AI and digital transformation: COP30 signalled a new era for climate action

Picture of Logicalis CEO Bob Bailkoski with the title AI and digital transformation: COP30 signalled a new era for climate action

Global, Dec 10, 2025

Authored to Bob Bailkoski, Logicalis CEO

The UN's 30th annual climate meeting, COP30 took place in Belém, Brazil, last month. As a summit of nearly 200 countries, it focuses on climate change and actions being taken to limit global warming, something we at Logicalis take very seriously.

COP30 was billed as the “Implementation COP”, and for good reason. While there were a range of achievements from adaptation finance to forest protection, one of the most transformative developments was the elevation of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) as central pillars of climate strategy. For the technology industry and any organisation looking to act more sustainably, this marks a turning point. Sustainability is no longer a compliance checkbox; it’s a digital innovation necessity. 

Why technology took centre stage

For the first time, COP30 featured a dedicated track on Science, Technology and Artificial Intelligence, recognising that climate goals cannot be met without leveraging advanced digital tools. From emissions tracking to predictive analytics, technology is a critical enabler for both mitigation and adaptation. 

This underlines the growing consensus that data-driven decision-making and automation are essential to scale climate solutions. Organisations that fail to integrate these capabilities risk falling behind – not just on sustainability targets, but on competitiveness. 

Key takeaways

Several landmark initiatives emerged from COP30 that signal where the tech industry is heading:

  • Green Digital Action Hub (GDA Hub)
    • A global platform designed to accelerate inclusive digital transformation for climate solutions, building on commitments from 82 countries and 1,800 organisations. Signalling growing expectations for businesses to adopt interoperable, transparent systems that support sustainability reporting and performance tracking.
  • AI Climate Institute
    • Aimed at helping Global South nations deploy AI for climate resilience, this initiative underscores the need for ethical, equitable AI deployment into operations.
  • Declaration on information integrity
    • Tackling climate disinformation is now a priority and businesses must ensure data accuracy and transparency in sustainability reporting. Digital tools that provide verifiable insights will become critical for compliance and trust. 

Practical applications for operational optimisation

COP30 showcased how technology can transform operations:

  • Energy efficiency: AI-driven analytics can optimise energy use across facilities, reducing costs and emissions.
  • Supply chain optimisation: IoT sensors and predictive models help minimise waste, improve logistics, and cut carbon footprints.
  • Resources management: Smart water and waste systems powered by AI improve resources efficiency and resilience.
  • Risk management: AI-powered early warning systems for climate-related disruptions enable proactive planning and reduce downtime. 

These examples demonstrate that digital transformation is not just about sustainability - it's about operational excellence. 

Challenges to address

While opportunities to use both AI and technology to further climate goals appear abundant, there are still some challenges to navigate. 

There are well documented environmental impacts of digital infrastructure with both data centres and AI models consuming significant energy. Furthermore, fragmented systems can hinder progress with disparate data sets causing unnecessary chaos. Layered on top of all of this, there is the ongoing technology skills shortage which will challenge those looking to innovate and move quickly. 

Leaders need to focus on working with partners who are able to help them make sustainability a core driver in their operations. By prioritising green IT practices, investing in platforms with open standards to support scalability and fostering a culture of growth, learning and innovation, organisations can unlock untapped potential all while achieving climate goals. 

The way forward

Digital transformation isn’t just a technology upgrade. It’s the foundation for sustainable, future-ready businesses. 

By auditing operations for inefficiencies and carbon hotspots, investing in AI and IoT for measurable gains, forging partnerships that accelerate innovation, and embedding sustainability into every digital decision, organisations can lead with purpose and performance. 

The global leaders at COP30 have made it clear that technology is a strong path forward to achieve climate goals and to protect our planet. Those who act now to leverage this, combining technology and sustainability to drive resilience and profitability, are the ones that will, create, and benefit from, lasting impact 

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