AI’s dual promise: Enabling positive climate outcomes and powering the energy transition

BRAZIL: As delegates gather for COP30 in Brazil, KPMG International has published the findings of a major survey that reveals overwhelming support from business leaders for AI as a tool to accelerate, rather than hinder, climate progress.

More than 1,200 senior executives from major companies spanning a variety of industries across 20 countries were surveyed for KPMG’s report, AI’s dual promise: Enabling positive climate outcomes and powering the energy transition. The research was conducted to better understand how AI is currently being used to drive sustainability and where business leaders believe action is needed to accelerate and unlock its full potential. 

While AI was debated on the sidelines of COP29 this year, it’s set to be among the most discussed themes as the world’s decision makers attempt to balance the potential impact of energy consumption with the technology’s potential to transform clean energy.

Forecasts vary significantly, but some campaigners have called for a moratorium on new AI data center builds, warning they could significantly increase global emissions by 2030, slowing or even reversing current progress on climate change. The challenge for political and business leaders is understanding AI’s increasing need for energy resources while balancing this with the huge potential the technology has to rapidly speed up progress on clean energy and decarbonization.

KPMG’s survey provides some of the clearest evidence yet that senior executives now understand and are embracing AI as a potential force for good. Ninety-seven percent of respondents said they believe AI is a net positive for accelerating progress towards net zero goals.

The execution gap: why energy’s progress is uneven

Despite strong confidence in AI’s potential, KPMG’s findings highlight that progress remains uneven due to barriers in infrastructure, policy, and financing. One-third of executives (33 percent) identify grid limitations as a major risk, with permitting and construction delays threatening to meet only half of the new AI-driven energy demand by 2030. Policy is also lagging behind innovation: 75 percent of leaders say policymakers are too slow to embrace AI’s climate benefits, creating uncertainty and delaying investment. Financing is another challenge, with 37 percent of energy producers and 33 percent of energy consumers citing high costs and lack of funding as the main obstacles to expanding clean energy. 

While 96 percent of executives believe renewables can meet future AI demand, only 13 percent are willing to make clean power use non-negotiable if it slows deployment or raises costs. As a result, data center expansion is likely to continue globally even without guaranteed access to clean power. Companies that overcome these hurdles by 2027 will secure a lasting competitive advantage.

Turning AI ambition into climate action

KPMG’s survey reveals a clear commitment to both AI and the climate challenge from energy business leaders. With COP30 now underway in Belem, much of the conversation will focus on 2030 and the rapidly approaching deadline for net-zero goals. The summit is a pivotal moment for embracing and exploiting AI to help meet the challenge.

Mike Hayes, Global Head of Renewable Energy, KPMG International and Partner, Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader, KPMG in Ireland, said:

Anish De, Global Head of Energy, Natural Resources, and Chemicals at KPMG International, said, 

Anna Scally, Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications, KPMG EMA; Partner, KPMG in Ireland, said, 

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It is inspiring to experience an event like Changemakers of Tomorrow that brings together the brilliance and creativity of young minds, industry leaders, and innovators. Shell’s commitment to nurturing talent is commendable and as Karnataka strives to become a hub for knowledge and technological advancements, such initiatives will help equip the youth with the mindset and skills necessary to create a more resilient energy future”, said Shri Madhu Bangarappa, Honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Government of Karnataka.

Mansi Madan Tripathy, Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies in India, said, “As we witness the remarkable response to Changemakers of Tomorrow, it is clear that India’s youth are not just dreaming of a sustainable energy future but actively engineering it. This event spotlights the extraordinary potential and ingenuity of our next generation, who are poised to redefine the energy landscape in India. At Shell, our goal is to equip these innovators with tools, knowledge, and support to drive transformative change.  With this event, we are turning our vision into reality, ensuring a balanced transition to meet today’s energy needs while building the energy system of the future through technological innovations.”

