Unlocking Collective Brainpower: New Study Shows How It Powers Climate Action
How collective intelligence is revolutionizing climate action in a groundbreaking study by UNDP Accelerator Labs and Nesta. Explore insights from over 100 initiatives across 45 countries and learn how diverse perspectives are shaping the fight against climate change.
A new study by UNDP Accelerator Labs and Nesta is transforming climate action through collective intelligence. This approach leverages a wealth of perspectives and localized climate data to enhance global climate initiatives.
Titled “UNTAPPED: Collective Intelligence for Climate Action,” the report investigates over 100 climate projects across 45 countries. These projects, enriched by the collective efforts of communities from the Global South to the Maldives, demonstrate how pooling knowledge and resources can significantly impact regions most affected by climate change. However, the study also reveals that many climate strategies are not utilizing this valuable resource, which remains underutilized by policymakers.
The virtual launch of the report on Earth Day featured insights from prominent figures like UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, who emphasized the critical, yet underused, potential of collective intelligence in climate strategies. Other speakers, including Ms. Helge Elisabeth Zeitler from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, discussed how combining human insights with AI and technology, particularly through local climate data, can amplify marginalized voices and enhance global climate responses.
Ms. Fatima Al Ahbabi from the Qatar Fund for Development highlighted the 21st-century synergy of human intellect, data, and technology as a formidable tool against climate challenges, especially in vulnerable areas like the Global South. Meanwhile, Kathy Peach from Nesta’s Centre for Collective Intelligence Design called for comprehensive engagement in climate issues, asserting that involving diverse groups could accelerate and intensify the fight against climate change.
As the next round of climate commitments (NDCs) approaches in 2025, the report encourages the integration of public involvement and expert knowledge into climate initiatives. Gina Lucarelli from UNDP Accelerator Labs underlined the organization’s dedication to embracing various perspectives to foster robust climate action and invited new collaborations to further their mission of sustainable development innovation.
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