Deliverable D4.2 Architecture Definition, Lifecycle Model and Requirements Specification for Sustainable RI

As Digital Research Infrastructures (DRIs) grow in scale and complexity, so too does their environmental impact. These infrastructures are vital to the functioning of modern science, but they consume increasing amounts of energy, generate significant emissions, and rely on resource-intensive hardware and data services. There is increasing demand for research institutions and service providers to operate in compliance with European sustainability regulations and long-term climate goals. The presented Deliverable D4.2 of the GreenDIGIT project responds to this dual challenge with a clear, actionable framework for embedding environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of DRIs.

This report introduces a reference architecture framework and lifecycle model that enables DRIs to meet emerging sustainability expectations while maintaining the performance, openness, and reproducibility that scientific communities rely on. It translates high-level regulatory and standards requirements into a practical, system-level design approach. In doing so, it provides research institutions, infrastructure operators, and scientific communities with a roadmap for compliance, optimisation, and long-term resilience.

A key element of the proposed framework is a modular, layered architecture that supports energy-aware orchestration, lifecycle planning, and low-impact scientific workflows. The architecture is structured around five foundational pillars, each addressing a specific aspect of infrastructure sustainability. These include infrastructure design, software and workflow patterns, lifecycle management, data governance, and a common information model for environmental metrics. Collectively, these pillars offer a coherent strategy for integrating sustainability into both the technical and organisational fabric of research infrastructures (RIs).

A key feature of the architecture is its focus on monitoring and metrics. The report presents a multi-level observability infrastructure that enables energy consumption and environmental performance to be tracked across experiments, infrastructure, and individual sites. This monitoring system integrates widely adopted tools and open-source platforms to provide real-time feedback, retrospective analysis, and structured reporting. Researchers can track the carbon footprint of individual workflows. Infrastructure operators can visualise usage patterns and adjust operations for greater efficiency. Project managers and decision-makers will be given the tools to evaluate compliance, demonstrate impact, and guide future planning. This system with user environments will be implemented and validated in the technical WPs in the remainder of the project.

To ensure sustainability becomes a shared and sustained commitment across the ecosystem, the project introduces the Shared Responsibility Model for Sustainability (SRM4S). This model clarifies the complementary roles of infrastructure operators, researchers, and developers in reducing environmental impact. Operators are responsible for providing energy-efficient systems, renewable integration, and resource-aware orchestration. Researchers are empowered to make carbon-conscious choices in their scientific workflow execution and data management. Developers are guided in designing applications that are not only performant but also environmentally aware. By formalising these responsibilities, GreenDIGIT fosters a collaborative model in which technical and scientific stakeholders can work together toward measurable sustainability outcomes.

By introducing standardised metrics and information models, GreenDIGIT ensures that environmental data is not only collected, but made actionable. The framework supports transparent reporting and aligns with Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable (FAIR) data principles, ensuring that metrics can be shared, interpreted, and reused across institutions and platforms. It also supports integration with European initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC EU Node) and the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) Roadmap 2026, positioning GreenDIGIT as a foundational enabler of policy-aligned, next-generation infrastructure development.

In summary, Deliverable D4.2 provides the technical foundation and strategic clarity needed to advance sustainable DRIs. It demonstrates how thoughtful architecture, robust monitoring, and shared accountability can lead to a lasting impact on reducing the environmental impact of future RIs.

[This deliverable is pending approval from the European Commission]