In the interview with Stephanie Kamp, Green Innovation Manager at Syngenio AG

Green software can do more than most people think. Germany has a huge backlog in this area and could set new standards. Many stakeholders are now aware that digitalization offers a sustainable option to counteract climate change. However, many people are not aware that it is precisely green software that has the potential to slow down climate change. Currently, very little climate-friendly software that is also cost-efficient is being used in this country. If you believe the forecasts for 2030, almost 21 percent of energy consumption will be attributable to computers and application software. It is high time that we address this issue in conversation with expert Stefanie Kamp in the DIGITAL FUTUREmag.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How can it be that energy demand in the field of digitalization, computers and software is constantly increasing and it seems that no one is taking care of using the already known possibilities for savings and optimization?

Stephanie Kamp: Users have not yet realized that energy can also be saved with software – and not just with hardware. On the one hand, many people see it as unavoidable, and on the other, the sheer number of applications is underestimated. Few people know that writing an email consumes about as much energy as a 60-meter car trip. With the sheer volume of two billion emails sent worldwide every day, the annual energy savings potential is enormous.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Where do you see the biggest weaknesses – in terms of energy consumption – in digital systems?

Stephanie Kamp: In my view, the biggest weaknesses lie in the over-dimensioned programming of software. Many functions are thought through and programmed that users rarely or never need. This means time and energy consumption that is not required – even if it is only milliseconds in some cases. Another pain point is the lack of awareness. Following the motto “more is better”, many employees have powerful software on their PCs that they usually only use a small part of. Just think of Microsoft Excel – probably most employees can only use a fraction of what the program offers. There needs to be a rethink in programming and software needs to be developed in a more modular way.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How high do you estimate the savings potential in this area?

Stephanie Kamp: According to the Green IT Alliance and the Borderstep Institute in 2013, the potential savings in Germany alone amount to up to 20 percent. This is roughly the same amount of energy produced by four medium-sized coal-fired power plants. This comparison really brings home the scale of the savings potential.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: In Germany, around 900,000 software developers are working. How would you like to raise their awareness of energy efficiency?

Stephanie Kamp: We are trying to raise awareness of the savings potential through various channels. It is important to clearly communicate that topics such as sustainability or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are much more present for employees than before. This is where the concept of “Green Software Design” comes into play. It enables sustainable programming of climate-friendly, i.e., resource-saving software.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How do you go about evaluating existing digital systems and first providing a reliable assessment?

Stephanie Kamp: Identifying weaknesses in the software used is a basic prerequisite for evaluating digital systems. For this purpose, we have developed the “Green Software Expertyzer” – initially for IT experts. Using a defined evaluation catalog, climate-relevant metrics of companies’ app and web applications are determined. This includes, for example, their duration of use and power consumption. It also covers the design of the software and its actual utility. We refer to this as “Active” and “Passive Green”. The result is displayed using the efficiency classes A to G, which are familiar from the household sector.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Many companies stick with older software because it has already been successfully implemented and has practically paid for itself. Following the motto “Never touch a running system”. What speaks in favor of actively addressing this aspect?

Stephanie Kamp: Nothing is as old as yesterday’s software. Our computers are becoming increasingly powerful, and the software adapts to benefit from modern tools. This applies to both performance and sustainability. Yes, updating or purchasing new software always carries the risk that it won’t run smoothly at first. However, once these difficulties are overcome, the investment will quickly pay off. To put it in perspective: An old steam locomotive can pull a freight train – but it’s neither efficient nor sustainable, it’s really just for enthusiasts. And outdated software is similar.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What kind of support can you offer companies that work with you to reduce their carbon footprint?

Stephanie Kamp: Business and society have sustainability firmly on the agenda. Companies that consistently act sustainably gain a competitive advantage, for example in customer communication. After all, sustainable action is increasingly being demanded by governments – such as with the EU Taxonomy. It can be assumed that sustainable products and services will be able to compete in the future. The more levers a company adjusts in this context, the better, for example, its own sustainability report can look.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Could you briefly describe what a project with a customer looks like?

Stephanie Kamp: With our customers, we don’t just look at individual areas but work in an interdisciplinary way. For example, we support them in selecting efficient components and programming solutions. We have a tried-and-tested set of tools to reduce the CO₂ footprint of software and thus of companies. In addition to identifying climate pitfalls in IT, we also develop the exact user software that saves electricity and resources. “Green Software Design” flexibly starts with optimizing individual applications and evolves into a comprehensive strategy. Using “GreenCheck”, we review and analyze the status quo of the software project before it is implemented in a new or improved application via “Green SoftwareDesign”.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Ms. Kamp, let’s take a look into the future. Where do you think the journey is heading in terms of digitalization and energy consumption, and what measures can companies already take today to be well positioned in the long term?

Stephanie Kamp: The software currently used in Germany is still not very climate-friendly and cost-efficient. According to studies, the electricity consumed by computers and application software is almost 9 percent of total energy consumption. By 2030, this could even rise to 21 percent, as the European energy consultancy Enerdata writes, since the value is increasing annually. As the market for environmentally friendly or sustainable products and services grows, the economy will also respond. This means that sustainable products will be in greater demand. The German government and the European Commission will also increase this pressure. Since it is possible with the right strategy to develop software in an environmentally friendly way and to use these applications as climate-friendly as possible, “Green Software Design” will become increasingly established. Not least because of the sharply rising energy prices. “Green Software Design” will thus make an important contribution to climate protection and cost savings.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Thank you very much for the exciting interview, Ms. Kamp.