UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has emphasized that digital public infrastructure is becoming a critical part of global climate action. Speaking at an event on AI and digital technologies for Nationally Determined Contributions during the UN June Climate Meetings in Bonn, Germany, Stiell said digital tools can help countries move faster from climate commitments to real implementation on the ground.
According to Stiell, the world has entered a new era of climate action focused on implementation. In this phase, digital technologies can play a transformative role by supporting renewable energy integration, improving grid efficiency and strengthening early warning systems. These tools can also help governments design stronger policies and deliver climate projects more effectively.
A central focus of the speech was the importance of robust data. Stiell noted that effective climate policy depends on high-quality, connected and reliable data. Digital public infrastructure can bring together information from different sectors and institutions, connect national and international systems, and support better decision-making for complex climate policies. This can help countries implement their NDCs, align policies and attract climate finance.
Stiell also pointed to the country-led NDC Data Explorer as a strong example of this approach. He praised Uganda’s leadership and the role of the International Telecommunication Union in advancing the initiative, while encouraging more countries to join the pilot project and test digital tools in real policy-making conditions.
The UN climate chief also warned that digital transformation must be managed responsibly. Data centres, he said, are a growing concern because of their high energy and water consumption, while the rapid rise of AI applications is increasing resource demand. Stiell stressed that digital infrastructure must not widen development gaps, raise emissions or increase costs for households and businesses. Instead, countries should prioritize energy efficiency, include digital infrastructure in energy planning and scale clean power in parallel, especially in developing countries.
