THE ART OF LEVERAGING DATA TO COMMUNICATE CLIMATE CHANGE

At COP29 in Baku, I had the opportunity to moderate two insightful side events: the West Africa Climate Café, organised by WASCAL in partnership with AGRHYMET and the Centre Climatique Régional pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest et le Sahel (CCR-AOS), and the official launch of the report on West African Governments' progress on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The report presents an in-depth analysis of climate ambitions in the region, providing valuable insights for state and non-state actors. As someone deeply involved in climate communication, I find this kind of data-driven reporting crucial. Why? Because effective climate action begins with information, clear, accessible, and compelling enough to drive decision-making at all levels.

One key takeaway from the report is that West African nations are stepping up their climate commitments. Every country in the region has either strengthened existing targets or introduced new ones, demonstrating a growing dedication to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The numbers tell a compelling story, like 28% of adaptation efforts and 31.5% of mitigation actions are being funded through unconditional commitments. This is a significant stride towards a climate-resilient future. However, the challenge remains: 70% of the region’s climate efforts still rely on conditional commitments, meaning progress is contingent on international support. This highlights the urgent need for stronger global partnerships and financing mechanisms.

As a communicator, I have always been passionate about translating complex climate data into stories that resonate with policymakers, businesses, and communities. This is why I enjoy working closely with technical experts: climate scientists, policy analysts, and data specialists. Their expertise allows me to extract the most critical insights and present them in a way that speaks to all stakeholders, from high-level policymakers to grassroots communities.

Think about it! When climate data is locked away in technical reports, its impact is limited. But when that same data is simplified into engaging visuals, compelling narratives, and strategic messages, it has the power to influence policies, shape funding decisions, and drive grassroots action. This is why communication must be at the heart of climate action.

During the side events, I was encouraged by the enthusiasm in the room. Participants from government officials to civil society representatives,

engaged in dynamic discussions on how to leverage data for stronger climate commitments. The iGST West African Hub, led by WASCAL and supported by the Climate Works Foundation, plays a critical role in ensuring that civil society organisations across the region have access to the data they need to hold governments accountable and push for stronger climate policies.

Conversation on climate action cannot be limited to technical circles alone. We must bridge the gap between science and society, ensuring that everyone, from local communities to global decision-makers, understands their role in the fight against climate change. As we push forward, I remain committed to working at the intersection of climate science, policy, and communication to amplify the voices that matter and drive real impact.

Let’s keep the conversation going. How do you think we can make climate data more accessible to the public?

 

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