Web Sustainability Guidelines (WSG) Impact Ratings W3C Group Note Draft 20 August 2026 More details about this document This version: https://www.w3.org/TR/2026/DNOTE-wsg-ir-20260820/ Latest published version: https://www.w3.org/TR/wsg-ir/ Latest editor's draft: https://w3c.github.io/sustainableweb-impact/ History: https://www.w3.org/standards/history/wsg-ir/ Commit history Editors: Alexander Dawson ( Invited Expert ) Fershad Irani ( Invited Expert ) Rose Newell ( Invited Expert ) Authors: See acknowledgments Feedback: GitHub w3c/sustainableweb-impact ( pull requests , new issue , open issues ) Copyright © 2026 World Wide Web Consortium . W3C ® liability , trademark and permissive document license rules apply. Abstract This document describes the impact ratings provided alongside Web Sustainability Guidelines ( WSG ). The ratings and timeframes support prioritisation of guidelines based on expected impact and when that impact is likely to occur across people, planet, and prosperity. Help improve this page by sharing your ideas, suggestions, or comments via GitHub issues . Status of This Document This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in the W3C standards and drafts index . To provide feedback regarding this document, the preferred method is using GitHub. It is free to create a GitHub account to file issues. A list of issues filed as well as archives of previous mailing list [email protected] ( archive ) discussions are publicly available. This document was published by the Sustainable Web Interest Group as a Group Note Draft using the Note track . Group Note Drafts are not endorsed by W3C nor its Members. This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than a work in progress. The W3C Patent Policy does not carry any licensing requirements or commitments on this document. This document is governed by the 18 August 2025 W3C Process Document . Table of Contents Abstract Status of This Document 1. Introduction 2. Impact scores 2.1 User Experience Design 2.2 Web Development 2.3 Hosting, Infrastructure, and Systems 2.4 Business Strategy and Product Management A. Acknowledgments A.1 Participants active in the development of this document 1. Introduction This document provides "high", "medium", "low", and "indeterminate" impact ratings for each guideline within Web Sustainability Guidelines ( WSG ) across the spectrum of people, planet, and prosperity. These ratings are accompanied by an indicator ("short", "medium", and "long") reflecting the timeframe in which the impact is likely realized. These factors go into calculating an "impact score" for each guideline. This score provides a means for adopters of WSG to assess the impact of each guideline and prioritise the guidelines they may choose to act upon. Each guideline has an explanation of the rationale behind each set of ratings and timeframe because some guidelines in WSG are not measurable using a clear metric or tool. As a result, for some guidelines, we have used available research and input from industry experts in order to provide ratings and impact timeframes. Where appropriate, we included the suitable or recommended metrics that can be used to assess the impact of a given guideline. Note Impact ratings and scores may be used to support sustainability reporting and assessment. They can help organizations describe and compare the relative impact of guidelines over time. They may also be referenced alongside established reporting frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative ( GRI ) where relevant. Impact ratings Indeterminate The impact of a guideline on a given category cannot be easily assessed. Low The guideline has a small positive impact on the given category. Medium The guideline has a moderate positive impact on the given category. High The guideline has a significant positive impact on the given category. Timeframe Short The impact of the guideline will be noticed quickly (e.g. within the next month, the next sprint etc.) Medium The impact of the guideline will be noticed after some time (e.g. after a few months, after the next major release etc.) Long The impact of the guideline will be noticed after a lengthy period (e.g. after a year, after several major releases etc.) Categories Planet This guideline prioritizes the health of the environment, ecosystems, and the planet overall. People This guideline prioritizes giving access to resources, information, and opportunities necessary for their well-being. Prosperity This guideline prioritizes financial stability and equitable economic development, usually via the circular economy. Impact score The impact score is derived from the impact ratings and impact timeframe for each guideline. Higher values mean the guideline has a higher impact in a shorter period of time, while lower values mean the opposite. Impact score calculation Impact rating Impact timeframe Indeterminate Low Medium High Short Medium Long Points 0 1 2 3 3 2 1 Each category (Planet, People, Prosperity) is assigned an impact rating and timeframe based on the table below. These are then summed to calculate the impact score. Impact scoring example People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate High Low Medium Points 0 3 1 2 6 Assumptions Impact ratings are provided at the guideline level. Future versions may offer ratings at the Success Criteria level. Assume that each success criteria under a parent guideline shares the same impact ratings and timeframes as that guideline. Impact ratings are for individual guidelines. Ratings are not compounded. 