A Green Software Foundation initiative mapping the Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) Specification to global sustainability legislation and policy frameworks.
As sustainability regulation matures across jurisdictions worldwide, organisations face growing pressure to measure, report, and reduce the environmental impact of their software systems. The SCI specification provides a standardised, practical methodology for quantifying software carbon intensity — but its value extends beyond technical measurement.
This repository houses a series of white papers that systematically align the SCI with major regulatory and policy frameworks. Each paper demonstrates how the SCI can be applied within a specific legislative context, equipping policymakers, member organisations, and standards bodies with the evidence and guidance needed to adopt the SCI as a credible compliance and reporting tool.
- Regulatory complexity is increasing. Organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions must navigate an expanding web of sustainability disclosure, reporting, and due diligence obligations.
- The SCI offers a practical path forward. By mapping the SCI to existing and emerging frameworks, we provide actionable guidance that reduces compliance burden and drives consistent measurement practices.
- Policy influence is a strategic opportunity. Clear alignment between the SCI and legislative requirements positions the Green Software Foundation to actively shape how software sustainability is defined and measured within policy design.
This series covers the following regulatory and policy frameworks:
| Framework | Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CSRD | European Union | Published |
| SCI for AI and EU AI Act Environmental Compliance | European Union | Published |
| EU AI Act | European Union | In progress |
| Response to GHG Protocol Scope 2 Public Consultation | European Union | Published |
| Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) | European Union | Under investigation |
| EU Green Claims Directive | European Union | Under investigation |
| Unfair Commercial Practices Directive | European Union | Under investigation |
| Energy Efficiency Directive | European Union | Under investigation |
| California SB253 & SB261 | United States (California) | In Progress |
| ISSB Standards | Global | Under investigation |
| SCI for Circularity | Cross-cutting | In progress |
| Cloud Region Metadata and CADA | European Commission | In Progress |
| Data Centres as Flexible Grid Participants - Response to OFGEM | European Commission | Published |
/
├── white-papers/
│ ├── eu-ai-act/
│ ├── csddd/
│ ├── eu-green-claims/
│ ├── unfair-commercial-practices/
│ ├── energy-efficiency-directive/
│ ├── california-sb253-sb261/
│ ├── issb-standards/
│ └── sci-for-circularity/
├── templates/
│ └── white-paper-template.md
├── governance/
│ └── review-and-approval-process.md
└── README.md
Each white paper in this series follows a consistent structure to ensure clarity and comparability:
- Executive Summary — A concise overview of the legislative context and the SCI's relevance.
- Regulatory Framework Overview — A summary of the legislation, its requirements, and affected organisations.
- SCI Alignment Analysis — A detailed mapping of how the SCI satisfies or supports specific regulatory obligations.
- Implementation Guidance — Practical steps for organisations seeking to apply the SCI within this regulatory context.
- Gaps and Recommendations — Areas where further work, tooling, or policy engagement may be required.
- References — Links to the SCI specification, legislative texts, and supporting resources.
All white papers in this series go through a structured review and approval workflow before publication:
- Drafting — Led by the assigned GSF working group (HSWG, SSWG, or other).
- Peer Review — Reviewed by subject matter experts within the relevant working group.
- Steering Committee Approval — Submitted to the GSF Steering Committee for formal sign-off.
- Publication — Released as an official GSF deliverable via this repository and the GSF website.
For full details, see governance/review-and-approval-process.md.
We welcome contributions from GSF members, working group participants, and sustainability policy experts. To get involved:
- Review the white paper template before drafting.
- Raise issues or proposals via the Issues tab.
- Submit contributions as pull requests against the relevant white paper directory.
- Contact the programme manager or your working group chair if you are unsure where to start.
- SCI Specification — The authoritative reference for the Software Carbon Intensity standard.
- Green Software Foundation — The home of the GSF, its working groups, and published standards.
- GSF GitHub Organisation — Additional GSF repositories and tooling.
Maintained by the Green Software Foundation. For enquiries, contact the Standards Programme team.