Climate change will have a significant impact on the world’s environmental, social, political, and economic systems. Mitigation of climate change, as well as adaptation and resilience, is therefore critical. Efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 will be critical, as will efforts to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change. Using advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to address climate challenges is a critical way to effect meaningful change at this critical juncture.
According to a new report released by the AI for the Planet Alliance in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG GAMMA, 87% of public- and private-sector leaders in charge of climate and AI issues believe that AI is a valuable asset in the fight against climate change. The report, titled How AI Can Be a Powerful Tool in the Fight Against Climate Change, is now available for download.
The report finds that roughly 40% of organizations can envision using AI for their own climate efforts, based on survey results from over 1,000 executives with decision-making authority on AI or climate-change initiatives (see the exhibit). Even among these experts, there is widespread agreement that significant barriers to broad adoption remain: 78% of respondents cite a lack of AI expertise as a barrier to using AI in their climate change efforts, 77% cite a lack of AI solution availability as a barrier, and 67% cite a lack of confidence in AI-related data and analysis.
“Beyond residences and offices using smart meters to monitor and control power usage, every sector, from manufacturing to real estate, can go green with AI. Integrating AI to track and reduce carbon footprint will enhance overall operations’ efficiency and reduce resource usage, said Elias Baltassis, Partner & Director and BCG GAMMA Lead for the Middle East. The deployment of machine learning models, focused on GHG emissions abatements optimization, will accelerate initiatives for achieving net-zero emission targets across sectors.”
“There is very significant potential in leveraging digital technologies to reduce emissions. The World Economic Forum estimates that 15% of global emissions can be reduced, and even up to 20% in high-emitting sectors. BCGs own experience shows that using AI alone can deliver 5-10% of the required emission reduction—and save costs in the process. This is particularly important in the Middle East where countries have high technology aspirations and are rapidly accelerating climate commitments and actions,” added Simon Birkebaek, Middle East Climate & Sustainability Topic Lead, Partner, BCG
Uses of AI in Combating Climate Change
Global leaders can use AI to achieve their goals in multiple ways:
Need for Meaningful Support
A multitude of critical uses for AI exists in the climate change arena, but any successful AI solution must be user-friendly and readily accessible. It must offer tangible benefits to the user and provide clear recommendations that are easy to act on. AI solutions, therefore, need much more meaningful support, including access to capital investment, decision-makers, and trained practitioners.
“AI has strong promise to help solve the climate crisis, but AI alone is not enough. It depends on the will of decision makers to act and make necessary changes—supported in part by AI and other emerging technologies,” said Damien Gromier, founder of AI for the Planet and a co-author of the report.
AI for the Planet has invited all interested parties to submit proposals in any stage of maturity (if ready for a first pilot, at the very least) and from any sector, whether private, public, academic, or nonprofit. Support for each solution will be tailored to its specific requirements and may include everything from customized commercial or technical support to investor relationships and network development.
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