Tracking and Aggregating Nonstate and Subnational Climate Action Toward 2018

The Paris Climate Conference saw an unprecedented groundswell of climate action from cities, states, businesses, investors, and civil society organizations. These subnational and nonstate actors are critical to countries delivering their climate commitments, and can help narrow the gap between the current national commitments, and the additional actions needed to secure a safe global warming trajectory. Quantifying this groundswell of climate efforts is critical to understanding their scientific contribution to global climate goals, including the new 1.5° C target introduced in the Paris Agreement. Compatible data collection and reporting practices that make it possible to aggregate information across different data providers will help drive climate action forward at all levels.

Galvanizing the Groundswell of Climate Action (GGCA), with the support of the Stanley Center, Yale Data-Driven Environmental Solutions Group, and the collaboration of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will host an event providing an opportunity for a wide range of experts and organizations to discuss how climate action by subnational governments, companies, and other nonparty stakeholders can drive climate action forward—and how further analysis of the climate groundswell can supplement the 2018 IPCC Special Report on 1.5° C. The working session will provide an informal forum for data providers, analysts, and researchers to discuss opportunities to work together to harmonize and aggregate data on subnational and nonstate climate action. It will also serve to launch a working group focused on collaboratively developing a framework to harmonize data collection and analysis methods. Participants will discuss the working group’s overarching goals and plans for gathering scientific input, data, and policy practice to help build an effective evidence base to drive forward climate action, particularly around the 2018 facilitative dialogue, accompanying Climate Action Summit, and the 2018 IPCC Special Report on 1.5° C.