How sustainability is shaping the future of mobile app development

All our digital jobs have a significant impact on the environment, as technologies require a lot of energy to run and water to cool equipment, not to mention generating electronic waste. We are increasingly connected, from anywhere and at any time.

The number of smartphones available worldwide has grown by 38.38 % since 2022, adding over a billion new mobile users over time who want apps that are fast, convenient and easy to use. An app like Facebook, the most popular, has over 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, so the impact is considerable, so your Likes contribute to global warming.

Mobile applications require energy to operate, and this consumption leads to greenhouse gas emissions.

Audio-only applications are less demanding, but many users listen to music and display the associated video. Enable audio mode on YouTube for music tracks and podcasts. Web browsing activities have received little attention, so we need to optimize images, reduce tracking tools and limit the impact of advertising. Social networks are constantly absorbing resources, but some publishers have developed "lightweight" applications designed to consume less battery power than traditional applications. Take TikTok Lite, for example. Generally speaking, it's essential to measure environmental impact throughout the manufacturing cycle and throughout the life of the application.

The most sensitive area of smartphone energy consumption is the battery. While mobile devices are often accused of running out of power or losing autonomy, we tend to ignore the fact that the applications installed on smartphones consume and degrade battery capacity. Everyone has one or two phones for personal use. Sometimes devices are not sufficiently tested, or developers may leave certain resources unattended, generating additional power consumption. More than half of all applications continue to process and send data after they have been closed. The most offensive app can reduce battery life by up to 3 hours, so it's not fair to put all the blame on the manufacturer.

By adopting energy-efficient coding practices, developers can create applications that consume less energy.

Sustainable development is essential to ensure a livable planet for future generations, by addressing pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution and resource depletion. Recently, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) published a report outlining the information to be provided on environmental, social and governance issues, without prejudice to European decisions. In the circular economy, resources are used longer through recycling, remanufacturing and waste reduction. Companies large and small use Mil-tek carton presses for operational efficiency and environmental responsibility; they also end up saving money in the long run.

The infrastructure that supports the use of mobile applications, whether an enterprise or a back-end server to which the application must connect, also consumes large amounts of energy. Considering the enormous potential benefits associated with mobile technology, there is a particular risk that the negative effects on the environment will fade away. There is therefore an urgent need to reduce equipment consumption at all levels, from smartphones to the cloud. Software developers need to reduce the development time of their applications, as well as optimizing their code. The recipe for success is no secret, and includes many of these best practices:

• Lean code: There's no need for an elaborate infrastructure to solve complex problems that only require a simple solution. Avoid redundant, sloppy code that is inflexible and difficult to maintain. Machine learning replaces the manual effort of building, training and maintaining models.
• Addition of user-selectable dark themes: Switching from bright to dark mode saves an average of 39 to 47 % of battery power. Even in small amounts, the user can become greener and more respectful of the planet. Dark interfaces for mobile applications are more demanding than originally thought, and there are key aspects to bear in mind, such as color palette selection, visual hierarchy, eye fatigue, consistency and user preferences.
• Revisit the choice of programming language: Write your software in compiled languages, as they offer native execution speed. With the exception of Java, interpreted languages consume four times as much energy to accomplish the same task. Compiled languages are converted directly into machine code that the processor can execute.
• Leverage blockchain solutions: You can use different blockchain platforms, including Ethereum and Solana, to create applications tailored to your users' needs. The majority of blockchains use the Proof of Stake consensus mechanism, which translates into a reduced carbon footprint for the entire network.

Software developers should reduce the development time of their applications in addition to optimizing their code. Time-saving tips include, but are not limited to, using frameworks, modularization, coding for reuse and reducing the number of features.

Mobile apps can be a force for good in the world: Unlocking sustainability

In case you haven't already heard, the market for green technology applications is booming, as businesses and consumers alike become increasingly interested in making sustainable choices. Sustainability is moving from the status of a benefit to that of an obligation, and the demand for applications that promote eco-friendly practices is growing. Whether you're a software developer, technology enthusiast or simply curious, here are some of the hottest trends in mobile app development:

• Tracking carbon emissions: Consumers are interested in the carbon footprint of their daily purchases, and it would be useful for them to know the details. Mobile apps can encourage them to make greener choices.
• Enhance awareness and education: By providing easy access to environmental education, apps can help individuals, communities and organizations make informed, responsible decisions. Once installed on a mobile device, the app instantly improves visibility.
• Invest in certified climate projects: Climate projects reduce or eliminate carbon emissions from the atmosphere, for example through reforestation. A mobile app facilitates socially responsible investing, which means it's easy to access the investment trend.

End note

This makes it possible to develop code that delays the execution of mobile applications using data center servers, performing actions (e.g., backups) only when renewable energy is available. The transition is underway. Gren hosts power their servers with solar, wind or hydroelectric energy, and use the latest cooling technologies to save energy. By optimizing the use of hardware and software resources, eco-friendly applications run smoothly, with faster load times and minimal energy consumption. Get started today!