GSF Real-Time Cloud Meeting: Nov 18, 2025 - Key Discussions
Welcome, everyone, to the comprehensive overview of the Green Software Foundation's Real-Time Cloud meeting held on November 18, 2025. This article breaks down the key discussions, decisions, and action items that emerged during the session. Whether you're a seasoned member or new to the community, this summary provides valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices in cloud computing. Let's dive in!
Antitrust Policy Reminder
Just a quick but super important note: all participants need to adhere to the Joint Development Foundation's antitrust policy. These meetings often include competitors, and we must ensure all activities comply with antitrust and competition laws. If you have any questions, reach out to your company's counsel or DLA Piper. Let's keep it fair and square, guys!
Recording Agreement
For transparency and future reference, the Working Group agreed to record all meetings. These recordings will be available until the next scheduled meeting. This helps anyone who missed the session to catch up, ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned.
Attendance Roll Call
To ensure proper tracking, please add 'Attended' to the issue on GitHub to confirm your presence. The GSF team will also update the list with any untracked attendees. It's great to see so many dedicated individuals contributing to this vital cause!
Agenda and Minutes Approval
At the start of the meeting, the agenda was approved, setting the stage for a productive discussion. Additionally, the minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved, ensuring continuity and accountability. Approving these items helps to ensure that the meeting is structured and follows the planned topics.
Key Issues and Discussions
Addressing Grid Carbon Intensity Discrepancies
One of the critical issues discussed was the difference between grid carbon intensity numbers. This is a crucial aspect of accurately measuring and reducing the environmental impact of cloud computing. Understanding these discrepancies is essential for developing effective strategies to promote greener software practices. The team is working towards a unified, standardized approach to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
Cloud Provider Data Updates
Cloud provider data is a critical component of assessing the environmental impact of cloud services. The meeting included updates and reviews on various cloud provider sustainability reports and data releases. These updates provide essential information for making informed decisions and driving improvements in cloud sustainability.
AWS Scope 3 Data Analysis
AWS Scope 3 data release analysis was a significant point of discussion, assuming the data was available. Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain, making them a crucial component of overall environmental impact assessment. The team analyzed the data to identify key areas for improvement and opportunities for reducing the carbon footprint of AWS services.
Google and Microsoft Sustainability Report Reviews
Reviews of Google and Microsoft sustainability reports provided insights into their environmental initiatives and progress. These reviews help benchmark industry standards and identify best practices that can be adopted across the Green Software Foundation community. It's about learning from each other and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cloud sustainability.
Automation Implementation Progress
The team discussed the progress of automation implementation for data collection and reporting. Automation streamlines the process of gathering and analyzing sustainability data, making it more efficient and reliable. This is a key step in enabling real-time monitoring and optimization of carbon emissions.
Specification Document Review
The specification document is a cornerstone of the Real-Time Cloud project, providing a standardized framework for measuring and reporting carbon intensity. A detailed review of PR #114, along with feedback from Henry and Chris, was conducted to refine the document further.
Baseline Spec Review
The current baseline spec was reviewed to ensure it meets the project's objectives and aligns with industry best practices. This involves assessing its completeness, accuracy, and usability. It's like making sure our foundation is solid before building the rest of the house.
Carbon Intensity Metrics Naming Conventions
Achieving consensus on naming conventions for carbon intensity metrics is crucial for clarity and consistency. Standardized naming conventions ensure that everyone is on the same page when discussing and comparing carbon intensity data. This is vital for effective communication and collaboration.
Final Approval and Commit Decision
Following the review and consensus-building, the team aimed for final approval and a decision on committing the updated specification document. This marks a significant milestone in the project, solidifying the framework for real-time cloud sustainability measurement.
GHG Protocol Developments
The meeting addressed GHG Protocol developments, specifically concerning Issue #128 and the Policy Working Group's efforts related to the GHG Protocol Scope 2 consultation (PWG - https://github.com/Green-Software-Foundation/policy-wg/issues/158).
