Prof. Phoebe Koundouri participated in a highly insightful panel discussion on “Digital Technology as a Driver of the Climate and Sustainability Transition”, held during COP30 in Brazil within the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub COP30 Dialogues, co-organized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the SDSN Global Climate Hub.
The session was moderated by Prof. Yannis Ioannidis, President of ACM, and featured distinguished panelists Virginia Dignum (Umeå University), Andrew A. Chien (University of Chicago), and Jayant Haritsa (Indian Institute of Science). Together, they examined how artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, data platforms, and digital public goods are reshaping climate modelling, clean energy systems, resilient cities, agriculture, smart buildings, and nature-based solutions. The discussion also addressed essential issues related to openness, data rights, Indigenous data sovereignty, sustainable computing, and the importance of strong cross-sectoral collaboration.
In her remarks, Prof. Phoebe Koundouri presented the work of the SDSN Global Climate Hub in advancing the integration of computing and AI into climate modelling and sustainability pathways. She underscored the indispensable role of high-performance computing in climate and integrated assessment models, and highlighted how AI is improving model resolution, accelerating computation, enhancing extreme-event prediction, and supporting emissions monitoring. She further emphasized the importance of sustainable computing, open data, robust governance frameworks, and interdisciplinary scientific approaches linking climate science, economics, engineering, and digital technologies.
