The Future is digital - but sustainable too?

As early as 2022—before the breakthrough in generative AI—data centers accounted for 1–1.5% of global electricity consumption. A single ChatGPT request can consume up to ten times more energy than a Google search. By 2030, computing power demand could rise by 160%—in countries like Ireland, electricity consumption threatens to exceed that of private households. ¹

Emissions Gaps & Greenwashing Risks

Digital solutions are often considered climate-friendly, yet studies reveal significant emission discrepancies—up to 662% higher than published figures. In the case of “location-based emissions,” CO₂ output is equivalent to that of entire nations. Without standards, there is a risk of miscalculations and greenwashing. ²

Data Growth & Dark Data

90% of all data was generated in the last two years. Two-thirds of this remains unused (“dark data”). With expected growth to over 1 yottabyte by 2030, the question arises: How can this flood of data be managed efficiently and sustainably? ³

Further challenges in the context of transformation:

Explosive AI growth:

Rising energy consumption and cooling requirements due to AI—without efficiency measures, regression rather than progress looms.

Regulatory pressure:

New requirements—such as those under the EU CSRD—demand robust data processes and transparent reporting.

Supply chain requirements:

Sustainability data across the entire value chain is now standard in tenders and audits.

Circular economy:

Increased hardware usage requires take-back programs, recycling, and product-level carbon footprints.

The Opportunities – Digitalization as a Lever for Sustainable Results

Used correctly, digitalization can be an effective driver for climate protection and resource efficiency. Numerous approaches are available, particularly in IT infrastructure and data management.

Store only relevant data:

Through automated data classification, intelligent archiving rules, and workflows, only what is truly needed is stored. This reduces storage space requirements, saves energy, and lowers CO₂ emissions—especially for energy-intensive storage.

Analyze and control energy consumption:

Monitoring tools and APIs provide real-time insights into the power consumption of individual systems. Dashboards help identify inefficient devices, shift loads strategically, or shut down systems when not in use.

Operate on-premises more efficiently:

Measures such as server consolidation, virtualization, snapshots, deduplication, and AI-driven orchestration reduce the required computing power. This significantly lowers energy costs—especially in energy-intensive data centers.

Leverage hybrid cloud strategies:

The combination of local and external infrastructure allows workloads to be strategically outsourced to providers with low CO₂ intensity, e.g., data centers powered by 100% renewable energy.

Establish take-back systems for IT hardware:

Digital tools enable the tracking and reuse of end-of-life devices. This systematically supports repair, refurbishment, or recycling—contributing to the circular economy and CO₂ reduction.

CO₂ transparency with Product Carbon Footprints (PCF):

Automated tools calculate emissions at the product level. Interfaces with suppliers improve data quality—essential for CSRD-compliant sustainability reporting.

Sustainable packaging design:

With the help of digital simulations and life-cycle analyses, packaging can be designed to be material-efficient and recyclable—right from the design phase.

Extended use of hardware:

Life-cycle management software and predictive maintenance solutions ensure that IT devices are used for longer. Targeted maintenance and automatic updates prevent unnecessary new purchases.

These digital levers help make sustainability a measurable component of corporate strategy—technologically, organizationally, and financially.

Best Practices – When Data Centers Become Climate Protectors

Numerous companies and initiatives demonstrate how data centers can become pioneers in energy efficiency and climate protection. The following examples provide insight into concrete implementation options:

On-site renewable energy: Google and Apple operate data centers using electricity from their own wind and solar power plants, supplemented by storage capacity. Apple uses green bonds to finance over 1.2 GW of clean energy—ensuring a climate-neutral supply around the clock. 4
Intelligent use of waste heat: In Vienna, waste heat from a data center is fed directly into the district heating network—for example, to the Floridsdorf Clinic, where it covers up to 70% of the heating demand. A smart solution that doubles the use of energy and replaces fossil fuels. 5
Electricity from 100% renewable sources: The EcoDataCenter in Falun (Sweden) powers its servers exclusively with local green electricity—75% hydroelectric, 25% wind. The facility offers several hundred megawatts of capacity and is designed to be fully climate-neutral. 6
Cooling efficiency & water management: ARK Data Centres rely on fresh-air cooling using outdoor air and combine modern cooling systems with rainwater harvesting and solar energy on the roofs. This reduces mechanical cooling and significantly lowers water consumption. 7
Innovative Server Cooling: Companies such as Diggers are collaborating with Exoscale (an A1 subsidiary) to develop new cooling systems that reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and utilize waste heat. 8

These examples illustrate that integrated concepts—ranging from renewable energy and waste heat utilization to intelligent cooling and water management—not only reduce emissions but also lower operating costs and strengthen the resilience of the infrastructure.

CIOs as Key Players in the Sustainability Transformation

CIOs as Key Players in the Sustainability Transformation. Digital sustainability does not start with technology—it starts with strategic decisions. CIOs play a central role in this: They are no longer responsible solely for infrastructure and security, but also share responsibility for implementing their organization’s sustainability goals.

Their responsibilities include:

the sustainable operation of the IT infrastructure,
ensuring reliable ESG data,
and the integration of environmentally friendly technologies (e.g., circular IT, energy-efficient systems, green coding).

At the same time, CIOs face new challenges: such as integrating sustainability data into existing systems, complex reporting requirements (like CSRD), and evolving EU regulations. This makes close collaboration with sustainability teams, technology partners, and executive leadership all the more important.

The white paper “CIOs & Sustainability – Drivers of Change,” developed by NetApp, Quorum, and Glacier, provides deeper insights.

Conclusion: Digitalization, when used correctly, is part of the solution

Digitalization and sustainability are not a contradiction—on the contrary: when used correctly, technology becomes an effective tool for climate protection, resource efficiency, and sustainable corporate governance. The workshop demonstrated that the solutions are already available. What is needed now is the ability to implement them, a systemic view of IT and sustainability—and a clear commitment to digital responsibility. CIOs can serve as a decisive lever in this process.

Online DeepDive

Want to dive even deeper?

Here you’ll find the recording of the Deep Dive on the topic: The future is digital—but is it also sustainable?

If you have any questions or would like to explore the topic in more depth beforehand, Christoph Bauer (Christoph.Bauer@netapp.com) is happy to assist you directly.

In cooperation with NetApp

NetApp as a partner for sustainable digitalization

As a partner of the Climate Hours Initiative, NetApp brings its global expertise in sustainable IT infrastructure to bear in a targeted manner. For NetApp, it is clear: Sustainability is not an add-on, but a prerequisite for long-term innovation. In cooperation with its business partner Quorum, NetApp is committed to connecting CIOs with leading sustainability experts. The goal is to equip companies with the necessary knowledge and appropriate technologies to develop resource-efficient, regulatory-compliant, and economically viable IT strategies—and to actively involve their employees in the transformation.

Be part of the change Education plays a crucial role on the path to a more sustainable future. The Climate Hours Initiative offers precisely this essential educational approach by equipping companies, stakeholders, and employees with the knowledge, awareness, and skills that are indispensable for a sustainable transformation. The goal is not only to embed climate protection into everyday business operations but also to preserve a livable world for future generations.

For more details on the Climate Hours Initiative and how you and your company can participate, visit www.climatehours.com