IBM's $45M Sustainability Accelerator Boosts City Resilience with Tech Solutions
IBM has pledged to invest $45 million into its IBM Sustainability Accelerator program as part of a fresh initiative aimed at enhancing city resilience through technology-driven climate adaptation solutions. Established in 2022, the Sustainability Accelerator leverages IBM's technology and expertise to amplify non-profit and governmental efforts in crafting solutions to assist vulnerable communities in tackling environmental challenges. Over its existence, the program has backed 15 projects worldwide across three cohorts, focusing on sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and water management.
For its upcoming cohort, IBM has released a new request for proposals (RFP) targeting solutions to bolster city resilience, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities." This RFP seeks to aid projects tackling issues cities face amidst rapid urbanization, including environmental degradation and insufficient urban infrastructure, which can be exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events.
The RFP targets project areas such as AI foundational models and geospatial analytics, weather and climate forecasting for predicting impacts on both natural and built infrastructure, and asset management for public services. IBM plans to disburse the $45 million over a span of 5 years in cash and in-kind donations of technology and services. Selection criteria for applicants will encompass the degree of support offered to communities vulnerable to urban environmental threats, the practicality and sustainability of proposed technological solutions for climate change mitigation, and the transparency of measurement and reporting, among other factors.
Additionally, alongside the new commitment and RFP, IBM has revealed a strategic collaboration with global professional services firm EY for the Sustainability Accelerator program. 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.
For its upcoming cohort, IBM has released a new request for proposals (RFP) targeting solutions to bolster city resilience, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities." This RFP seeks to aid projects tackling issues cities face amidst rapid urbanization, including environmental degradation and insufficient urban infrastructure, which can be exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events.
The RFP targets project areas such as AI foundational models and geospatial analytics, weather and climate forecasting for predicting impacts on both natural and built infrastructure, and asset management for public services. IBM plans to disburse the $45 million over a span of 5 years in cash and in-kind donations of technology and services. Selection criteria for applicants will encompass the degree of support offered to communities vulnerable to urban environmental threats, the practicality and sustainability of proposed technological solutions for climate change mitigation, and the transparency of measurement and reporting, among other factors.
Additionally, alongside the new commitment and RFP, IBM has revealed a strategic collaboration with global professional services firm EY for the Sustainability Accelerator program. 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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