Technology Mechanism Initiative on
AI for Climate Action
#AI4ClimateAction
What is the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative?
The #AI4ClimateAction Initiative was established by the Technology Mechanism in June 2023 to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful technological tool for advancing and scaling up transformative climate solutions for mitigation and adaptation action in developing countries with a focus on least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS).
As the policy and implementation arms of the Technology Mechanism, the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) are joining forces to share knowledge and experience on AI for climate action among stakeholders, support capacity-building efforts to leverage emerging digital technologies and devise locally led solutions harnessing AI.
The Initiative is guided by, and supports the implementation of, the Technology Mechanism Joint Work Programme, including the TEC’s and CTCN’s common areas of work on national systems of innovation, water-energy-food systems, energy systems, buildings and resilient infrastructure, business and industry, and technology needs assessments.
At COP 28 in December 2023, Parties adopted a decision on enhancing climate technology development and transfer through the Technology Mechanism, requesting the TEC and the CTCN to implement the Initiative and to enhance awareness of AI and its potential role in, as well as its impacts on, the implementation of the outcomes of technology needs assessments and the joint work programme of the Technology Mechanism for 2023–2027.
Since April 2024, the TEC and the CTCN have been implementing the 2024-2027 workplan for the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative. For further information, please see the Activities and Knowledge Products below.
 | COP 30 Masterclass on AI for Energy Systems (15 November 2025) This Masterclass, organized by the UN Climate Change Paris Committee on Capacity-building, the TEC and the CTCN, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency, explored how AI can be used for low-emission, climate-resilient energy systems. This event included a fireside chat where stakeholders exchanged insights and key takeaways on the topic. |
 | COP 30 Innovation Challenges (11 November 2025) This event focused on exploring the potential of AI and digital public infrastructure in climate action. It featured three prominent global challenges, including the AI for Climate Action Award. At the event, the TEC Chair introduced the Technology Mechanism Initiative on AI for Climate Action and the AI for Climate Action Award, and the winner presented her winning solution to the audience. |
 | COP 30 AI for Climate Action Award Ceremony (10 November 2025) The TEC and the CTCN in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency, hosted the AI for Climate Action Award Ceremony at COP 30. The winner, Alisa Luangrath from Lao PDR, was awarded for her AI-powered climate solution SAFIR: Smart AI-based Farming and Irrigation for Resilience. |
 | AI for Climate Action Forum 2025 (24 September, 8-9 October 2025) The TEC in partnership with KOICA and in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania hosted the AI for Climate Action Forum 2025. Through interactive sessions, showcases and networking formats, the Forum introduced opportunities, risks and challenges of using AI for climate action and highlighted local innovation and AI solutions addressing urgent climate needs in the developing country contexts. |
 | AI for Climate Action Award 2025 (May-October 2025) The TEC and the CTCN in partnership with KOICA hosted the AI for Climate Action Award 2025, which builds on the success of the TEC AI Innovation Grand Challenge 2024. The Award was launched in May 2025 and aims to identify and promote impactful solutions that use the power of AI for effective adaptation and mitigation action in LDCs and SIDS. |
 | The TEC Chair participated in the AI for Good Summit held in Geneva, Switzerland, and launched the TEC technical paper on AI for climate action at a workshop hosted by the International Telecommunication Union. The Chair also participated in a panel discussion and provided the TEC perspective on how AI can support climate action across different industries. |
 | Harvard Lecture Series on AI for Good (26 April 2025) The TEC Chair participated in the Harvard Lecture Series on AI for Good, introducing the Technology Mechanism Initiative on AI for Climate Action and sharing insights from the work of the TEC on opportunities, challenges and risks of the use of AI for climate change mitigation and adaptation action in developing countries, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. |
 | The TEC and the CTCN, in partnership with the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB), hosted an event at COP29 with a focus on capacity-building needs and approaches for developing countries on the use of AI as one of the climate action solutions. |
 | AI Innovation Grand Challenge Award Ceremony (16 November 2024) The grand winner of the AI Innovation Grand Challenge 2024 was announced and presented with the award at COP 29. The winner was given space to present the winning AI solution, AI4SIDS, to the public. |
 | 2024 AI Innovation Grand Challenge (June-November 2024) The TEC, in partnership with Enterprise Neurosystem, launched the AI Innovation Grand Challenge 2024 as a climate innovation competition to drive new AI applications for climate mitigation and adaptation action in developing countries, in particular in LDCs and SIDS. |
 | UNU-TEC Expert Meeting on AI & Climate (1-2 July 2024) The TEC, in collaboration with the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), organized an expert meeting to share thoughts on AI solutions for climate response, explore governance and regulation for equitable AI and climate, explore ways to minimize risks and challenges from AI applications. |
 | CCAI Summer School 2024 (28 June 2024) The TEC Chair introduced the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative at the CCAI Summer School 2024 and encouraged submission to the 2024 AI Innovation Grand Challenge. |
 | The TEC, in partnership with the CTCN and in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, hosted a high-level event on AI for climate action at COP28, to provide a space for policy discussion, awareness raising, and exchange of knowledge and experience among stakeholders on opportunities and challenges of climate solutions powered by AI. The AI Innovation Grand Challenge 2024 has been launched at this event. |
 | AI for Climate action: advancing mitigation and adaptation in developing countries (2025) |
 | This brief, published by the CTCN and the National Institute of Green Technology, analyzes how developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region are integrating AI into their national climate action strategies, and showcases successful case studies where AI has been used to enhance climate technology capacity, with the aim of identifying existing AI practices and lessons learned that can guide other countries in leveraging AI for climate action. |
 | This information note provides an overview of the opportunities, risks and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) for climate action in developing countries, with a focus on least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). |
UN News article: Keeping cool on a hotter planet: COP 30 pushes for sustainable cooling and AI innovation
UNFCCC News article: AI and Climate Action: Opportunities, Risks and Challenges for Developing Countries
UNFCCC News article: Scaling Climate Technologies for Action
