This course teaches how to design and optimize cloud workloads that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance or scalability. You will learn sustainable strategies essential for modern cloud and GenAI-driven systems.

Sustainable Cloud Development

What you'll learn
Explore the principles of sustainable cloud computing and application performance analysis
Implement sustainable software architecture and coding patterns
Optimize the lifecycle and consumption of generative AI models
Skills you'll gain
- Sustainable Business
- Cloud Computing Architecture
- Network Planning And Design
- Performance Tuning
- Software Architecture
- Data Storage Technologies
- Network Monitoring
- CI/CD
- DevOps
- Cloud Infrastructure
- Network Performance Management
- Data Management
- Data Storage
- Cloud Computing
- Cloud Platforms
- Maintainability
- Cloud Development
Tools you'll learn
Details to know

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13 assignments
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There are 13 modules in this course
In this section, we explore measuring and reducing cloud carbon footprints using standardized frameworks like the GHG Protocol and the Climate Registry's General Reporting Protocol. We focus on optimizing cloud resource efficiency, analyzing energy consumption patterns, and implementing sustainable practices to support long-term environmental goals and responsible digital growth.
What's included
2 videos6 readings1 assignment
2 videos•Total 2 minutes
- Course Overview - Video•1 minute
- Foundation of Sustainable Cloud Computing and Carbon Footprint Analysis - Overview Video•1 minute
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Geographic Considerations for Cloud Sustainability•10 minutes
- The Environmental Cost of Technological Convenience•10 minutes
- Unveiling Cloud Sustainability•10 minutes
- Demystifying Cloud Carbon Footprints•10 minutes
- Sustainable Cloud Development•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Cloud Computing and Environmental Impact•10 minutes
In this section, we examine strategies for improving energy and compute efficiency in cloud infrastructure, focusing on auto-scaling, resource optimization, and observability tools. Key concepts include using AWS ELB for load balancing, leveraging spot instances to reduce costs, and applying predictive scaling techniques to align resource allocation with demand. The section emphasizes practical applications such as right-sizing compute instances, implementing dynamic scaling policies, and utilizing cloud-native observability tools to monitor and optimize performance. It also highlights the environmental and financial benefits of efficient resource management, offering insights into real-world case studies and best practices for sustainable cloud operations.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Energy and Compute Efficiency in Cloud Infrastructure - Overview Video•1 minute
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
- Energy and Compute Efficiency in Cloud Infrastructure - The Reading•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Energy and Compute Efficiency in Cloud Infrastructure•10 minutes
In this section, we explore sustainable data management practices focusing on optimizing storage and retrieval through data deduplication, compression, and tiered storage solutions. We examine efficient data layouts, caching strategies, and cloud-based storage integration to reduce environmental impact and improve performance.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Sustainable Data Management and Storage Optimization - Overview Video•1 minute
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
- Sustainable Data Management and Storage Optimization - The Reading•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Data Management and Storage Efficiency•10 minutes
In this section, we explore network optimization techniques to reduce environmental impact through content delivery networks (CDNs), edge computing, and micro data centers. We examine strategies like data compression, caching, and load balancing to improve efficiency, energy savings, and performance in cloud applications.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Network Optimization for Sustainability - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 90 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Streaming Media•30 minutes
- General Network Optimization Techniques•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Network Practices and Technologies•10 minutes
In this section, we explain the various aspects of optimizing GenAI consumption, exploring best practices, techniques, and strategies that enable organizations to maximize the benefits of this groundbreaking technology while minimizing its environmental footprint and operational costs.
What's included
4 readings1 assignment
4 readings•Total 80 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Security for Cloud Architectures•10 minutes
- Secure and Sustainable Cloud Architecture Practices•10 minutes
- Analyzing Observability Data•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Security, Observability, and Monitoring in Cloud Sustainability•10 minutes
In this section, we explore sustainable software architecture principles, focusing on resource efficiency, scalability, and maintainability to build systems that minimize environmental impact. Key concepts include workload distribution, load balancing, resource monitoring, and architectural patterns like microservices and serverless design, all aimed at creating long-term viable and optimized software solutions.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Sustainable Software Architecture and Design Patterns - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 70 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Additional Techniques for Client Device Optimization•30 minutes
