In this session, we will discuss AI’s role in climate action. From greening AI technologies and standards to disaster management, the session will explore a plan of action and activities to take steps toward a greener world.
This talk focuses on ITU (International Telecommunication Union) standards designed to assess and guide sustainable AI applications, particularly those shaping the development and deployment of environmentally conscious AI solutions. One of ITU’s standards groups, Study Group 5 (ITU-T SG5), plays a key role in evaluating the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on climate change. Study Group 5 develops methodologies for this assessment and publishes guidelines for eco-friendly ICT usage. This talk explores greening AI technologies, standards, and how AI’s computational demands contribute to the ICT sector’s energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Green Digital Action track was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2023 (COP28) by ITU, together with over 40 partners from UN agencies, businesses, civil society, and governments. Its mission is to mobilize collective initiatives within the digital industry to combat climate change. By developing practical solutions and positioning the sector as a climate leader, the Green Digital Action track aims to enhance sustainability while advancing digital transformation. The goal is to create a shared vision for using the power of digital technologies while mitigating their environmental impact. This talk explores both the potential and pitfalls of ICTs in the context of environmental sustainability and how the ICT sector is using technology such as AI to reduce emissions.
Over its three-year lifetime, the Focus Group on AI for Natural Disaster Management (FG-AI4NDM), convened by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has laid the groundwork for standards (producing three technical reports, a roadmap, a glossary, and a large language model based tool) and supported capacity sharing. In the future, there are plans to build on these outcomes by exploring complementary technologies for natural hazard management across a range of different disaster types. A Horizon-funded 3-yr project called Mediterranean and pan-European forecast and early warning system against natural hazards (MedEWSa) will apply the best practices developed by FG-AI4NDM and the potential of AI will be ascertained for decision support, multi-hazard forecast and impact assessment, risk transfer, and outreach, in regions of different coping capacities. The outcomes of this project will provide important insights into the versatility of AI solutions.
This talk launches a competition focused on optimizing energy usage for telecom sites. By maximizing solar energy utilization and minimizing reliance on mains and generators, the aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of telecom infrastructure. Participants of the competition will be tasked, using AI, to come up with smart energy scheduling policies that balance sustainability and reliability. Solutions need to be turned in by September 2024. The best solution will be showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2024 COP29.
The AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory, a start-up pitching competition, is a collaborative effort among United Nations agencies including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The 2024 edition aims to advance the utilization of AI in combating climate change, with solutions to be showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2024 (COP29). The Innovation Factory aims to accelerate the development of AI-driven solutions tailored for climate action by uncovering start-ups with the potential to produce AI solutions that can be implemented across different regions and industries. The focus is not only on technological development but also capacity building and knowledge dissemination to ensure that AI advancements are accessible and beneficial to all stakeholders involved in climate action. This approach helps bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world environmental needs, promoting a more sustainable future.
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