SC 39 focuses on standardizing assessment methods, design practices, and operational and management approaches to enhance resource efficiency, resilience, and environmental sustainability across IT systems—including resource efficient software, hardware, data centers and their supporting infrastructure, and digital services. The subcommittee continues to advance globally relevant standards that enable measurable improvements in environmental performance and resource efficiency.

Its work directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, and Responsible Consumption and Production.

SC 39 is structured into three specialized working groups:

  • WG 1 – Resource Efficient Data Centres
  • WG 3 – Sustainable Facilities and Infrastructure
  • WG 4 – Digital Services and Software Sustainability

The subcommittee actively collaborates with key stakeholders through extensive liaison relationships with other ISO/IEC committees—such as SC 42 (Artificial Intelligence) and ISO TC 207 (Environmental Management)— as well as external organizations including ITU-T, ETSI, and The Green Grid.

SC 39’s standards serve a broad range of markets:

  • Data centres and IT infrastructure operators, particularly organizations seeking to improve efficiency and sustainability
  • ICT hardware and software product manufacturers and digital service providers, for guidance on eco-design and sustainable lifecycle management
  • Facility operators and service providers, benefiting from standardized metrics and best practices (e.g., PUE, WUE, ERF, REF)
  • Cross-industry sectors—including education, transportation, and buildings—that leverage IT software, hardware and integrated digital solutions to reduce environmental impact

Bringing together global experts, SC 39 develops standards that enhance environmental performance, resource (e.g., energy, water) efficiency, and sustainable practices across digital infrastructure, digital services and IT hardware and software systems. As regulatory frameworks evolve and markets expand across regions, SC 39 is uniquely positioned to lead global standardization efforts in sustainable IT and data centers.