The IEEE, a leading professional organization for electrical, electronic, and computer engineering, is increasingly recognized as a crucial technical voice in global climate action. Its involvement has evolved from participating in technical sessions to becoming a trusted partner in discussions surrounding climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly through its engagement with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP).
The organization’s growing influence was evident at , held from to in Belém, Brazil. More than 56,000 delegates – including policymakers, technologists, and representatives from industry, finance, and development agencies – attended the conference. IEEE representatives, led by Saifur Rahman, the 2023 IEEE president, participated in several sessions, signaling a shift in the organization’s role.
Rahman, also the immediate past chair of IEEE’s Technology for a Sustainable Climate Matrix Organization, highlighted this evolution. “Over successive COPs, IEEE’s role has evolved from contributing individual technical sessions to being recognized as a trusted partner in climate action,” he noted in a summary of COP30. “There is [a] growing demand for engineering insight, not just to discuss technologies but [also] to help design pathways for deployment, capacity-building, and long-term resilience.” Joining Rahman at COP30 were IEEE Fellow Claudio Canizares and IEEE Member Filipe Emídio Tôrres.
Canizares, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and executive director of the university’s sustainable energy institute, brought academic expertise to the discussions. Tôrres, chairing the IEEE Centro-Norte Brasil Section, represented both IEEE and the IEEE Young Professionals group, emphasizing the importance of engaging the next generation of engineers in climate solutions. Tôrres, a former professor and entrepreneur currently pursuing a Ph.D. In biomedical engineering at the University of Brasilia, authored a detailed report on the COP30 experience, reaffirming his belief in the power of engineering and technology, combined with cultural sensitivity, to shape a sustainable future.
IEEE’s contributions at COP30 extended beyond general participation. Rahman presented a video from a visit to Shennongjia, China, showcasing a clean energy project designed to protect endangered snub-nosed monkeys. This project exemplifies the integration of renewable energy with biodiversity conservation, demonstrating a practical application of technology for environmental protection. He also chaired a session at the Sustainable Development Goal Pavilion focused on balancing decarbonization efforts between industrialized and emerging economies.
Further collaboration occurred through a joint panel discussion hosted by IEEE and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, addressing engineering strategies for climate resilience, including energy transition and biodiversity. The IEEE delegation also participated in sessions hosted by the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) on clean-tech solutions for a sustainable climate, covering topics like fossil fuel-free electricity for remote areas and affordable solutions for off-grid communities. They also engaged with Indigenous leaders at the COP Village, discussing potential partnerships and acknowledging the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous lands, particularly in the Amazon region.
Following COP30, IEEE co-hosted the International Symposium on Achieving a Sustainable Climate (ISASC) on and in Geneva, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union. The symposium, with over 100 attendees including UN agency representatives, diplomats, and industry experts, focused on the delivery and deployment of clean energy technologies.
Key takeaways from ISASC highlighted that while the necessary technologies for a renewable energy transition largely exist, significant challenges remain in scaling their impact. These include the need to modernize power grids, address interconnection delays, streamline permitting processes, and overcome a shortage of skilled workers. The symposium also emphasized the importance of region-specific energy transition pathways, considering local resources and development priorities. The role of information and communication technologies (ICT) was recognized as central to climate mitigation, while acknowledging the growing environmental impact of data centers supporting AI applications.
ISASC also underscored the critical role of technical standards in accelerating the adoption and interoperability of green technologies, and the need for greater coordination among standards development organizations. IEEE presented a prototype technology assessment tool during ISASC, a web-based platform designed to help policymakers and investors compare sustainable climate technologies against climate goals. The tool integrates publicly available data to facilitate informed decision-making.
The ISASC report concluded that IEEE’s strength lies in connecting engineering expertise with real-world deployment challenges, translating global climate goals into measurable actions. The organization’s evolving role, as highlighted by Rahman, is to become a recognized provider of solutions, collaborating closely with the United Nations and other international bodies to facilitate the global transition to a sustainable future. Summaries of COP30 and ISASC are available on the IEEE Technology for a Sustainable Climate website.
