New Report Urges Governments to Harness AI for Climate Action
A report presented at COP26 outlines 48 recommendations for policymakers to accelerate AI solutions for the climate crisis. It highlights both successful real-world applications and critical bottlenecks slowing down progress.
A new report presented at COP26 by the Centre for AI & Climate and Climate Change AI calls on governments to recognize artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to accelerate the transition to net zero. Commissioned by the Global Partnership on AI, the document provides 48 specific recommendations for policymakers to support AI-for-climate solutions and mitigate the environmental risks that AI itself creates.
The report highlights several successful real-world applications of this technology. For example, National Grid ESO uses AI to double the accuracy of its UK electricity demand forecasts, while the UN Satellite Centre relies on machine learning and satellite data to deliver rapid flood reports in Asia and Africa. Additionally, the Climate TRACE coalition leverages AI algorithms across thousands of sensors and satellites to drastically improve the transparency and accuracy of global emissions monitoring.
Despite these successes, the authors identify critical bottlenecks that slow down the adoption of AI in climate initiatives. To overcome these hurdles, the report urges governments to improve data ecosystems in vital sectors, boost funding for research and deployment, and make climate change a central priority in national AI strategies.