Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition

Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a powerful role in supporting climate action while boosting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, limited research exists on the potential influence of AI on the low-carbon transition. Here we identify five areas through which AI can help...

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Main Authors: Nicholas Stern, Mattia Romani, Roberta Pierfederici, Manuel Braun, Daniel Barraclough, Shajeeshan Lingeswaran, Elizabeth Weirich-Benet, Niklas Niemann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Climate Action
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00252-3
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author Nicholas Stern
Mattia Romani
Roberta Pierfederici
Manuel Braun
Daniel Barraclough
Shajeeshan Lingeswaran
Elizabeth Weirich-Benet
Niklas Niemann
author_facet Nicholas Stern
Mattia Romani
Roberta Pierfederici
Manuel Braun
Daniel Barraclough
Shajeeshan Lingeswaran
Elizabeth Weirich-Benet
Niklas Niemann
author_sort Nicholas Stern
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a powerful role in supporting climate action while boosting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, limited research exists on the potential influence of AI on the low-carbon transition. Here we identify five areas through which AI can help build an effective response to climate threats. We estimate the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions through AI applications in three key sectors—power, food, and mobility—which collectively contribute nearly half of global emissions. This is compared with the increase in data centre-related emissions generated by all AI-related activities.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2731-9814
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Climate Action
spelling doaj-art-89be8a4ec62d4aecbfe922514b45db5c2025-08-20T03:31:45ZengNature Portfolionpj Climate Action2731-98142025-06-01411710.1038/s44168-025-00252-3Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transitionNicholas Stern0Mattia Romani1Roberta Pierfederici2Manuel Braun3Daniel Barraclough4Shajeeshan Lingeswaran5Elizabeth Weirich-Benet6Niklas Niemann7London School of Economics, Grantham Research InstituteLondon School of Economics, Grantham Research InstituteLondon School of Economics, Grantham Research InstituteSystemiq, WC1V 6JSSystemiq, WC1V 6JSSystemiq, WC1V 6JSSystemiq, WC1V 6JSSystemiq, WC1V 6JSAbstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a powerful role in supporting climate action while boosting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, limited research exists on the potential influence of AI on the low-carbon transition. Here we identify five areas through which AI can help build an effective response to climate threats. We estimate the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions through AI applications in three key sectors—power, food, and mobility—which collectively contribute nearly half of global emissions. This is compared with the increase in data centre-related emissions generated by all AI-related activities.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00252-3
spellingShingle Nicholas Stern
Mattia Romani
Roberta Pierfederici
Manuel Braun
Daniel Barraclough
Shajeeshan Lingeswaran
Elizabeth Weirich-Benet
Niklas Niemann
Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
npj Climate Action
title Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
title_full Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
title_fullStr Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
title_full_unstemmed Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
title_short Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition
title_sort green and intelligent the role of ai in the climate transition
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00252-3
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