Green Computing in Data Centers: Strategies for Energy Optimization and Carbon Footprint Mitigation – A Systematic Review

Abstract

The accelerated growth of Data Centers and Cloud Computing has significantly contributed to the increase in global energy consumption and carbon emissions, creating an urgent need to adopt green computing strategies aimed at sustainability. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with the purpose of identifying and analyzing the most effective strategies for energy optimization and carbon footprint reduction within data center environments. The PICO methodology was used as the basis for the research. A structured search filter was applied in the SCOPUS database, covering the period from 2020 to 2025 and following the guidelines of the PRISMA model. The search initially yielded a total of 244 articles, which were filtered by year, language, and accessibility, and then screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria (focused on the PICO questions). In the end, 52 articles were selected. These articles address key topics such as the use of renewable energy sources, advanced thermal management techniques, virtualization, and intelligent energy optimization algorithms. The results highlight a comprehensive approach that integrates operational effectiveness, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability to improve the energy performance of data centers