The Policy Working Group is gathering input from GSF members to potentially produce a unified public response to the consultation. The key change—shifting towards hourly, geographically-bounded accounting—could significantly enhance the accuracy of software carbon intensity measurement. However, it might also increase reporting complexity for distributed software systems. This is a hot topic, and the team is carefully considering the implications.
HSBC Case Study
The HSBC Case Study provides a real-world example of how the Real-Time Cloud framework can be applied to reduce carbon emissions in the financial sector. The working group reviewed the draft, focusing on its findings and recommendations.
Internal Approval Status and Publication Timeline
The team checked the internal approval status of the case study and discussed the publication timeline with GSF. Getting this case study out there will showcase the practical benefits of the Real-Time Cloud initiative and inspire other organizations to take action.
General Updates
Member Organisation Sustainability Initiatives
Members shared updates on their respective sustainability initiatives, fostering a collaborative environment and sharing best practices. This is a great way to learn from each other and identify opportunities for joint projects.
Real-Time Cloud Dataset Publication Plans
The team discussed plans for Real-Time Cloud dataset publication, aiming to make the data accessible to the wider community. Open access to this data will facilitate further research and innovation in the field of sustainable cloud computing.
Clarifying Data Estimates
The team emphasized the importance of clearly indicating when data is marked as an estimate in the documentation. This ensures transparency and helps users understand the limitations of the data. Honesty and clarity are key to building trust and credibility.
Any Other Business (AOB)
Additional topics raised during the meeting were addressed, ensuring all relevant issues were discussed and considered.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for November 18th, continuing the momentum and progress of the Real-Time Cloud initiative.
Previous Meeting Action Items
To maintain accountability, the team reviewed action items from the previous meeting, tracking their progress and ensuring timely completion.
Action Items
| Action Item | Owner | Due Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Google Cloud translation mapping for automation | Adrian Cockcroft | November 18, 2025 | Pending |
| Resolve Oracle Cloud data processing blockers | Adrian Cockcroft | November 18, 2025 | Pending |
| Prepare AI automation examples for QCon presentation | Adrian Cockcroft | November 15, 2025 | In Progress |
| Complete PR #114 review and provide feedback | Henry Richardson | November 11, 2025 | Pending |
| Implement review comments directly on PR #114 | Chris Adams | November 11, 2025 | Pending |
| Create version 1.1 specification branch for review | Sean Mcilroy | November 8, 2025 | Pending |
| Distribute dataset for member review period | Sean Mcilroy | November 8, 2025 | Pending |
| Coordinate with Jamie regarding AWS engagement | Sean Mcilroy | November 11, 2025 | Pending |
| Connect Julian Wilmouth with Jamie for Microsoft coordination | Sean Mcilroy | November 11, 2025 | Pending |
| Draft FinOps presentation materials for December meeting | Sean Mcilroy | December 2, 2025 | Pending |
| Follow up with Henry Richardson on WattTime data updates | Parbinder Bhullar | November 11, 2025 | Pending |
| Provide Microsoft/Azure Scope 3 timeline update | Julian Wilmouth | November 18, 2025 | Pending |
| Check HSBC case study internal approval status | Julian Wilmouth | November 18, 2025 | Pending |
| Review and consolidate GHG Protocol consultation inputs | Policy Working Group | November 25, 2025 | In Progress |
| Develop structured questionnaire for FinOps requirements | Working Group | November 25, 2025 | Pending |
Conclusion
The Green Software Foundation's Real-Time Cloud meeting on November 18, 2025, was a productive session filled with important discussions and action items. From addressing grid carbon intensity discrepancies to advancing the specification document and exploring real-world case studies, the team is making significant strides towards promoting sustainable cloud computing practices. By staying informed and engaged, we can all contribute to a greener future for software development. Keep up the great work, everyone!