2. Impact scores 2.1 User Experience Design Identify, assess, disclose, review, and mitigate sustainability impacts : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: This guideline concentrates on identifying, tracking, and disclosing negative impacts on a project rather than direct action. As such, there would be minimal direct impact in all categories from implementing it. Understand user requirements or constraints : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Low Indeterminate Medium Points 2 1 0 2 5 Rationale: Implementing this guideline should result in positive impact for users and planet, within a moderate timeframe, removing any barriers to access should reduce the amount of time users take to perform their task and have a corresponding effect on energy usage. There is minimal direct impact on prosperity. Metrics: Time on site Integrate sustainability into every stage of the ideation process : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Low Indeterminate Long Points 0 1 0 1 2 Rationale: The direct planetary impact of this guideline is positive. Other impacts of this guideline are difficult to measure and quantify, though the potential future impacts of meeting this guideline can be meaningful. Metrics: File size Data transfer Page weight on load Design efficient and streamlined user journeys : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Low Indeterminate Short Points 2 1 0 3 6 Rationale: Minimizing distractions for users can result in a positive experience for users, making access to information easier. There may be some marginal reduction in resource consumption as a result of this as well. Metrics: Time on site Page views per session File size Data transfer Page weight on load Design to assist and not to distract : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High Low Indeterminate Short Points 3 1 0 3 7 Rationale: Simplified navigation can have a positive impact on user interaction, experience, and making information easier to find. In turn this should reduce the time spent on a site, bringing a planetary benefit of using less energy per visit. Metrics: Time on site Avoid being manipulative or deceptive : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High Low Indeterminate Short Points 3 1 0 3 7 Rationale: Deceptive patterns and tactics have the potential to significantly harm users in a number of ways including restricting their access to important information and causing financial harm and confusion. Make deliverables understandable and reusable : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 2 0 0 2 4 Rationale: There may be marginal positive impact on users who repeatedly access deliverables, though little-to-no impact on other categories. Use a design system for interface consistency : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Low Indeterminate Medium Points 2 1 0 2 5 Rationale: Providing consistent user interfaces can result in a positive experience for users, making information easier to find. There may be some marginal reduction in resource consumption, and a marginal financial benefit though this is uncertain. Optimize media to reduce resource use : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low High Medium Short Points 1 3 2 3 9 Rationale: There can be some financial benefit of less data transfer (especially for users on pre-paid/capped data plans), and some reduction in resource consumption especially for heavy media formats like video. Metrics: File size Data transfer Ensure animation is proportionate and easy to control : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High High Indeterminate Short Points 3 3 0 3 9 Rationale: For users, animations can present distractions or trigger physical conditions which inhibit their online experience. Animations are also processor intensive, resulting in a meaningful reduction in resource utilization from applying this guideline. Metrics: CPU / GPU utilization Accessibility audit Use optimized web typography : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low Low Indeterminate Short Points 1 1 0 3 5 Rationale: Though this guideline can be met relatively quickly, the positive impacts across all three categories are marginal (reduced bandwidth) or uncertain. Metrics: File size Data transfer Avoid unwanted notifications : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 2 0 0 3 5 Rationale: This guideline prioritizes accessibility for non-visual users, which can also lead to shared societal and financial benefits. The impacts on other categories are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Accessibility audit Reduce the impact of downloadable and physical documents : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Medium Indeterminate Short Points 0 2 0 3 5 Rationale: This guideline may bring some planetary benefits through reducing physical resources used in producing documents, though this must be weighed against the resulting resource use from digital alternatives. Implementing this guideline may take time as physical documents are converted to accessible web versions. Benefits can be quickly realized in terms of hardware space, improved efficiency and reduction in paper waste. Metrics: Number of printouts Storage space used Involve users early in the project : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Low Low Long Points 0 1 1 1 3 Rationale: This guideline focuses on establishing training and testing practices. By involving users early on, a lot of unnecessary features can be avoided that might have otherwise led to