The Greener Code: How real-time data is powering sustainable tech in India

ESG goals have made their way into boardroom conversations. No boardroom can proceed with a sustainability agenda. But for many engineers, ESG still feels like a corporate KPI rather than a developer’s concern. But, here's the truth - it should be our primary concern.

Every line of inefficient code, every redundant API call, every poorly optimised query translates directly to compute power, energy usage, and carbon impact. We, as builders of tomorrow's tech, must become mindful coders.

That’s why we need to start embedding sustainability into our engineering mindset. From how we build microservices to how we optimise streaming pipelines, it’s about creating a culture where “green code” is not an afterthought, but a design principle.

In the world of tech, where we often measure success by performance, data, speed, or innovation, it's easy to forget the footprint we leave behind. But the world is changing fast. And in India, where we are witnessing rising temperatures every year, erratic rainfall, unpredictable monsoons and growing energy needs, even the tech industry can be part of the solution.

Looking at engineering as a function, the scope is much larger than focusing on positive business impact through our capabilities; it has to be done in a manner that is sustainable, too.

But the question remains: how can engineers make a meaningful impact, and what specific steps can drive real change?

Looking at your data infrastructure and how you process data can make all the difference.

The cost of waiting: Why batch is yesterday’s burden

Let’s start with a simple truth: the way data is processed matters. Traditional systems will wait until data accumulates, process it all at once, and move in silos. It’s like waiting for traffic to pile up before fixing a pothole, often too late for efficiency.

This batch processing means more storage, more power-hungry compute cycles, and more waste. In contrast, streaming data is like an elevated highway. It processes events as they happen, faster, minimising delays, optimising resources, and reducing waste.

Imagine a logistics company monitoring fuel usage in real-time or a manufacturing plant adjusting energy output based on live production data. This is not science fiction. It’s happening today, powered by real-time data streaming.

Green IT: A Responsibility, Not a Buzzword

As engineering leaders, we build systems that scale. But we must also ask: are they scaling sustainably?

India’s data centres already consume around 2% of the country’s electricity, a number that’s only growing. If we don’t rethink our infrastructure, we risk trading digital progress for environmental cost.

That’s where establishing real-time data pipelines reduces the need for batch jobs, temporary file storage, and unnecessary duplication of compute resources. This translates to less wasted computing power, lower carbon emissions, and a greener digital footprint.

But it’s not just about saving energy. It’s about designing systems that are smart from the start, architecting not just for performance, but for the planet.

Real-time Data Meets Real-World Impact: Stories from the Field

Heard of Google's Project Green Light? In cities like Seattle and Jakarta, Google implemented AI-driven traffic signal optimisation, leading to a 30% reduction in vehicle stops and a 10% decrease in emissions from idling vehicles. Similarly, Bengaluru introduced the Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS), an AI-driven solution that dynamically adjusts traffic signals based on real-time traffic data, resulting in reduced congestion, shorter travel times, and decreased fuel consumption.

Several Indian companies are successfully leveraging real-time data and intelligent fleet management systems to improve operational efficiency and cut fuel consumption. One such example is FleetOR, a Bengaluru-based company offering end-to-end fleet monitoring solutions across more than 4,000 vehicles in sectors such as long-haul transportation, mining, and construction. By integrating digital fuel sensors with machine learning algorithms, FleetOR delivers over 98% fuel monitoring accuracy. Their clients report daily savings of 12–15 litres per vehicle, supported by real-time alerts for refuelling, theft detection, live tracking, and advanced analytics on fuel efficiency and driving behaviour.

In the public sector, the Indore Municipal Corporation led a 100-day energy conservation campaign that showcased the power of real-time data in driving sustainability at scale. Through a combination of community engagement and smart energy monitoring, the city saved 1.51 crore electricity units and reduced 12,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions, a compelling example of how data-driven governance can translate into tangible environmental outcomes.

These examples validate a powerful truth: real-time data and digital technologies are much more than just operational tools. They can be catalysts for India's environmental transformation, showcasing how profitability and planetary well-being can coexist.

India’s Opportunity: Building Sustainable Tech for the World

India is uniquely positioned. A digital-first economy with deep tech talent, rising energy needs, and a growing commitment to sustainability. If we get it right, engineering systems that are both scalable and sustainable, we don’t just solve for India, we lead the world.

From Digital India to Smart Cities to Make in India, the government is pushing for innovation. But innovation without sustainability is a short-term gain. What we need is “Sustainable Innovation” — and data streaming can and in fact will be a silent hero in that journey.

Imagine using real-time analytics to optimise power grids, monitor air quality, or manage waste collection. The possibilities are endless, but only if we reimagine data infrastructures through the lens of efficiency.

What’s Next: Call to Engineers, Technologists, and Leaders

As we celebrate World Environment Day, I want to leave my fellow technologists with a thought:

Let's not wait for regulations to dictate sustainability. Let's lead it. Let's write cleaner code, choose efficient architectures, and push for green innovation, not just because it's good for business, but because it's good for our planet's future.

Authored by Pradeep Reddy, Director of Engineering, Confluent India