Manifesto for Sustainable Software Design
In an increasingly interconnected digital world, software shapes societies, influences behaviors, and transforms economies. As designers, developers, and entrepreneurs of platforms and systems for communication, collaboration, and social interaction, we bear a responsibility to prioritize sustainability — not only in terms of ecological impact but also in inclusivity, ethics, and the long-term resilience of the digital systems we create.
Sustainability
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- Noun
- A means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals for future generations.
This manifesto is a work in progress, and we are actively seeking feedback, ideas, and support. We invite you to join the conversation and contribute in any way that resonates with you — whether big or small, every voice matters.
This manifesto presents principles to guide software development toward a future where technology serves the needs of society, humanity, and the planet. Through our work, we strive to uphold these values:
- Reflection before Reaction – Thoughtful design should discourage the hunt for external validation and instead promote reflective, meaningful engagement.
- Inclusivity before Simplicity – Software should go beyond providing accessibility features and consider how to actively include marginalized groups.
- Empowerment before Convenience – Users should retain control over their data, tools, and choices, rather than being locked into vendor-controlled ecosystems for the sake of ease.
- Privacy before Personalization – Personalization should never come at the expense of user privacy, requiring ethical data practices that minimize surveillance and maximize trust.
- Transparency before Algorithms – Users deserve to understand how algorithms influence their digital experiences, ensuring fairness, accountability, and informed decision-making.
- Climate before Speed – Software development should prioritize sustainability, optimizing for energy efficiency and hardware compatibility rather than racing toward rapid iteration.
- Shared Value before Shareholder Value – Companies should adopt governance models that reflect user interests to avoid entshittification and exclusively serving shareholder profits.
While there is value in the items on the right, we believe the items on the left must take precedence.
These principles are not just ideals; they are a practical compass for creating sustainable, ethical, and user-centered systems. By embedding reflection, inclusivity, empowerment, privacy, transparency, climate awareness, and shared value into software design, we can develop resilient, equitable technologies that align with the greater good.