Harnessing the Power of AI for a Sustainable Future
As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion, a transformative solution has emerged: Artificial Intelligence (AI). This revolutionary technology holds the key to revolutionizing the way we monitor, manage, and mitigate our impact on the planet.
Empowering Real-Time Environmental Monitoring
One of the most significant ways AI is shaping the future of environmental protection is through its ability to analyze and interpret vast amounts of data in real-time. The United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) World Environment Situation Room (WESR) is a prime example of this. Launched in 2022, WESR leverages AI to curate, aggregate, and visualize the best available earth observation and sensor data, providing near real-time analysis and future predictions on critical environmental factors, such as CO2 atmospheric concentration, glacier mass changes, and sea-level rise.
“WESR is being developed to become a user-friendly, demand-driven platform that leverages data into government offices, classrooms, Mayor’s offices, and boardrooms,” says David Jensen, coordinator of UNEP’s Digital Transformation sub-programme. “We need credible, trustworthy, and independent data to inform decisions and drive transparency – WESR provides this. Over time, the goal is for WESR to become like a mission control center for planet Earth, where all of our vital environmental indicators can be seamlessly monitored to drive actions.”
Revolutionizing Methane Emissions Monitoring
Another UNEP-led initiative that showcases the power of AI in environmental protection is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). This platform leverages AI to revolutionize the approach to monitoring and mitigating methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. IMEO operates as a global public database of empirically verified methane emissions, with AI strategically interconnecting this data with action on science, transparency, and policy to inform data-driven decisions.
“IMEO’s technology allows us to collect and integrate diverse methane emissions data streams to establish a global public record of empirically verified methane emissions at an unprecedented level of accuracy and granularity,” Jensen explains. “Reducing the energy sector’s methane emissions is one of the quickest, most feasible, and cost-effective ways to limit the impacts of climate warming, and reliable data-driven action will play a big role in achieving these reductions.”
Monitoring Air Quality for Healthier Communities
The GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform, co-founded by UNEP and IQAir, is another shining example of how AI can be leveraged to tackle environmental challenges. This initiative is the largest global air quality information network in the world, aggregating data from over 25,000 air quality monitoring stations in more than 140 countries. By harnessing AI, the platform offers insights on the impact of real-time air quality on populations and helps inform health protection measures.
“These platforms allow both the private and public sector to harness data and digital technologies in order to accelerate global environmental action and fundamentally disrupt business as usual,” Jensen says. “Ultimately, they can contribute to systemic change at an unprecedented speed and scale.”
Measuring Environmental Footprints for Sustainable Decisions
AI’s capabilities extend beyond just monitoring environmental data; they also play a crucial role in calculating the environmental and climate footprints of products. “AI will be fundamental in this area,” Jensen says. “It can help calculate the footprint of products across their full lifecycles and supply chains and enable businesses and consumers to make the most informed and effective decisions. This kind of data is essential for sustainable digital nudging on e-commerce platforms such as https://itfix.org.uk/, Amazon.com, Shopify, or Alibaba.”
By providing accurate, real-time information on the environmental impact of products, AI-powered tools can empower consumers and businesses to make more sustainable choices, ultimately driving a shift towards a greener economy.
Addressing the Environmental Costs of Digital Technologies
While data and AI are necessary for enhanced environmental monitoring and management, it’s important to recognize the environmental cost of processing this data. “The ICT sector generates about 3-4 per cent of emissions, and data centers use large volumes of water for cooling,” Jensen notes. “Efforts are underway to reduce this footprint – including through the CODES Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age – one of the spin-off initiatives from the UN Secretary General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.”
Additionally, the issue of e-waste is a major concern, as only 17.4% of electronic waste is currently recycled and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. According to the UN Global E-waste Monitor report, e-waste will grow to almost 75 million metric tons by 2030. To address this, UNEP research shows that consumers should reduce consumption, recycle electronic goods, and repair those that can be fixed.
Driving Systemic Change through AI-Powered Solutions
UNEP’s commitment to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste is evident in its Six-Sector Solution roadmap. This comprehensive plan outlines the necessary actions across the Energy, Industry, Agriculture and Food, Forests and Land Use, Transport, and Buildings and Cities sectors to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement commitments and achieve climate stability.
As the world gathers for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022, the focus will be on adaptation, finance, and a just transition. AI-powered solutions will be instrumental in driving this agenda, providing the data, insights, and tools needed to accelerate global environmental action and achieve a sustainable future.
“Ultimately, these platforms and initiatives can contribute to systemic change at an unprecedented speed and scale,” Jensen concludes. “By harnessing the power of AI, we can unlock new possibilities for personalized environmental protection, intelligent resource management, and effective emissions reduction – paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient world.”
