We’re excited to announce that our climate action module is now open for public review, until 2 April 2021. This module explores climate action data as a critical tool for supporting climate actors and decision-makers at national and subnational levels—and through them, the expansion and ambition of mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The module takes up two key questions: First, how many countries have practices in place to make data related to climate action available at national and subnational levels? And second, how are climate and biodiversity data being used locally for mitigation and adaptation efforts? We investigate these questions through the domestic availability of emissions data, national lists of endangered species, and climate vulnerability data. To understand the potential impact of such data—and to surface examples for others to learn from—we also ask about how it is already being used and about capabilities for working with such data.
As the UN’s 2030 Agenda makes clear, addressing the climate crisis is a globally agreed public good. Climate change, and the actions that governments and publics can take to mitigate and adapt to climate change, are matters of vital importance around the world. Mindfulness of the climate crisis and the need for collaborative climate action underlies all of the sustainable development goals. Goal 13: Climate Action specifically calls for countries to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.1 focuses on adaptation and resilience; target 13.3 on improving awareness and capacities for mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warnings. The need to take action to protect biodiversity—biodiversity and climate are increasingly recognized as inseparable and approached together—is articulated in the Aichi 2020 Biodiversity Targets (with targets 10 and 15 specifically related to effects of climate change), as well as the Sendai Framework 28(b), SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land.
As you’ll see, the review document includes several components: First, an overview that explains how the climate action module fits into the overall Global Data Barometer. Second, a list of prospective indicators, their sub-questions, and drafts of the research handbook pages associated with each indicator; these chart the scope of our proposed data collection and measurement for the module and lay out the guidance we’ve developed for answering the indicators. Third and finally, a short literature and data review that guided the indicator selection and design.
We welcome your comments on any aspect. We’re also particularly keen for feedback in some specific areas:
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- Is there something about an indicator or sub-question that doesn’t fit well with your country’s practices? (Please also tell us which country.)
- Can you identify specific ways the data this module generates can be useful in your country or region?
- Can you identify specific harms that generating this data might prompt in your country or region that we should be aware of?
- Are there studies or standards that we should be referencing that aren’t included yet?
Have we made an error, or do you see that something critical is missing?
When commenting, we ask that you write from a position of mutual respect and generosity of spirit. If necessary, we will moderate comments.
Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash