Research Type: Spotlight

In the coming years, as the effects of climate change continue to worsen across the world, the financial impact will be immense. A recent study projects the global cost of climate-related damage could reach as high as $38 trillion per year by 2049, with lower-income countries bearing a disproportionately higher burden than high-income ones. Resilient financing solutions are essential to meet the scale of the challenge. In our fourth and final JLN spotlight, we highlight the benefits of the open data model for its ability to overcome finance challenges – and effectively unlock accessible, relevant climate data.

Good infrastructure is critical in promoting healthy, prosperous, and interconnected societies. And in today’s world, data infrastructure is becoming increasingly important as a means of ensuring people are able to benefit from the power of digitization. But, how does it compare to more traditional forms of infrastructure, like roads and bridges? The paper unpacks lessons to be learned – and insights to be gleaned – from the history of infrastructure and what they mean for us today.