DIST

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Methodologies - Fields

Methodology fields

The table below illustrates the fields that are represented in the DIST Methodologies Map.

DIST Methodologies Map - Definitions
Methodology Information
Fields Definition Required Example
Name The full name of the methodology. Required Sustainable Web Design Model version 4
Short name A short name or acronym that can be used when referencing the methodology. Required SWDMv4
Public URI A public URI where people can access the methodology for reference and review. Required https://sustainablewebdesign.org/estimating-digital-emissions/
Access type Details how the methodology can be accessed. One of:
  • Publicly available: Available for free without login or permissions.
  • Limited availability: Available for free but requires login or permissions to access.
  • Paid availability: Available only via purchase, payment, or subscription.
 Required Publicly available
Commercial dependencies Does this methodology rely on proprietary, paid or closed data sources to generate an output? One of:
  • No: Open data sources can be used in this methodology
  • Yes: A proprietary data source is required for this methodology
  • Don’t know: It is unclear if this methodology requires proprietary data
 Required false
Open data source URIs An array of URIs to pointing to suggested open data sources which should be used with this methodology. Optional - Annual grid intensity: https://github.com/thegreenwebfoundation/co2.js/blob/main/data/output/electricity-maps/yearly_2025.json
Output unit The unit used to present the output of this methodology Required gCO2e
Output certainty A general statement regarding the nature of the output generated by this methodology. One of:
  • Estimate: The final output is an approximation and includes a number of assumptions.
  • Measurement: The final output relies on physical measurement to be achieved.
 Required Estimate
Published date The date the methodology was first published. Required 4th June 2024
Last updated The date when the methodology was last revised or updated. Optional 4th July 2024
Primary contact name The primary contact person or organisation who can field questions about the methodology. Required Mightybytes
Primary contact email/URL Email address or online contact form through which the primary contact can be reached. Required https://sustainablewebdesign.org/contact/
DIST Information
Fields Definition Required Example
Impact dimensions One or more DIST impact dimension to which this methodology relates. At least one of:
  • Carbon
  • Water
  • Health
 Required Carbon
DIST categories One or more DIST taxonomy categories to which this methodology can be applied to. At least one of:
  • CatUSoftware: Off The Shelf including AI models
  • CatUEmployeeHardware: Employee Hardware
  • CatUNetworkHardware: Networking Hardware
  • CatUServerHardware: Servers and Storage Hardware
  • CatUContentData: Content and Data
  • CatOServers: Servers and Storage
  • CatONetworkDevices: Networking and Infrastructure
  • CatOEmployeeDevices: Employee Devices
  • CatGGenerators: Generators
  • CatCCloud: Cloud Services
  • CatCSaas: SaaS
  • CatCManaged: Managed Services
  • CatDEndUserDevices: End-User Devices
  • CatDNetworkDataTransfer: Network Data Transfer
  • CatDInfrastructure: Downstream Infrastructure
 Required - CatUSoftware - CatDEndUserDevices
Carbon intensity type (Carbon impact dimension only)Specify whether this methodology relies on average or marginal emissions. One of:
  • Average intensity
  • Marginal intensity
 Required Average intensity
Framework alignment (Carbon impact dimension only)Specify whether this methodology aligns with existing recognised carbon accounting or reporting standards. Optional - SBTi - Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2
Methodology License Information
Fields Definition Required Example
Type of license The legal framework governing the use, distribution, and modification of the methodology. Optional Open Government License
License URI Link to the full text of the license associated with the methodology, for reference and cross-validation. Optional https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/1/open-government-licence.htm
License details A summary of the permissions and restrictions outlined in the methodology’s license. Optional Copy, publish, distribute and transmit the Information; Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0
Submission & Review Information
Fields Definition Required Example
Submission status The status of the methodology within the DIST Methodology Map. Currently only:
  • Self-assessed: The methodology has been submitted to DIST but not gone through a formal review.
 Required Self-assessed
Date submitted The date on which the methodology was first submitted. Required 10th July 2026
Submitted by The name (real name or GitHub user name) of the person/entity who submitted the methodology. Required Meth O'dology
Submission URI Link to the GitHub issue that was used to submit and assess the methodology. Required https://github.com/thegreenwebfoundation/DIST/issues/13
Last updated by The name of the maintainer who last updated this item. Required Fershad Irani
Last updated date The date this item was last updated. Required 15th July 2026