Dubai: The World Governments Summit Organisation, in collaboration with Accenture, has unveiled a landmark report titled 'The Climate Advantage: How AI Can Help Governments Drive Better Climate Action'. The report explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower governments to enhance their climate agendas in crucial sectors.
According to Emirates News Agency, the report emerges at a crucial moment as nations face escalating global temperatures and intricate environmental challenges. It highlights that, since the 2015 Paris Agreement, commitments from both developed and developing nations have surged nearly 18-fold, yet are still insufficient given the rising global temperatures. Notably, 2024 was recorded as the hottest year, with the global average surface temperature surpassing 1.5°C for the first time, as per the World Meteorological Organisation.
The report, which draws on over 20 global case studies and data from more than 50 countries with national AI strategies, identifies seven domains where AI is making a significant impact: policy formulation, climate modeling, sustainable agriculture, urban planning, energy management, citizen engagement, and government procurement.
Mohamed Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit Organisation, emphasized the report's timing amidst rapid advancements in AI technologies and environmental challenges. He stated that this requires balanced opportunities, solutions, and policies to support government readiness and adaptability amid global transformations.
Ramez T. Shehadi, Global Public Sector Strategy Lead at Accenture, noted AI's potential as a powerful tool against climate change, contingent on bold governmental vision and action. He mentioned that the report provides a roadmap for governments to utilize AI not only for environmental protection but also to foster economic growth, enhance public services, and build resilient communities.
Key insights from the report reveal that Climate TRACE data indicates oil and gas emissions may be up to three times higher than officially reported. In Maharashtra, India, AI enhanced sugarcane crop yields by up to 40 percent while reducing water and fertilizer use. The UK's FloodAI provided superior real-time flood alerts compared to traditional models, and Singapore's Green Data Centre Roadmap aims for AI-powered sustainability by 2027.
Highlighting global AI adoption, over 50 countries have national AI strategies. A survey across 26 countries found 66 percent of government employees view predictive analytics as AI's most promising climate application.
In agriculture, Abu Dhabi's AI-enhanced soil analysis improved coverage by 95 percent and predicted contaminants with 88 percent accuracy. Kenya's AI-driven crop advisory platform reached over 1,500 farms with tailored insights via mobile apps.
In smart cities, Finland and Norway's AI4Cities pilot cut public building energy use by 15-20 percent. East Lansing, USA, used AI to reduce recycling contamination by 23 percent and improve participation by 45 percent.
In energy, AI-enabled solar forecasting in the UK improved accuracy significantly, reducing fossil fuel use. The US's AI-powered eGridGPT helps operators manage real-time demand surges.
In citizen engagement, platforms like vTaiwan and Helsinki's UrbanistAI use AI to convert citizen input into planning outcomes. The ClimateQ chatbot has addressed over 30,000 public inquiries in multiple languages since March 2023.
AI also enhances supply chain transparency; Brazil's SeloVerde monitors deforestation-linked supply chains, potentially preventing 739 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030.
The report warns about AI's carbon footprint, projecting data center emissions could surge from 68 million tonnes in 2024 to 718 million tonnes by 2030, stressing the need for sustainable digital infrastructure. It calls for urgent government action, showcasing effective policies from Europe, Singapore, and the United States.