The impact of climate change on our environment, economy, and future grows with each passing decade, making 2025 a potential turning point for climate control software to reach peak demand and widespread popularity.
Why should we focus on green coding, and how can we make a real impact? How much does climate software cost, and is it worth the investment? What roles will this industry need, and what skills should you start learning now to apply for tomorrow? Keep reading to find out.
Content:
- Why do we need to take care of the climate?
- Types of climate change software
- Ways to monetize climate software
- How much can climate risk software cost?
- What kind of climate software jobs will the industry need in 2025?
Why do we need to take care of the climate?
For economic and social stability. Let’s start with the pragmatic reason – climate change exacerbates resource scarcity, particularly for water and food, leading to conflicts and migration. If we want to maintain social stability, we need to manage the climate and ensure the availability of all the resources.
Climate change poses a serious threat to economies dependent on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. For example, Brazil faces ongoing droughts and higher temperatures, which significantly impact the Arabica variety, prized for its quality. Experts estimate that Brazil’s coffee-growing area could decrease by over 60% by 2050. As the industry is highly profitable, imagine how much of its exports the country will lose due to climate change! Other regions, on the other hand, can win from the situation. As climate change pushes coffee-growing regions further north or to higher altitudes, production may move into more temperate areas previously unsuitable for coffee, such as parts of the US, China, or even parts of Europe.
To prevent ecosystem disruption and ensure food security. Climate change disrupts ecosystems and threatens biodiversity and food security. Shifts in temperature, rainfall, and habitat loss force species out of their environments, causing extinctions and weakening essential services like pollination, water purification, and carbon storage—all vital to human life.
Sensitive pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, are declining in regions like North America and Europe, jeopardizing crops like almonds, apples, and blueberries. Without them, crop yields drop, food prices rise, and variety shrinks.
Climate changes also impact staples like wheat in Central Asia and rice in Southeast Asia. Unpredictable rainfall and higher temperatures lead to more crop failures, endangering food security in areas that depend on local production.
If biodiversity loss continues, marine ecosystems could shrink by 40% by 2050, reducing fish stocks and affecting the food supply for billions. The World Economic Forum warns that global food security faces a critical tipping point as climate-driven biodiversity loss accelerates.
To answer extreme weather events. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and droughts, have increased due to climate change. These events cause widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human lives. The economic toll of these disasters is enormous, with recovery efforts costing billions of dollars.
To deal with rising global temperatures. Heatwaves now happen more frequently and with greater intensity, posing risks to vulnerable groups like low-income communities, outdoor workers, and refugees. In 2024, regions in Asia, including Israel and the Philippines, recorded temperatures over 40°C. This extreme heat led to deaths, health issues, and even forced school closures to protect students.
Higher temperatures damage crops and reduce yields, particularly in areas reliant on stable climates. In May 2024, parts of Mexico reached temperatures of 45.8°C, well above normal levels. This level of heat harms crops, raises food prices, and puts food security at risk. Central and South America show similar agricultural issues, illustrating how rising temperatures threaten key foods.
Higher temperatures cause polar ice to melt and seawater to expand, rising sea levels. This puts millions in coastal regions at risk of flooding and erosion, resulting in displacement and humanitarian crises. Reports from the World Meteorological Organization confirm that these rising sea levels worsen global flood risks, especially in vulnerable coastal areas.
To minimize human health risks. Apart from the air quality, which can decrease due to higher concentrations of pollutants and allergens, there are vector-borne diseases. Warmer climates expand the habitats of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, increasing the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus.
Types of climate change software
While software alone cannot directly alter the climate, it can reduce human impact on the environment and optimize the use of resources. Climate change software provides tools that help communities, businesses, and governments anticipate, respond to, and recover from climate-related impacts. Here are 12 key types of climate software with some real-world examples.
1. Smart grids and energy systems software optimizes electricity distribution and consumption, enhances renewable energy integration, and reduces waste.
A good example is EnergyHub, which manages distributed energy resources to optimize grid operations and reduce consumption.
2. Renewable energy integration and battery systems software help balance energy production from sources like wind and solar with demand and optimize battery storage for better energy use.
For example, Autogrid. It enables utilities to integrate renewables effectively and manage distributed energy resources.
3. Carbon management and tracking software monitors and reduces carbon footprint with tools for reporting and setting reduction goals.
Examples: Sphera offers carbon management tools, and Pachama uses AI to verify forest carbon offsets.
4. Climate risk assessment and early warning systems software simulates climate scenarios and predicts risks from rising sea levels, extreme weather, and temperature changes.
Four Twenty Seven provides climate risk analytics for businesses, and DisasterAWARE offers global alerts for hazards like floods and storms.
5. Agriculture and resource management software optimize water usage, reduce environmental impact, and increase crop yields through precision farming, aiding forest management for carbon sequestration.
For example, Climate FieldView provides real-time data for farmers, reduces emissions, and improves sustainability.
6. Sustainable supply chains reduce emissions and environmental impact.
SAP’s Product Carbon Footprint Analytics helps businesses measure their supply chain’s carbon impact.
7. Climate simulations and disaster prediction advanced software models help predict future climate scenarios and weather events.
CMIP is a good example. It provides global climate change model data used in assessments.
8. Environmental monitoring tools for tracking air quality, temperature, and emissions collect real-time data to ensure regulatory compliance.
Two examples are AirVisual and Enviance. AirVisual offers real-time air quality monitoring, and Enviance aids in environmental compliance.
9. Behavioral change platforms raise awareness of climate change and encourage sustainable actions.
Example: Oroeco tracks users’ carbon footprints and rewards eco-friendly behavior.
10. Community education platforms engage and educate on climate adaptation strategies and risk preparedness.
For example, HazardAware educates communities on local climate risks.
11. Infrastructure planning and climate resilience software designs climate-resilient infrastructure, such as roads, buildings, and water systems, by modeling their performance under future climate conditions.
Example: InfraWorks models infrastructure designs to predict flood and storm impacts.
12. Financial tools for climate adaptation assist in planning and managing investments for climate adaptation and resilience.
As such, Cervest helps businesses assess financial risks linked to climate change.
But that’s not all! Many companies, even those not directly linked to green coding or climate software, still impact the environment by offering practical solutions.
For instance, iRoofing, one of our clients, helps roofing manufacturers and tool sellers connect with customers to design various roof types, including those equipped with solar panels. By integrating solar energy into these roofing systems, the company contributes to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Solar panels capture the sun’s energy to generate clean electricity, which enhances energy efficiency, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and supports users in meeting their sustainability goals. iRoofing’s promotion of solar energy indirectly aids in mitigating climate change by encouraging the use of renewable energy technologies.
Ways to monetize climate software
Sustainability and climate control are great. But how do you monetize climate software? Here are some strategies that have already shown their efficiency.
- SaaS Solutions for Climate Operations: Many companies use Software-as-a-Service to offer platforms that help businesses track their environmental footprint, energy use, and sustainability goals. For example, Enphase and SolarEdge offer energy management tools, and others focus on carbon emissions or energy consumption. These SaaS models in climate tech can grow and become profitable if used correctly. A similar company, EnergyHub, provides software to help manage energy resources in homes and businesses, improving energy efficiency.
- Carbon Credit Trading Platforms: Some companies create platforms that let businesses buy and sell carbon credits. These platforms help businesses reduce their carbon footprints and support environmental goals. For example, Pachama uses satellite data to monitor forest projects and ensure the carbon credits are real. Blockchain can also be used to verify and track carbon credits, creating trust in the system.
- Performance Metrics and Analytics Tools: Startups can build tools to help businesses measure their sustainability performance. These tools provide insights and data to help industries, from farming to manufacturing, make environmentally friendly choices. Companies like Carbon Analytics help track carbon footprints, while software like Envizi helps businesses manage their environmental performance to meet regulations and certifications.
- Subscription and Volumetric Pricing Models: Many climate software companies use pricing models that change with how much the customer uses the service. For instance, in renewable energy or carbon tracking, companies might pay more as their energy or carbon goals grow. Companies like HOMER Energy, which provides microgrid design software, use this model to adjust costs based on how much energy is used.
