AI IN SUSTAINABILITY
Research from the London School of Economics and Political Science( LSE) and Systemiq shows AI can play a powerful role in the climate transition. The study specifically focuses on the power, transport and food sectors, making up nearly half of global emissions. By 2035, it found that AI could reduce global emissions by 5.4 GtCO₂e annually, outweighing AI’ s own energy use.
Joseph Alenchery, SVP and Business Head, Energy Next at Infosys, explains:“ AI adoption is skyrocketing and is showing no signs of slowing down, increasing data centre utilisation which could double the power consumption in data centres by 2026 in the worst-case scenario.
“ Not only would this mean higher costs, but also a roadblock to climate change action.”
Sophie Graham, Chief Sustainability Officer at IFS, says:“ From enabling smarter logistics to optimising energy grids, AI is already driving efficiency. But its impact goes further, equipping us with powerful advances in forecasting and early detection for severe weather events, critical to long-term resilience. Now is a pivotal moment to scale AI responsibly and equitably- especially where it can deliver the greatest climate value.”
Why AI matters in the climate transition AI, the research says, could be a powerful enabler in the transformation to sustainability due to its broad applicability and ability to scale innovation rapidly. It could not just work as a technological
106 February 2026