Synergizing green ICT and open-source solutions for sustainable digital transformation

Abstract

Abstract

The acceleration of digital transformation across economies has intensified concerns regarding the environmental consequences of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Rising energy consumption, expanding carbon footprints, and increasing volumes of electronic waste present serious sustainability challenges. In response, Green Information and Communication Technology (Green ICT) has emerged as a strategic framework aimed at reducing environmental harm across the ICT lifecycle. Simultaneously, open-source ecosystems grounded in collaborative innovation and shared knowledge production have evolved into powerful enablers of accessible and adaptable digital systems. This paper critically examines the intersection between Green ICT and open-source solutions as a pathway toward sustainable digital transformation. Drawing on various scholarly and policy literature, the study synthesizes theoretical insights from Green ICT Theory, Commons-Based Peer Production (CBPP), and the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework. The analysis demonstrates that open-source models contribute significantly to sustainability by extending hardware lifespan, lowering total cost of ownership, facilitating modular and repairable system design, and fostering collaborative environmental innovation. The paper further explores global and African perspectives, highlighting how the convergence of open-source and Green ICT strategies is particularly impactful in developing contexts where affordability, adaptability, and digital sovereignty are critical. Despite notable synergies, institutional barriers, policy inconsistencies, and capacity gaps continue to constrain adoption. The study concludes that coherent policy integration, institutional capacity development, and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential to unlocking the full sustainability potential of open and green ICT ecosystems.