?? The сost of ignoring sustainable software development ??

At Altabel, our techies follow sustainable software development practices and in my previous post we have taken a closer look at tools that make the software development process sustainable. But not all developers care about following these principles. So let's imagine what may happen when these practices are ignored, based on real-world examples and cases.

?? 1. ?????????????????????????? ????????????

Developers who neglect sustainable practices contribute to increased energy consumption and resource wastage. Inefficient code and poorly optimized algorithms require more computational power, directly translating to higher energy usage. This excessive consumption leads to increased carbon emissions, exacerbating the global climate crisis.

For instance, a study by the Software Sustainability Institute highlighted that inefficient software could consume up to 50% more energy than optimized software . One prominent case is the energy consumption of data centers. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers worldwide consumed about 200 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2020, roughly 1% of global electricity demand . Much of this consumption is due to poorly optimized software that requires excessive computational power.

?? 2. ???????????????? ????????????????????????

For businesses, the repercussions of ignoring sustainability in software development are severe. Higher energy consumption means inflated operational costs, which can strain budgets and reduce profitability. Furthermore, as regulatory bodies impose stricter environmental standards, companies that fail to comply face legal penalties and reputational damage. In a market where consumers and stakeholders increasingly value sustainability, failing to adopt green practices can result in a loss of competitive advantage.

For example, in 2021, Amazon faced backlash and regulatory scrutiny for the high energy consumption of its data centers. The company's refusal to adopt sustainable practices led to increased operational costs and significant reputational damage as customers and stakeholders demanded greener alternatives. This scenario underscores the financial and reputational risks associated with ignoring sustainability.

???3. ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ??????????????????????

Neglecting sustainable development practices also results in significant technical debt. Software that is not designed for longevity and maintainability becomes costly and challenging to update and maintain. This often necessitates frequent overhauls and replacements, further driving up costs and resource usage. Additionally, inefficient software tends to perform poorly, leading to user dissatisfaction and potential loss of business.

In 2019, JPMorgan Chase had to undergo a major overhaul of its core banking software due to unsustainable development practices. The software was not built for long-term maintainability, resulting in frequent downtimes and high maintenance costs. The overhaul cost the company millions and caused significant disruption to its operations. This case highlights the hidden costs and operational disruptions caused by technical debt.

So, as you could see from the examples above, the disregard for sustainable software development practices is a short-sighted approach that harms both the environment and business operations.

??At Altabel, we are committed to developing energy-efficient, resource-conscious, and environmentally friendly software. By integrating sustainability into our processes, we not only protect our planet but also deliver cost-effective and competitive solutions for our clients. Contact us to work together towards a greener, more efficient future together.

#SustainableSoftware #GreenTech #SoftwareDevelopment #Outsourcing #Outstaffing