AI's Transformative Role In Government-Led Climate Action Highlighted At World Governments Summit

The World Governments Summit Organisation and Accenture have released a report titled "The Climate Advantage: How AI Can Help Governments Drive Better Climate Action." This report explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can assist governments in advancing their climate initiatives across various sectors. As global temperatures rise, the report arrives at a crucial moment, highlighting the urgent need for effective climate strategies.

Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, countries have increased their commitments nearly 18 times. However, these efforts remain insufficient as global temperatures continue to climb. The World Meteorological Organisation reported that 2024 was the hottest year recorded, with average surface temperatures surpassing 1.5°C for the first time.

The report showcases over 20 case studies from more than 50 countries with national AI strategies. It identifies seven key areas where AI is already making a significant impact: policy formulation, climate modeling, sustainable agriculture, urban planning, energy management, citizen engagement, and government procurement.

Mohamed Al Sharhan of the World Governments Summit Organisation stated that the report emerges during rapid advancements in AI technologies and environmental challenges. He emphasised the need for balanced opportunities and policies to enhance government readiness and adaptability amid global changes.

Ramez T. Shehadi from Accenture highlighted AI's potential as a powerful tool against climate change if governments act decisively. He noted that AI could drive economic growth, improve public services, and build resilient communities while limiting emissions and planning for adaptation.

Key insights include Climate TRACE data revealing oil and gas emissions might be three times higher than reported. In Maharashtra, India, AI improved sugarcane yields by up to 40% while reducing water and fertiliser use. Northumberland's FloodAI provided real-time flood alerts better than traditional models.

AI in Agriculture and Smart Cities

In Abu Dhabi, AI-enhanced soil analysis improved coverage by 95% and predicted contaminants with 88% accuracy. Kenya's AI-driven crop advisory platform reached over 1,500 farms with tailored insights via mobile apps.

The AI4Cities pilot in Finland and Norway reduced energy use in public buildings by 15–20%. East Lansing in the USA cut recycling contamination by 23% and increased participation by 45% using AI-powered waste systems.

Energy Optimisation through AI

AI-enabled solar forecasting in the UK improved accuracy by 2.8 times over traditional methods, reducing unnecessary fossil fuel use. In the US, eGridGPT simulates live scenarios to help operators manage demand surges effectively.

The vTaiwan platform and Helsinki’s UrbanistAI demonstrate how generative AI can transform citizen input into tangible planning outcomes. Since March 2023, the ClimateQ&A chatbot has answered over 30,000 public questions in multiple languages.

Sustainable Supply Chains

SeloVerde in Brazil monitors deforestation-linked supply chains across 20 million hectares. This initiative could prevent up to 739 million tons of CO₂ emissions by 2030.

The report warns about digital growth's environmental cost as AI data centre emissions are expected to increase from 68 million tonnes in 2024 to 718 million tonnes by 2030. It calls for urgent government action to implement green digital infrastructure with examples from Europe, Singapore, and the United States.

With inputs from WAM