Topic: 2025 – Artificial Intelligence and Resource Consumption
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Siddhant Sinha
United Nations Environment Programme
Artificial Intelligence & Resource Consumption
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Siddhant Sinha
Forest Hills Eastern
Welcome honorable chair and esteemed delegates, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is here to discuss the use of artificial intelligence and resource consumption. The United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) is debating Artificial Intelligence and resource consumption because AI systems-especially large-scale models, data centers, and high-performance computers are accelerating global energy demand, water usage, material extraction, and e-waste production. As AI adoption surges, global data centres already consume over 1.5% of global electricity, and it is projected that AI-related demand could double or even triple by 2030, straining national grids, increasing greenhouse-gas emissions in regions reliant on fossil fuels, and intensifying water stress in communities. This matter is considered critically important because the environmental impact of AI spans its full lifecycle-from mining of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth metals, to the continuous operation of inference needed for wide public and commercial use. Meanwhile AI holds powerful potential to support sustainability through enhancements in environmental monitoring, renewable-energy management, pollution detection, and precision agriculture; hence, the United Nations Environment Programme makes an effort to ensure that AI’s many benefits are maximized while its environmental costs are minimized. We do not view this duality any less important than that the nation recognizes AI as a vital enabler of digital transformation,but underscores that it needs to be developed responsibly with energy efficiency and in an environmentally friendly way. Nigeria has already taken steps through its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, National Digital Economy Policy (2020–2030), and NITDA’s AI Transformation Roadmap, all of which put importance on governance, innovation, and capacity building. Having said that, traditionally, Nigeria has taken initiatives to integrate AI into areas like agriculture, education, health, and environmental management, including national programs for increased digital literacy and the encouragement of domestic research. Going forward, Nigeria will seek to embed environmental impact assessments directly into AI governance frameworks; encourage the creation and use of leaner, smaller-scale, locally adapted models; invest in renewable-energy-powered data centres; and expand cooperation with ECOWAS(Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union on shared regional standards for sustainable AI deployment. At the international level, Nigeria calls upon the UNEP to adopt global guidelines for lifecycle assessments, establish a clear framework for reporting on AI-related electricity, water, and material consumption, and put in place a technical assistance and finance mechanism that would support developing countries in building green digital infrastructure. Nigeria firmly believes that AI must be an environmental protector and not an emerging pollutant; further, global cooperation, equity, and investment in sustainable technology provide the framework for ensuring that AI development is beneficial and environmentally sustainable to all Member States of the Union.
