UN climate chief calls AI a climate “gamechanger” but warns of energy risks

The UN’s climate chief says artificial intelligence can be a “gamechanger” in tackling global heating, but governments must regulate the technology to manage its risks and energy demands. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized that while AI offers significant potential for climate solutions, its growing energy requirements from large datacenters require immediate regulatory attention.

What you should know: AI is already being deployed across multiple climate applications, from energy system optimization to industrial carbon reduction tools.

• The UN itself is using AI to support climate diplomacy efforts, demonstrating the technology’s versatility in addressing the climate crisis.
• Stiell stressed that proper implementation should “release human capacity, not replace it,” focusing on real-world outcomes like managing microgrids, mapping climate risk, and guiding resilient planning.

The regulatory imperative: Major AI platforms must transition to renewable energy sources and prioritize efficiency innovations to offset their environmental impact.

• “If you run a major AI platform, power it with renewables, and innovate to drive energy efficiency,” Stiell said.
• The warning comes as concerns mount over the vast and increasing energy requirements of large datacenters powering AI systems.

The big picture: Stiell painted an optimistic view of global climate progress, arguing the world is “aligning with the Paris agreement” despite geopolitical tensions.

• Investment in renewables has increased tenfold over 10 years, with the clean energy transition hitting $2 trillion last year alone.
• Over 90% of new renewables now cost less than the cheapest new fossil fuel options, according to Stiell.

Financial reality check: Despite technological progress, funding remains a critical bottleneck for scaling climate solutions.

• Research from the Industrial Transition Accelerator found that of over 700 low-carbon industrial installations in planning worldwide, only 15 per year secure necessary financing for full production.
• This represents a $1.6 trillion opportunity for investors, highlighting the gap between available projects and available capital.

What they’re saying: Stiell emphasized both the potential and the imperative for careful AI deployment in climate work.

• “AI is not a ready-made solution, and it carries risks. But it can also be a gamechanger. So we now need to blunt its dangerous edges, sharpen its catalytic ones, and put it astutely to work,” he said.
• On the broader climate momentum: “If we look past the noise, the facts show a world aligning with the Paris agreement.”

Political challenges ahead: The comments come as governments prepare for the crucial COP30 climate summit in Brazil this November.

• Many major economies—including the EU, China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia—have yet to submit their required national climate plans.
• Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris agreement, though many state governments and companies continue their climate commitments independently.