The Dubai Climate Summit (COP28) leaves as its headline the common commitment to address a complete ecological transitionestablishing the elimination of fossil fuels by the year 2050. The almost 200 countries gathered in the United Arab Emirates supported the definitive goodbye to oil, gas and coal, as well as the use of new technological tools for sustainability.
Taking as a priority objective to prevent the global temperature of the Planet from increasing above 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Climate Innovation Forum of the COP28 Presidency Technical Conference has focused on AI, satellite technology, Big Data, clean energy, industrial decarbonization, advanced materials, hydrogen and energy storage as sustainable allies.
The report ‘Climate technology: harnessing the power of technology for a sustainable future’, recently prepared by the Capgemini Research Institutestates precisely that three quarters of the organizations assure that They need climate technology to be able to face sustainability challenges.
However, 77% of executives believe that product costs will increase as a result of the green premium linked to technologies, a rate that is too high. Everything involves strengthening renewable energies, electric vehicles, low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and alternative fuels.
Analysis of sustainable technology at COP28
The COP28 T&I team has set out programming examining the role of technology and innovation in driving climate action. Emphasis is placed on the value of technologies such as AI, IoT, quantum computing and advanced materials to address climate challenges. If they are built climate technology ecosystemsespecially in the Global South, the carbon footprint will be significantly reduced.
Programming on the T&I Hub Stage focused on the role of technology to fighting climate change-induced disasters, as well as helping to provide healthcare. It is essential to use technological advances for disease monitoring, climate disaster forecasting, emergency coordination and aid delivery.
Likewise, COP28 gives special importance to the need to unlocking private sector financing for insurance and recoveryimproving resilience through capacity development for at-risk communities.
In line with the theme Finance/Commerce/Gender Equality and Responsibility, the role of technology to enable equitable allocation of capital towards a just transition. In this sense, fintech solutions for climate can allow easier access to financial services, as well as consolidate greater digital, climate and financial literacy among at-risk populations.
The technology will enable a fair energy transition and overcome challenges such as the decarbonization of key sectors with high emissions, guaranteeing inclusive access to energy. For this, it is essential establish incentives and policies that reward scientific research.
In line with construction, transportation and environmental urbanization, we talk about counteract the impact of urbanization on climate change, as well as that generated by mobility and logistics. To achieve this, it is essential to invest in electric mobility.
Technology can also be put at the service of nature to counteract the impact of climate change, establishing automated monitoring, empowering indigenous communities and safeguarding the environment. In another order, the T&I Hub Stage programming has also alluded to the role of technology in reducing the environmental footprint of food and water systems, as well as the impact of climate on food security. Advocates for sustainable agricultural practices and efficient water management through sustainable policies.
In short, the fight against climate change is no longer understood without technology as the main catalyst for new solutions with which to keep the planet’s temperature at bay, or mitigating its main consequences in the most vulnerable communities.