Welcome to another edition of the Centre for Sustainable Intelligence newsletter.

This is where I try to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. My mission is to share my observations across these core themes: AI for Good, Tools for sustainability, Sustainable AI and Key Trends in Climate Tech. I hope to inform, inspire and engage readers interested in the potential of AI to drive positive change for both people and the planet.

Here’s what’s in stock for you today:

• Personal Update

• Welcome Message to Premium Subscribers

• Climate Tech Dataset Insights

• Upcoming Events

Hey there, it’s Emeka!

I’m gearing up for autumn after taking a short break with the family. We didn’t get to travel as I had hoped because my second son is busy preparing for his 11+ exams, so we’re all pretty focused on that here in the UK. We did, however, squeeze in a fun trip to London, taking the cable car to the O2 and exploring some of the city's famous parks. It was great to unwind and spend some quality time together.

First off, I want to extend a warm welcome to our premium subscribers. Your contributions will continue to help fund this newsletter and ensure we have all that is necessary to bring you insight you can’t find anywhere else on the internet. I’m thrilled to have joined us!

If you wish to upgrade and discover some exclusive content and a whole of benefits, click the button.

Now, let me dive into what I found most exciting over the summer.

Unlocking the Power of AI in Climate Tech: The Power of Data

This past summer, I set out on a mission to uncover the organisations and startups that are leveraging AI to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. What started as a simple curiosity quickly turned into a treasure trove of valuable information. I began by compiling a list of these organizations, digging into their business profiles, funding details, and the customers they serve. Then, I added another layer—identifying the cloud providers that power their backend operations and the AI models driving their innovations. With this dataset in hand, I uncovered some pretty cool insights that I’m excited to share with you.

Now, while I’m eager to spill all the details, it’s probably best that you grab the Excel sheet I put together- (available free to Premium Subscribers).

Use the link below to access the dataset. Only visible to Premium subscribers.

It’s packed with all the juicy data, and who knows—you might even build on it with your own dataset to uncover even more useful insights, whether you’re part of an organisation or an investor keen on this space.

But before you dive in, let me walk you through some of the key highlights.

The Role of Cloud Providers in Climate Tech

When it comes to building AI solutions for climate sustainability, the choice of cloud provider is a game-changer. Here's what I found:

• AWS (Amazon Web Services) reigns supreme, powering 28 of the 63 organizations I looked at. Its massive global infrastructure and advanced AI and machine learning tools make it the go-to choice for companies that need to handle large datasets and run complex AI models.

• Google Cloud isn’t far behind, supporting 20 organizations. It’s particularly popular with climate tech companies focused on carbon management and environmental monitoring, thanks to its strong data analytics and sustainability offerings, like the Carbon Footprint product.

• Microsoft Azure comes in third, used by 9 organizations. Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability and its comprehensive cloud services, including Azure AI, make it a solid option for companies looking to innovate in the climate space.

These cloud providers are crucial in enabling the heavy computational tasks needed for AI-driven climate solutions.

Where Innovation is Happening: Geographical Insights

It’s no surprise that the U.S. and Europe are leading the charge in climate tech innovation. Here’s how the geography breaks down:

• The United States and Europe (especially the UK) are hotbeds for climate and sustainability-focused organizations. Cities like San Francisco, Boston, and London are at the forefront, thanks to a mix of ample funding, cutting-edge technology, and supportive policies.

• The spread of these organizations across different regions also reflects varying policy landscapes and market needs, which influence how and where climate solutions are developed and implemented.

These hubs of innovation are where the future of climate tech is being shaped.

AI Models: The Backbone of Climate Tech

AI models are the engine driving many sustainability efforts. They’re being used in all sorts of ways to analyze data, predict environmental shifts, and optimize resource use. Here’s a closer look at what’s trending:

• Environmental Monitoring: AI models that track air quality, deforestation, and other environmental indicators are among the most widely used. They provide real-time insights that are critical for decision-making and policy planning.

• Carbon Accounting and Management: Automated carbon accounting models are on the rise, reflecting the growing need for organizations to accurately measure and report their carbon footprints. This trend is being driven by increasing regulatory demands and market pressures for transparency.

• Climate Risk Assessment: AI models designed for assessing climate risk are gaining traction, especially in sectors like insurance, agriculture, and urban planning. These models help organizations anticipate and mitigate risks associated with climate change, which can have significant financial and operational impacts.

The versatility and potential of AI in addressing climate challenges are evident in the diverse range of applications these models support.

Who’s Buying? A Look at Target Customers

The market for climate sustainability solutions is broad and diverse, touching just about every industry. Here’s who’s investing in these technologies:

• Enterprises and Corporations: Big players in sectors like energy, agriculture, and finance are heavily invested in climate tech. They need advanced tools for managing carbon, assessing risks, and reporting on sustainability initiatives.

• Governments and NGOs: These organizations rely on AI and cloud solutions to shape policy, conduct research, and roll out sustainability projects. They often require powerful data analysis and modeling tools to support their efforts in building climate resilience.

• Utilities and Energy Companies: Focused on optimizing energy management, these companies are big users of AI for renewable energy forecasting, grid optimization, and emissions reduction—critical areas as they work to lower their carbon footprints.

• Environmental Agencies and Research Institutions: These groups use sophisticated AI models for monitoring the environment, collecting data, and supporting research and conservation efforts.

The impact of climate change is far-reaching, and so is the demand for innovative solutions that can help mitigate its effects.

The Road Ahead: Why We Should Care

Climate change is a global challenge that’s affecting millions of people right now—and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t act. AI offers a powerful way to not just adapt to these changes but also to help those who are already feeling the impact. It’s crucial that we support these AI-driven solutions, whether through funding or by adopting these technologies in our businesses.

As the climate tech sector continues to grow, we can expect to see even more diversity in the tools and technologies being developed, as well as in the customers who use them. The data I’ve gathered points to a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem that’s ripe for innovation and impact.

Upcoming Events:

• Sustainability LIVE London 2024 on September 10-11, 2024. Venue: Business Design Centre, London.

• Climate Week NYC, September 22, 2024. Venue: New York City.

• World Urban Forum (WUF12), on November 4-8, 2024. Venue: Cairo, Egypt.

• United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), on November 11-22, 2024. Venue: Baku, Azerbaijan.

• Smart City Expo World Congress, on November 5-7, 2024. Venue: Barcelona, Spain.

That’s all I have for you today.

That’s all I have for you in this edition of Centre for Sustainable Intelligence.

If you have any questions or feedback please use this form. I will try my best to respond to all your questions and feedback.

If want me to feature an article in the News Bite or Tech Trend sections, please get in touch and I will see what I can do to feature it.

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Thank you!

Emeka Ogbonnaya