Neural Network

AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory

Climate change represents a significant environmental challenge with widespread social and economic repercussions, affecting the well-being and livelihoods of people worldwide. The United Nations (UN) is at the forefront of international efforts to combat and mitigate climate change, implementing a variety of programs and initiatives. 

 

The “AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory” is an initiative launched at the AI for Good Summit which took place on 30-31 May 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. Building on the success of the “Crowdsourcing AI solutions for climate change” in 2023, this initiative is a collaborative effort among the United Nations.  

 

The 2024 edition aims to advance the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating climate change, with solutions to be prominently showcased at COP29. The winners will be announced at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11 November – 22 November 2024 in the context of the Green Digital Action track. 

Climate change represents a significant environmental challenge with widespread social and economic repercussions, affecting the well-being and livelihoods of people worldwide. The United Nations (UN) is at the forefront of international efforts to combat and mitigate climate change, implementing a variety of programs and initiatives. 

 

The “AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory” is an initiative launched at the AI for Good Summit which took place on 30-31 May 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. Building on the success of the “Crowdsourcing AI solutions for climate change” in 2023, this initiative is a collaborative effort among the United Nations.  

 

The 2024 edition aims to advance the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating climate change, with solutions to be prominently showcased at COP29. The winners will be announced at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11 November – 22 November 2024 in the context of the Green Digital Action track. 

How to participate

Building on the AI for Good Innovation Factory the Innovation Factory will serve as an acceleration platform evaluating applications from start-ups, focused on innovative AI-powered solutions for climate change.

Step 1

Startups fill out an application form on the solution being proposed, submitting a presentation deck.

Step 2

Selected startups will be invited to an online webinar where they deliver a 5-minute pitch to a jury which advances to Step 3.

Step 3

Awards ceremony at COP29 in November 2024 [tbc] in Baku: the best solutions are invited to present their solution at COP29.

Deadline: 30 August 2024

Key dates and timeline

31 May 2024

June – October 2024

November 2024

Launch

Contest Phase

Awards ceremony at COP29

June – October: Opening Innovation Factory and Competitions

30 August: Applications Innovation Factory closed

9 September: Review of Innovation Factory submissions and selection of Step 1 candidates

September – October: Innovation Factory Online pitching session

End of October 2024: Review and selection of winners

An integral part of the submission process will be the AI Ethics and Sustainability Assessment, ensuring that all proposed solutions are ethically designed and contribute positively to environmental sustainability. 

Key dates and timeline

31 May 2024

Launch

June – October 2024

Contest Phase

  • June – October: Opening Innovation Factory and Competitions
  • 30 August: Applications Innovation Factory closed
  • 9 September: Review of Innovation Factory submissions and selection of Step 1 candidates
  • September – October: Innovation Factory Online pitching session
  • End of October 2024: Review and selection of winners

November 2024

  • Awards ceremony at COP29

An integral part of the submission process will be the AI Ethics and Sustainability Assessment, ensuring that all proposed solutions are ethically designed and contribute positively to environmental sustainability. 

Themes

The following thematic areas have been identified for the innovation factory and competitions.

control-yllw

Emission Reduction

AI models that optimize energy use in industries, smart cities, and transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

renewable-energy-yllw

Renewable Energy Integration and Efficiency

Harnessing AI to optimize renewable energy production, distribution, and consumption.

atom-yllw

Adaptation and monitoring of the impacts of climate change through nuclear science

Harnessing AI to provide insight into large sets of data and developing easy-to-use tools to advance our resilience to manage the impacts of climate change and increase the efficient use of natural resources.

agriculture-yllw

Climate action agricultural practices

Good climate action-related agriculture practices that relate to zero-emission farming, low-emission farming, or any other agricultural practice that contributes to climate action.

Do you have an innovative idea or are you a start-up using AI for climate change?
















    UN Partners

    The network of partners may expand to include additional UN agencies, private sector leaders in technology and sustainability, academic institutions, and NGOs. This collaborative approach ensures a diverse pool of knowledge, resources, and support for participants.

    ITU-Logo-B-1x1

    International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been actively involved in addressing climate change by developing international standards, promoting the use of ICTs to reduce emissions, building capacities in developing countries, and raising awareness about the role of ICTs in addressing climate change.

    IAEA-1x1

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) helps countries use nuclear science and technology to monitor emissions and environmental changes to the ocean and ecosystems, mitigate sources of greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and land use, and adapt to new climate realities including food and water shortages and ecosystem losses.  

    FAO_logo-500px

    Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to alleviate hunger, improve nutrition, and enhance sustainable agricultural practices worldwide. It provides technical expertise, policy guidance, and support to member countries in their efforts to achieve food security and promote rural development.

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