Climate Policy Radar (CPR) leverages cutting-edge technology to illuminate the often opaque world of climate policy. Despite an influx of initiatives, a significant gap persists in understanding and implementing effective climate policies. By making over 200,000 pages of climate data accessible and searchable, CPR equips policymakers and activists alike with the tools they need to lead.

Who Leads Climate Policy Radar?

Meet Dr. Michal Nachmany, the brain behind Climate Policy Radar. Before founding CPR, she led climate policy research at the prestigious Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics (LSE). Her work there, mapping national climate legislation in over 200 countries, laid the groundwork for what would become Climate Policy Radar​.

In 2020, amid a global surge in climate awareness, Michal took a bold step. She transitioned from academic research to entrepreneurship, launching Climate Policy Radar (CPR).  CPR was established to bridge the gap between data and decision-making, ensuring that effective climate action is backed by comprehensive, navigable, and transparent data.

What Does Climate Policy Radar Do?

Climate Policy Radar (CPR) gathers climate data and makes it useful. They map and analyze global climate policies and laws with an AI-driven approach. By analyzing patterns and outcomes in climate laws and policies, CPR’s platform identifies successful strategies and points out gaps in current approaches. This helps decision-makers, researchers, and the public access and understand complex climate information easily​.

 CPR believes in open access to information. They use artificial intelligence (AI) to parse, categorize, and make searchable thousands of documents from all over the world. This approach breaks down language barriers and also transforms raw data into structured, actionable knowledge.

Cutting Edge Tools

1. Document Parsing

CPR’s AI reads and extracts text from thousands of PDFs and web documents. This capability speeds up data collection massively. It converts vast amounts of unstructured data into structured, accessible formats​​.

2. Global Stocktake Explorer

The Global Stocktake Explorer allows users to access and analyze submissions from the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, including Nationally Determined Contributions and IPCC reports. It gives access to over 1,800 documents and 200,000 pages of climate submissions. 

This tool provides contextual searches, highlights themes like financial flows and climate-related hazards, enabling detailed policy analysis and sector-specific insights​. It’s a huge time-saver, enabling deep dives into climate data without manual sifting through thousands of pages​ 

3. Natural Language Search

Users don’t need to know exact terms to find relevant information. CPR’s search understands natural language, making it easier to discover related terms and data. This feature broadens the scope of searches, allowing for more intuitive user interactions​.

4. Multi-Language Accessibility

CPR’s platform is not limited by language barriers. Users can enter search terms in English and receive information from documents in various languages. This inclusivity ensures that valuable policy information is accessible to a global audience.

5. AI Integration

The integration of AI parses documents, categorizes and links data across thousands of documents, enabling the identification of trends, gaps, and opportunities in climate policy. This analytical capacity is crucial for understanding complex policy landscapes​

6. Open Knowledge Graph

The open knowledge graph connects data points to reveal relationships and patterns across the climate policy spectrum. This visual tool helps users navigate through complex datasets and understand the interconnections within global climate policies.

The Tech Behind Climate Policy Radar

1. Advanced Machine Learning Models

At the core of CPR’s tech stack is advanced machine learning. These algorithms can read, parse, and extract data from thousands of documents. This process transforms dense legal text into structured, searchable formats, significantly speeding up research and analysis​.

2. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

CPR uses natural language processing to enhance its search capabilities. This technology understands and processes human language, allowing users to search for information using everyday language. It also helps in identifying related terms and concepts, making the search more intuitive and comprehensive.

3. Semantic Search Capabilities

Beyond simple keyword searches, CPR’s semantic search technology understands the context of queries. This means the system can provide relevant information even if the exact terms aren’t used in the search, enhancing the user experience by making data retrieval more flexible and accurate​.

4. Data Visualization and Mapping

CPR employs data visualization and mapping techniques to present complex information in an understandable format. By visualizing data connections and trends, they provide users with clear, actionable insights.

Building Bridges For Global Outreach

CPR has joined forces with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University. These partnerships have enriched CPR’s database with comprehensive climate law and policy content.

CPR’s technology development has been supported by leading tech companies and climate-focused organizations. This also includes support from Google. They also promote open data practices by sharing their tools and insights freely.

Awards And Accolades

Since its inception, the company has garnered numerous prestigious awards. In 2023, it received the Innovators for Change Award from the Global Green Initiative, acknowledging its pioneering use of AI technology to predict the impacts of climate policies. The previous year, it was honored with the EcoVisionary Leadership Medal at the annual EcoTech Conference.

Additionally, in 2021, the Environmental Action Committee listed Climate Radar Policy among the top 10 climate advocacy groups. The Climate Action Network awarded it the Best Newcomer in Climate Advocacy in 2020, highlighting its significant impact shortly after its foundation. Moreover, in 2022, it received the Readers’ Choice Award for Environmental Impact from the readers of Green Tomorrow.

Financial Milestones

In the latest round of fundraising, the company secured $6.8 million, with contributions from various philanthropic sources and foundations such as the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF), Google.org, and the Open Society Foundations (OSF), among others​. 

Wrapping Up

Climate Policy Radar (CPR) harnesses AI and data science to revolutionize how we access, analyze, and act on climate policy data. CPR’s contributions are shaping a more informed and proactive approach to climate legislation worldwide.With climate change at the forefront of global issues, the work of organizations like Climate Policy Radar is more crucial than ever. Let’s ponder how we, as a global community, can leverage such innovative tools to foster a sustainable future.