environmental harm. Audit and test for bugs or issues requiring resolution : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: This guideline focuses on establishing audit and testing, rather than performing the resolution actions. Therefore the direct impact on each category is marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Test coverage Lighthouse score Core Web Vitals metrics Validate usability through testing and real-world usage : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Low Medium Points 2 0 1 2 5 Rationale: This guideline focuses on performing user testing, rather than implementing a specific action. Better user testing makes sure all potential users can use the service and nobody is excluded. Provide cross-platform compatibility support : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Medium Long Points 2 2 2 1 7 Rationale: This guideline focuses on keeping backward compatibility for as many devices as possible as well as the proper documentation of compatibility. Therefore it has a long-term impact on the life-time of devices and by this on the number of produced devices. 2.2 Web Development Set goals based on performance and energy impact : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: This guideline is mainly focused on setting goals, and as such there would be minimal direct impact. Indirect impacts felt as a result of actions taken to meet those goals may exist, but are uncertain. Minify and remove unused code : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Medium Short Points 2 0 2 3 7 Rationale: The guideline champions code minification and reducing file size which can improve performance allowing users to access information faster which can also reduce bandwidth use for users on limited data plans. The direct impacts on planet as a result of this guideline are minimal or uncertain. Metrics: File size Modularize bandwidth-heavy components : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 2 0 0 2 4 Rationale: This guideline aims to improve performance through modularisation, allowing users faster access to information. The direct impacts on planet and prosperity as a result of this guideline are minimal or uncertain. Avoid redundancy and duplication in code : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: The direct impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Treat third parties the same as first parties : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 3 0 0 2 5 Rationale: This guideline can have significant privacy and performance benefits for users. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Third-party script count Ensure code follows good semantic practices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 2 0 0 2 4 Rationale: There can be accessibility benefits for users through adopting this guideline. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Defer the loading of non-critical resources : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Medium Short Points 2 0 2 3 7 Rationale: The guideline can improve performance allowing users to access information faster which can also reduce bandwidth use for users on limited data plans. The direct impacts on planet as a result of this guideline are minimal or uncertain. Metrics: Page weight on load Structure metadata for machine readability : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Use media queries that support sustainability goals : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 2 0 0 3 5 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Ensure layouts work for different devices and requirements : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 2 0 0 2 4 Rationale: The guideline can improve access to information, and ensure that users with older or non-standard devices also have equal access. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Use sustainable JavaScript and APIs : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Use dependencies sparingly and maintain them : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Include expected and beneficial files : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Presence of files Use the most efficient solution for your service : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Medium Medium Points 2 2 2 2 8 Rationale: There can be performance benefits from this guideline, allowing users faster access to information, as well as reduced resource utilization which can also lead to lower costs. Use the latest stable language version : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: The impacts on each category from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Reduce the number and complexity of database queries : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Medium Indeterminate Short Points 0 2 0 3 5 Rationale: There can be performance benefits from this guideline, allowing users faster access to information. Reduced database workloads can also reduce server resource consumption. 