Introducing the Digital Climate Library

7 October, 2024

The Digital Climate Library is a pioneering collaboration between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the award-winning not-for-profit Arts Help to digitize the UNFCCC’s extensive archives. These archives, dating back to the UNFCCC’s founding in 1992, include research, treaties, and commitments made by governments and organizations worldwide. The monumental undertaking involves the digitization of 200 terabytes of data, including 25,000 hours of audiovisual recordings and 1.7 million pages of historical documents, ensuring that the legacy of climate negotiations is preserved and accessible for future generations. The goal is to make these historical records and scientific findings freely available to all.

The scope of the Climate Library extends beyond digitization; it is about transparency and accountability. As Mo Ghoneim, founder of Arts Help and co-chair of the UNFCCC Digital Library Project Committee, passionately explained to TechCrunch: “Everyone from climate change activists, researchers and educators would benefit from having broad access to the UNFCCC’s full archives.”

The Digital Climate Library was officially unveiled at the UNFCCC Pavilion at COP 28, marking its public launch. The urgency of the united effort between the UNFCCC and Arts Help cannot be overstated. Many of these documents are deteriorating, with ink fading and papers physically degrading. Digital preservation ensures that future generations will not lose access to this invaluable information.

Moreover, the Digital Climate Library is a testament to the power of merging innovation, technology, and the arts to drive sustainability. It will be an essential tool for everyone, from policymakers to grassroots activists, enabling them to access and use critical climate data to advocate for real change. This partnership exemplifies how art and technology can come together for a greater purpose - ensuring that the history of climate action is preserved and readily available for those fighting for the planet’s future.

For more information on the UNFCCC Digital Climate Library, please contact Jingwen Yang, Information Management Officer, Operations Coordination Division at the UNFCCC Secretariat.