Sustainability

Introduction

As Drupal approaches its 23-year anniversary, it is crucial to address the pressing issue of sustainability within the Drupal ecosystem. We propose the establishment of the Drupal Sustainability Team, a formal team dedicated to making Drupal and its community leaders in sustainability. This Team aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of web development, provide guidance for sustainable event organization, promote the development and use of eco-friendly themes and modules, and ensure economic sustainability for projects, groups, organizations, and individual contributors. By taking proactive measures, Drupal can set an example for other open-source projects and demonstrate its commitment to building a more sustainable and economically viable open web.

Rationale

Drupal has always strived to create a better web for everyone, and sustainability presents a new challenge that cannot be ignored. In addition to environmental concerns, it is essential to address the economic sustainability of projects, groups, organizations, and individual contributors within the Drupal community. By establishing a Sustainability Team, Drupal can support the long-term viability and success of its ecosystem.

Collaboration

The Sustainability Team will work in collaboration with existing Drupal teams such as accessibility, performance, and community, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into their workflows and projects. By partnering with these teams, we can foster a sustainable and economically viable mindset throughout the Drupal ecosystem. This collaborative approach aligns with Drupal's core values and promotes a holistic understanding of sustainability.

Learning from Comparable Programs

Drawing inspiration from existing sustainability initiatives, such as the WordPress Sustainability Team and other comparable Drupal programs, the Drupal Sustainability Team can leverage best practices and adapt them to address economic sustainability. By studying successful economic sustainability models from similar initiatives, we can ensure the viability and growth of Drupal projects, groups, organizations, and contributors.

Objectives

The Drupal Sustainability Team aims to achieve the following objectives, which include economic sustainability considerations

Awareness and Education

Raise awareness about the environmental impact of web development and the role Drupal plays in it. We also need to address the environmental and economic realities of the community that maintains it. This can be achieved through blog posts, social media campaigns, and educational resources. By providing information and resources, we can empower the Drupal community to make informed decisions that prioritize both environmental and economic sustainability.

Sustainable Event Organization

Provide guidance and support for event organizers to plan and execute Drupal events in a more sustainable and economically viable manner. We will develop a section on sustainability within the Drupal Community Handbook, offering event organizers practical tips and resources that consider both environmental and economic sustainability. This will include both ways to reduce the environmental impact, and also provide cost-saving measures, sponsorship strategies, and sustainable revenue generation ideas.

Eco-friendly Themes and Modules

Encourage the development and promotion of eco-friendly themes and modules within the Drupal ecosystem while also considering their economic viability. We will collaborate with module and theme developers to create guidelines for eco-friendly design and functionality, ensuring that economic considerations are incorporated. This includes evaluating the long-term economic sustainability of modules and themes, and potential revenue streams.

Economic Sustainability for Projects, Groups, Organizations, and Individual Contributors

Focus on the economic sustainability of Drupal projects, groups, organizations, and individual contributors within the ecosystem. This includes promoting sustainable business models, exploring funding opportunities, encouraging fair compensation practices, and providing resources and support for monetization strategies. By addressing economic sustainability, we can create a thriving Drupal ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.