Ecologically Sustainable Software Development

Software development has two points of reference to environmental sustainability: on the one hand, software itself can consume a considerable amount of resources. Pursuing approaches during development that require less energy or other resources can therefore make a difference. On the other hand, software can be used to collect, analyse and present information on the topic of sustainability in a way that is easy to understand in order to increase data literacy. At the Prototype Fund, a particularly large number of projects have trialled the latter.

Trend research findings

As part of our research for round 6 in 2018, we looked at environmental sustainability in software development. We looked at why software is often associated with high resource consumption and how to counteract this:

  • Network and internet technologies are becoming more and more widespread, but consume a lot of energy - often fossil - via data centres. Software that runs locally and data centres that are powered by renewable energies are more resource-efficient.
  • Software code itself is usually not written with energy efficiency in mind. The impact of tracking and the integration of advertising are particularly significant. Best practices for energy-efficient code can be helpful in ecologically sustainable software development. A variety of viewing modes, such as text-only websites, also promise lower energy consumption.
  • A lack of updates and reuse options for software as well as a lack of hardware repairs lead to high resource consumption. Open and modular approaches for software and a right to repair for hardware can provide more transparency about environmental impacts and at the same time reduce resource consumption.
  • Data-driven software development has two sides to it. On the one hand, it requires larger computing capacities and therefore needs more energy than traditional software development. On the other hand, the collection, analysis and processing of data such as satellite images or sensor data can be used to support sustainable policies or consumer decisions.

You can find the full report (in German) here.

Sustainability projects

Sustainable software development

Data collection and analyses for a better understanding of the environment

Software to recognise and harness potential for greater sustainability

More about the topic of sustainability on our blog

Further resources

  • Bits und Bäume: The movement organises conferences on digitalisation and sustainability, and it campaigns for sustainable technology design.
  • Verbund Offener Werkstätten: The organisation supports open workshops where people can experiment with computer-controlled manufacturing processes, repair equipment or build new things. Its focus is on fostering expert advice, networking and exchanges between open workshops.
  • WILDLABS: The network of the British Flora & Fauna Foundation organises a community of stakeholders who promote nature conservation with the help of innovative technological approaches. To this end, WILDSLABS offers a platform with information resources and networking opportunities as well as events, fellowships and awards.

Weitere Ressourcen

Bits und Bäume

The movement organises conferences on digitalisation and sustainability, and it campaigns for sustainable technology design.

Open link

Verbund Offener Werkstätten

The organisation supports open workshops where people can experiment with computer-controlled manufacturing processes, repair equipment or build new things. Its focus is on fostering expert advice, networking and exchanges between open workshops.

Open link

WILDLABS

The network of the British Flora & Fauna Foundation organises a community of stakeholders who promote nature conservation with the help of innovative technological approaches. To this end, WILDSLABS offers a platform with information resources and networking opportunities as well as events, fellowships and awards.

Open link