What to expect at COP29 – the role of digitalisation for climate action

Step-change in the development and deployment of climate solutions is needed to bring the world back on track for a 1.5C trajectory and reduce the impact, particularly on vulnerable regions and communities. This will require a transformation greater than the industrial revolution.   

Innovative technologies have the power to greatly support countries to deliver their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Examples include early warning systems for disaster prevention, the optimisation of energy grids and digital agriculture, however the possibilities are endless.  

Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool for climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, but the spike in the energy consumption of data centres as a result pose a large challenge. Addressing this requires efforts to improve AI efficiency and increase the availability of clean energy sources and grid capacity. Determination from both public and private stakeholders is required to ensure that digitalisation contributes to climate action, rather than hindering it.  

On November 16th, the COP29 Presidency will host the first thematic day at COP to address digitalisation. This follows the launch of the Green Digital Action initiative at COP28 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 40 partners from the public and private sector. During the day, the first high-level meeting on digitalisation at a COP will take place, with a view to ensuring that the public sector focuses and leads on this critical issue. 

On the same day, the COP29 Presidency will launch the COP29 Green Digital Action Declaration. The Declaration will commit endorsers to pursuing leveraging digital tools for climate action, incorporating climate resiliencies into digital infrastructure, mitigating the environmental impact of digitalisation, enhancing data-driven decision making, promoting digital inclusion and equity, accelerating sustainable innovation and research, and encouraging sustainable consumer practices.  

The Declaration includes a focus on increasing accessibility to climate-conscious digitalisation, committing to ensuring that digital solutions are accessible to all, particularly to least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). It will also call on endorsers to increase the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in mobilising climate finance towards these outcomes. The Declaration will also draw attention to critical mechanisms, including the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, established at COP16, which aims to facilitate the enhancement of technology development and transfer to developing countries. 

At the upcoming Sustainable Innovation Forum, scheduled for November 13-14 in the Climate Action Innovation Zone, experts will explore cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) and their potential to benefit the planet.  

Following this, the Agri-Food Systems Summit on November 15 will highlight how advanced technologies are revolutionising on-farm operations, optimising resource usage, and enhancing supply chain transparency. Prominent speakers, including Bruce Friedrich, President of The Good Food Institute, and Katre Olmez, Chief Operating Officer at the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, will share insights on how agri-food innovations can drive meaningful climate action. 

Climate Action’s Coalition of pioneering organisations and individuals will also be hosting its first COP event in the UNFCCC Pavillion, building on the discussions led by the COP29 Presidency. It will focus on harnessing technology and innovation to bridge policy and action, translating decisions made at UN climate talks by the Parties and subsequent NDCs into practical real-world action.   

To find about more about and to register for the Sustainable Innovation Forum and the Agri-Food Systems, please visit: https://events.climateaction.org/innovation-zone/ 

To find out more about the Climate Action Coalition’s event, please contact: coalition@climateaction.org