The event showcased flagship initiatives such as Shell’s NXplorers program featuring school students, Shell E4 incubated startups, and pioneering ideas in the space of low-carbon technologies and energy storage. It also included masterclasses and engaging sessions organized by Shell’s partners like Wipro, Microsoft, Accenture, Infosys, HP, and Tata Consultancy Services, highlighting the power of partnerships and digital innovation to transform the energy landscape.

“We are proud to see Bengaluru, the heart of our state’s innovation and technology sector, hosting such a significant event. India’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly, and the transition to a sustainable and resilient energy future is paramount for our nation’s growth. With platforms like Changemakers of Tomorrow that support young entrepreneurs and foster industry collaborations and dialogues, Shell is creating a dynamic ecosystem poised to accelerate India’s transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Shri Gaurav Gupta (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Energy and Water Resources, Government of Karnataka.  

Other highlights of the event included a panel discussion featuring leading industry experts – Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group India; Vijay Nirani, Managing Director, Nirani Group and TruAlt Energy, and Mansi Madan Tripathy, Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies in India. They spoke about the significance of collaboration in expanding energy choices towards a low-carbon future in India.

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PUNE: The India Science Festival 2024 (ISF 2024) which concluded recently at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune on January 20 and 21, 2024 has marked another milestone in the celebration of scientific discovery and innovation. Organized by the Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (FAST India) in partnership with Bajaj Auto, the festival provided a platform for scientists, researchers, students, and the public to engage in various scientific activities, discussions, and demonstrations.

ISF 2024 was inaugurated by Varun Aggarwal (Cofounder – FAST India, Founder – Aspiring Minds and The Change Engine), Prof. K Vijay Raghavan (Chief Scientific Advisor to ISF, former Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI), Atul Kirloskar (Chairman, Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited), Gauri Kirloskar (Managing Director, Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited), Ajay Mehta (Director, Deepak Nitrite Limited) and Prof Sunil Bhagwat (Director, IISER Pune).

The festival this year, under the theme “Towards Infinity | Mind, Machines, and the Endless Frontier,” brought together over 60 speakers from prestigious organizations like MIT, Harvard, IISc, IIT, AIIMS, IISER, and Ashoka University. These experts shared their insights on a range of pertinent topics, including Climate Change Solutions, AI & Robotics, and Space Research.

The Keynote speaker for this year was Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder of Infosys. Kris Gopalakrishnan was felicitated as the Industry Science Leader 2024 by Raghunath Anant Mashelkar and Prof K Vijay Raghavan in recognition of his dedication to promoting scientific research and its translation in India, evidenced by his advocacy, generous funding, and instrumental role in founding key scientific institutions.

Kris Gopalakrishnan said, “The potential of talent in India knows no bounds; I truly believe that the 21st century holds immense promise for India, as reflected in the theme of ISF – Towards Infinity. Our strengths lie in the vast population, a market of 1.4 billion people, and a robust education system. Over the next 30 years, the transformation of India will be driven by the students present here. We can cultivate the next generation of multinational corporations and facilitate world-class research right here in India, all thanks to the incredible talent at our disposal.”

In a significant announcement, it was declared that Pune will serve as the permanent venue for all future editions of the India Science Festival, reinforcing the city’s growing status as a hub for scientific discourse and innovation.

One of the highlights of ISF 2024 was “The Best of Unbounded Science – India (BoUnSc India)” with Rannvijay Singh Singha. This segment showcased a fusion of creative talks, photography, and science fiction storytelling, celebrating science uniquely and engagingly. The finale of the ISF flagship competition Talk Your Thesis, held as part of BoUnSc India, saw talented research scholars Spatika Jayaram (PhD student at the University of Cambridge), Parijat Banerjee (BS-MS student at IISER Pune), Ria Vaishampayan (Project fellow, IIT Bombay), and Deepanshi Karwall (MSc student, University of Manchester) compete live – portraying their research in innovative and fun ways. The event concluded with Parijat Banerjee bagging the position of the Talk Your Thesis champion.

