GovTech Ecosystems in the fight against climate change

Concern for the environment has increased in recent years. Global warming, high carbon dioxide emissions and the severity of some climate-related conditions have challenged countries. 

According to the World Bank, natural disasters generate a cost of around US$18 billion per year for low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, governments have understood the importance of combating this phenomenon. Hence, technology, an indispensable element in our daily lives, has also become part of the governmental solutions to this problem. 

According to the Spanish Climate Change Office (OECC), there are studies that demonstrate the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which is quantified in a 15% reduction. In contrast, the SMARTer study assures that, by means of disruptive technologies, a 20% decrease in emissions can be achieved by 2030.  

Technological advances and the implementation of new tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are positively impacting clean energy ecosystems and the care of the planet in general, according to America Digital News.

AI has changed the way energy is produced, consumed and distributed, which is characterized by being 100% renewable, efficient and intelligent. Through software with the most advanced technology, wind energy production is more efficient and economical, small-scale hydro energy is a reality and solar energy can be developed from homes. 

The production of clean and renewable energies has not been the only technological solution implemented by governments. Several countries have applied technology to address the consequences of climate change in their territories, such as the United States, Indonesia and Singapore. 

United States, innovation in response to climate challenges

Through innovation and software development , U.S. state administrations are measuring rising seas, tracking, responding to and even predicting fires, monitoring rainfall, quantifying pressure on infrastructure, anticipating hurricanes and more. 

An example of this is that, through AI, rain gauges have been equipped that can report rainfall amounts in real time, provide information on how rain falls, search for standing water, and identify areas prone to flooding. 

In Indonesia, technology copes with natural disasters

The Indonesian government teamed up with a technology company to predict and manage floods in the country, as natural disasters are one of the biggest challenges facing the country. Through the use of historical flood data collected through sensors, citizen input and predictive models, Indonesia can identify which areas are most prone to flooding, with the aim of alerting residents and accelerating flood management response. 

Singapore: a smart and sustainable nation 

Island states such as Singapore are feeling the pressure of climate change even more, as the threat of flooding becomes more acute with time. Singapore's Undersecretary to the Prime Minister, Tan Kok Yam, said they are working to avoid becoming the next underwater country through the use of technological innovation. 

According to the undersecretary, given the country's lack of access to renewable energy and lack of land, technology is the key to reducing greenhouse emissions. Thus, Singapore has used disruptive technology to optimize energy use and reduce carbon footprint. As a result, buildings use IoT to monitor and improve energy performance, a sensor platform was built to reduce energy waste, a 3D platform was created to identify the best areas for solar panels, among other initiatives.