2.3 Hosting, Infrastructure, and Systems Use sustainable hosting : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium High Medium Medium Points 2 3 2 2 9 Rationale: Choosing a sustainable service provider can have a strong planetary impact especially when considering infrastructure construction, power utilization, water use and other such factors. Impacts on local communities of poor data center resource management include water and power shortages, air and water pollution, noise and light intrusion, wasteful land use, and declines in residential property values. Metrics: Carbon, Power, Water Usage Effectiveness ( CUE , PUE , WUE ) Low Carbon Energy in Power Mix (%) Up-to-date Security Patches, Necessary Certifications, Policy in Place for Extending Hardware Lifetime Adheres to GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance on Market-Based Carbon Emissions Accounting (Y/N) Optimize caching and support offline access : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Low Short Points 2 2 1 3 8 Rationale: Caching content has three impacts: lower carbon emissions from less data transfer, better user access to assets offline, and more usable access to assets for users who are limited to undependable networks or low bandwidth. Metrics: cache-control headers Resources Available and Accessible Offline (Y/N) Reduce data transfer with compression : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Low Short Points 2 2 1 3 8 Rationale: The smaller size of compressed files drives less carbon emissions from data transfer and also from lower memory and storage consumption. Smaller files are also easier for users to download and consume less network bandwidth. Metrics: content-encoding header Files delivered in compressed format (Y/N) Setup necessary error pages and redirection links : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Low Indeterminate Short Points 2 1 0 3 6 Rationale: Appropriate error pages and redirections help users find the information they are seeking more quickly and efficiently, resulting in a better user experience and less carbon emissions from unnecessary page loads. The impact on Prosperity is Indeterminate. Metrics: Website analytics for error pages & redirections Schedule for audits of broken and outdated links established (Y/N) Audits for broken and outdated links conducted on schedule (Y/N) 100% of redirects tested (Y/N) Avoid maintaining unnecessary virtualized environments or containers : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate High Indeterminate Short Points 0 3 0 3 6 Rationale: Removing unused environments can result in significant reductions in resource utilization. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Schedule for auditing active environments, services, and codebases established (Y/N) Audit of active environments, services, and codebases conducted as scheduled (Y/N) Use automation wisely : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Medium Indeterminate Medium Points 0 2 0 2 4 Rationale: The planetary impact of task automation can be significant depending on the type of task that is being automated, and the kind of automation being performed. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Continuous delivery and continuous integration best practices policy established (Y/N) Automated scaling deployed (Y/N) Suspicious activity management policy established (Y/N) Define the frequency of data refreshes : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Low Indeterminate Medium Points 0 1 0 2 3 Rationale: Optimized data refresh decisions would tend to result in fewer refreshes and consequently lower emissions from lower data transmission and server operation. Metrics: cache-control headers Back up critical data at routine intervals : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Medium Long Points 2 2 2 1 7 Rationale: Well designed backup procedures for system and user data minimize storage use, reduce backup time, and limit the business interruptions and personal harms that come from data breaches and loss. Metrics: Data Backup Policy and Process Established (Y/N) Data Backup Procedures Completed as Scheduled (Y/N) Assess the impact and requirements of data processing : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium High High Medium Points 2 3 3 2 10 Rationale: Optimizing every method for reducing the intensity, duration, and wastefulness of data processing improves the economics and environmental impacts of web environments Metrics: Data processing time Carbon-aware batching and scheduling methods in place (Y/N) Audit of communication protocol security and sustainability updates conducted on schedule (Y/N) Data processing metrics for efficiency, performance, security, and sustainability established and tracked (Y/N) Use Content Delivery Networks ( CDNs ) when beneficial : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Low Low Short Points 2 1 1 3 7 Rationale: Serving content via a CDN can improve website performance for users, while also reducing host server bandwidth costs for implementers. The environmental impact of this guideline is marginal, as communication networks and hosting infrastructure will not be removed by a decision to use a CDN . Metrics: CDN HTTP Headers Request round-trip time Ensure infrastructure fits project requirements : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate High Low Short Points 0 3 1 3 7 Rationale: Appropriately sizing infrastructure for a project can have a significant environmental impact in reduced resource use. Dialing back on provisioning saves money, and over many projects that adds up. Store data according to the needs of your users : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Medium Long Points 2 2 2 1 7 Rationale: Applying appropriate data storage policies can reduce the risk of user's personal data being exposed, as well as free up storage space on devices and servers. This has an immediate environmental benefit of allowing storage devices to be used for longer, which results in a prosperity benefit as well. Metrics: Expiration headers 2.4 Business Strategy and