By Abbas Nazil
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is increasing energy demand, planet-warming emissions and energy costs, United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell has warned, urging technology companies to take greater responsibility for the environmental impact of the sector.
Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, made the remarks on Monday at the Build Clean Now Industry Acceleration Summit in New York City.
He said the growing energy requirements of artificial intelligence were increasing reliance on coal, oil and gas, with potential consequences for both global emissions and energy costs faced by households and businesses.
“Energy guzzling Artificial Intelligence is driving up planet-heating pollution from coal, oil and gas, while ratcheting up energy costs for households and businesses,” Stiell said.
The UN climate chief, however, noted that artificial intelligence could also become an important tool for tackling climate-related challenges if its benefits were made accessible globally.
He cited opportunities for the technology to improve early warning systems for climate disasters, increase electricity grid efficiency and support other climate solutions.
Stiell warned that developing countries must not be left behind as AI technologies expand, arguing that the technology should help narrow existing inequalities in the global energy transition rather than deepen them.
He called on technology companies to establish credible climate targets, improve the energy efficiency of their systems, disclose their energy and water consumption and increase the use of renewable energy to power data centres.
The UN official also pointed to continued growth in renewable energy as evidence of progress in the global transition away from fossil fuels.
According to figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, renewable energy capacity additions reached a record 693 gigawatts last year.
Stiell said the expansion of renewable energy had helped humanity avoid nearly $500 billion in fossil fuel costs, while clean energy attracted more than $2 trillion in investment during the same period.
He said the investments were also contributing to job creation and economic growth in different parts of the world.
Despite the progress, Stiell warned that countries and businesses should not become complacent, stressing the need to accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He also said the world would exceed the 1.5°C global warming threshold, at least temporarily, but added that stronger reductions in fossil fuel emissions could eventually bring global temperature rise back below the threshold.
Stiell said artificial carbon dioxide removal would be required alongside the transition away from fossil fuels, while natural carbon sinks, including forests, would continue to play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide.
He urged governments and businesses to use the forthcoming COP31 climate conference in Turkey to accelerate implementation of existing climate commitments and strengthen efforts to address the climate crisis.
