Measuring Cloud Sustainability with Precision

The Problem

A leading European automaker, committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, needed a way to measure the environmental impact of its cloud computing operations. While cloud technology powers innovation and scalability, it also contributes to significant energy use and carbon emissions.

Key challenges included:

• Limited visibility into energy consumption and CO₂ emissions across cloud services.
• Incomplete or estimated usage data exported from AWS, requiring careful interpretation.
• Strict security policies that prevented direct access to cloud infrastructure.
• The need to establish a reliable emissions baseline for future sustainability tracking.

‍

Solution

Life Value developed the Cloud Carbon Footprint CLI, a lightweight and efficient tool that estimates cloud-related energy use and emissions based on available data. The tool provides flexibility, transparency, and actionable insights without requiring direct access to the client’s infrastructure.

Key features of the solution:

• Automated Calculations: Accurately estimates energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from AWS usage data.
• User-Friendly CLI Interface: Simple commands with clear feedback for easy adoption across teams.
• Versatile Integration: Designed to work with multiple cloud providers and data formats.
• Secure Analysis: Operates without compromising client data or system security.
• Extensible Architecture: Built to evolve with future cloud services and emission standards.

This approach allowed the client to maintain full control of their infrastructure while gaining a data-driven understanding of their cloud’s environmental impact.

‍

Results

The Cloud Carbon Footprint CLI equipped the client with a reliable method for assessing and managing their cloud emissions.

• Accurate Estimation: Delivered precise calculations of cloud-related CO₂ output.
• Data-Driven Insights: Identified the main contributors to energy consumption and emissions.
• Progress Tracking: Established a baseline to measure sustainability improvements over time.
• Increased Awareness: Fostered greater understanding of cloud sustainability within the organization.

‍

Conclusion

Through the Cloud Carbon Footprint CLI, Life Value enabled the client to turn cloud usage data into meaningful environmental insights. The solution supports informed decision-making, promotes accountability, and helps organizations progress toward their sustainability goals. Life Value continues to assist companies in integrating sustainability into their digital operations with practical, data-focused tools that make a measurable impact.