Open source – an underestimated contribution to climate and environmental protection

When it comes to climate protection, most people first think of transport, energy or consumption. But the digital world also has a growing ecological footprint. Data centres, hardware production and ever-increasing web traffic consume enormous amounts of energy. This is where open source software (OSS) can make a surprisingly large contribution, not as a stand-alone solution, but as an important building block for more sustainable digitalisation.

At first glance, personal blogs or company websites hardly seem like climate offenders. But every data transfer on the internet requires energy, and this energy still comes predominantly from fossil fuels.

At the same time, many modern websites are becoming increasingly complex and graphically sophisticated. As a result, they often only run smoothly on the latest hardware. This indirectly puts pressure on users to replace their devices more frequently. The majority of a device's carbon footprint is generated not during use, but during production: the manufacture of a new smartphone alone causes an average of 60 to 90 kilograms of CO₂, even before it is switched on.

These correlations show that sustainability has long been an issue in the software world. But what exactly makes software sustainable and why does open source play such a crucial role in this context?

How open source contributes to sustainability

One of the biggest advantages of open source is the ability to use older devices for longer. Many open source operating systems and applications are programmed to conserve resources and run reliably even on older hardware. This means that users need to replace their devices less often, which reduces electronic waste and conserves valuable raw materials.

Proprietary software, on the other hand, often forces regular updates or version changes, which quickly render older devices and programmes unusable. Open source gives users the freedom to adapt and further develop software independently of the manufacturer. This reduces the need to frequently replace hardware, which significantly extends the service life of technical devices.

Many open source solutions are also modular in design. Users can install exactly the components they need and dispense with redundant functions. This reduces energy consumption on end devices as well as resource requirements in data centres.

Open source code also creates transparency and enables developers to understand, optimise and reuse software. This exchange of knowledge prevents duplication of development work and ensures that existing resources are used efficiently.

Another aspect is digital sovereignty. Open source reduces dependence on large technology providers, as organisations can operate and adapt systems themselves in the long term. This increases independence and promotes sustainable IT infrastructures that are not tied to short-term product cycles.

In addition, the open source model promotes collaboration and innovation. Collaborative development means that new solutions are created more quickly, can be continuously improved and reused in different contexts.

Conclusion

Sustainability often starts small, including in the way we develop and use software. Open source gives us the opportunity to design digital technologies responsibly and conserve resources without sacrificing convenience or innovation. Platforms such as OpenTalk make it clear that sustainable digitalisation has long been a reality. These efforts are also officially recognised: OpenCloud has been awarded the Blue Angel eco-label for its energy-efficient, resource-saving software architecture and sustainable IT procurement.