A new publication reveals how official statistics can play a pivotal role in supporting climate action, helping countries meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement. The guide outlines how National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation efforts, and ensuring a just transition while providing essential data to inform the public and measure financial flows related to climate policies.
The report emphasizes that NSOs have a critical part to play in shaping climate action by providing robust data that addresses current gaps and anticipates future needs. It explains how statistical systems can align their work with the policy context to better serve governments, international organizations, and the wider public.
One of the central themes of the publication is the need for NSOs to understand the policy landscape and the demands of key stakeholders, ensuring their contributions are relevant and impactful. By improving their communication strategies, NSOs can demonstrate the practical applications of their data for decision-making in climate action.
The guide also showcases what statistical offices are already offering in terms of climate-related data and highlights areas where improvements could enhance their role in driving effective climate policies. Recommendations include addressing gaps in data collection, ensuring transparency in tracking climate-related costs and transfers, and fostering collaborations with other data producers.
While primarily aimed at statistical office staff, from domain experts to senior managers, the guide also provides valuable insights for data users and other producers of climate-related information. It aims to inspire a coordinated effort to make statistical systems more responsive to the growing demands of climate action.
By aligning statistical data with global climate goals, the publication envisions a future where accurate and accessible information empowers policymakers and communities to tackle the challenges of climate change effectively.