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18 November 2024, Baku Azerbaijan – Global climate actors united to showcase how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can tackle climate challenges in the world’s most affected regions.
Organized by the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in collaboration with the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) and the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), the Capacities for Climate Innovation: Artificial Intelligence session highlighted AI's potential to propel climate resilience, while focusing on capacity-building efforts to equip developing countries, LDCs, and SIDS with powerful tools to accelerate climate goals and scale sustainable solutions where they're needed most.
Serving as a foremost space for knowledge sharing, the event brought together experts, activists, policymakers, and scientists to explore how AI can advance global efforts in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience. Participants engaged in interactive sessions that showcased real-world examples of how AI is already addressing critical climate challenges, from weather forecasting and disaster risk management to renewable energy optimization and carbon emissions monitoring.
Having a central theme this year focused on maximizing AI’s benefits for countries with limited capacity and resources, the Technology Mechanism Initiative on AI for Climate Action aims to ensure that these nations can effectively address their climate action needs. By fostering global collaboration, the initiative equips countries with the knowledge and resources to scale AI solutions that strengthen climate resilience and advance sustainable development in the world’s most affected regions.
Halima Bawa Bwari, Advisory Board member of CTCN, highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in addressing climate challenges, stating, “AI can redefine climate solutions, particularly in regions disproportionately affected by climate change.” She acknowledged key challenges faced by developing countries, such as high energy consumption and the need for long-term education investment, but emphasized that collaboration will empower stakeholders in developing countries to overcome these barriers and harness AI for impactful climate action.
As part of its efforts, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of AI’s vital role in advancing the Paris Agreement, with a focus on integrating innovative technologies into climate policies and actions at both national and global levels.
“Artificial Intelligence holds significant potential to accelerate climate action in developing countries, provided we proactively address the associated challenges and risks. Capacity-building is therefore crucial for the effective and responsible use of AI in this context,” said Dietram Oppelt, Vice-Chair of the TEC. “I am sincerely grateful for the numerous entries we received worldwide in response to the TEC AI Innovation Grand Challenge. It’s inspiring to witness the wealth of examples showcasing how AI is already being leveraged for impactful climate action, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing States.”
PCCB member Kerricia Hobson emphasized that advancing AI for climate action requires bridging capacity gaps to ensure all countries can harness AI to its full potential. "Building capacity alone isn’t enough—it must be continuously developed and retained to support technological innovations and scale solutions critical to achieving the Paris Agreement goals," she stated. "People are solution providers," she added, stressing the need for inclusive capacity-building efforts that involve all stakeholders, from academia to youth, to fully leverage AI’s potential for global change.
With a shared commitment to sustainable development, the Capacities for Climate Innovation: Artificial Intelligence session marks a landmark moment in the global effort to harness AI for climate action, highlighting ongoing collaboration and capacity-building efforts in innovation and scaling these technologies to drive better climate outcomes in developing countries.
- Photos from the event may be found here.