Building Resilient Urban Spaces with IBM and C40 Cities for an AI-Powered Future
As climate change accelerates and cities face mounting environmental challenges, the need for innovative, technology-driven solutions has never been more urgent. Addressing this critical issue head-on, IBM and C40 Cities have announced a ground-breaking collaboration through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator.
This initiative aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost urban resilience and tackle the specific challenges that cities worldwide encounter.
A Shared Vision for Urban Resiliency
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, IBM and C40 Cities are working together to develop AI solutions that will drive urban innovation. This partnership is designed to help cities better understand and manage risks associated with extreme heat and the urban heat island effect—issues that are becoming more prevalent as global temperatures rise.
The urban heat island effect occurs when urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities, infrastructure, and reduced vegetation. This phenomenon can lead to stressed energy resources, increased mortality rates, and widening socioeconomic disparities.
“Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and extreme heat is one of the most urgent challenges they face. Through this collaboration with IBM’s Sustainability Accelerator, we have a groundbreaking opportunity to harness AI-driven solutions to help cities analyse risks, strengthen resilience, and protect their most vulnerable communities,” said Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities.
A Rigorous Selection Process
Earlier this year, IBM issued a request for proposals (RFP) aimed at non-profit and government organisations focused on using technology to enhance urban resilience. Out of more than 100 applicants, C40 Cities was one of five organisations selected to participate in this new cohort of IBM Sustainability Accelerator projects.
Each participant was chosen based on their demonstrated impact on the communities they serve and their innovative plans for leveraging AI technology. As part of the programme, the selected organisations will receive up to $3 million in cash and in-kind donations, including access to IBM’s advanced technology and expert services.
Tackling Extreme Heat with AI
The collaboration between IBM and C40 Cities will focus on creating a data-driven, AI-powered solution to help cities better understand and manage the risks associated with extreme heat. By analysing data on temperature patterns, urban infrastructure, and population density, the AI system will provide insights into areas most vulnerable to heat stress.
The solution aims to enable cities to develop adaptation strategies that can alleviate population health risks and economic burdens while strengthening national resilience efforts. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and the Group on Earth Observations will also support the project, adding a wealth of expertise and resources.
The Role of AI in Building Resilience
AI has the potential to transform the way cities approach climate resilience. By providing real-time data analysis, predictive insights, and automated responses, AI can help city officials make informed decisions and implement effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.
“AI has the potential to unlock a new economic and innovation era for communities worldwide, helping people tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. We believe that much of this potential to improve people’s lives resides in transforming cities, and this is what we are aiming to do with our AI technology and expertise,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer.
IBM Sustainability Accelerator: Driving Social Innovation
Launched in 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social innovation programme designed to support communities facing environmental and economic stress. Each year, the programme selects five new projects that address pressing issues such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water management, and urban resilience.
By applying IBM’s technologies, including hybrid cloud and AI, and leveraging an ecosystem of experts, the Sustainability Accelerator aims to scale nonprofit and government initiatives to create meaningful, measurable impact.
To date, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator has supported 20 organisations around the world. The programme’s sustainable agriculture cohort has directly benefited approximately 65,300 people, with another 1.1 million projected to benefit from the clean energy cohort. The ongoing collaboration with C40 Cities is expected to benefit thousands of citizens across the globe by helping cities adapt to the challenges posed by extreme heat.
A Two-Phased Approach to Innovation
IBM and C40 Cities will implement their AI-powered solution over two years, divided into two key phases. The first phase, known as the IBM Garage, will involve applying IBM’s proven methodology for accelerating digital transformation. During this phase, IBM and C40 Cities will collaborate closely to identify specific challenges and define measurable outcomes.
The second phase, known as the Development and Implementation phase, will see IBM experts configuring their technology resources to help cities meet their resilience goals. This phase will also include pilot deployments in selected communities, with the aim of scaling these solutions to other cities around the world.
A Broader Impact on Climate Resilience
C40 Cities is a global network of nearly 100 mayors representing some of the world’s largest and most influential cities. Together, they are committed to limiting global heating to 1.5°C and creating sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, C40 Cities collaborates with labour groups, businesses, the youth climate movement, and civil society to drive bold climate action.
“At C40, we are committed to ensuring mayors have the best data and tools available to make informed decisions and drive impactful climate action. We look forward to working with IBM to develop innovative strategies that will help cities worldwide adapt to rising temperatures and build a more sustainable future,” said Watts.
Moving Forward with AI-Powered Solutions
As cities continue to grapple with the realities of climate change, partnerships like the one between IBM and C40 Cities offer a beacon of hope. By leveraging AI to drive data-informed decision-making, cities can enhance their resilience and protect their most vulnerable populations from the impacts of extreme heat.
This collaboration serves as a model for how technology and innovation can be harnessed to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. With AI playing a central role in urban resilience efforts, the future of our cities looks brighter—and more sustainable—than ever.