- Long-Term Strategic Partnerships: Climate software companies often partner with big companies to offer combined solutions. For example, companies like IBM partner with climate tech firms to offer software solutions along with other services, reaching a wider audience. These partnerships can help increase sales and expand market reach.
- Sustainability Consulting and Integration: Alongside their software, some startups offer consulting services. They help businesses integrate climate solutions into their operations. This model adds value by guiding businesses through implementation, compliance, and sustainability goals. An example is Accenture, which combines consulting and software tools to help companies develop sustainable practices.
How much can climate risk software cost?
The cost of climate risk software varies based on its complexity and scale.
For simpler tools, such as those that track carbon emissions or energy use, the price typically ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. These solutions are ideal for smaller businesses or organizations that are beginning to measure their environmental impact. Examples include carbon footprint calculators or energy monitoring platforms.
More complex climate risk software, which includes advanced features like climate scenario analysis, risk management, and integration with corporate ESG systems, can cost significantly more. These platforms range from $100,000 to over $500,000 annually, depending on customization and the number of users. For example, Persefoni offers a carbon accounting platform to help large companies comply with climate regulations, and the cost can exceed $100,000 per year.
The development timeline for these software tools also varies. Simple applications can take around 3 to 6 months to develop, while more advanced systems, which include multiple data sources and predictive analytics, can take 12 to 18 months or longer to build. Ongoing maintenance and updates are also essential, especially as regulations change.
Development costs differ by region. In North America and Western Europe, developing a full-scale enterprise-grade platform can exceed $500,000 annually for both software and services. However, in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia (such as Ukraine or India), development tends to be 30-50% cheaper for similar platforms.
What kind of climate software jobs will the industry need in 2025?
As the need for climate software grows, engineers must keep up with both technology and environmental science. Key roles in this field include:
Full-stack engineers. They build both the front-end and back-end of software. They need to know languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript (especially React and Node.js). They must also understand cloud technologies like AWS and Google Cloud to create scalable applications for climate solutions.
Data engineers. Climate software deals with a lot of data. Data engineers process and analyze this data, using tools like Python, SQL, and machine learning to help businesses track their carbon footprints or manage energy use.
DevOps engineers. They make sure the software is deployed efficiently and can grow as needed. They need experience with tools like Terraform and Docker and should understand cloud systems.
Geospatial software engineers. Many climate software solutions use geospatial data to study environmental impacts or predict future climate trends. These engineers should be familiar with GIS tools and programming languages like Python and JavaScript.
So, even for an industry so niche as climate software, you will need the same experts from computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics backgrounds. Key skills for these roles include expertise in development, cloud computing, data analysis, and machine learning.
Where do you get them? Try out staff augmentation for your climate software development needs!
How can MWDN help you in green coding?
MWDN, as a staff augmentation company, is well-positioned to support tech businesses pursuing green coding and climate software solutions by using to their advantage a global network of experts. Here’s how MWDN can provide valuable support in the area:
- Access to climate-specialized talent. MWDN offers access to a large pool of global experts who bring specialized backgrounds in climate software development and green coding techniques. These professionals have the technical skills required for sustainable software practices, including experience with renewable energy technologies, environmental data analysis, and carbon footprint reduction tools.
- Cost-effectiveness. By drawing talent from regions where wages are more competitive, MWDN provides an economical solution for companies committed to sustainability but mindful of budget constraints. This cost-saving approach allows tech companies to channel resources towards innovative climate projects without compromising on quality or experience.
- Flexibility. Staff augmentation through MWDN is flexible and helps businesses scale their workforce depending on project demands. For green coding projects, which may have shifting requirements or need rapid prototyping, this flexibility ensures that companies can stay agile and responsive.
- Quick start. MWDN’s rapid recruitment process can deliver the right talent in just 14 days. This means that tech businesses can quickly fill critical roles for their green coding projects, accelerating time-to-market and getting more efficient project lifecycles.
Staff augmentation is a partnership model that aligns with the needs of companies dedicated to making a positive environmental impact through technology. Check it out for yourself!
