At the meeting of the AmCham Sustainable Growth Committee, held on March 5, 2025, we focused on the crucial role of data storage and management in modern business and its impact on companies’ sustainable growth. In the digital age, data is more than just stored records – it becomes a strategic asset that shapes competitive advantage, ensures regulatory compliance, and opens opportunities to reduce environmental impact.

Guest experts Denis Lončar from Numo and Robert Korošec from Oracle shared their insights and best practices that help companies optimize digital processes and guide them towards a greener future.

Denis Lončar presented Numo’s initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of websites and applications. The internet accounts for as much as 4% of all CO2 emissions, which is more than global aviation. The average website generates around 100 kg of CO2 over its lifecycle, equivalent to driving 500 kilometers by car, while the average web application can produce up to ten times more. By following sustainable guidelines in the development of digital solutions, hosting on servers powered by renewable energy sources, and carefully planning data management, these figures can be significantly reduced, making an important contribution to environmental protection.

Robert Korošec highlighted the evolution of data management over the past decades and emphasized the benefits of transitioning to cloud solutions. Consolidating servers into large data centers enables economies of scale, greater energy efficiency, and expert care for data security. Despite ongoing questions regarding the geopolitical safety of cloud data, the fact remains that global providers, with innovations such as advanced security protocols and energy-efficient data centers, can achieve up to 90% savings in electricity consumption compared to local solutions.

The discussion also explored the future of digital infrastructure, emphasizing that energy efficiency will become a critical priority as the demand for processing power continues to surge with the rise of generative artificial intelligence solutions. Projects like Stargate in the U.S. are already forecasting multi-hundred-billion-dollar investments in new data centers, raising questions about the balance between digital progress and sustainability.

The meeting was moderated by Marko Blatnik, Co-Chair of the AmCham Sustainable Growth Committee. The event provided an excellent opportunity for an in-depth discussion on responsible data management and how we can support technological development with sustainable practices while minimizing its environmental impact.