IBM and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have unveiled two groundbreaking tools designed to help policymakers, governments, and the general public tackle the complex challenges of clean energy access and equity. Developed as part of UNDP’s GeoHub platform, these tools — the AI model Electricity Access Forecasting and the statistical geospatial model Clean Energy Equity Index — leverage cutting-edge technologies like IBM watsonx AI, IBM Cloud, and IBM Environmental Intelligence. The goal is to provide actionable insights to support a just energy transition and sustainable development efforts globally.
Transformative Partnership
The collaboration between IBM and UNDP was facilitated by the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program, which focuses on scaling technology solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, emphasized the importance of making advanced technological models accessible to the public. “By making innovative models freely accessible, we aim to empower leaders, organizations, and community members alike with the insights to make impactful energy decisions,” Nixon-Saintil said.
This partnership aligns IBM’s technological expertise with UNDP’s global leadership in sustainable development, delivering tools designed to make a lasting positive impact on energy accessibility and equity. According to Laurel Patterson, Head of the UNDP SDG Integration Team, these models provide the credible data needed for countries to progress toward a just energy transition. “Net-zero investment and people-centered development strategies are fundamental to accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she added.
Energy Access Forecasting and Equity Modelling
At the core of this launch are two innovative models designed to support data-driven decision-making.
- Electricity Access Forecasting AI Model
This model utilizes the IBM watsonx AI platform, combined with cloud infrastructure and machine learning algorithms, to predict electricity access through 2030. By analyzing a range of factors — including population growth, infrastructure, urbanization, and satellite data — the model provides forward-looking insights that surpass current-day estimates. Covering 102 countries across the Global South, including Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, this model offers policymakers a comprehensive view of future energy access, helping to guide investment and infrastructure decisions. - Clean Energy Equity Index
Developed in collaboration with Stony Brook University, this model introduces a first-of-its-kind geospatial analysis tool that merges environmental, economic, and social data to create a comprehensive Clean Energy Equity score ranging from 0 to 1. The score reflects both opportunities for clean energy development and the urgency of action through an equity lens. Users can view and customize environmental, economic, or social factors, enabling a detailed understanding of what drives equitable access to clean energy. Initially, the model will cover data from 53 African countries, empowering policymakers to make more informed decisions for energy equity.
A Step Toward Universal Energy Access
The models are integrated into UNDP’s GeoHub, a platform that centralizes geospatial data and services for sustainable development. GeoHub provides users with the ability to visualize and analyze complex datasets, combining geographic and satellite data to address various development challenges, including the distribution of electricity access and climate change vulnerability. The new energy models will help drive more granular, localized, and evidence-based policymaking, enhancing the ability of countries to make strides toward achieving net-zero emissions and the SDGs.
Historically, access to such advanced modeling tools has been limited to a select group of users. By offering these tools for free, IBM and UNDP aim to democratize access to clean energy data and ensure that decision-makers at all levels — from national governments to local communities — have the resources they need to make informed energy decisions. This collaboration reflects a significant move toward transparency and inclusivity in the fight for equitable energy access.
Empowering Sustainable Futures
The launch of these tools marks a new chapter in the global effort to ensure a just energy transition. With climate change and energy equity becoming increasingly critical issues, the ability to forecast and model energy access is vital for shaping future infrastructure investments and policies.
The IBM Sustainability Accelerator, which launched in 2022, has been instrumental in bringing these technologies to life. To date, the program has supported 15 global projects across three cohorts, focusing on sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and water management. By continuing to invest in scalable technology solutions, IBM and UNDP are helping to ensure that vulnerable communities worldwide can access the resources they need to adapt to the evolving energy landscape.
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