The world is facing a significant challenge in combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the rise of global temperatures [1]. Achieving the goal of net zero emissions, where the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed, is a critical step towards mitigating the impact of climate change [2]. Renewable energy and AI are two crucial technologies that can enable this transition and accelerate the shift towards environmental sustainability.
The CO2 emissions continue to pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. It is crucial for countries to take urgent and comprehensive action to reduce their emissions, transition to low-carbon energy sources, and increase investment in renewable energy technologies [3, 4]. This requires a combination of policies, regulations, and financial incentives to encourage the widespread adoption of renewable energy. Countries must also work together to address the global nature of the problem and ensure that the world meets the targets set by the Paris Agreement to limit the worst impacts of climate change.
According to the Global Carbon Project, global CO2 emissions in 2021 are projected to reach 40 billion tonnes, which is a new record high [5]. This is a concerning trend as the world has set a target of net-zero emissions by mid-century to limit the worst effects of climate change. The largest contributor to global CO2 emissions is China, which alone accounted for 28% of global emissions in 2021 [5, 6]. The United States is the second-largest emitter, contributing 15% of global emissions, followed by India with 7% [5, 6]. These three countries alone account for more than half of global CO2 emissions. Figure 1 show the countries has heigh CO2 emission for the year of 2021.
There are several factors driving the growth in global CO2 emissions. One of the main drivers is economic growth, particularly in developing countries where energy demand is rapidly increasing. This has led to an increase in the use of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation [6]. In addition, many countries continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation, despite the availability of renewable energy sources. Another factor contributing to the growth in CO2 emissions is the lack of international cooperation and coordination on climate change. The Paris Agreement, signed by 197 countries in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius [7, 8]. However, many countries have failed to meet their emission reduction targets, and there is a lack of political will and funding to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Renewable energy technologies, offer a reliable and sustainable energy supply that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels [9]. The potential of renewable energy is immense, as it can provide clean and affordable energy to millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The adoption of renewable energy is expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth [10, 11]. The integration of renewable energy into the energy system poses several challenges, such as intermittency, storage, and transmission [12]. These challenges can be addressed by the deployment of AI, which can optimize energy production and consumption, reduce waste, and enhance the efficiency of energy systems.
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AI can help manage the variability of renewable energy supply and demand, improve the predictability of energy production, and enable the integration of distributed energy resources.
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AI can also enhance the performance of energy storage systems, which play a vital role in enabling the transition to renewable energy.
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Energy storage can help balance energy supply and demand, reduce energy costs, and improve energy system resilience [13]. AI can improve the control and management of energy storage systems, maximize their lifespan, and reduce the risk of failure.
The integration of renewable energy and AI has the potential to create a smarter, more efficient, and sustainable energy system.
Smart grids, which leverage advanced communication and control technologies, can enable the integration of renewable energy and AI, facilitate the optimization of energy use, and enhance energy system resilience. Additionally, intelligent buildings, which use sensors, automation, and AI to optimize energy consumption, can significantly reduce energy waste and enhance energy efficiency. However, the widespread adoption of renewable energy and AI still faces several challenges, such as high costs, lack of supportive policies, and technological barriers. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to promote investment in research and development, foster supportive policies, and promote collaboration among stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, and society. Renewable energy and AI can play a critical role in achieving environmental sustainability and net zero emissions. The integration of these technologies offers a promising pathway towards a cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy supply. However, addressing the challenges associated with their adoption requires a collaborative effort among stakeholders, as well as investments in research and development and supportive policies.
1.1. Sustainability and net-zero emissions
Sustainability and net-zero emissions have become critical concepts in the global effort to address climate change and ensure a healthy environment for future generations. Sustainability is practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [14]. Net-zero emissions, on the other hand, means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere with the amount removed from it, either naturally or through technological means [15]. Achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions requires a fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume energy. The primary driver of this shift is the transition to renewable energy sources for energy are clean, abundant, and sustainable, unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions [16].
Renewable energy technologies have become increasingly affordable and efficient, making them a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. For instance, solar and wind power have become cost-competitive with coal and natural gas in many parts of the world. This is partly due to government incentives and technological advancements that have made these technologies more efficient and cost-effective. AI can be used to manage and predict energy demand, optimize the performance of renewable energy systems, and integrate renewable energy sources into the grid. AI can also be used to monitor and reduce energy consumption in buildings and transportation systems, further reducing carbon emissions.
Net-zero emissions are critical to mitigating the impact of climate change [17]. The temperature of the planet has been rising steadily over the last century due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere [18]. This has resulted in rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and ecosystem changes. Achieving this goal requires a combination of efforts, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing carbon capture and storage technologies. The transition to sustainability and net-zero emissions presents both challenges and opportunities. One of the challenges is the need for better infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy storage systems [19]. There is also a need for investment in research and development to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy technologies. However, the transition to sustainability and net-zero emissions offers opportunities for innovation and development [20]. Governments and businesses are investing in research and development to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy technologies. They are also exploring new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, which have the potential to provide clean and sustainable energy. Figure 2 show countries are leading the way in terms of both total renewable energy share.
Sustainability and net-zero emissions are critical for mitigating the impact of climate change and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. The transition to renewable energy sources and the use of AI to optimize energy systems offer promising paths towards achieving these goals. However, the challenges that come with this transition should not be underestimated, and stakeholders must work together to invest in research and development, improve infrastructure, and promote the adoption of sustainable energy sources. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume energy, as well as a more holistic approach to addressing environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It is important to note that achieving net-zero emissions is a long-term goal for many countries, and not all countries have set a target or achieved significant progress towards this goal. Table 1 show the countries with the ambitious net-zero emissions targets.
Table 1
Countries with the most ambitious net-zero emissions targets [23, 24].
Rank | Country | Net-zero emissions target year |
1 | Bhutan | Achieved net-zero emissions in 2020 |
2 | Suriname | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
3 | Uruguay | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
4 | Sweden | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2045 |
5 | Denmark | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
6 | Norway | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2030 |
7 | Iceland | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2040 |
8 | Costa Rica | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
9 | Fiji | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
10 | New Zealand | Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 |
It is worth noting that other countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada have also set ambitious net-zero targets, but they are not among the top countries in terms of percentage of net-zero emissions achieved. Additionally, some countries such as China and the United States have set targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and 2050 respectively, but it remains to be seen whether they will achieve their targets [25].
1.2. Current projects set achieve environmental sustainability and net zero use AI
Globally a few projects have ambitions to use AI for achieving environmental sustainability and net zero, which summaries some of them in this section:
1.2.1. The Netherlands offshore wind farm project
The Netherlands has been investing in offshore wind farms as part of its plan to transition to renewable energy and achieve its net-zero goals. A consortium of Dutch organizations, TU Delft, and Shell, has launched the Dutch Offshore Wind Farm AI project [26]. This project aims to use AI to optimize the design, construction, and maintenance of offshore wind farms, ultimately reducing costs and increasing efficiency [27]. By analyzing vast amounts of data from sensors and applying machine learning algorithms, the project can predict component failures, streamline maintenance, and optimize the placement of wind turbines to maximize energy production.
1.2.2. Tesla auto bidder and virtual power plants
Tesla has developed an AI-powered platform called Autobidder that facilitates real-time energy trading and grid management [28]. Autobidder uses AI algorithms to predict energy demand and supply, allowing it to optimize energy storage and distribution, while maximizing the use of renewable energy sources. Additionally, Tesla has also been working on Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) that aggregate distributed energy resources, such as residential solar panels and battery storage, to provide grid services. VPPs can help balance the grid and enhance its stability, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and moving towards net-zero emissions.
1.2.3. Xcel energy demand response program
Xcel Energy, a major US utility company, has implemented an AI-driven demand response program to improve grid stability and promote the integration of renewable energy sources [29]. The program uses AI algorithms to predict energy demand and enable real-time adjustment of energy consumption for participating customers. By shifting energy usage to periods when renewable energy generation is high and reducing peak demand, the program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supports the adoption of renewable energy, and moves closer to achieving net-zero goals.
These projects demonstrate the significant potential of combining renewable energy and AI to achieve environmental sustainability and net-zero emissions. By leveraging AI technologies to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption, we can accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable energy future.
1.3. Importance of achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions
Sustainability and net-zero emissions are becoming increasingly important due to the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss caused by human activities [30]. Achieving net-zero emissions is crucial to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and flooding.
Key points for the importance of achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions include:
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Environmental benefits: Achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions can reduce the impact of human activities on the environment, leading to a healthier planet for both current and future generations.
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Economic benefits: The transition to renewable energy and more sustainable practices can create new opportunities for job creation, innovation, and economic growth, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Social benefits: Access to clean energy and sustainable resources can improve the health and well-being of communities, particularly those living in poverty or facing social and economic exclusion, increasing access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
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Global collaboration: Achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions requires collective action and long-term commitment from governments, businesses, and individuals, promoting global collaboration towards the shared goal of a sustainable future.
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Improved resilience: Sustainable practices and net-zero emissions can help societies become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events and other environmental threats.
Achieving sustainability and net-zero emissions is crucial for the health of the planet, the well-being of its inhabitants, and the prosperity of societies. By working towards these goals, we can create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for generations to come.
1.4. Research gap and study objective
While there is growing recognition of the need to transition to sustainable and low-carbon energy systems, the pace of this transition has been slower than necessary to achieve environmental sustainability and net zero emissions. There is a need for a deeper understanding of the potential of renewable energy and AI technologies to drive this transition and overcome the barriers to their adoption. The objective of this study is to address this research gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the role of renewable energy and AI in achieving environmental sustainability and net zero emissions. Specifically, the study aims to:
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Analyze the current state of renewable energy and AI technologies and their applications in different sectors, such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and industry.
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Identify the drivers and barriers to their adoption and assess their economic, environmental, and social impacts.
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Provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders on how to accelerate their adoption and implementation for achieving environmental sustainability and net zero emissions.
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Explore the potential of these technologies to address specific environmental challenges, such as air pollution, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
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Highlight best practices and successful case studies from around the world for achieving environmental sustainability and net zero emissions through the use of renewable energy and AI technologies.