Washington D.C., April 2023: The World Bank Group and World Data Lab (WDL) are pleased to announce the upcoming event, “The World Emissions Clock: Fighting climate change with data,” which will take place on April 11, 2023, from 15:30-16:30 ET. The event will be held during the World Bank Group Annual Spring Meetings, in Washington, D.C, at the World Bank MC Building, Room MC C2-350.
The event will be hosted by Dr. Indermit Gill (Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank Group). The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Wolfgang Fengler (Co-Founder & incoming CEO of World Data Lab). The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Andrew Steer (President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund) and will feature Vilas Dhar, President & Trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and senior representatives from the Governments of Germany and South Africa.
“At World Data Lab, we recognize the critical role of transparency and accurate data in addressing climate change. Initiatives like the WEC enable countries to gain a clearer picture of their greenhouse gas emissions profiles, supporting effective policymaking and reduction of emissions. We’re excited to discuss the WEC and its implications at the upcoming Spring Meetings, which provide an invaluable forum for advancing this important conversation.” Dr. Wolfgang Fengler, Incoming CEO at World Data Lab
About the WEC
The WEC provides trajectories of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions until 2050 for 180 countries, five sectors, and up to twenty-four sub-sectors. The WEC represents the most comprehensive, consistent, and granular dataset of its kind to date. Pathways include a business-as-usual scenario where technology and policy-making advance as they have in the past, a scenario where Nationally Determined Contributions of countries are assumed to be fully implemented, and a scenario consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius.
The World Emissions Clock also presents two concepts to make climate action more quantitative and actionable: First, there is an implementation gap of 2.6 Gigatons, reflecting the shortfall of actual emission reduction relative to annualized commitments made in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Second, there is an ambition gap of 5.3 Gigatons reflecting the shortfall of NDCs relative to the annualized reduction needed to stay on course for a 1.5-degree trajectory. These estimates are based on a novel statistical model developed by researchers at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and WDL and are aimed at creating realistic projections of GHG emissions under different assumptions concerning climate policy.
“We are delighted to partner with the World Bank at its prestigious spring meetings to showcase the power of data in dealing with the climate challenge. One of the key messages emerging is that clean growth is possible, demonstrating examples of countries leading the way for a low carbon prosperous future.” Dr. Reshma Sheoraj, Vice President of Strategic Engagements at World Data Lab
The World Emission Clock is available online here. In addition, find links to a video introducing the World Emissions Clock.
About World Data Lab
World Data Lab (WDL) has a mission to create public goods that bring clarity to - and heighten the visibility of - some of the most complex challenges of our time, including the development of datasets and tools that track United Nations SDGs in real-time. To date, this includes tracking poverty, hunger, water scarcity, gender, health, and internet access in close cooperation with leading global organizations and governments (UNICEF, OECD, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and many more). By combining new data sources with groundbreaking modeling methods, WDL assists the public, governments, and other organizations in making data-driven decisions to solve the world's biggest challenges. These tools are developed as part of our mission to democratize data and make it accessible and actionable for everyone. In short, making everyone count.
Event Date: April 11, 2023, Washington, DC
For media inquiries, please contact: Camille Zingg camille.zing@worlddata.io
Register your interest in attending the event.
For more information on World Data Lab, visit https://worlddata.io/.
