IBM Boosts Urban Resilience: $45M Investment in Sustainability Accelerator
Tech behemoth IBM has unveiled a fresh investment pledge of $45 million into its social impact initiative, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing urban resilience by leveraging technology-driven climate adaptation solutions.
Established in 2022, IBM’s Sustainability Accelerator leverages IBM's technological prowess to amplify the efforts of non-profit organizations and government bodies in crafting solutions to assist vulnerable communities in tackling environmental challenges. Since its inception, the program has backed 15 projects worldwide across three cohorts, with a focus on areas such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and water management.
In its latest move, IBM has issued a new request for proposals (RFP) for the forthcoming cohort, targeting solutions that bolster city resilience in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities." This RFP aims to support initiatives addressing the challenges faced by cities amid rapid urbanization, including environmental degradation and inadequate urban infrastructure exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events.
Highlighted project areas under the new RFP include AI-driven foundational models, geospatial analytics, weather and climate forecasting for predicting impacts on both natural and built infrastructure, and asset management for public services. IBM plans to allocate the $45 million investment over five years, comprising cash and in-kind donations of technology and services. Selection criteria for applicants will prioritize the extent of support provided to vulnerable communities facing urban environmental threats, the feasibility and sustainability of proposed technological solutions for climate change mitigation, and transparency in measurement and reporting, among other factors.
In tandem with this commitment and RFP, IBM has forged a strategic partnership with global professional services firm EY for its Sustainability Accelerator program. Under this collaboration, EY will contribute to the resilient cities cohort by assisting in the RFP selection process, providing organizational development coaching, and conducting capacity-building workshops.
“After three years working to improve lives and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, we’re proud to recognize the success of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator by strengthening both our impact and our investment in the program. We look forward to working with a new cohort of partners to transform the cities we live in, and to deploy solutions that harness the potential of artificial intelligence to build a more resilient future,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM's Vice President and Chief Impact Officer.
Established in 2022, IBM’s Sustainability Accelerator leverages IBM's technological prowess to amplify the efforts of non-profit organizations and government bodies in crafting solutions to assist vulnerable communities in tackling environmental challenges. Since its inception, the program has backed 15 projects worldwide across three cohorts, with a focus on areas such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and water management.
In its latest move, IBM has issued a new request for proposals (RFP) for the forthcoming cohort, targeting solutions that bolster city resilience in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities." This RFP aims to support initiatives addressing the challenges faced by cities amid rapid urbanization, including environmental degradation and inadequate urban infrastructure exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events.
Highlighted project areas under the new RFP include AI-driven foundational models, geospatial analytics, weather and climate forecasting for predicting impacts on both natural and built infrastructure, and asset management for public services. IBM plans to allocate the $45 million investment over five years, comprising cash and in-kind donations of technology and services. Selection criteria for applicants will prioritize the extent of support provided to vulnerable communities facing urban environmental threats, the feasibility and sustainability of proposed technological solutions for climate change mitigation, and transparency in measurement and reporting, among other factors.
In tandem with this commitment and RFP, IBM has forged a strategic partnership with global professional services firm EY for its Sustainability Accelerator program. Under this collaboration, EY will contribute to the resilient cities cohort by assisting in the RFP selection process, providing organizational development coaching, and conducting capacity-building workshops.
“After three years working to improve lives and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, we’re proud to recognize the success of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator by strengthening both our impact and our investment in the program. We look forward to working with a new cohort of partners to transform the cities we live in, and to deploy solutions that harness the potential of artificial intelligence to build a more resilient future,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM's Vice President and Chief Impact Officer.
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