Imagine a future where floods are predicted before they happen, forests are monitored from space, and farmers know exactly how much water their crops need. That future is already beginning to take shape through artificial intelligence (AI). But while AI could become one of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change, it also comes with environmental costs of its own.
For British Asians, this debate is particularly important. Many of us have family connections to countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, where communities are already experiencing floods, heatwaves, droughts and rising sea levels. The question is no longer whether AI will influence climate action, but whether it can do so responsibly.
Supporters of AI argue that the technology could play a major role in reducing global emissions and helping communities adapt to climate change.
How AI is helping the environment
Research from the London School of Economics suggests AI could help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by between 3.2 and 5.4 billion tonnes annually by 2035 — significantly more than the technology's own carbon footprint.
AI is already being used to:
- Predict floods, storms and extreme weather events
- Monitor deforestation through satellite imagery
- Improve renewable energy generation
- Help farmers use water and fertilisers more efficiently
- Track biodiversity loss and environmental damage
In the renewable energy sector, AI is increasingly being used to improve the performance of solar and battery storage systems.
Dr Jyotirmoy Roy, Founder and CEO of GreenEnco, a London-based renewable energy advisory firm operating across 16 countries, says AI is already delivering practical results.
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a significant role in supporting environmental protection and climate action, particularly in the renewable energy sector. AI is helping optimise the performance of solar and battery energy storage assets, improve energy forecasting, enhance grid stability, and reduce operational inefficiencies."
He adds that AI can analyse vast amounts of information in real time, helping identify performance issues, predict equipment failures and maximise the use of clean energy resources.
A powerful tool, but not a perfect solution
Despite its potential, AI is not without challenges.
A recent study found that AI's growing infrastructure already generates carbon emissions comparable to a major city and consumes enormous amounts of electricity and water. Researchers estimate AI-related water use could reach hundreds of billions of litres annually as demand for large-scale computing continues to grow.
This raises an uncomfortable question: can a technology designed to help tackle climate change end up contributing to the problem?
Dr Roy believes caution is necessary.
"However, AI is not a silver bullet. Its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of data, robust governance, and responsible implementation."
Experts also point out that many claims about AI's environmental benefits remain difficult to verify. Greenpeace has reported that a large proportion of industry claims around AI-driven climate benefits still lack independent verification.
Why people still matter
While discussions around AI often focus on technology, many conservationists argue that environmental challenges are ultimately about people.
Chris Desai, Founder of The Vayyu Foundation and CEO of UOCEAN 2050, works on ocean protection and conservation projects in the UK and internationally. A BBC Make A Difference Award winner and Earthshot Prize nominee, he believes AI can strengthen conservation efforts but should never replace human involvement.
"As someone who works in conservation every day through UOCEAN 2050, which focuses on ocean protection, and UEARTH 2050, our land conservation initiative, I see both the excitement and the reality of what AI can offer.
The biggest opportunity is AI's ability to help us understand environmental challenges faster than ever before. Whether it's analysing marine pollution patterns, identifying areas most at risk from climate change, tracking biodiversity loss, or helping organisations make smarter sustainability decisions, AI allows us to turn vast amounts of data into meaningful action."
However, Desai warns that technology alone cannot solve environmental problems.
"Environmental challenges are ultimately human challenges, driven by behaviour, policy, and priorities. AI must be used as a tool to support people, communities, scientists, and conservationists, not replace them."
What happens next?
The future of AI and climate action will likely depend on how responsibly the technology is developed and used.
According to Dr Roy, AI will become increasingly integrated into renewable energy asset management, climate risk assessment, infrastructure planning and grid operations. At the same time, conservation organisations expect AI to help target environmental interventions more effectively and measure impact more accurately.
For communities concerned about climate change, the message from both experts is clear:
- Use AI where it delivers measurable environmental benefits
- Demand transparency and accountability
- Ensure data centres and infrastructure become more sustainable
- Keep people, communities and scientists at the centre of decision-making
AI will not solve climate change on its own. But neither can we afford to ignore a technology that could improve weather forecasting, strengthen renewable energy systems, protect ecosystems and help communities prepare for environmental risks.
The real choice is not between AI and no AI. It is between responsible AI and irresponsible AI.
If governments, businesses and communities get that balance right, AI could become one of the most valuable tools available in the fight for a cleaner, more sustainable future.