Digitalization drives innovation but also accelerates environmental impact. Data centres, networks, and end-user devices collectively consume vast amounts of energy, surpassing even aviation emissions (TEM, 2022). Software development practices significantly influence this footprint. Tero Niemi’s 2025 thesis addresses a critical question: How can Green Software principles be integrated into a software company’s Code of Conduct (CoC) to promote sustainability without compromising agility?
The study employed qualitative Action Research, progressing through iterative PAOR cycles (Plan–Act–Observe–Reflect) (Lewin, 1946; Baskerville, 1999). Data sources included:
- Document analysis of existing CoC and sustainability guidelines.
- Semi-structured Teams interviews with Green ICT and compliance experts.
- Asynchronous email interviews for reflective input.
Inductive content analysis identified recurring themes, supported by triangulation and audit trails to ensure credibility (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).
Key Findings
1. Core Principles for Integration
Three pillars emerged as essential for embedding sustainability into CoC:
- Resource Efficiency: Minimize energy, compute, memory, storage, and data transfer across the software lifecycle.
- Lifecycle Thinking: Apply environmental responsibility from design to decommissioning.
- Governance Alignment: Use language that fits compliance frameworks, e.g., “principles aim to guide…” rather than prescriptive mandates.
2. Practical Implementation
The thesis proposes linking green principles to operational processes:
- Development workflows: Incorporate sustainability into Definition of Done, code reviews, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Governance tools: Provide team checklists and compliance audits.
- Measurement: Introduce metrics for monitoring resource footprint, such as Software Carbon Intensity (Green Software Foundation, 2023).
3. Organizational Enablers
Interviews highlighted recruitment, onboarding, and internal Green Code communities as critical for long-term adoption. While not part of the CoC text, these were recommended for future development.
The research underscores that sustainability in software engineering is not merely a technical challenge but a governance issue. Formalizing green principles within CoC elevates them from optional best practices to organizational commitments. This approach aligns with broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks, reinforcing ethical and environmental accountability (Bilousko & Bilousko, 2024).
However, challenges persist. Few standardized environmental criteria exist for software, and resistance to codifying green practices remains. Niemi’s iterative methodology mitigated these barriers by involving stakeholders in co-creation, ensuring relevance and feasibility.
Practical Implications
For IT service firms, integrating green principles into CoC offers multiple benefits:
- Competitive Advantage: Sustainability differentiates brands in a market increasingly driven by ESG metrics.
- Cost Efficiency: Resource optimization reduces operational expenses, especially in cloud environments.
- Risk Management: Compliance with emerging environmental regulations minimizes legal and reputational risks.
Niemi’s study demonstrates that Green Software principles can be embedded into corporate governance without sacrificing agility or quality. By operationalizing resource efficiency and lifecycle thinking within CoC frameworks, organizations can transform sustainability from aspiration to action. Future research should explore automated measurement tools and quantify impacts on business performance, customer experience, and environmental outcomes.
References
Bilousko, T. Yu., & Bilousko, R. S. (2024). Social responsibility of business in the formation of competitive advantages of the enterprise.
Green Software Foundation. (2023). Green coding is a matter of code quality.
Lewin, K. (1946). Action research and minority problems. Journal of Social Issues, 2(4), 34–46.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage.
TEM. (2022). Digital transition is not automatically green.
Niemi, T. (2025). Integrating Green Software Practices into a Software Company’s Code of Conduct. Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
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