Mapping of the system of software-related emissions and shared responsibilities

2025-12-15

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenges of identifying software-related carbon emissions and clarifying responsibility boundaries in the ICT sector. We propose the first carbon accountability mapping framework spanning the entire software lifecycle. Leveraging systematic mapping, ICT energy consumption modeling, and multi-stakeholder governance analysis, we trace energy flows and emission sources across hardware-software interactions, and explicitly define climate accountability for developers, operators, and cloud service providers across design, deployment, and operation phases. Our key innovation lies in operationalizing abstract environmental responsibility into a traceable, allocatable role-based model, and developing a standardized Software Carbon Accountability Atlas tool. The framework supports compliance with EU regulatory frameworks—including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD)—and significantly enhances transparency in ICT firms’ carbon disclosures and cross-organizational emission reduction coordination.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Software Engineering
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Accountability, Interpretability & Explainability
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Plan Execution and Monitoring

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Sustainability and carbon-aware systems for Web, mobile, and WoT
• Responsible Web: Sustainability and climate impact of web technologies
• Security and Privacy: Data transparency and provenance

Abstract

The global climate is experiencing a rapid and unprecedented warming trend. The ICT sector is a notable contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with its environmental impact continuing to expand. Addressing this issue is vital for achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement, particularly the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. At the European Union level, regulatory measures such as the CSRD and the CSDD impose obligations on companies, including those within the ICT sector, to recognize and mitigate their environmental footprint. This study provides a comprehensive system mapping aimed at enhancing the awareness and understanding of software-related emissions and the corresponding responsibilities borne by the ICT sector. The mapping identifies the primary sources of carbon emissions and energy consumption within the ICT domain while also outlining the key responsibilities of the stakeholders accountable throughout the software lifecycle.

Problem

• Mapping software-related emissions and responsibilities in ICT
• Identifying carbon sources and energy consumption in software lifecycle
• Addressing ICT sector's environmental impact for climate goals

Innovation

• Mapping software emissions and shared responsibilities
• Identifying ICT carbon sources and energy consumption
• Outlining stakeholder responsibilities across software lifecycle