By Abbas Nazil
In a novel approach to acceleration technological responses to climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has opened applications for the 2025 AI for Climate Action Award, a global initiative designed to spotlight and support open-source, artificial intelligence-powered solutions that address the urgent challenges of climate change, especially within the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The prestigious award offers a fully-funded opportunity for winners to attend COP30, set to take place in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
The AI for Climate Action Award celebrates innovative projects that harness the power of AI for climate adaptation and mitigation, with a special focus on solutions developed in or for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Eligible applicants include anyone aged 18 and above, and submissions are welcome from individuals, teams, start-ups, organizations, and entities of any kind.
The initiative is a collaborative effort by the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee, the Climate Technology Centre and Network, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), with support from Brazil and Enterprise Neurosystem.
The application process unfolds in three stages, beginning with a written submission of no more than 500 words, due by 31 July 2025.
This first round serves as the foundation for selecting semifinalists, who will then be required to submit a three-minute video presentation of their project in August.
Finalists, chosen from among the semifinalists, will proceed to a live virtual pitch session in September.
This final round will test not only the depth of their solution but also the clarity of their communication, their ability to respond to real-time questions, and the strength of their team’s vision.
The top winner will receive full sponsorship to attend COP30 in Brazil, where they will be presented with the AI for Climate Action Award on the global stage.
In addition to the award ceremony, the winner will benefit from significant international visibility, media exposure through UNFCCC platforms, and strategic networking opportunities at the conference.
Finalists and semifinalists will also gain visibility, receive coaching for pitching and video production, and enjoy media support to elevate their initiatives.
The award underscores the UNFCCC’s commitment to empowering youth and innovators in climate action through technology and collaborative development.
It also highlights the growing importance of AI as a critical tool in combating climate change in vulnerable regions.
For more details and application guidelines, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official webpage of the UNFCCC AI for Climate Action Award 2025.
