TLDR: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to play a pivotal role as a ‘force multiplier’ for climate action at the upcoming COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil. Key initiatives like the Maloca digital platform and the AI Climate Academy will be launched to enhance inclusivity and empower developing nations with AI-driven climate solutions. While recognized for its potential in areas like emissions reporting and extreme weather prediction, discussions will also address AI’s environmental impact and the need for ethical governance.
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10-21, 2025, is poised to highlight Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a significant catalyst for global climate action. UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell has notably referred to AI as a ‘potential force multiplier’ for climate action, emphasizing its capacity to accelerate the energy transition, improve transparency in emissions reporting, and bolster climate finance mechanisms.
Several foundational initiatives are slated for launch at COP30 to underscore AI’s growing importance. The COP30 Presidency has already introduced ‘Maloca,’ a digital platform designed to provide real-time access to audiences, particularly from the Global South, through virtual events and AI-powered translation. This platform aims to foster more inclusive climate discussions and influence the agenda.
Another significant launch will be the ‘AI Climate Academy’ (AICI), a global initiative focused on equipping individuals and institutions in developing countries with the necessary skills to leverage AI for climate action. Anchored in principles of equity and sustainability, AICI seeks to empower nations across the Global South to develop, adapt, and implement their own AI-driven climate solutions, including lightweight and low-energy models tailored for local contexts.
Furthermore, the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism will host the ‘AI for Climate Action Award,’ a global competition celebrating open-source, AI-driven solutions that address climate change challenges in adaptation and mitigation. This award aims to elevate innovative ideas and support their global reach.
While the transformative potential of AI is widely acknowledged—from analyzing vast satellite and sensor data to enhancing weather forecasting and predicting extreme events like heat waves, droughts, or floods—the discussions at COP30 will also address the dual nature of these technologies. The World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, in an open letter to world leaders, has stressed the importance of research and development in advanced technologies like AI, while simultaneously factoring in their environmental impact, particularly their high-emission footprint and energy consumption.
Brazil, as the host nation, is strategically positioned to influence these global debates. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Alexandre Gusmão Foundation, promoted a seminar on ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Climate’ earlier in the year. Domestically, Brazil’s Plan for Artificial Intelligence (2024-2028) allocates a budget of R$23 billion, with specific provisions of R$500 million for sustainability and renewable energy for AI, and R$2.3 billion for ‘green data centers,’ signaling a commitment to sustainable AI infrastructure.
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COP30 is expected to intensify efforts to translate the Paris Agreement’s commitment to limit global warming to well below 2°C into tangible, measurable progress, with AI emerging as a critical component in achieving these ambitious climate goals.
