water usage, as well as gender pay equity targets. The savings are directed into AirTrunk’s multimillion-dollar social impact fund, which supports charities and other social initiatives across the Asia Pacific region.