COP29: Digital tech and AI can boost climate action, but curbing the sector’s emissions is key
The digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors have the potential to make a significant contribution to climate action, but they also need to address their own emissions, according to a new report released at COP29.
The report, “Digital Technology and Climate Change: A Call to Action,” was prepared by the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), a collaboration of leading ICT companies and organizations. It finds that digital technologies can help to reduce emissions in a number of ways, including:
- Improving energy efficiency: Digital technologies can be used to optimize energy use in buildings, transportation, and industry. For example, smart thermostats can help to reduce energy consumption in homes and offices, and AI-powered traffic management systems can help to reduce emissions from transportation.
- Enabling renewable energy: Digital technologies can help to make renewable energy more affordable and accessible. For example, solar and wind energy can be integrated into the grid more efficiently using digital technologies, and AI can help to predict renewable energy generation.
- Supporting sustainable agriculture: Digital technologies can help farmers to reduce their environmental impact. For example, AI can be used to monitor crop health and identify areas where irrigation is needed, and drones can be used to apply pesticides and fertilizers more precisely.
However, the report also warns that the digital technology and AI sectors need to address their own emissions. The sector is responsible for about 4% of global emissions, and this is expected to grow to 14% by 2040.
The report recommends a number of ways to reduce emissions from the digital technology and AI sectors, including:
- Improving energy efficiency: Data centers and other digital infrastructure can be made more energy efficient through the use of renewable energy, efficient cooling systems, and AI-powered energy management.
- Using renewable energy: Digital technology companies can switch to renewable energy sources to power their operations.
- Promoting sustainable practices: Digital technology companies can promote sustainable practices throughout their supply chains. For example, they can work with suppliers to reduce emissions from manufacturing and transportation.
The report concludes that digital technology and AI have the potential to make a major contribution to climate action, but only if the sector takes steps to reduce its own emissions.
Key takeaways from the report:
- Digital technology and AI can help to reduce emissions in a number of ways, including improving energy efficiency, enabling renewable energy, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
- The digital technology and AI sectors need to address their own emissions, which are expected to grow to 14% of global emissions by 2040.
- There are a number of ways to reduce emissions from the digital technology and AI sectors, including improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices.
- Digital technology and AI have the potential to make a major contribution to climate action, but only if the sector takes steps to reduce its own emissions.
Call to action:
The report calls on digital technology and AI companies to take the following actions:
- Set ambitious emissions reduction targets: Digital technology and AI companies should set ambitious emissions reduction targets, in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Invest in renewable energy: Digital technology and AI companies should invest in renewable energy to power their operations.
- Promote sustainable practices: Digital technology and AI companies should promote sustainable practices throughout their supply chains.
- Collaborate with other stakeholders: Digital technology and AI companies should collaborate with other stakeholders, including governments and civil society organizations, to develop and implement climate solutions.
By taking these actions, digital technology and AI companies can help to create a more sustainable future for all.
COP29: Digital tech and AI can boost climate action, but curbing the sector’s emissions is key
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Top Stories a new article on 2024-11-16 12:00 titled “COP29: Digital tech and AI can boost climate action, but curbing the sector’s emissions is key”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
12