Results of the summarizing process for the arXiv paper: 2305.00436v1

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a high level of awareness and action to address sustainability challenges. Software systems are crucial in advancing towards these targets, as they play a significant role in supporting sustainable development. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the competencies and skills needed by IT professionals to develop sustainable software systems. To address this gap, this study aimed to identify industrial sustainability needs for education and training from the perspective of software engineers. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with experts from twenty-eight organizations with an IT division across nine countries. The discussions focused on their interests, goals, achievements related to sustainability, as well as the skills and competencies required to achieve these goals. The findings revealed that organizations are increasingly interested in sustainability for both idealistic reasons and core business purposes. They strive to enhance the sustainability of processes and products but face challenges such as balancing short-term financial profitability with long-term sustainability objectives. To bridge these gaps, organizations have implemented in-house training courses, collaborated with universities, and provided external training opportunities for employees. The acquired competencies have made sustainability an integral part of software development within these organizations. As a result, it is recommended that educational programs incorporate knowledge and skills related to core sustainability concepts, system thinking, soft skills, technical sustainability, impact measurement, values and ethics, standards and legal aspects, as well as advocacy and lobbying. Overall,this study sheds light on the importance of integrating sustainability into software engineering education and training to meet the growing demand for sustainable IT solutions in today's digital landscape. By equipping IT professionals with the necessary competencies and skills we can pave the way for more environmentally conscious software development practices that contribute positively towards achieving global sustainability goals.

• Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a high level of awareness and action to address sustainability challenges.
• Software systems play a significant role in supporting sustainable development.
• There is a lack of comprehensive research on the competencies and skills needed by IT professionals to develop sustainable software systems.
• Organizations are increasingly interested in sustainability for both idealistic reasons and core business purposes.
• Challenges faced include balancing short-term financial profitability with long-term sustainability objectives.
• Organizations have implemented various training initiatives to bridge competency gaps and integrate sustainability into software development.
• Educational programs should incorporate knowledge and skills related to core sustainability concepts, system thinking, soft skills, technical sustainability, impact measurement, values and ethics, standards and legal aspects, as well as advocacy and lobbying.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have set ambitious targets for global sustainability, covering a wide range of issues such as poverty, climate change, and responsible consumption. Achieving these goals requires a high level of awareness and action from individuals, organizations, and governments around the world. In this digital age, software systems play a crucial role in supporting sustainable development efforts. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the competencies and skills needed by IT professionals to develop sustainable software systems.

To address this gap, a recent study conducted interviews and focus groups with experts from twenty-eight organizations with an IT division across nine countries. The discussions focused on their interests, goals, achievements related to sustainability, as well as the skills and competencies required to achieve these goals. The findings revealed that organizations are increasingly interested in sustainability for both idealistic reasons and core business purposes.

One key finding was that organizations strive to enhance the sustainability of processes and products but face challenges such as balancing short-term financial profitability with long-term sustainability objectives. This highlights the need for IT professionals to possess not only technical skills but also soft skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to navigate these complex challenges.

To bridge these gaps in knowledge and skills related to sustainability within their workforce, organizations have implemented various training initiatives. These include in-house training courses focusing on core sustainability concepts like system thinking and impact measurement; collaborations with universities; and providing external training opportunities for employees.

As a result of these efforts, many organizations have successfully integrated sustainability into their software development practices. This has made it an integral part of their overall business strategy rather than just an afterthought or add-on feature.

Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that educational programs incorporate specific knowledge areas related to sustainable software engineering into their curriculum. These include core concepts like system thinking; soft skills like communication and collaboration; technical aspects such as green computing principles; impact measurement techniques; values and ethics related to sustainability; standards and legal aspects; as well as advocacy and lobbying skills.

By equipping IT professionals with these competencies, we can pave the way for more environmentally conscious software development practices. This will not only contribute positively towards achieving the UN SDGs but also create a more sustainable digital landscape for future generations.

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the importance of integrating sustainability into software engineering education and training. It highlights the growing demand for sustainable IT solutions in today's world and emphasizes the role of IT professionals in driving positive change towards global sustainability goals. By incorporating relevant knowledge areas and skills related to sustainability, educational programs can prepare future generations of IT professionals to develop innovative and responsible solutions that contribute towards a more sustainable world.