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Trilligent Tech Talks in Brussels: AI for Climate Resilience in the EU

Multi Authors
Jan 24, 2025 / 5 min read

Trilligent continues its global Trilligent Tech Talks series, bringing together innovative minds to discuss trending technology topics, policy issues, and opportunities in the tech sector. Our third Brussels event, held on January 22, 2025, explored how AI and big data can accelerate climate risk mitigation, optimize resource use, and support the EU’s decarbonization and climate goals.

Our distinguished panelists included:

  • Ilias Iakovidis, Adviser for Digital Aspects of Green Transformation at DG CONNECT, European Commission
  • Katarzyna Balucka-Debska, Senior Policy Advisor at Climate-KIC and Trilligent Advisory Board Member
  • Vilma Kaza, EU Sustainability & Climate Policy at Google
  • Moderated by Dagmara Franczak, Associate Director at Trilligent Brussels

AI in Twin Transition: Bridging Digital and Green Goals

AI is uniquely positioned to drive sustainability by bridging digital and environmental efforts, addressing issues ranging from carbon emissions to resource inefficiency. Innovative applications, such as the use of AI for fuel-efficient routing and traffic management, demonstrate how advanced algorithms can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve transportation systems. Furthermore, flood prediction tools, which provide forecasts up to a week in advance, exemplify AI’s ability to empower communities to mitigate climate risks.

Beyond practical applications, AI’s broader potential lies in analysing and optimizing resource usage. By identifying inefficiencies across energy, housing, food, and mobility systems, AI can guide policy and infrastructure planning to minimize waste and environmental strain. For example, AI models are increasingly applied to manage traffic patterns, streamline logistics, and forecast demand for resources, enhancing resilience and sustainability.

Despite its promise, AI also raises concerns about its environmental footprint. High energy consumption in data centers and the lack of standardized measurement tools for AI’s impact pose challenges to its widespread rollout Establishing frameworks to quantify and mitigate the environmental costs of AI will be crucial to ensuring that its benefits outweigh its drawbacks in the context of the green transition.

Regulation and Innovation: The Clean Industrial Deal and Beyond

The European Union is set to present its Clean Industrial Deal on February 26, 2025, aiming to decarbonize Europe’s industrial sector while boosting competitiveness. The Deal centers on six pillars: (1) energy security, (2) financing, (3) recycling and critical raw materials, (4) labor and skills, (5) lead markets, and (6) global action.

Key strategies include affordable energy solutions, grid modernization, and expanded low-carbon infrastructure, as well as fostering demand for decarbonized goods through public procurement quotas. These initiatives align with the EU’s broader goal of achieving the Paris Climate Agreement objectives, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring environmental and social balance. Interestingly, while digital technologies—particularly AI—are not explicitly listed as a core pillar, they play a significant role in accelerating these strategies. From optimizing energy use to improving resource management, AI is essential to realizing the Deal’s goals.

A significant aspect of the Clean Industrial Deal is its focus on recycling and securing critical raw materials, which are vital to the green transition. This initiative will be supported by the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, aiming to establish a sustainable supply chain for materials essential to industry. Public procurement quotas will drive demand for decarbonized products, creating a market for low-carbon goods and ensuring the EU’s leadership in green innovation.

However, the success of these frameworks will depend on their implementation across all EU Member States. Challenges remain in ensuring consistent and effective rollout of EU regulation, with a strong emphasis on collaboration between policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders. The EU’s ability to integrate digital and green policies while maintaining its competitive edge will be central in shaping its position as a global leader in sustainable innovation.

Concrete Actions for Transparency and Accountability

To maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its drawbacks, tangible measures must be implemented across industries. A key priority is the optimization of energy use in data centers. Companies must adopt energy-efficient infrastructures and invest in carbon-neutral technologies to reduce AI’s environmental costs. AI systems themselves must also be designed with optimization and transparency in mind, enabling industries to track and mitigate their carbon footprints effectively.

The EU’s commitment to circular economy principles reflects a broader vision of sustainability that goes beyond emissions reductions. Addressing overproduction, particularly in high-impact industries like textiles, is crucial to achieving meaningful environmental outcomes. By incorporating AI into supply chain management and sustainability reporting, companies can identify inefficiencies and adopt practices that align with EU policies such as the Green Deal and the proposed Circular Economy Act.

Currently, there is no standardized way to measure the environmental impact of AI models, which poses a significant challenge. Different AI models and systems come with varying levels of complexity and energy demands, making it difficult to assess their environmental footprint consistently. The AI Act addresses this by requiring companies to provide information on the environmental impact of their AI systems and contribute to the development of standardized measurement frameworks. It is crucial that organizations across sectors collaborate to create these standards, ensuring consistency in how AI’s environmental effects are tracked and reported. This collective effort will help establish clear guidelines, enabling AI to contribute more effectively to sustainability goals.

At Trilligent, we closely follow the evolving landscape of tech and AI regulation as well as sustainability, including the AI Act and the Clean Industrial Deal. Our global team is well-positioned to help clients navigate these complex frameworks and ensure their voice is heard in the discussions shaping the future. Reach out if you’d like to explore how these regulations impact your business or stay ahead of the curve.

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