Empowering Climate Resilience: Insights From the IEEE-ITU Symposium

Saifur Rahman, general chair of the ITU symposium held in Geneva, and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General, spoke to attendees about climate resilience. © ITU/D.Woldu
The intersection of technology, policy, and education is critical to tackling climate challenges. By leveraging its global presence and fostering collaboration, IEEE can catalyze systemic change, driving the world toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
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On December 12–13, 2024, the IEEE convened the IEEE-ITU Symposium on Achieving Climate Resilience (ISACR), hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva. This event brought together a diverse assembly of global leaders, UN agencies, industry pioneers, policymakers, and academics to chart what will become a technology-driven roadmap for addressing climate challenges. Over two days, participants explored critical themes like digital transformation, sustainable development, and technology’s pivotal role in building climate resilience.
The event commenced with keynote addresses from distinguished leaders. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of ITU, emphasized aligning digital transformation with sustainability goals, showcasing initiatives like the Green Digital Action as exemplary collaborations. Saifur Rahman, past president of IEEE, highlighted IEEE’s expansive global reach, urging a grassroots approach to technology solutions that complement top-down policy frameworks.
Broad Symposium Themes
The symposium featured discussions on research and standards, education, policy, and financing—each contributing to the collective goal of climate resilience:
- Research, Technology, and Standards
The discussions underscored the foundational role of technology and standards in combating climate challenges. IEEE and ETSI highlighted the agility of standards organizations in responding to innovations like AI and green tech. The session also explored WIPO’s initiatives, such as the WIPO Green database, which bridges innovation gaps by connecting solutions with real-world problems. - Policy and Regulation
Speakers emphasized the urgency of actionable frameworks and cross-sectoral collaboration. The European Commission called for faster agreements and measurable green roadmaps, while ICLEI showcased grassroots efforts like community air quality monitoring initiatives. - Education and Skills Development
A skilled workforce is critical for implementing green technologies. ILO emphasized reskilling professionals for the digital and green transitions, supported by mentorship programs like IEEE’s Young Professionals initiative. The youth, recognized as drivers of climate resilience, were also highlighted as pivotal to advancing sustainable practices. - Finance, Trade, and Development
Investment in renewables reached $2 trillion in 2023, as noted by IRENA. Nature Finance stressed the importance of localized strategies that empower cities and regions. Discussions also explored circular economy strategies, advocating for sustainability-focused product design and innovation.
Symposium Outcomes
Eight key themes emerged from the symposium:
- Technology and Policy Collaboration: Strengthened partnerships between organizations are essential for leveraging technology to address climate risks. No one group can tackle the issues on its own.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communications, and Technologies (ICT) support Climate Resilience: AI and data-driven technologies offer transformative potential for reducing emissions and enhancing disaster preparedness.
- Data Challenges: Addressing the global “data crisis” requires better governance, interoperability, and capacity building.
- Circular Economy: Innovations in agriculture, energy systems, and cities must prioritize circular economy principles, supported by digital tools like digital twins.
- Private Sector Leadership: Industry innovations, from carbon-neutral trains to digital twin supply chains, must scale globally to meet climate goals.
- Energy Transition: Investment in renewable energy and policy alignment are crucial to overcoming barriers in underserved regions.
- Standards Development: Interoperable standards are necessary for enabling scalable climate solutions.
- Workforce Development: Bridging the skills gap and retraining workers are vital for a successful green transition.
Opportunities for IEEE
IEEE is uniquely positioned to lead global efforts in climate resilience through its expansive network and expertise. Key opportunities include:
Learn more about IEEE Dataport and IEEE’s Big Data Initiative
As the Symposium demonstrated, the intersection of technology, policy, and education is critical to tackling climate challenges. By leveraging its global presence and fostering collaboration, IEEE can catalyze systemic change, driving the world toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
An extensive report detailing the symposium’s findings will be published in early 2025, offering the baseline for a comprehensive technology roadmap for ongoing collaboration and measurable progress in achieving climate resilience.
Speakers’ Participating Organizations
- ETSI – European Telecommunications Standards Institute
- EU Commission – European Commission
- FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
- IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission
- IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- ILO – International Labour Organization
- IOE – International Organization of Employers
- IRENA – International Renewable Energy Agency
- ITU – International Telecommunication Union
- OECD – Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
- UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
- UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- USDOE – United States Department of Energy
- WEF – World Economic Forum
- WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization
- WMO – World Meteorological Organization
- WTO – World Trade Organization
- Capgemini
- GE Vernova
- Huawei
- Nature Finance
- Nestle
- Tata
- University of Oxford