AI has emerged as a key tool to help fight the global climate change war.

AI has emerged as a key tool to help fight the global climate change war.

 

The changing climate will have a major impact on environmental, social, and economic systems around the globe. We are already experiencing many of its environmental effects, from longer droughts to more destructive storms.

   Humans are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) in their efforts to combat climate change. AI has the potential to analyze vast and complex weather data, monitor emissions, optimize transportation networks, and improve agricultural processes. Microsoft’s AI for Earth initiative, which has received a $50 million investment, allows companies to access AI technology to analyze climate and energy data. In addition to supporting climate-focused projects, this initiative allows Microsoft to test its own technology and explore potential investment opportunities. To ensure that         AI is a valuable asset rather than a hindrance in the battle against climate change, researchers emphasize the importance of transparency, including reporting on the carbon footprint of AI models and eliminating inefficient systems. AI has the potential to support sustainable consumer choices by calculating the environmental impact of products, which can influence online purchasing decisions.

    Mitigation is therefore critical, including efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, minimizing the harm will also require increasing our efforts at adaptation and resilience—from immediate crisis response to long-term planning. Further, these efforts will require support from activities such as research, finance, and education.

    AI as a tool is uniquely positioned to help manage these complex issues. Due to its capacity to gather, complete, and interpret large, complex datasets on emissions, climate impact, and more, it can be used to support all stakeholders in taking a more informed and data-driven approach to combating carbon emissions and building a greener society. It can also be employed to reweight global climate efforts toward the most at-risk regions. (See “Addressing the Needs of the Global South.”)

As such, the use of AI offers an opportunity to make meaningful change in this critical moment, whether through mitigation, adaptation and resilience or by supporting the fundamentals of overall climate efforts.

     With this opportunity in mind, BCG recently surveyed global public- and private-sector climate and AI leaders about their views on the potential of AI as a tool in the fight against climate change as well as the roadblocks that prevent its adoption. (See “Survey Methodology.”)

In response, 87% replied that advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, or simply “AI”, is a helpful tool in the fight against climate change today. In addition, 67% of those in the private sector stated that they want governments to do more to support the use of AI in fighting climate change.

Further, 43% of organizations say that they have a vision for using AI in their own climate change efforts—confirming high interest in the potential of this tool. Note that the percentage differs among industries, ranging from over 50% for industrial goods companies to 30% for consumer companies. Geographically speaking, the US shows the highest interest among Global North countries, with 64% of respondents reporting the use of AI in their climate efforts, while an average 42% say that they have a vision for using it.

Note that we employ the term “AI” to refer to artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, defined as the use of sophisticated data analysis techniques such as machine learning algorithms and data engineering.

Oladosu Adebola TheClimateEduFeminist, an AI technologist, and an environmentalist.

Email:oladosuadebola11@gmail.com