- Refactoring for Sustainability•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Software Architecture and Design Patterns•10 minutes
In this section, we explore strategies for aligning cloud operations with business usage patterns to enhance environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. Key concepts include dynamic infrastructure scaling, sustainability-aligned SLAs using GRI and SASB standards, resource leakage prevention, geo-optimized workload placement, and demand-smoothing techniques. The section emphasizes practical tools like FinOps and automated resource management to support sustainable cloud practices. It provides actionable insights for optimizing cloud resource utilization, reducing waste, and fostering environmental responsibility in cloud environments.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Sustainable Environment Alignment with Business Usage Patterns - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 80 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Sustainability-Aligned SLAs•10 minutes
- Tools and Frameworks for Monitoring and Reporting•30 minutes
- Geo-Optimized Workload Placement•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable DevOps and Cloud Efficiency•10 minutes
In this section, we explore sustainable DevOps and CI/CD practices that integrate eco-friendly approaches without compromising speed or quality. Key concepts include agile sustainability, workload optimization with Kubernetes and Docker, and reducing test execution time through managed device farms and parallelization. The focus is on resource efficiency, green coding, and scalable infrastructure to support environmentally responsible software development.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Sustainable DevOps and CI/CD Practices - Overview Video•1 minute
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
- Sustainable DevOps and CI/CD Practices - The Reading•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable DevOps and CI/CD Practices•10 minutes
In this section, we explore how to balance cost optimization with sustainability in IT operations using tools like AWS Auto Scaling, GPUs, and data retention policies. We focus on dynamic resource adjustment, efficient GPU utilization through time-slicing, and data management strategies to reduce waste and costs.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Cost Optimization Through Sustainable Operation - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Choosing Eco-Friendly Cloud Providers•10 minutes
- Data Decluttering and Optimization•10 minutes
- Implementing Edge Computing Solutions•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Cloud Operations and Cost Management•10 minutes
In this section, we explore sustainable practices for generative AI (GenAI) development, focusing on reducing environmental impact through efficient model training, deployment, and resource monitoring. Key concepts include transfer learning, model quantization, edge-cloud hybrid deployment, and energy-efficient training techniques like federated learning and hyperparameter optimization.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Optimizing the GenAI Lifecycle for Sustainability - Overview Video•1 minute
4 readings•Total 120 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- GenAI Problem Framing•30 minutes
- Reducing the Need for Training from Scratch•30 minutes
- Energy-Efficient Training Techniques•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable GenAI Lifecycle Optimization•10 minutes
In this section, we explain the various aspects of optimizing GenAI consumption, exploring best practices, techniques, and strategies that enable organizations to maximize the benefits of this groundbreaking technology while minimizing its environmental footprint and operational costs.
What's included
2 readings1 assignment
2 readings•Total 60 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Efficient and Responsible Use of Generative AI Models•10 minutes
In this section, we will explore several key sustainability case studies and walk through examples of how a sustainable development approach can be applied to improve the element of a sustainable approach to running a business.
What's included
5 readings1 assignment
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Carbon Accounting•10 minutes
- Sustainable IT•10 minutes
- Sustainable Buildings•10 minutes
- Best Practices for Sustainable IT•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainability in Technology and Business Practices•10 minutes
In this section, we examine sustainable computing practices, including energy-efficient hardware, sustainable software development, and renewable energy use in data centers. We explore challenges like scalability, standardization, and workforce readiness, while emphasizing corporate social responsibility and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and the AI Act. The content highlights practical strategies for aligning technology with environmental goals and industry standards.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Pillars of a Sustainable Technology Future - Overview Video•1 minute
3 readings•Total 70 minutes
- Introduction•30 minutes
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sustainability•10 minutes
- Integrating Sustainability into Corporate Strategy and Operations•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Sustainable Technology and Its Challenges•10 minutes
Instructor

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Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

