AI-powered climate models today predict weather anomalies, track icebergs, monitor carbon emissions, and identify sources of pollution with astonishing accuracy

Byline: Pradeep Singhvi, Executive Director – Energy and Climate Practice, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP; Pankaj Bansal, Manager and Regional Head of Middle East & Africa, Energy Efficiency Services 

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change – rising sea levels, erratic monsoons, extreme heatwaves, and crippling droughts – it is becoming increasingly clear that traditional approaches alone will not suffice. What we need is a transformative force, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its capacity to process vast datasets, predict outcomes, and optimise systems in real-time, has emerged as a powerful catalyst in our fight against this planetary emergency.

AI: A Game-changer For Climate Action
AI is no longer a futuristic tool; it is already making significant inroads in tackling climate change across sectors. From optimising renewable energy grids to mapping deforestation and managing waste more efficiently, AI systems are helping governments, industries, and communities minimize their environmental footprint.

For instance, AI-powered climate models today predict weather anomalies, track icebergs, monitor carbon emissions, and identify sources of pollution with astonishing accuracy. These systems generate early warnings that help vulnerable communities prepare for floods, cyclones, and heatwaves – increasingly frequent events in a warming world.

Climate Mitigation: Smarter, Greener Solutions
AI’s contribution to climate mitigation is multifaceted. It enhances energy efficiency, streamlines operations, and supports the transition to cleaner alternatives. In the renewable energy space, AI algorithms forecast solar and wind outputs and balance supply-demand fluctuations in real-time, improving grid reliability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The manufacturing and heavy industry sectors – often considered hard-to-abate – are increasingly leveraging AI to decarbonise operations. Concepts like digital twin factories help enhance efficiency and optimize resource use, while predictive maintenance, fuel optimization, and real-time emissions monitoring are driving substantial emissions reductions in the mining, metal, oil, and gas sectors.

In agriculture, a sector central to India’s economy and vulnerable to climate variability, AI is being used to optimize irrigation, reduce fertilizer overuse, and support climate-resilient cropping patterns. This not only enhances yield but also mitigates the sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

AI is also revolutionizing the materials sector – enabling the design of new, energy-efficient compounds used in wind turbines, batteries, and buildings. Transportation systems are being reshaped through AI-driven route optimization, electrification, and smart traffic management, reducing urban congestion and pollution.

Resilience And Adaptation: Preparing For The Unpredictable
As climate events grow more erratic and severe, the need for resilience has never been more urgent. It enables detailed climate risk assessments by integrating data from satellites, sensors, and historical records. In India, where densely populated coastal and mountain regions face rising climate threats, AI models can help city planners build infrastructure that is disaster-resilient and sustainable.

For example, susceptibility maps generated by AI help local governments prepare for landslides, plan sustainable development, and ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable zones. Urban heat mapping powered by AI informs city cooling strategies and public health interventions, particularly for marginalized communities most affected by rising temperatures.

Furthermore, AI facilitates early warning systems and real-time disaster response. During floods and cyclones, AI-enabled tools can guide emergency services, allocate resources effectively, and even predict evacuation patterns — saving lives and reducing damage.

India’s Leadership Potential
India is uniquely poised to lead the AI-for-climate revolution. With its rich data ecosystem, a burgeoning AI research community, and a policy environment supportive of innovation (as seen in initiatives like the National AI Mission and the IndiaAI program), India can harness AI to tackle climate challenges at scale.

The Virtual Convening on Climate Change and AI under the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), hosted by India, has already demonstrated the nation’s commitment to using technology for planetary good. Such platforms are vital to mobilizing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving AI deployment in climate-sensitive sectors.

Moreover, AI offers a pathway to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). With over 65 per cent of India’s population below 35, the intersection of AI, youth innovation, and climate resilience offers a generational opportunity for inclusive green growth.

Bridging Gaps, Scaling Impact
However, the success of AI in climate action hinges on inclusivity, ethics, and global cooperation. Investment in capacity-building, particularly in the least developed and climate-vulnerable regions, is crucial. Strengthening human and institutional capabilities will ensure AI is not just a technological fix but a tool for equitable transformation.

Currently, annual global investments of at least USD 4 trillion are required to drive the climate transition. At a time when growth is uneven and climate finance remains contentious; AI can enhance investment effectiveness by identifying the most impactful interventions and measuring progress with precision.

There is also an urgent need to address the data divide. Many communities that are most at risk have the least access to AI-driven solutions. Open data sharing, public-private partnerships, and international technology transfer must be prioritized to bridge this gap.

A Future Powered By Intelligent Sustainability
As we confront the defining crisis of our time, AI offers more than just hope — it offers tools to act with speed, precision, and foresight. But technology alone cannot substitute political will, community participation, and ethical governance.

India, with its vast climate vulnerabilities and technological prowess, sits at a pivotal crossroads. If we embed AI into our climate policies, empower local institutions to use it responsibly, and align technological innovation with sustainable development, we can shape a greener, more resilient future – not just for India, but for the world. The path to intelligent sustainability is here. The time to walk it is now.

As India accelerates its green transition, harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for climate action presents a unique opportunity – and a growing responsibility. While AI can unlock solutions across renewable energy, precision agriculture, circular economy, and smart urban systems, its own carbon footprint and resource intensity must not be ignored. The environmental cost of large model training, rising e-waste, and critical mineral demand highlight the need for sustainable AI development. By embedding green principles into AI innovation – through efficient algorithms, ethical design, and responsible governance – India can lead by example, making AI an enabler of climate solutions rather than an added burden. With our digital public infrastructure, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and focus on a Viksit Bharat, the moment is ripe for India to shape a globally relevant, climate-positive AI future.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication