#### A Joint Publication This publication titled ***AI for Energy, Water, and Waste Management: Unlocking Opportunities, Navigating Challenges, and Learning from Experience*** is co-produced by by the Veolia Institute and Microsoft. This joint report provides a robust overview of the power of AI for managing energy, water and waste – referred to here collectively as environmental services. It seeks to characterize, and when possible, quantify, the benefits and costs of AI for this purpose. It is an interdisciplinary review that brings together and shares the experiences and expertise of different stakeholders including researchers, leaders, and policymakers in academia, private sector and civil society to explore state of the art, best practices from the field and expert analysis so as to have a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and blind spots on this topic as well as several documented case studies. ### Read: - [Foreword by **Estelle Brachlianoff**](https://www.institut.veolia.org/en/media/24411)**,** CEO of Veolia ; and **Brad Smith**, Vice Chair & President of Microsoft - [​Introduction](https://www.institut.veolia.org/en/media/24416) de **Melanie Nakagawa**, Chief Sustainability Officer of Microsoft ; and **Dinah Louda**, President of the Veolia Institute ![Cover of the review "AI for Energy, Water, and Waste Management"](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/media/public/image/2026/02/IA%20Energy%20Eau%20D%C3%A9chets%20EN%20COUV.jpg.webp?itok=Bnhq5Fq7) [PDF AI for Energy, Water, and Waste Management (4.93 MB) ](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2026/04/AI%20for%20Energy%2C%20Water%2C%20and%20Waste%20Management%2026%2003%2026.pdf) ## I. Invest in AI to accelerate sustainability solutions As the world grapples with escalating environmental crises, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into sustainability efforts is becoming increasingly essential. This first section highlights how AI is being used and explores its transformative potential across various sectors, including wastewater management, decarbonizing the energy sector, and materials discovery while reinforcing the importance of responsible implementation and scaling to ensure that these technologies deliver lasting positive impact. [ ![Deux hommes casqués échangent devant un écran ](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/579_ADupeyron.jpg.webp?itok=-IFazB6Z) ](/en/how-can-ai-address-energy-efficiency-objectives-industry "How can AI Address the Energy Efficiency Objectives in the Industry?") Invest in AI [How can AI Address the Energy Efficiency Objectives in the Industry?](/en/how-can-ai-address-energy-efficiency-objectives-industry "How can AI Address the Energy Efficiency Objectives in the Industry?") Mathias Abitbol, Collège de France Philippe Aghion, Collège de France, INSEAD and the London School of Economics Céline Antonin, OFCE Lint Barrage, ETH Zurich [Read more](/en/how-can-ai-address-energy-efficiency-objectives-industry "Read more") [ ![L'écosystème intelligent](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/Copie%20de%20GettyImages-551986071.jpg.webp?itok=XFCGuqFO) ](/en/how-we-are-architecting-future-environmental-services-ai "How we are Architecting the Future of Environmental Services With AI") Invest in AI [How we are Architecting the Future of Environmental Services With AI](/en/how-we-are-architecting-future-environmental-services-ai "How we are Architecting the Future of Environmental Services With AI") Stuart Stock, Veolia [Read more](/en/how-we-are-architecting-future-environmental-services-ai "Read more") [ ![Tirer parti de l'IA pour décarboner le secteur de l'énergie](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/img_6627.jpg.webp?itok=i0SvZGUI) ](/en/leveraging-ai-decarbonization-energy-sector "Leveraging AI for Decarbonization in the Energy Sector") Invest in AI [Leveraging AI for Decarbonization in the Energy Sector](/en/leveraging-ai-decarbonization-energy-sector "Leveraging AI for Decarbonization in the Energy Sector") Nilushi Kumarasinghe, Future Earth Canada Ursula Eicker, Concordia University Shahin Masoumi-Verki, Concordia University Kathryn Kaspar, Concordia University Suchit Ahuja, Concordia University Damon Matthews, Concordia University [Read more](/en/leveraging-ai-decarbonization-energy-sector "Read more") [ ![L’IA au service de la gestion énergétique des