Data sharing and data governance is vital for climate action, providing diverse stakeholders with the information needed to make informed decisions and effectively coordinate their efforts. The present Report is based on the workshop ‘Data Governance for Climate Action in Brazil’ a part of the international research project headed by the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition entitled ‘Data Governance in Emerging Economies to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’. At the São Paulo workshop, participants emphasized the utility of shared data in understanding climate trends, assessing environmental impacts, and planning sustainable strategies. However, the workshop also produced another fundamental insight: while data sharing enhances collaborative efforts, its full potential can only be realized when underpinned by robust data governance. Without proper governance, shared data can lead to issues such as misinterpretation, misuse, and even conflicts over data ownership and control, which could undermine efforts to effectively tackle climate challenges. For Brazil, a strong commitment to data governance will be instrumental in addressing climate change and fostering sustainable development, not only through public policy but also through partnerships among the private sector, civil society, and governmental institutions. More generally, the project’s findings underscore the critical role of data in achieving the SDGs in emerging economies.
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