Product Management Have an ethical and sustainable product strategy : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Clear strategy drives decisions and behaviors throughout a product's life cycle. Therefore, benefits from having the strategy in place can be seen throughout discovery, UX design, infrastructure, web dev, etc. processes. Metrics: Product strategy exists that includes clear and measurable sustainability goals, metrics, and targets as well as ethical criteria. (Y/N) Assign a sustainability advocate : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. With a dedicated advocate whose responsibility is to maintain sustainability criteria throughout a product's life cycle, organizations will begin to see benefits from their strategy more quickly. Metrics: Sustainability advocates assigned within a product team or organization. (Y/N) Inform, raise awareness, and train for sustainability : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 2 0 0 1 3 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Training materials created with schedule and procedures for updates and communication. (Y/N) Communicate the environmental impact of user choices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low Medium Low Long Points 1 2 1 1 5 Rationale: The impacts of applying this guideline at the organizational level can have a positive impact on the planet, while also having some positive impacts for other categories. Metrics: Ratings: low = user choices exist; med = org has a plan in place to communicate the impact of user choices; high = targets and tracking are in place to measure progress and make continuous improvements over time Calculate the environmental impact : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low Medium Low Long Points 1 2 1 1 5 Rationale: The impacts of applying this guideline at the organizational level can have a positive impact on the planet, while also having some positive impacts for other categories. Metrics: Ratings: low = the org has conducted an LCA or related ESG audit/analysis on their product(s); med = the org has analyzed how they perform in relation to others in their industry and published their findings; high = the org has extended analysis to their supply chain and can show improvement over time on progress Define clear organizational sustainability goals and metrics : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Ratings: low = organization has published a sustainability statement with clear goals that include digital products/services; medium = org shows how it dedicates resources to implementing sustainability strategies that align with the statement; high = org can show how it measures progress over time and focuses on continuous improvement (usually reports that include digital product/service impacts) Validate web sustainability efforts through external verification : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low Medium Low Long Points 1 2 1 1 5 Rationale: The impacts of applying this guideline at the organizational level can have a positive impact on the planet, while also having some positive impacts for other categories. Metrics: Ratings: low = the org has conducted an LCA or related ESG audit/analysis on their product(s); med = the org has analyzed how they perform in relation to others in their industry and published their findings; high = the org has extended analysis to their supply chain and can show improvement over time on progress Support mandatory disclosures and reporting : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Medium Indeterminate Long Points 0 2 0 1 3 Rationale: The process of reporting can lead to some amount of positive impact. This guideline explicitly refers to environmental impact reduction, while the direct impact on other categories is marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Ratings: low = the org has conducted an LCA or related ESG audit/analysis on their product(s); med = the org has analyzed how they perform in relation to others in their industry and published their findings; high = the org has extended analysis to their supply chain and can show improvement over time on progress Create one or more impact business models : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Ratings: low = the company has published a theory of change and impact business model documentation; med = the company can show how much revenue is generated from the impact business model; high = the company can show how desired outcomes from their theory of change are reached based on the impact business model. Follow a product management and maintenance strategy : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Low Medium Low Long Points 1 2 1 1 5 Rationale: People: Low, more alignment and clarity improves teams; Planet: Medium, more thorough sustainability metrics incorporated into product strategy produces improved planetary and ecological impacts; Prosperity: Low, management and maintenance strategy ensures better efficiency (for lower operational cost) Metrics: Ratings: low = product maintenance strategy in place (published?); med = Org can show how it appropriately resources the product over time to support ongoing maintenance and management; high = Org reporting shows progress over time on both performance and failures Implement continuous improvement procedures : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain, as this will vary significantly from org to org and continuous improvement practices generally take a long time to operationalize. Metrics: Ratings: low = continuous improvement policies/practices in place with strategy for measuring long-term product success; med = org can show how it implements policies/practices; high = org can show over time the progress it makes toward its goals through continuous improvement procedures Document updates and evolutions : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Metrics: Yes: Features have been documented as they are added in a 'well structured, semantically versioned document'. No: They haven't. Evaluate if a digital product or service is necessary : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: There is little direct impact from implementing the success criteria of this guideline, though the process of deciding on and implementing this guideline can be swift. Metrics: Y/N: Policy and procedure is in place for reviewing whether products and services are necessary and for removing obstacles. Provide a supplier standards of practice document : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. How an organization approaches this guideline could significantly influence all three impact categories. However, influence is predicated on the processes above being implemented, tracked, and measured over time. Metrics: Ratings: Low: The organization has policies to assess social, economic, and environmental risk associated with its supply chain; Med: The organization can show how it implements policies and practices over time to address identified risks; High: The organization can show how tracking their supplier standards measurably improves risk factors over time. Share economic benefits : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High Indeterminate High Long Points 3 0 3 1 7 Rationale: The direct impact to employees and society from this guideline can be significant, though may take some time to be felt. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Share decision-making power with affected parties : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Short Points 0 0 0 3 3 Rationale: There is little direct impact from implementing this guideline, though implementation can be swift. Use Diversity, Equity, Justice, Inclusion ( DEJI ) practices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 3 0 0 1 4 Rationale: The direct impact to employees from this guideline can be significant, though may take some time to be felt. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Promote responsible data practices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Establish responsible practices around AI and emerging or disruptive technologies : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The direct impacts from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Adopt responsible financial practices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Medium Indeterminate Long Points 2 2 0 1 5 Rationale: This guideline can have some degree of positive impact for employees, users, and the planet (through fossil fuel divestment), though impacts may take some time to be felt. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Adopt organizational philanthropy practices : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Points 0 0 0 2 2 Rationale: This guideline can have strong societal impacts, and may have impacts in other areas depending on how it is applied though those are unclear. Plan for a digital product or service's care and end-of-life : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Medium Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 2 0 0 1 3 Rationale: The user benefit from this guideline can be noticeable especially when concerning data security and privacy at a digital product's end of life. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Repair, reuse, refurbish, recycle or reduce e-waste : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings High High High Long Points 3 3 3 1 10 Rationale: Unimpeded access to repair and refurbishment can have direct benefits for users of physical devices, as well as prolonging device lifetimes and reducing e-waste which have significant environmental impacts. Define performance, environmental, and human budgets : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: The definition of budgets and baselines by themselves have minimal direct impact. Use and contribute to open source : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Medium Medium Points 0 0 2 2 4 Rationale: Adopting open source and contributing back to open source can have moderate societal impacts, especially when coupled with financial support for maintainers. The impacts on other categories from this guideline are marginal or uncertain. Create a business continuity and disaster recovery plan : People Planet Prosperity Timeframe Impact score Impact ratings Indeterminate Indeterminate Indeterminate Long Points 0 0 0 1 1 Rationale: Establishing a plan by itself has minimal direct impact on any category. A. Acknowledgments Additional information about participation in the Sustainable Web Interest Group can be found within the GitHub repository of the Interest Group. A.1 Participants active in the development of this document Adam Newman, Alexander Dawson, Andrea Davanzo, Andrew Wright, Chris Adams, Chris Needham, Emma Horrell, Fershad Irani, Hannah Smith, Hidde de Vries, Jeffrey Yasskin, Jennifer Strickland, Laurent Devernay Satyagraha, Len Dierickx, Łukasz Mastalerz, Mike Gifford, Nick Lewis, Nicola Bonotto, Oliver Winks, Ryan Sholin, Siddhesh Wagle, Susannah Hill, Tantek Çelik, Thorsten Jonas, Tim Frick, Tzviya Siegman. ↑