Over the five-year initiative, IBM will offer technology, skills training via IBM SkillsBuild, and capabilities in research that are required for helping in identifying climate solutions

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The New York Climate Exchange will be located on Governors Island. (Credit: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)

IBM alongside Stony Brook University has been selected by New York City to anchor a new $700m climate solutions centre called “The New York Climate Exchange”.

The climate solutions centre will be located on Governors Island in the city’s harbour.

According to IBM, the New York Climate Exchange will bring together a wide group of partners. It will be the first international hub for developing and implementing innovative solutions to the global climate crisis.

The climate solutions centre will also function as a hub that allows New Yorkers to take advantage of the rapid growth of the green economy through the creation of an eco-friendly laboratory of 400,000². The centre will also house a research and technological accelerator.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said: “This first-of-its-kind project will make New York City a global leader in developing solutions for climate change while creating thousands of good-paying green jobs for New Yorkers and infusing $1 billion into our city’s economy.

“Where some people see challenges, New Yorkers see opportunities, and this team and this project are leading the charge.”

Stony Brook University will be the anchor institution for the development of the climate solutions centre. The design of the new hub is provided by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The living laboratory will have research labs, space for classrooms, exhibits, mitigation technologies, greenhouses, and accommodation facilities.

The New York Climate Exchange will aim to encourage the development of partnerships and community involvement. This includes 6,000 green job trainees per year, opportunities for grants, academic programmes, and the creation of the Citizens’ Advisory Council.

Over the five-year initiative, IBM will offer technology, skills training via IBM SkillsBuild, and capabilities in research that are required for helping in identifying climate solutions that place justice and equity at the centre.

IBM Sustainability Accelerator, a social impact programme that uses IBM technologies to improve and scale projects centred on populations vulnerable to environmental threats, will be part of the New York Climate Exchange’s research programme.

IBM stated: “As our global community continues to respond to climate change this initiative tackles the need for cross-sector collaboration and deep science to support our collective efforts.

“This is also aligned with IBM’s commitment to provide our technology – including AI and hybrid cloud– to researchers, governments, institutions and other partners, to help rapidly advance climate research and create viable solutions to climate change.”

The New York Climate Exchange is supported by a $150m commitment coming from New York philanthropies Simons Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies Pledge.