ITU, French Government, UNEP Launch Coalition for Sustainable AI

In a joint effort to promote environmentally responsible AI development, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the French Government, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched a coalition focused on integrating sustainability into artificial intelligence initiatives.

The new international initiative, the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI), was launched to align AI development with global sustainability goals. Led by France, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the coalition brings together over 100 partners, including 37 technology companies, 11 countries, and five international organisations. The announcement was made at the AI Action Summit in Paris.

The coalition aims to integrate sustainable practices into AI development, ensuring that AI technologies actively contribute to environmental objectives. Key focus areas include reducing AI’s energy consumption, promoting renewable energy use in data centres, and leveraging AI to tackle environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

A new Coalition by UNEP, @French_Gov, & @ITU will encourage AI initiatives that help the planet while also tackling AI’s large energy consumption through sustainable means.

Find out more: https://t.co/YuGpUvrdIr

— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) February 17, 2025

Anne Bouverot, France’s Special Envoy on AI, highlighted the urgency of this initiative, stressing that while AI has immense potential, its current trajectory is unsustainable due to high energy and resource demands. The coalition seeks to establish standardised measures for AI’s environmental impact and encourage the development of more energy-efficient hardware and software.

By fostering collaboration between governments, tech companies, and international organisations, the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI aims to place environmental sustainability at the heart of AI innovation, ensuring that technological advancements align with global ecological priorities.