What is green coding? How to make software faster, cheaper and more sustainable.
Green coding means developing software that uses as little computing power and energy as possible. The result is faster apps, lower costs and satisfied users, as well as a smaller ecological footprint.
Why inefficient software costs you money
Poorly optimised software means slow apps, frustrated users and higher hosting costs. The good news: small adjustments can make a big difference.
The 3-second rule
Google's research shows that 53% of mobile visitors abandon a page if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Around 50% of people even expect a page to load in under 2 seconds.
New EU rules are changing the game
From 2025, large companies must report on their sustainability impact. This means software efficiency is shifting from 'nice to have' to 'must have'.
Apps that don't drain your phone
We all know those apps that quickly drain your battery. Users give up on them and look for alternatives. Energy-efficient apps are increasingly becoming a competitive advantage.
Three practical approaches that really work
Green coding doesn't have to be complex. These three approaches make software faster, cheaper and more sustainable.
Think before you build
Rather than optimising afterwards, think from day one: "What do we really need?" A lot of software becomes unnecessarily complex because nobody asks this question.
Reuse what you already have, smartly
Just as you wouldn't bake fresh bread every day when you still have some left, software doesn't need to repeat the same calculations over and over. Store results and reuse them.
Let software 'sleep' when it can
Some tasks don't need to happen immediately. By running heavy calculations at times of low load, you can save costs and work more efficiently.
How others are tackling it
Netflix: Smarter streaming
Netflix optimised their video compression to drastically reduce data usage. By switching to more efficient codecs such as AV1, they were able to lower the bandwidth needed per stream by around 20%.
It works: smaller video files without loss of quality, less data usage, lower costs, and billions of people notice nothing.
Dutch newspapers: from slow to lightning fast
The Trouw, de Volkskrant and Het Parool websites all had the same problem: they were slow, and readers gave up before the articles had loaded. A clever technical approach led them to a solution.
Their solution: one smart website that works like an app, even offline. Articles now load within a second, even on slow connections.
The result: more readers, less frustration, and lower energy costs.
Where do you start as a business?
Green coding doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start small, measure what works, and build on it step by step.
Find out where things go wrong
Test your own software first. Which pages are slow? Where are users waiting? There are simple tools that show which components consume the most energy.
Agree on speed targets
Agree with your team: "Our apps must not take longer than 3 seconds to load." By setting concrete limits, everyone stays alert to performance and energy consumption.
Celebrate the small wins
Every improvement counts. A page that loads 20% faster, an app that uses less battery, hosting that costs 10% less. Share these successes with your team and your clients.
Ready to make your software faster and more energy-efficient?
Green coding means faster apps, lower costs and happier users. Plus, you'll be ready for the new EU rules that are on their way.
Want to know how your software could be more efficient? Let's start the conversation.