CIFAL York debuts hub to explore AI solutions for climate change
Source: https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2026/03/11/cifal-york-debuts-hub-to-explore-ai-solutions-for-climate-change/ Parent: https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/about-us/news/
Posted on March 11, 2026
ByAlex HulsMarch 11, 2026
SDG Month feature
CIFAL York is expanding its work in climate innovation with a new focus on how AI can support real‑world solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges.
Since its establishment in 2020, CIFAL York, part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) global network, has been at the forefront of climate change, disaster management and sustainable development. It offers innovative approaches to climate challenges, including training on emergency management, workshops on disaster risk reduction and programs that help local leaders prepare for both climate and health crises.
With the rapid evolution of emerging technologies showing great potential to support efforts in climate solutions, the centre is now expanding its mandate. “We want CIFAL York to be a leader in exploring the intersection of AI and climate change,” says Ali Asgary, CIFAL director and professor of disaster and emergency management in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Its first step toward that work is the launch of the Climate AI Innovation Hub, an initiative designed to explore how AI can support creative approaches to addressing climate challenges. Its goal, says Asgary, is to create a network for knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration that can achieve real-world impact.
The hub’s first initiative – a monthly speaker series running until November – sprang from the idea of leading conversations that explore what is possible with AI.
“These computational powers can help us understand and analyze changes in climate. Maybe they can even prevent them by allowing for proactive – more than reactive – approaches,” says Maleknaz Nayebi, associate director of CIFAL and assistant professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering. “It’s not that there is one answer that can be given. For us, it’s about raising those questions. That’s how we came up with the speaker series.”
The series will showcase, for example, how AI, IoT (the Internet of Things) and satellite technologies are being used to tackle pressing environmental risks – from predicting and managing wildfires to designing low-waste, circular buildings. It will introduce participants to the broader climate innovation ecosystem and highlight the role of innovators and entrepreneurs creating scalable solutions for sustainability, resilience, circular economies and low-carbon transitions.
The series will raise awareness about climate entrepreneurship, explore sector opportunities and obstacles, and empower students, early-career professionals, founders, researchers and community innovators to take an active role in environmental research leadership.
“Our goal is to help people understand how these technologies are being developed and used, and to encourage the sharing of innovations,” Asgary explains. “We hope to inspire the next generation of climate innovators and show potential users – particularly government agencies – what tools and solutions are available to them.”
The speaker events are the hub's first step in engaging the community, and Asgary says past CIFAL series have served as a foundation for building networks of researchers and practitioners through live group discussions. Recorded content available on YouTube also becomes a knowledge repository that draws in new audiences.
“Many of our research projects in recent years have been fed by our speaker series,” says Asgary. Other outcomes have included white papers, book chapters, courses, certificate programs, short courses, community events and more.
Feedback from the first session in February suggests the new series is cultivating projects informed by the insights and networks it generates, highlighting the promise of what CIFAL aims to achieve.
“The hub is about creating connections, sparking new ideas and ultimately applying AI responsibly to make a tangible difference,” says Asgary. “At the end of the day, the goal is to contribute to solving climate change.”
Editor's Picks Features Research & Innovation
Tags:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Faculty Innovation LAPS Research SDGs Sustainability