Page 28 - Turning digital technology innovation into climate action

Turning digital technology innovation into climate action

that have previously been widely available mostly in developed countries. IoT is increasingly
responsible for connectivity-based service models in areas as diverse as water, sanitation,
healthcare, agriculture, education and finance.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in computers and machines autonomously simulates human
intelligence processes such as learning, reasoning and self-correction. Today’s AI systems
generally have three qualities that constitute the essence of artificial intelligence:
intentionality, intelligence, and adaptability.

There is potential for AI to be a tool in the effort to decouple economic growth from
rising carbon emissions. In the not-too-distant future, many consumer purchases will be
automated with algorithms that carry potential to influence consumer behaviour related to
GHG emissions. However, there still are certain limitations as regards the carbon footprint
of AI and machine learning (ML). These are explored later in this chapter.

Renewable energy technologies remain very relevant in the discussion around climate
change. ICTs can facilitate greater adoption – through the integration of automated sensors,
data capture, performance measurement or other mechanisms – of renewable energy
technologies that enable the creation of electricity, heat and fuel from renewable sources,
such as solar, wind, hydro, wave and tidal power, heat-exchange/geothermal and bioenergy.

According to the IPCC, moving towards the use of renewable energy is vital, as it can
contribute to social and economic development, energy access, secure energy supply,
climate change mitigation, and the reduction of negative environmental and health impacts.
This may, in fact, be realizable given that clean energy sources such as solar and wind power
are quickly becoming more affordable than conventional sources.

ICTs can also facilitate the adoption of other innovative technologies such as digital twins
to combat climate change. A digital twin is the virtual representation of a physical object
or system across its life cycle. It uses real-time data and other sources to enable learning,
reasoning and dynamic recalibration for improved decision making. Within the context of
climate change and response, digital twins are an attractive proposition, particularly for
urban areas that are rapidly growing in population, size and energy consumption. They are
also attractive for those urban areas that, as a consequence, need to ensure the efficient,
agile and responsive management and maintenance of all their systems.

Another emerging example is 5G technology, which is the latest generation of cellular and
wireless connectivity that is a key focus of ITU’s current work agenda (as detailed in later
sections). 5G technology is expected to offer faster speeds and greater coverage, in addition to
longer battery life for devices, larger data transfer capabilities and more reliability. It is expected
to leave behind a smaller environmental footprint than the current technologies because it
will be more directional and efficient, resulting in less energy and power being wasted.
Having arrived at a point when such frontier technologies are being actively and extensively
studied to gauge the broader implications, network effects and consequences (both
intended and unintended) of rapid innovation, ITU is at the forefront of driving such research
and analysis at a global level. ITU, together with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
Conventions (BRS), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Environment,
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations
Global Compact (UNGC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and UN-Women will
publish a report on the potential of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence
(AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, clean energy technologies, digital twins, robotics, Space
2.0, digitization and Big Data to protect the environment and tackle climate change in
urban areas.

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