UNESCO has urged stronger international collaboration to ensure artificial intelligence supports climate action while minimising its environmental impact. The call was made during the Adopt AI Summit held in Paris, where sustainability and ethics in AI took centre stage.

At the “AI for the Planet” mainstage in the Grand Palais, UNESCO convened a high-level discussion on balancing AI’s growing resource footprint with its potential to drive climate solutions. The session brought together stakeholders from governments, industry, and international organisations to address the dual challenge of rising energy and water use alongside AI’s expanding role in environmental decision-making.

 

Balancing AI’s Footprint with Climate Impact

 

Experts emphasised that AI’s environmental cost and its climate benefits cannot be treated separately. While AI is already widely used in climate modelling, monitoring, and early warning systems, its long-term impact will depend on how efficiently these systems are built and deployed.

Hélène Costa de Beauregard highlighted France’s push toward “frugal AI,” where public policy and procurement are used to promote low-resource, efficient AI systems.

From a global perspective, Abou Amani stressed the importance of making energy-efficient AI accessible, particularly in low-resource regions, noting its growing role in water management and climate science.

On the industry side, Paul Pelissier of SAP pointed to practical ways companies can improve AI efficiency while using it to advance internal sustainability goals.

 

Collaboration Seen as Critical Enabler

Across discussions, a clear consensus emerged that no single stakeholder can address the challenges of sustainable AI alone. Greater coordination between governments, businesses, academia, and international organisations will be essential to translate climate ambitions into measurable outcomes.

 

From Policy to Practice

Alongside the panel, UNESCO showcased its ongoing initiatives through a dedicated summit booth, including its work on green AI, sustainable digital transformation, and the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The exhibit also highlighted practical AI applications in natural sciences and data governance tools aimed at supporting responsible deployment.

Discussions at the booth reflected real-world challenges such as limited data access, infrastructure gaps, and organisational resistance. However, participants also noted increasing momentum for green AI solutions, particularly where environmental benefits align with cost efficiencies.

 

Momentum Builds Ahead of Global AI Dialogues

The summit followed broader global climate discussions, including COP30, and comes ahead of the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for early 2026. UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to advancing responsible AI through international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

 

Source: UNESCO, Adopt AI Summit Paris