ClimActor 2.0: A spatialized database of subnational climate pledges and emissions data

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climate Science
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Subnational governments are key actors in global climate change mitigation.
• A lack of standardized, accessible data hinders analysis of subnational climate actions.
• Existing climate initiatives and reporting platforms are fragmented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a comprehensive, open, and spatialized database of subnational climate actions worldwide.
• To provide standardized data for linking climate policies with geospatial information.
• To facilitate research on subnational climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Compiled data from 14 major climate disclosure platforms and reporting initiatives.
• Integrated national-level datasets for broader coverage.
• Standardized administrative boundaries and created unique identifiers for over 15,000 subnational entities.
• Developed harmonized datasets on emissions, climate targets, and climate plans.

Main Results:

• ClimActor 2.0 includes over 15,000 subnational entities engaged in climate initiatives.
• More than 10,000 entities have adopted climate mitigation targets or plans.
• The database offers harmonized spatial boundaries, emissions data, targets, and plans.
• An accompanying R package provides tools for data analysis and integration.

Conclusions:

• ClimActor 2.0 provides a unique, comprehensive resource for analyzing subnational climate action.
• The database enables standardized geospatial analysis of climate policies and emissions.
• Facilitates research on climate governance and the effectiveness of subnational climate initiatives.