Design Insights from the Landscape of Sustainability Apps: A Guide for Developers

This paper explores how mobile applications can foster sustainable behaviors and raise environmental awareness by analyzing the design and impact of 54 sustainability-focused apps from the Google Play Store. It categorizes the apps based on user interaction, environmental goals, and the availability of reviews. Of these, 21 apps with user feedback were further analyzed using natural language processing. Sentiment analysis with the VADER model gauged user satisfaction, while Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) revealed key discussion topics. The study finds that app success is driven not just by informative content or gamification, but by motivational features that link sustainability goals to users’ daily routines. Users value simple interfaces, reliable performance, and ethical considerations. The research highlights three underrepresented but critical design elements: inclusivity, affordability, and transparency, which play a major role in building user trust and long-term engagement. Practical recommendations are offered to help developers create ethical, user-centered, and context-sensitive sustainability apps. Ultimately, the thesis advances the field of digital sustainability by connecting app design strategies with user expectations, emphasizing the role of mobile technology in encouraging sustainable living.