How can artificial intelligence help address environmental challenges?

It’s an old business adage that we can’t manage what we can’t measure. This is truer today than ever before as the world faces the triple global crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution and waste.

More climate data is available to us today than ever before, but how this data is accessed, interpreted and processed is critical to managing these crises. One of the core technologies is artificial intelligence (AI).

So, what exactly does artificial intelligence mean?

“Artificial intelligence refers to systems or machines that perform tasks that typically require human intelligence and can perform tasks over time based on the information they gather Improve yourself iteratively," said David Jensen, Digital Transformation Sub-Project Coordinator at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Jensen highlighted several areas where AI can play a role in addressing environmental challenges, from designing more energy-efficient buildings to monitoring deforestation to optimizing renewable energy deployment.

“This could be on a large scale – such as satellite monitoring of global emissions, or on a more granular scale – such as a smart house automatically turning off the lights or heating after a certain time,” he added.

Notice real-time analysis

Launched in 2022, UNEP’s World Environmental Situation Room (WESR) is a digital platform that uses artificial intelligence to analyze complex, multifaceted data sets.

With support from a consortium of partners, WESR manages, aggregates and visualizes the best available Earth observation and sensor data to provide near real-time analysis and future projections of multiple factors, including CO2 Atmosphere Concentration, glacier mass changes, and sea level rise.

Jensen said: "WESR is evolving into a user-friendly, demand-driven platform that leverages data into government offices, classrooms, mayor's offices and boardrooms. We need to be credible, trustworthy and independent data to inform decision-making and increase transparency – WESR provides this,” he added.

"Over time, WESR aims to become Earth's mission control center, where all of our important environmental indicators can be seamlessly monitored to drive action."

Monitoring Methane Emissions

WESR One of the UNEP-led initiatives within the digital ecosystem is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), which uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way methane emissions are monitored and reduced.

The platform operates as a global public database of empirically verified methane emissions. It uses artificial intelligence to strategically interconnect this data with science, transparency and policy action to inform data-driven decisions.

“IMEO’s technology allows us to collect and integrate disparate methane emissions data streams to build an empirically validated global public record of methane emissions with unprecedented accuracy and granularity,” said Jensen.

“Reducing methane emissions from the energy sector is one of the fastest, most feasible and most cost-effective ways to limit the impacts of climate warming, and reliable data-driven action will play an important role in achieving these reductions role," he added.

Track Air Quality

Another environmental monitoring initiative launched by the Environment Agency in partnership with IQAir is the GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring Platform. It is the world's largest global air quality information network. IQAir aggregates data from more than 25,000 air quality monitoring stations in more than 140 countries and uses AI to gain insights into the impact of air quality on populations in real time and help develop health protection measures.

“These platforms allow the private and public sectors to leverage data and digital technologies to accelerate global environmental action and fundamentally disrupt business as usual,” said Jensen. "Ultimately, they can contribute to systemic change at unprecedented speed and scale," he added.

Measuring Environmental Footprint

Other areas where artificial intelligence can play a role is in calculating the environmental and climate footprint of products. “Artificial intelligence will be the foundation of this field,” Jensen said.

“It can help calculate the footprint of a product throughout its life cycle and supply chain, and enable businesses and consumers to make the most informed and effective decisions. This kind of data is essential for Amazon, Shopify or Alibaba A sustainable digital push on other e-commerce platforms is crucial."

Reduce ICT emissions

Jensen said that while data and artificial intelligence are necessary to enhance environmental monitoring, we must also Consider the environmental costs of processing this data.

“The ICT sector generates approximately 3-4% of emissions, and data centers use large amounts of water for cooling. Efforts are underway to reduce this footprint – including through the CODES Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age – which It is one of the spin-off initiatives of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Digital Cooperation Roadmap.

But e-waste is a major problem as only 17.4% of e-waste is currently recycled and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. According to the United Nations Global E-Waste Monitoring Report , e-waste will grow to nearly 75 million tons by 2030.

Research from the United Nations Environment Program shows that to tackle this waste, consumers should consume less, recycle electronics and repair those products that can be repaired.

UN Environment is at the forefront of supporting the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise to well below 2°C and aiming to safely equal pre-industrial levels In comparison, the target is 1.5°C. To this end, UNEP has developed a six-sector solutions roadmap to reduce emissions across sectors in line with Paris Agreement commitments and the pursuit of climate stability. The six sectors are energy; industry; agriculture and food; forests and land use; transportation, buildings and cities.

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