bâtiments](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/DAGUET_0266.jpg.webp?itok=tFMCAJo2) ](/en/ai-building-energy-management "AI for Building Energy Management") Invest in AI [AI for Building Energy Management](/en/ai-building-energy-management "AI for Building Energy Management") Nofri Yenita Dahlan, Universiti Teknologi MARA Nurul Aqilah Mahmud, Universiti Teknologi MARA [Read more](/en/ai-building-energy-management "Read more") [ ![Les matériaux : un fondement essentiel de la transition vers la durabilité](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/Solar%20panels%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=uDqz9u0F) ](/en/materials-are-mission-critical-sustainability-transition "Materials are Mission Critical to the Sustainability Transition") Invest in AI [Materials are Mission Critical to the Sustainability Transition](/en/materials-are-mission-critical-sustainability-transition "Materials are Mission Critical to the Sustainability Transition") Bichlien H Nguyen, PhD, Microsoft Research [Read more](/en/materials-are-mission-critical-sustainability-transition "Read more") ## II. Develop digital and data infrastructure for the inclusive use of AI for sustainability The full potential of AI can only be realized when supported by robust data ecosystems and effective digital infrastructures. The second section of this report explores critical components for successfully deploying AI in environmental contexts: data access, quality, infrastructure, governance, and ethics. All these elements are essential for harnessing AI’s capabilities in sectors such as energy, water and waste management, where precision, efficiency, and scalability are crucial. [ ![Les bases de données géospatiales accessibles, consultables et indexées facilitent les tâches essentielles de gestion environnementale.](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/iStock-1160547052.jpg.webp?itok=pV0yWowo) ](/en/data-considerations-ai-applications-environmental-context "Data Considerations for AI Applications in Environmental Context") Data & Infrastructure [Data Considerations for AI Applications in Environmental Context](/en/data-considerations-ai-applications-environmental-context "Data Considerations for AI Applications in Environmental Context") Hamed Alemohammad, Clark University [Read more](/en/data-considerations-ai-applications-environmental-context "Read more") [ ![Infrastructure de données Comment développer les services environnementaux basés sur l’intelligence artificielle](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/08_BUILDING_ENERGY_EFFIC_05_smart%20city_HD-3840x2160.jpg.webp?itok=UzvqVlyA) ](/en/enabling-ai-environmental-services "Data Infrastructure: Enabling AI Environmental Services") Data & Infrastructure [Data Infrastructure: Enabling AI Environmental Services](/en/enabling-ai-environmental-services "Data Infrastructure: Enabling AI Environmental Services") David Bamidele Olawade (MPH, FRSPH, SFHEA) [Read more](/en/enabling-ai-environmental-services "Read more") ## III. Minimize resource use expand access to carbon-free electricity, and support local communities This section focuses on two crucial dimensions of AI’s environmental footprint: energy use and water consumption. There has been much public attention over the last few years on AI’s energy use. More recently, concerns have been raised about data center water use. Understanding these impacts is essential for designing AI systems that align with sustainability goals and for mitigating the environmental consequences of their rapid growth. [ ![Réduire l'usage des ressources, élargir l'accès à l'énergie décarbonée et soutenir les communautés locales](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/CHILI-2-2108.jpg.webp?itok=Xec38XXn) ](/en/understanding-ai-energy-use "Understanding AI Energy Use") Resource Use [Understanding AI Energy Use](/en/understanding-ai-energy-use "Understanding AI Energy Use") Jonathan Koomey, Koomey Analytics Eric Masanet, University of California, Santa Barbara [Read more](/en/understanding-ai-energy-use "Read more") [ ![Tour de refroidissement](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/001_L1000386%20copie_0.jpg.webp?itok=VIPVK3Fu) ](/en/ai-and-water-toward-sustainable-digital-future "AI and Water: Toward a Sustainable Digital Future") Resource Use [AI and Water: Toward a Sustainable Digital Future](/en/ai-and-water-toward-sustainable-digital-future "AI and Water: Toward a Sustainable Digital Future") Ana Pinheiro Privette, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign [Read more](/en/ai-and-water-toward-sustainable-digital-future "Read more") ## IV. Advance AI Policy principles and governance for sustainability This section explores the evolving role of governance in leveraging AI for climate change mitigation and adaptation through two crucial focus areas: governing AI deployment to enhance planetary stability and governing data to ensure it is standardized, comprehensive, and interoperable. Together, these topics shed light on how the responsible development and use of AI can contribute to a more sustainable future. [ ![Les systèmes d’IA devraient favoriser la cohésion sociale, la confiance et une plus grande fiabilité des résultats.](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/MSC24-ASEAN-lifestyle-Getty-1150936208-rgb.png.webp?itok=p5e_asPJ) ](/en/governing-twin-transition-planet-compatible-future "Governing the Twin Transition for a Planet-Compatible Future") Policy & Governance [Governing the Twin Transition for a Planet-Compatible Future](/en/governing-twin-transition-planet-compatible-future "Governing the Twin Transition for a Planet-Compatible Future") Francesca Larosa, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm) [Read more](/en/governing-twin-transition-planet-compatible-future "Read more") [ ![Gouvernance des données pour l’intelligence artificielle dans la lutte contre le changement climatique](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/CLO22_SecOps_017.jpg.webp?itok=h0yfDh5M) ](/en/data-governance-artificial-intelligence-addressing-climate-change "Data Governance for Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Climate Change") Policy & Governance [Data Governance for Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Climate Change](/en/data-governance-artificial-intelligence-addressing-climate-change "Data Governance for Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Climate Change") Masaru Yarime, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology [Read more](/en/data-governance-artificial-intelligence-addressing-climate-change "Read more") ## V. Build workforce capacity to use AI for sustainability This section examines workforce dynamics and the skills needed to unlock the transformative potential of AI for a sustainable transition. The articles highlight the significant role of AI in reshaping workforce and collaboration but also in driving the twin transitions toward sustainability and digital transformation. [ ![Des personnes, assises, parlent](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/MSC24-Canada-business-Shutter-1896357688-rgb.jpg.webp?itok=wEftxFAv) ](/en/sustainability-and-ai-workforce-signals-twin-transition "Sustainability and AI: Workforce Signals from the Twin Transition") Workforce Capacity [Sustainability and AI: Workforce Signals from the Twin Transition](/en/sustainability-and-ai-workforce-signals-twin-transition "Sustainability and AI: Workforce Signals from the Twin Transition") Rosie Hood, LinkedIn [Read more](/en/sustainability-and-ai-workforce-signals-twin-transition "Read more") [ ![Femme africaine devant un ordinateur portable](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/MSC21_PICHA_office_17353-BD.jpg.webp?h=677baeb9&itok=wY11y0XH) ](/en/rethinking-skills-ai-and-future-work-africa "Rethinking Skills, AI and the Future of Work in Africa") Workforce Capacity [Rethinking Skills, AI and the Future of Work in Africa](/en/rethinking-skills-ai-and-future-work-africa "Rethinking Skills, AI and the Future of Work in Africa") Nanjira Sambuli, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace [Read more](/en/rethinking-skills-ai-and-future-work-africa "Read more") [ ![Future Générations, Veolia](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2026/02/FUTURE_GENERATIONS_0317.jpg.webp?itok=IoTaCxgC) ](/en/training-artificial-intelligence-veolia "Training in Artificial Intelligence at Veolia: Challenges and Strategy") Workforce Capacity [Training in Artificial Intelligence at Veolia: Challenges and Strategy](/en/training-artificial-intelligence-veolia "Training in Artificial Intelligence at Veolia: Challenges and Strategy") Anne Du Crest, Veolia Mélanie Macé, Veolia Morgane Vidal, Renault, former Veolia [Read more](/en/training-artificial-intelligence-veolia "Read more")