FROM PLEDGES TO PLACES - Using spatial data to integrate nature and climate action

Ahead of COP30 Brazil, we call for Action Agendas that are grounded in place.

Global climate and biodiversity goals remain disconnected when we don’t know where actions happen — or who benefits and bears the costs. In our new paper, published in Nature Portfolio Journal Climate Action, we argue that spatial data must become core infrastructure for credible, just, and effective climate–biodiversity action.

📍 Spatial data enables:

• Real monitoring of outcomes beyond pledges

• Learning across regions and contexts

• More just and participatory implementation

• Collaboration across disciplines and communities

🌐 We urgently call on the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD Action Agendas to:

1. Require spatial data in non-Party reporting

2. Enable integration and joint monitoring

3. Provide incentives, capacity building, and ethical guidelines for spatial data collection and sharing

🔗 Read the paper: https://rdcu.be/eNNe5

🧭 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00307-5

#ClimateAction #Biodiversity #SpatialData #COP30 #NaturePositive #Research #GlobalGoals

Co-authors: Paul Hagenström, Nathalie Pettorelli, Idil Boran, Peter Bridgewater, Hollie Folkard-Tapp, Angel Hsu, Marcel Kok, Stacy VanDeveer, Oscar Widerberg

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Leuphana University of Lüneburg, UCL, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, The Australian National University, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CATIE Oficial, PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving, UMass Boston, IVM Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Nijmegen School of Management / Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen, Radboud University

Climate High-Level Champions, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UN Climate Change, UN Biodiversity

BioCAM4, ACHIEVE, Nijmegen School of Management / Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen Earth System Governance Project