Future Data and Knowledge Needs

Citizen science is providing unprecedented opportunities for engaging the public in collecting and analysing vast amounts of environmental data (well established). The potential for massively dispersed teams of observers, coupled with new
technologies such as smart sensors, mobile telephony, Internet and computing capabilities, is offering new approaches for research and engaging the public on environmental issues. As well as collecting large volumes of data, the advancement of new technologies has also enhanced the quality and veracity of the data collected. Key opportunities presented by citizen science include greater frequency of data from dispersed sources, the ability to address large knowledge and funding deficits, the ability to educate the public about environmental policy issues, and the use of local knowledge. {25.2.1}

Big data is one of the world’s emerging valuable resources, shifting the landscape of environmental assessment at global, national and local scales (well established). Traditional processing techniques cannot handle the volume, velocity, variety and veracity of big data, demanding new algorithms, programming and statistical methods to derive information and draw evidence-based conclusions. There is enormous potential for advancing environmental knowledge if big data can be effectively harnessed and interrogated. {25.2.2}
Governments, organizations, academia and the private sector have initiatives seeking opportunities to tap the potential of big data for sustainability and development (well established). Current initiatives include the establishment of the United Nations Pulse Labs for pilot studies on big data, the formation of the United Nations Global Working Group on Big Data in monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the availability of repository sites and open data sources from multilateral organizations, research centres and government collaborations. Big data from web-based and geospatial mapping technologies, remote sensing and statistical visualization provide a basis for environmental assessment. {25.2.2}
Challenges for using big data in environmental assessments include its accessibility, quality, varying scale and context, and incomplete time series (well established). Despite efforts to generate globally acceptable and available big data, capacities are limited by resources and funding, especially in developing countries. Much real-time big data are controlled and held by the private sector, though many data products are made freely available for public good in a process known as data philanthropy. Recommendations for building a holistic system for big data include the establishment of leadership and data governance; collaborations among governments, institutions and the private sector; and institutionalizing legal frameworks with safeguards on information. {25.2.2}
Strengthening the ability to gather, interpret and use data for effective planning, policymaking, management and evaluation could provide countries with a comprehensive view of environmental impacts (well established). Governments and society need to adapt to the evolving data landscape, including the possible use of artificial intelligence to manage environmental concerns. Coping with the shift in the data landscape entails new information-technology skills and a holistic approach in utilizing emerging and existing data and knowledge tools. {25.3}
Traditional knowledge held by indigenous peoples and local communities is increasingly seen as a valuable resource for environmental assessment and sustainable development (well established). This revaluation is evidenced by the increase
in discussions and studies on traditional knowledge, and its inclusion in global policy agreements. In order to address current and future challenges such as climate change, research suggests that the best approaches may be characterized
by the coordination of modern science and technology with traditional knowledge. While cooperation between local and global communities and knowledge systems has proven to be successful for the health of individuals and the planet, certain challenges remain. {25.2.3}