Green software development using carbon-aware scheduling techniques and energy efficiency metrics throughout the SDLC

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to systematize contemporary approaches of green software development through the prism of carbon-aware scheduling methodologies and energy efficiency metrics at all stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC). The study will analyze English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. The following four carbon-intensive scheduling strategies have been identified: temporal task shifting, geographic load migration, electricity price consideration, and dynamic resource scaling. Experimental data indicates the potential for a 30–70% reduction in the carbon footprint of applications, with only a moderate impact on latency and cost. The metrics employed for evaluating energy efficiency span from low-level measures such as code complexity and measured power consumption to higher-level metrics addressing infrastructure and integration. It has been established that disregarding the initial phases of the SDLC results in an underestimation of the aggregate carbon footprint. The analysis showed that cutting emissions can conflict with maintaining high service quality. It also highlighted problems with standardizing metrics and ensuring accurate carbon-intensity forecasts, especially when significant task shifting is involved. Further unification of metrics, integration of energy monitoring at all stages of the SDLC, and consideration of economic factors are recommended.