The Challenge
Impactful sustainability actions are needed now to
curb the worst consequences of climate change. To do the most good, sustainability solutions should have
global potential, but they also need to benefit local communities, especially marginalized communities
that are most often polluted or left out of policymaking. Technology is key, as open innovation can
address sustainability challenges effectively and at scale.
We’re calling on teams of developers and problem solvers to build tech solutions that leverage IBM AI
technologies to address specific global sustainability problems in clear and unique ways. By
participating in the Global Challenge, in addition to the chance to win prizes and implementation
support, you’ll gain skills in emerging tech like AI and machine learning and contribute to projects
that have potential to help our planet.
How can technology improve sustainable resource management, reduce pollution, and protect biodiversity
to create a greener future for all?
Your Global Challenge solution should address one of the diverse challenges of sustainability:
Improve the ability to measure, analyze, or take decisive action on
carbon emissions
Improve access to affordable and reliable clean energy
Improve supply chain transparency and traceability to bring fast
and accurate visibility to sustainability issues where they arise
Address issues of water scarcity and quality
Reduce volume of and demand for materials that create the biggest
waste footprint (plastics, electronics, food, textiles), and encourage reuse/recycle
opportunities
Build effective and efficient ways to quantifiably promote, preserve, and
protect biodiversity
Reduce global food insecurity through, as examples, improvements
to distribution or sustainable farming practices
Have questions about the Global Challenge? Check our frequently asked questions.