The UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change today asked the major technology companies to increase their commitment and involvement in combating climate change, pointing out that artificial intelligence (IA) is a “great energy consumer”.
© Lusa
21/09/2026
by
Lusa
Smr Stiell spoke of the opening of a summit in New York on Industrial Accelerator, the Industrial Transition Accelerator, an initiative launched in 2023 in Dubai at the UN climate summit (COP28), to encourage the decarbonisation of the major global polluters.
He stressed that the AI is increasing the pollution generated by coal, oil and gas – which heat up the planet – and increasing energy costs for homes and businesses.
Claiming that the leaders of the AI sector “are now on unstable ground” because “they are losing public support,” added: “Technology giants need to start demonstrating why the benefits of AI outweigh their exorbitant costs.”.
Simon Stiell asked technology companies to make a greater commitment to climate action, because “if artificial intelligence can solve a 90-year-old mathematical problem in a matter of days, it can do much more to face the main climate challenges.”.
Especially, he said, to leverage efforts to improve early warning systems for climate disasters or accelerate power grid efficiency.
He also highlighted the importance of renewable energy, which avoids spending millions on fossil fuels, and recalled that last year the added renewable capacity reached a record of 693 gigawatts
“Any leader who takes the fight against inflation, the construction of strong economies and the protection of their citizens seriously must commit to reducing the use of fossil fuels that heat the planet and are driving this climate crisis, as well as promoting resilience,” he said.
Recalling the global objective of limiting temperature heating to 1.5oC (celesius grades) in relation to the pre-industrial period, Simon Still warned that the goal will not be achieved. “It is already certain that this limit will be exceeded, at least temporarily.”.
However, he stressed that “cooperation driven by the UN and national efforts” reduced the projection of an increase in global temperature from more than 4 degrees to 2.6 degrees.
“ This is undeniable progress, although insufficient to prevent a catastrophe,” he lamented.
Simon Still praised the Turkish Presidency for the forthcoming UN climate summit, the Conference of the Parties (COP31), which will take place in Turkey, for setting the objective of achieving 35% of global energy consumption by 2035.
COP31 takes place from 9 to 20 November in Antalia.