Panel discussion featuring (from left) Louisa Durkin, Niklas Höhne, April Salas, Maria João Sousa, & Michael Gillenwater
On September 24, 2025, the Data-Driven EnviroLab (DDL) hosted a panel titled “Greenwashing or Green AI? Accountability for AI’s Climate Footprint” as part of Climate Week NYC. Partnering with Arboretica, an environmental data company and long-term collaborator, the DDL hosted over 40 participants in panel discussions about the sustainability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how companies must measure, disclose, and reduce the growing climate impacts of AI’s energy use.
James Zhang, founder of Arboretica, kickstarted the event with Reid Lifset from the Yale Center for Industrial Ecology. Through showcasing Arboretica’s previous research, James discussed the need to more accurately measure the energy footprint and efficiency of using domain-specific AI for climate research.
Following this, DDL Director Dr. Angel Hsu moderated a lively panel discussion featuring April Salas, CEO of the EFI Foundation; Michael Gillenwater, GHG Management Institute; Niklas Höhne, Founder and Director of NewClimate Institute; and Maria João Sousa, Executive Director of Climate Change AI. The speakers explored topics such as emerging international regulations reshaping disclosure and operational practices for American AI companies as well as the decarbonization challenges of companies that develop or use AI extensively.
DDL Director, Dr. Angel Hsu presenting opening remarks for CLAIM at NYC Climate Week
While many AI-related events at Climate Week NYC were more optimistic about the potential of AI in climate action, Director Dr. Angel Hsu was intentional in creating a platform to discuss how corporations can green the use of AI in their business operations.
“Understanding and managing AI’s energy demands is critical if we want these tools to truly be part of the solution,” Dr. Hsu noted.
This event is part of the CLAIM: Center for Climate Leadership and AI-driven Integrity in Mitigation initiative spearheaded by the DDL and Dr. Angel Hsu. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into organizations across the world, DDL remains committed to promoting accountability and the use of AI to tackle the climate crisis.
This blog was written by Will Carney and edited by Damon Lim Wei Da and Nicholas Pell
