This document provides a quick reference to the Web Sustainability Guidelines (WSG) specification. The content is laid out in a table, with success criteria, Impact, Effort, and Global Reporting Initiative GRI ratings noted for each guideline. Checkboxes are provided for those individuals or groups wishing to work through the list (note your progress will not be saved), and a print-friendly (PDF) version is also available to audit your work as part of an exercise.
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2.1 | Display any factors that have a negative impact on your project | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.2 | Understand user requirements or constraints, resolving barriers to access | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.3 | Understand the impact for non-users | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.4 | Integrate sustainability into every stage of the ideation process | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
2.5 | Find ways to resolve any affected party issues prior to implementation | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.6 | Minimize non-essential content, interactivity, or journeys | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.7 | Use decorative design with care | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
2.8 | Ensure that navigation and wayfinding are well-structured | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.9 | Design to assist and not to distract | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.10 | Use established design patterns and essential components | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.11 | Avoid being manipulative or deceptive | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
2.12 | Make deliverables understandable and reusable | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.13 | Use a design system for interface consistency | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.14 | Provide clear, inclusive content with purpose | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.15 | Optimize images for sustainability | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
2.16 | Optimize media for sustainability | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
2.17 | Ensure animation is proportionate and easy to control | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
2.18 | Use optimized and appropriate web typography | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.19 | Offer suitable alternatives for every format used | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
. | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.20 | Provide accessible, user-friendly, minimal web forms | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.21 | Consider the experience in non-visual browsers and interfaces | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.22 | Provide useful notifications | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.23 | Reduce the impact of downloadable and physical documents | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
2.24 | Get users and contributors invested in the project | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
2.25 | Audit and test for bugs or issues requiring resolution | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.26 | Measure and test for performance | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.27 | Evaluate feature use, value, and impact | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.28 | Verify that real-world users can successfully use your work | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
2.29 | Regularly test and maintain compatibility | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High |
3.1 | Set goals based on performance and energy impact | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.2 | Remove unnecessary or redundant information | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
3.3 | Modularize bandwidth-heavy components | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.4 | Remove unnecessary code | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.5 | Avoid redundancy and duplication in code | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.6 | Give third parties the same priority as first parties during assessment | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
3.7 | Ensure code follows good semantic practices | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.8 | Defer the loading of non-critical resources | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.9 | Provide information to help understand the usefulness of a page | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
3.10 | Validate form errors and account for tooling requirements | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.11 | Structure metadata for machine readability | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.12 | Use sustainability beneficial user preference media queries | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.13 | Ensure layouts work for different devices and requirements | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | |
3.14 | Use Standards-based JavaScript and APIs | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
3.15 | Ensure that your code is secure | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.16 | Use dependencies appropriately and ensure maintenance | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
3.17 | Include expected and beneficial files | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
3.18 | Avoid using deprecated, proprietary, or outdated code | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
3.19 | Use the most efficient solution for your service | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.20 | Use the latest stable language version | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.21 | Take advantage of native features and functionality | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
3.22 | Reduce the number and complexity of database queries | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low |
4.1 | Choose a sustainable service provider | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.2 | Optimize caching with offline access supported | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | High | Medium | High | |
4.3 | Compress files where it is beneficial | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.4 | Setup necessary error pages and redirection links | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.5 | Avoid maintaining unnecessary virtualized environments or containers | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.6 | Use automation wisely | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.7 | Define the frequency of data refreshes | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
4.8 | Back up critical data at routine intervals | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.9 | Consider the impact and requirements of data processing | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.10 | Use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) appropriately | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Medium | Low | Medium | |
4.11 | Ensure infrastructure fits project requirements | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
4.12 | Store data according to the needs of your users | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low |
5.1 | Have an ethical and sustainable product strategy | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.2 | Assign a sustainability advocate | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.3 | Inform, raise awareness, and train for sustainability | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.4 | Communicate the environmental impact of user choices | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.5 | Estimate the environmental impact | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.6 | Define clear organizational sustainability goals and metrics | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
5.7 | Validate efforts using established third-party certifications | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.8 | Implement sustainability onboarding guidelines | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.9 | Support mandatory disclosures and reporting | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.10 | Create one or more impact business models | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.11 | Follow a product management and maintenance strategy | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.12 | Implement continuous improvement procedures | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.13 | Document future updates and evolutions | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
5.14 | Establish if a digital product or service is necessary | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.15 | Conduct a full life-cycle assessment | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.16 | Provide a supplier standards of practice document | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.17 | Share economic benefits | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.18 | Share decision-making power with affected parties | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
5.19 | Use Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) practices | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.20 | Promote responsible data practices | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.21 | Implement appropriate data management procedures | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
5.22 | Promote and implement responsible emerging technology practices | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.23 | Include responsible financial policies | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.24 | Include organizational philanthropy policies | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.25 | Plan for a digital product or service's care and end-of-life | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.26 | Include e-waste, right to repair, and recycling policies | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | High | High | High | High | |
5.27 | Define performance and environmental budgets | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.28 | Use open source where possible | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
5.29 | Create a business continuity and disaster recovery plan | ||||
Success Criterion | |||||
GRI | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Additional information about participation in the Sustainable Web Interest Group can be found within the GitHub repository of the Interest Group.
Alexander Dawson, Simon Perdrisat, Tim Frick