Research cluster 01
Sustainable Finance & Climate Justice
Exploring how artificial intelligence intersects with finance, climate action and questions of justice, with a focus on the opportunities, risks and wider societal implications of technological change.
ABOUT THE CLUSTER
Rethinking Finance and Climate Action in an Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial systems, investment decisions and approaches to climate action. At the same time, these developments raise important questions about who benefits from technological change, how risks are distributed, and how innovation can contribute to more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
This cluster explores the intersections between AI, sustainable finance and climate justice. It considers how emerging technologies can support better decision-making and new approaches to financing sustainable development, while critically examining their social, economic and environmental implications.
Bringing together perspectives from research, policy and practice, the cluster seeks to contribute to approaches that align technological innovation with sustainability, resilience and justice.
Areas Of Focus
Exploring the Intersection of AI, Finance and Climate Justice
The cluster examines how artificial intelligence is influencing financial systems and climate action, while considering the broader questions of equity, accountability and sustainability that accompany technological change.
01
AI & Sustainable Finance
Exploring how AI and data-driven approaches are changing financial analysis, investment and decision-making, and how these technologies could support the transition towards more sustainable economies.
02
Climate Finance & Resilience
Examining the role of emerging technologies in mobilising, allocating and evaluating finance for climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
03
Equity & Climate Justice
Investigating how the benefits, risks and costs associated with AI-enabled climate and financial systems are distributed across countries, communities and social groups.
04
Governance & Accountability
Considering the governance, transparency and accountability needed to ensure that AI applications in finance and climate action contribute to sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Cluster Leadership
Cluster Lead
The Cluster Lead guides the cluster’s research priorities and helps coordinate its research, collaboration and engagement activities.
Prof. Ulrich Volz
Climate Finance Cluster Lead
Ulrich is Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS.
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Other Research Clusters
CLUSTER 02
Climate Resilience, Adaptation & Development
Examining how AI can support equitable adaptation and resilience across areas such as agriculture, urban development, early warning, food and energy security, while addressing data sovereignty and the environmental impacts of AI infrastructure.
Explore cluster →CLUSTER 03
Ethical Governance & Geopolitical Justice
Investigating public-sector transformation, accountability, power and ethics in AI, alongside geopolitical dynamics, data justice and the impacts of AI on marginalised groups.
Explore cluster →CLUSTER 04
Culture, Health & Wellbeing
Exploring generative AI in creative and heritage contexts, cultural preservation and repatriation, public engagement and approaches to AI that recognise plural perspectives and justice.
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Work with the UNU Hub
The Hub welcomes collaboration across research, policy development, capacity building, knowledge exchange and the co-design and testing of AI-enabled innovations.
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