The festival featured more than 30 exhibits and workshops, providing hands-on experiences in diverse fields such as prosthetics, AI, automated robots, mental health, food chemistry, and DIY technology. These interactive sessions catered to a wide range of participants, from school students to professionals, emphasizing the practical application of scientific knowledge. In addition, six JC Bose Science Policy Dialogues were conducted featuring 30+ luminaries including Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Dr. Arabinda Mitra, Dr. Thomas Barlow, and Dr. Priya Nagaraj.

ISF 2024 successfully underscored the importance of science in daily life and its role in shaping the future. The event not only facilitated the exchange of groundbreaking ideas but also inspired participants, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of science and technology.

Varun Agarwal, Co-Founder of FAST & Founder of ISF, said, “The India Science Festival achieved tremendous success, drawing over 23,000 attendees. Scientists were enthusiastically approached by attendees, treating them like celebrities, eager to ask questions and take selfies. We are confident that we have motivated numerous young individuals to consider a career in science. We also had targeted discussions on science policy, involving participation from industry representatives, scientists, policy experts, and government officials. The aim was to collaboratively develop mechanisms that would propel India to become one of the top three nations in science and technology.”

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The announcement coincides with the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Dubai. The growing participation in the program promises to greatly expand access to renewable energy in the semiconductor space. The first-of-its-kind program was first announced in July, with sponsors Intel and Applied Materials.

According to a recent study by the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortium, the semiconductor industry’s carbon footprint was equivalent to 500Mt of CO2 in 2021, with 16% coming from the supply chain. By transitioning suppliers onto lower-carbon sources of energy and supporting them in other decarbonization actions like electrification, the industry can make a significant impact on its overall Scope 3 emissions.

“We are delighted to welcome Google, ASM, and HP to the Catalyze program. Their decision to join supports the ambition to accelerate the decarbonization of supply chains,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman, of Schneider Electric. “Scope 3 emissions have proven a challenge to track and manage, but the Catalyze program enables companies and their suppliers to engage and collaborate in their energy transition and decarbonization.“

The Catalyze program strives to combine energy purchasing power across the semiconductor value chain to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects, provide suppliers with the opportunity to participate in the market for utility-scale power purchase agreements, enable any company that supplies to a Catalyze sponsor to join across the IT supply landscape, increase awareness of the availability of renewable energy in specific global regions where the semiconductor value chain is operational, and leverage numerous educational and digital technology platform engagements to drive measurable actions in supply chain decarbonization.

The growing participation in the Catalyze program promises to greatly expand access to renewable energy in the semiconductor space, to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and overall Scope 3 emissions.

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Anuttama Dasa, the Global Director of Communications for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, urged world leaders to take responsibility to bring about change. He said, “I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the spirit of this world parliament to look into our hearts and our lifestyles and see how we can minimize the violence in our lives, how we can minimize the tension and the misunderstanding between communities, how we can actually make the kind of personal endeavor, personal sacrifices to benefit others and benefit the planet.“

The sessions featured 120-minute programs such as panel discussions, films, performances, workshops, art exhibits, plenaries, and community service on topics about protecting human rights, climate change, women’s rights, and other social issues.

Subala Dasa, one of the directors of ISKCON Chicago, talked about the contribution of the Parliament of World’s Religions and said that it is providing a spiritual alternative to society’s ailments. He said, “It’s an important work because of the ailments of society, not only here in the United States but the entire world, there is so much conflict.” “In this country, we have issues with equality, with social justice, with women’s rights, violence’. All these ailments can be addressed by spiritual knowledge. Our process is to provide that spiritual education and support to bring about a whole revolution in the consciousness of the people of the day.”

The Sikh community offered a special langar feast to all the attendees, and the program ended with special prayers for the refugees of war and the people of Ukraine.

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