We can't manage what we don't measure, goes the old business adage. This rings true more than ever today as the world faces a triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste.
More climate data is available than ever before, but how that data is accessed, interpreted and acted on is crucial to managing these crises. One technology that is central to this is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
So, what exactly does AI mean?
"AI refers to systems or machines that perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, and can iteratively improve themselves over time, based on the information they collect," says David Jensen, coordinator of the United Nations Environment Program's (UNEP's) Digital Transformation sub-programme.
Jensen highlights several areas where AI can play a role in tackling environmental challenges, from designing more energy-efficient buildings to monitoring deforestation to optimizing renewable energy deployment.
"This can be on a large scale – such as satellite monitoring of global emissions, or a more granular scale – such as a smart house automatically turning off lights or heat after a certain time," he adds.
Informing real-time analysis
UNEP's World Environment Situation Room (WESR), launched in 2022, is one digital platform that is leveraging AI's capabilities to analyze complex, multifaceted datasets.
Supported by a consortium of partners, WESR curates, aggregates and visualizes the best available earth observation and sensor data to inform near real-time analysis and future predictions on multiple factors, including CO2 atmospheric concentration, changes in glacier mass 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 Jensen. “We need credible, trustworthy and independent data to inform decisions and drive transparency – WESR provides this,” he adds.
“Over time, the goal is for WESR to become like a mission control centre for planet earth, where all of our vital environmental indicators can be seamlessly monitored to drive actions.”
Monitoring methane emissions
One of the UNEP-led initiatives inside the WESR digital ecosystem is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), which leverages AI to revolutionize the approach to monitoring and mitigating methane emissions.
The platform operates as a global public database of empirically verified methane emissions. It leverages AI to strategically interconnect 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 says.
“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,” he adds.
Tracking air quality
Another environmental monitoring initiative that UNEP has co-founded, in partnership with IQAir, is the GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform. It is the largest global air quality information network in the world. IQAir aggregates data from over 25,000 air quality monitoring stations in more than 140 countries and leverages AI to offer insights on the impact of real-time air quality on populations and help 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,” he adds.
Measuring environmental footprints
Other areas where AI can make a difference is calculating the environmental and climate footprints of product. “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 Amazon.com. Shopify or Alibaba.”
Reducing ICT emissions
While data and AI are necessary for enhanced environmental monitoring, there is an environmental cost to processing this data that we must also take into account, says Jensen.
“The ICT sector generates about 3-4 per cent of emissions and data centres use large volumes 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 – one of the spin-off initiatives from the UN Secretary General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.
But e-waste is a major concern as only 17.4 per cent 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 tonnes by 2030.
UNEP research shows that to target this waste, consumers should reduce consumption, recycle electronic goods and repair those that can be fixed.
UNEP is at the front in support of the Paris Agreement goal of keeping the global temperature rise well below 2°C and aiming - to be safe - for 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. To do this, UNEP has developed a Six-Sector Solution roadmap to reducing emissions across sectors in line with the Paris Agreement commitments and in pursuit of climate stability. The six sectors are Energy; Industry; Agriculture and Food; Forests and Land Use; Transport, and Buildings and Cities. The UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022 will focus on adaptation, finance and a just transition – and you can do your part by acting now on your own consumption or speaking up to voice your concerns.
