The Decade of Action: the Decade for Trusted Data

I have been trying to write this blog since January. But it seems that everyone is feeling the pressure of this ‘decade pf action’ and have been memorialising this increased feeling of urgency by issuing broad and grand statements. This decade, 2020 to 2030, a vast array of participants, from academics and scientists, to politicians to billionaires to activists – this decade is the one where climate change must be effectively addressed, clearly measured and viable and appropriate solutions are put in place to protect the planet and future generations.

The UN has coined this decade, 2020 to 2030, as the “Decade of Action.” UN agencies have picked up the gauntlet and are on form; the UN Global Compact releasing an impressive initiative constructed to aid industries and companies in developing effective programs to deliver the SDGs. As well as, other hugely influential UN agencies who have issued statements, published reports and hosted round-tables all with the goal of getting the most out of the decade, to deliver the SDGs by 2030.

Businesses have not been standing still, Davos, where all eyes were cast, concrete efforts of businesses, industries and governments to achieve the UN SDGs were massaged and formulated. Clear activities coming out of Davos have funnelled some pro-active programmes and initiatives in the aid to deliver the SDGs. Lately, Standard Charter bank made a potentially world changing promise of $75 billion (with a ‘B’) to SDG projects. In addition, Stanley Fink, who has nailed his colours to the mast is ‘getting serious’ on climate change. Another high level pronouncement has come from Jeff Bezos, who is personally offering $10 billion (yes, another ‘B’) out of his deep pockets to fund climate change, via his Earth Fund.

Laudable? Yes, very! But wait, there is more.

We are nearly two months and 5 years into delivering of the SDGs…. Let’s take stock, how are we doing? Fires in Australia? Drought in the horn of Africa? Antarctica temperatures rising. Permafrost defrosting? One in 1000 years storms happening every-other year? Potential pandemic? Scientists have penned a new and exciting climate change event, “compound extremes,” where one catastrophe intensifies the next. It looks like the negatives are starting to catch up, or at least are demanding more column inches.

But let’s not call the balance yet, activity is heating up ahead of the preparations for HLPF (UN High Level Political Forum) at the end of the year and mainstream financial houses are getting involved with identifying investment opportunities to corporates making broad statements and billionaires unlocking funding to solve large pervasive problems. From Bezos to Standard Charter, money is needed to address climate change (one of the more high-profile of the SDGs); but let’s be clear, there is also money to be made.

What is critically needed to underwrite all of these laudable activities is the gathering of and access to trusted data. Decisions can only be made with data that we are confident gives a clear and ‘real’ picture of the current status, of the baseline. Establishment of clear, consistent, robust, transparent, standardised data, on which, effective decisions can be made.

Yet, it is not a question of more data, but of smarter data “Data Sense,” – the use of trusted date such that one can make clear and informed decisions. Decisions based on materiality and which are transformational. The data should facilitate making a decision; data that is robust and outlines the risks and opportunities. Without this data, patterns cannot be identified, gaps can be exposed, and dimensions of commonality can be embraced.

The drive to invest in SDG solutions is growing beyond strictly ESG, to mainstream and business organisations driving investment. But effective investment and strategy needs effective information driven by robust data.

World Wide Generation (WWG) is positioning as an authorised data source in the development of the G17Eco platform, which is a home for golden source data. G17Eco will champion transparency by building a digital ark housing a global movement for gathering trusted sustainable development data via governance, coalescence, connectivity market infrastructure for the public good. The platform will facilitate partnership, trust and holistic solutions for the SDGs to flow at scale.

WWG exists to create and ignite breakthrough systems and solutions which will fast track organisations and individuals to the successfully delivering the SDGs. The vision is to be a pro-active actor in delivering the SDGs by 2030. How will be do that? By unlocking and transparently facilitating trusted, comparable and timely data to unlock all effective resources and solutions at scale. The solutions driven by WWG are systemic and standardised which will make the most effective impact on society and planet.