UTM and GeSI Announce Partnership & Initiative to Accelerate Urban Sustainability

October 3rd 2024 – Following the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM15) and Mission Innovation (MI9) meetings in Brazil, the Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) are proud to announce a new strategic partnership to drive digital innovation in urban sustainability. This collaboration will focus on leveraging advanced digital technologies to address climate-related urban challenges, with a special emphasis on AI, data governance, and climate adaptation.

As part of this partnership, UTM and GeSI will launch 15 pilot projects across select UTM cities. These pilots aim to showcase the transformative role of AI in urban planning and climate solutions, exploring innovative approaches to accelerate the transition to net-zero, inclusive, and resilient cities. In conjunction with the launch of the “AI with Purpose Lab,” the partnership will demonstrate the potential of digital solutions to help cities manage the complex challenges of climate adaptation and sustainable development. The results of these pilots will be presented at GeSI’s Digital with Purpose Summit in 2025.

Luis Neves, CEO of GeSI, expressed excitement for this collaboration, stating, “At GeSI, we are thrilled to partner with UTM to unlock the potential of digital technologies in urban sustainability. These pilot projects will demonstrate the transformative power of AI and digital solutions in tackling the complex challenges of climate adaptation, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for cities worldwide.”

This new initiative emphasizes the importance of digital innovation in driving urban transitions and marks a significant step toward achieving global sustainability goals through smart, people-centered solutions.

The Urban Transitions Mission, launched at COP26, aims to empower cities to transition to net-zero through innovative policies, technologies, and financial models. By focusing on renewable energy, circular economy principles, and climate resilience, the Mission supports cities in creating sustainable and resilient urban environments.