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COP31 takes aim at AI’s growing energy demand – announcement at Climate Week NYC

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The COP31 Presidency is launching a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing energy demand from artificial intelligence while also seeking to harness AI as a tool for climate action.
The initiative is part of the next phase of the COP31 Action Agenda, being presented today as Climate Week NYC gets underway in New York. COP31 will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9–20.
The new push includes the Antalya Pledge on Artificial Intelligence and an AI for Clean Technologies initiative. According to the COP31 Presidency, the aim is both to address the increasing energy needs associated with AI and to explore how the technology can help accelerate climate action and the deployment of clean technologies.
“A warming world, a global energy system in disarray, and growing fears of the rise of AI all demand action,” COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said in a statement ahead of the launch. “COP31 will meet this moment.”
"It is time for governments to start setting the terms."

Murat Kurum, COP31 President-Designate

Kurum, who is also Türkiye’s Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, also called for stronger government action on AI’s growing energy demand.
“We must openly discuss AI’s growing energy consumption, and it is time for governments to start setting the terms. We expect companies to be transparent about their energy use and to power their operations with clean energy.”
The announcement comes as the rapid expansion of AI and data centres is putting increasing pressure on electricity systems, adding a new dimension to discussions about how quickly clean power generation and grids need to expand. AI and growing electricity demand are among the major energy issues being discussed during this year’s Climate Week NYC.
The AI initiatives form part of a wider COP31 focus on electrification and the clean energy transition. The Action Agenda also includes a global pledge to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, alongside initiatives covering grids, buildings, transport and industry.
The COP31 Presidency is due to present the full Action Agenda at the United Nations in New York on Monday, with further announcements expected during Climate Week NYC.
Watch the announcement live.

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