COP28: AI & Digital technologies as enablers for climate action

Showcasing advances in air quality sensing in African cities

Session overview

Urban air pollution is one of the most important contemporary health threats globally and is responsible for over seven million premature deaths annually.

Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sensing technologies (Internet of Things (IoT)) present unique opportunities for developing cost-effective approaches for air quality monitoring and modelling in resource limited settings in the global south.

This session aims to demonstrate the capabilities of digital solutions such as AirQo and the growing uptake in different cities across Africa.

The session will be delivered by a moderated panel of four speakers. The panel discussions will be preceded by individual 5-minute opening remarks on the different use cases and facets of digital technologies in advancing climate action across Africa.

Session Objectives

1. Unveil the digital platforms as a way of showcasing and taking stock of Africa-led efforts in tackling climate health threats in Africa
2. Highlight AI as an effective tool for inclusive participation in tackling climate health threats in Africa and climate data generation
3. Provide a platform for facilitating conversations on climate technology development and transfer, and other relevant programmatic areas
4. Present a case for replication of advances in other spheres of climate action.

Expected Outcomes

1. Increasing awareness of the potential for leveraging AI as a cost-effective means for developing climate data infrastructure in Africa
2. Contribute to advancing the integration of tackling air pollution into climate action
3. Highlight collaboration pathways for scaling up Africa-led interventions

Alignment with COP28 and thematic programming

The session aligns with the thematic areas on climate technology development and transfer, adaptation and mitigation, and more broadly the COP28 programmatic themes on inclusion and multi-level action, health, technology and innovation.

For any inquiries and clarifications:

Correspondence

Richard Sserunjogirichard.sserunjogi@airqo.net