One or more environmental conditions within each of a plurality of server racks are received over time. One or more IT parameters representative of server load are received over time. A model is constructed that models how one or more of the environmental conditions within at least one of the server racks of the plurality of server racks responds to changes in one or more of the IT parameters. A future value of one or more environmental conditions within one or more of the plurality of server racks is predicted based at least in part on the model and the one or more subsequent received IT parameters. At least some of the environmental control equipment of the data center is proactively controlled based at least in part on the predicted future value of one or more of the environmental conditions within the one or more server racks.