A novel discussion that I recently came across at an innovation meet. “You know,” one of the experienced coders there said, “for a long time, my biggest concern was whether my code was fast enough. Now, I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s clean enough.” 

And he wasn’t talking about bugs or technical debt, not in the traditional sense anyway. He was talking about its carbon footprint. 

It’s a conversation that’s popping up more and more. The idea that the code we write and the software we build have a real, tangible impact on the environment is no longer a fringe, granola-crunching concept. It’s a boardroom-level concern. And for good reason. 

The tech sector has gotten a little bit of a free pass on sustainability. We’ve been so caught up in creating the future that we haven’t always taken the time to consider the environmental cost of all of that progress. But the bill is due. 

The Elephant in the Server Room 

The statistics are, to be honest, a bit frightening. The IT sector is already accounting for as much as 3.9% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions [1]. And with the advent of AI, big data, and the Internet of Things, that figure is set to soar. The ICT sector is expected to be responsible for a staggering 14% of worldwide carbon emissions by 2040 [2]. 

Let that sink in for a second. Our industry, which is meant to take us into a better future, is set to become one of the world’s largest polluters. That’s not a legacy any of us wishes to have. 

And it’s not just about the planet, as if that weren’t enough. Your customers are watching. Your investors are watching. And your employees are watching. A whopping 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products [3]. They want to do business with companies that share their values. And if you’re not seen as part of the solution, you’re going to be seen as part of the problem. 

So, What’s a CTO to Do? The Rise of Green Coding 

Enter “green coding”. It’s a straightforward yet compelling concept: code that not only runs fast and is beautiful but also is green. It’s about making informed decisions, from the language you write in to how you structure your algorithms, to reduce the power usage of your application. 

I can already hear the general groan. “Great. Something else to worry about.” Here’s the thing: green coding isn’t just good for the environment; it’s also good for your profits. In fact, when green IT is used effectively, it can reduce an organisation’s energy bills by anywhere from 17-90% of their existing costs [2]. 

And it only gets better. Organisations that adopt sustainability and digital transformation programs have higher average operating margins than competitors [1]. Why? Because sustainable code is, inherently, efficient code. It’s lean, it’s optimised, and it’s less likely to be the kind of “technical debt” that can consume up to 40% of your whole IT budget [2].

From Friction to Flow: How to Build Your Green Code Machine 

So, how do you actually do this? It’s not as scary as it sounds. Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years: 

The Secret Weapon: Staff Augmentation for a Greener Future 

Your people are already stretched thin. You’re innovating, trying to keep up with competitors, and now I’m asking you to become an expert in sustainable software development. It’s a lot. 

You don’t have to do it all on your own. This is where staff augmentation can make all the difference. Through the introduction of specialised know-how, you can accelerate your path towards sustainability. You can gain entry to developers who are already proficient in the practice of green coding, who can aid you in the optimisation of your current codebase, and who can educate your team to code and think more sustainably. 

It’s a flexible, cost-effective way to bridge the talent gap and accelerate your transition to a more sustainable future. And it sends a powerful message to your team, your customers, and your investors that you’re serious about making a difference. 

The Takeaway 

Creating a more sustainable future is our generation’s challenge. And as tech industry leaders, we have a singular chance and an extraordinary obligation to be part of the solution. The decisions we make today and the code we write tomorrow will have a ripple effect that resonates for decades to come. 

So, let’s begin building a better future, one line of code at a time. 

References 

[1] IBM. (2023). What is Green Coding and Why Does it Matter?. https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/green-coding 

[2] Software Improvement Group. (2024). Green IT: How green software development can reduce your carbon footprint. https://www.softwareimprovementgroup.com/green-software-development/ 

[3] MoldStud. (2025). Exploring the Return on Investment for Sustainable IT Initiatives. https://moldstud.com/articles/p-exploring-the-return-on-investment-for-sustainable-it-initiatives-essential-insights-for-decision-makers 

Sujoy Roy
(Head – Digital Marketing)

From my teenage time, I had a quench to solve problems and loved leadership. Starting my career in relation management, ignited my passion for managing people. While managing I realized technology needs to be incorporated to keep pace with the changing world & do my work efficiently.