My project has begun with a structured review of the literature, covering both policy documents and peer-reviewed research, to identify the different environmental impacts of AI and map how they are currently measured and governed. It has shown a clear gap. Universities are adopting AI quickly, but the current sustainability reporting has no established way of capturing it.
I'm building a framework that lets universities account for AI within their existing Scope 3 reporting, whatever data they have. It starts from procurement spend where nothing else is available, and moves to vendor-reported figures and usage-based estimates as better data becomes accessible. The project also includes a calculator that applies the framework to the AI tools a university uses, covering both institutional tools and students' personal AI use.
The main SDG this project targets is SDG 13, to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Because the way AI is consumed shapes its climate impact, it also relates to SDG 12, to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.