Digital transformation remains a top priority for many organisations, with worldwide spending on areas such as big data analytics, IoT (Internet of Things), and artificial intelligence (AI) forecasted to reach almost US$4 trillion in 20271. While digital transformation can bring various benefits to organisations, such as potentially improving climate impact and driving innovation, it does not necessarily equate to them going green. The rising consumption of data, software, and digital services can also amplify environmental issues. This surge places immense pressure on global resources and stresses the need for sustainable digital practices. Given the increasing reliance on digital to move forward, the intersection of business growth and environmental responsibility has never been more critical.
Digital sustainability focuses on reducing the energy and resource consumption of key digital infrastructure, including data centres, cloud platforms, and software applications. It is about using digital tools in ways that minimise environmental impact, ensuring responsible technological advancement. Singapore, having recognised this balance early on, has led this effort for more than a decade with forward-thinking policies such as energy-efficient data centres and green software solutions. These cutting-edge initiatives not only reduce the country’s carbon footprint, but also future-proof Singapore’s digital economy, ensuring sustainable growth for years to come.
IMDA plays a pivotal role in driving Singapore’s digital sustainability efforts. By collaborating with global leaders like the Green Software Foundation, IMDA shapes a greener digital future through shared best practices, ecosystem awareness, and industry standards. Overseeing industry adoption and research into emerging technologies at IMDA, Dr Ong Chen Hui, Assistant Chief Executive, Business and Technology Group, emphasises the importance of collaboration, “Working with global partners such as the Green Software Foundation (GSF) underscores our commitment to co-develop green compute solutions and deliver the impact towards sustainability goals.”
With IMDA hosting the inaugural Singapore edition of the Green Software Foundation Global Summit, the nation continues to solidify its position as a global leader, driving conversations on how green software can power sustainable digital growth.
Green software: A sustainable approach in the digital age
Green software is a vital component of the broader digital sustainability movement. It refers to the design and deployment of software using best practices that reduce carbon emissions. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, green software is also more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and resilient – offering significant long-term advantages for businesses. Most importantly, by reducing energy consumption, green software takes care of the planet, aligning with global and national sustainability goals.
When developing green software solutions, companies must consider a range of factors. Key among them is energy efficiency – ensuring that software consumes minimal power without sacrificing performance. Carbon awareness is essential, as businesses are increasingly expected to monitor and reduce their carbon footprint. Hardware efficiency also plays a crucial role, as well-designed software can optimise the use of compute resources and extend the lifespan of hardware, reducing the need for frequent upgrades or replacements, further lowering environmental impact2.
Green software solutions can also help to further the efficiency of green data centres (DCs), especially with its notoriously energy intensive hardware. By leveraging green software techniques to reduce the computational demands of applications at these DCs, this allows for more applications to run on the same hardware, maximising capacity and ensuring further energy efficiency. Even though DCs strengthen Singapore’s position as an international connectivity hub, they are large emitters of green-house gases (GHGs) and major users of water (for cooling). In fact, they comprise almost a fifth of ICT carbon emissions.
For businesses looking to adopt green software solutions, practical steps include embracing open-source software, opting for cloud-based services, leveraging virtualisation, and using renewable energy to power operations. Reducing energy consumption is fundamental, and making smart technology choices can significantly lower a company’s carbon footprint.
Ultimately, green software is not just a trend – it’s a vital strategy for businesses to expand their digital infrastructure without overburdening Singapore’s energy resources. This approach aligns with the country’s Sustainable Development Blueprint and Green Plan 2030, both aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Having green software as an area of focus allows organisations to effectively align their operations with environmental responsibility to innovate and compete in an eco-conscious future.
Helping businesses build a greener digital world
As advocates for green software, IMDA established a comprehensive three-pronged approach: greening itself as an organisation, greening the information and communications technology (ICT) sector (green ICT), and using digital solutions to green the wider community (ICT for green), providing solutions through the ecosystem to benefit others.
IMDA’s many initiatives are designed to help businesses become more sustainable and efficient. One such effort promotes greening of the ICT sector through the Green Computing Funding Initiative (GCFI). Specifically targeting green computing, IMDA invests in research within academic institutions to optimise software design and function. This helps to address challenges the industry faces in going green. In parallel, IMDA also encourages green software trials with its industry partners to better understand how to develop green software that can reduce energy consumption and IT costs. Several successful pilots are already underway, demonstrating the potential of green software solutions in promoting environmental sustainability while supporting business needs.
Driving Singapore’s digital sustainability, we want to ensure emerging technologies such as AI are sustainable by design.
Dr Ong Chen Hui
Assistant Chief Executive, Business and Technology Group, IMDA
Be a part of the green revolution
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, adopting digital sustainability practices, especially through green software, is no longer optional – it is critical for long-term success. By embracing green software and digital sustainability, businesses can reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and stay competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious world. IMDA’s robust support through funding, guidelines, and partnerships can help businesses to do just that, equipping them to lead the shift towards a greener, more sustainable digital future.
If you are a business owner, you too can future-proof your business and contribute to a more sustainable, resilient world. Find out which green software and eco-friendly digital solutions are best for your business, and submit your proposals for research and trial solutions.
Footnotes
1 International Data Corporation. Worldwide Spending on Digital Transformation is Forecast to Reach Almost $4 Trillion by 2027, According to New IDC Spending Guide.
2 Microsoft supported by IMDA. Sustainable Software Development Guidelines.
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