Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Maxwell Beganim, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Natalia Carfi, Civil Society, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Lucas Pretti, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Natalia Carfi, Civil Society, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Lucas Pretti, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A theatre setting and 90-minute duration are optimal for the “Open Climate Governance: Beyond Closed-Door COP Processes” workshop to maximize engagement and outcomes. The theatre layout, with a central stage and audience seating, supports a structured yet inclusive format, enabling a diverse multistakeholder group—government, civil society, technical experts, and private sector—to hear and respond to community-led governance proposals. This setting allows breakout groups to form easily within the space, facilitating focused, small-group discussions on designing governance models. The 90-minute duration balances depth and focus: 30 minutes for framing and insights, 45 minutes for interactive breakout groups to map challenges and propose solutions, and 15 minutes to synthesize outcomes. This ensures actionable results—like interoperable frameworks and a strengthened network—while fostering dialogue on open climate and governance across stakeholders.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A theatre setting and 90-minute duration are optimal for the “Open Climate Governance: Beyond Closed-Door COP Processes” workshop to maximize engagement and outcomes. The theatre layout, with a central stage and audience seating, supports a structured yet inclusive format, enabling a diverse multistakeholder group—government, civil society, technical experts, and private sector—to hear and respond to community-led governance proposals. This setting allows breakout groups to form easily within the space, facilitating focused, small-group discussions on designing governance models. The 90-minute duration balances depth and focus: 30 minutes for framing and insights, 45 minutes for interactive breakout groups to map challenges and propose solutions, and 15 minutes to synthesize outcomes. This ensures actionable results—like interoperable frameworks and a strengthened network—while fostering dialogue on open climate and governance across stakeholders.
Policy Question(s)
- How can commons-based governance ensure that climate information is accessible to all?
- What role can open data and open knowledge initiatives play in holding decision-makers accountable?
- How can we collectively advocate for more inclusive and transparent COP processes?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will leave the session with a clear understanding of how commons-based governance models can democratize access to climate-related information and foster transparency in global climate discussions. They will learn–and possibly join– about the work and advocacy of the Open Goes COP coalition, including their efforts to promote open knowledge, equitable access to information, and inclusivity in COP processes. Attendees will connect with like-minded individuals, organizations, and experts working on open climate governance, fostering potential collaborations and partnerships. They will acquire participation skills and learn how to effectively engage in high-level climate discussions, such as COP processes, and amplify marginalized voices in these spaces. By attending, participants will help build concrete steps and recommendations for advancing open climate governance, including how to leverage open data and open knowledge initiatives.
Description:
As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for open, accessible, and equitable governance of climate-related information has never been more urgent. High-level discussions, such as those at the UNFCCC COP processes, often lack transparency and inclusivity, leaving many stakeholders—especially from marginalized communities—excluded from critical decision-making. This 90-minute workshop, “Open Climate Governance: Beyond Closed-Door COP Processes,” aligns with the IGF 2025 sub-theme of Sustainable and Responsible Innovation by exploring how commons-based governance models can democratize access to climate information and foster more participatory, accountable, and transparent global climate governance. Hosted by the Open Goes COP coalition—formed by Open Knowledge Foundation, Open Data Charter, Creative Commons, LandPortal, and WikiGreen Initiative—, this session will highlight the role of ‘open’ as a necessary condition for addressing the climate crisis. The session will delve into the challenges of closed-door negotiations, the monopolization of climate data, and the barriers to meaningful participation in COP processes. It will highlight the work of the Open Goes COP coalition, which advocates for open knowledge, equitable access to information, and the inclusion of diverse voices in climate discussions. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive discussions, participants will examine how open governance frameworks can bridge gaps in transparency and empower communities to actively engage in shaping climate solutions. Key questions to be addressed include: How can commons-based governance ensure that climate information is accessible to all? What role can open data and open knowledge initiatives play in holding decision-makers accountable? And how can we collectively advocate for more inclusive and transparent COP processes? This workshop aims to inspire actionable strategies for advancing open climate governance and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to build a more just and sustainable future.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for open, accessible, and equitable governance of climate-related information has never been more urgent. High-level discussions, such as those at the UNFCCC COP processes, often lack transparency and inclusivity, leaving many stakeholders—especially from marginalized communities—excluded from critical decision-making. This 90-minute workshop, “Open Climate Governance: Beyond Closed-Door COP Processes,” aligns with the IGF 2025 sub-theme of Sustainable and Responsible Innovation by exploring how commons-based governance models can democratize access to climate information and foster more participatory, accountable, and transparent global climate governance. Hosted by the Open Goes COP coalition—formed by Open Knowledge Foundation, Open Data Charter, Creative Commons, LandPortal, and WikiGreen Initiative—, this session will highlight the role of ‘open’ as a necessary condition for addressing the climate crisis. The session will delve into the challenges of closed-door negotiations, the monopolization of climate data, and the barriers to meaningful participation in COP processes. It will highlight the work of the Open Goes COP coalition, which advocates for open knowledge, equitable access to information, and the inclusion of diverse voices in climate discussions. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive discussions, participants will examine how open governance frameworks can bridge gaps in transparency and empower communities to actively engage in shaping climate solutions. Key questions to be addressed include: How can commons-based governance ensure that climate information is accessible to all? What role can open data and open knowledge initiatives play in holding decision-makers accountable? And how can we collectively advocate for more inclusive and transparent COP processes? This workshop aims to inspire actionable strategies for advancing open climate governance and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to build a more just and sustainable future.
Expected Outcomes
The workshop aims to deliver tangible outcomes that make information about COP processes freely available as well as clear ways to engage with such materials. Expected outcomes include a draft framework or set of principles for commons-based governance of climate-related information, which can be further developed and advocated for in global forums, and a shared repository of tools, case studies, and best practices for open climate governance, accessible to all participants and the broader public. These outputs will emphasize the specific actions participants can take in their own work or communities to promote open climate governance, such as advocating for open data policies, organizing local workshops, or contributing to open knowledge platforms. Participants will produce a concrete advocacy plan outlining steps to push for greater transparency and inclusivity in COP processes, including key messages, target stakeholders, and timelines.
Hybrid Format: To ensure an engaging hybrid experience at IGF 2025, the “Open Climate Governance: Beyond Closed-Door COP Processes” workshop will leverage the IGF Secretariat’s technical tools and virtual link for seamless interaction. Onsite and online speakers will present jointly during the 30-minute framing, with a shared Q&A moderated to balance questions from both audiences. Breakout groups (45 minutes) will pair onsite and online participants using the provided platform, ensuring equal input into governance model design. A dedicated online facilitator will monitor virtual engagement, relaying contributions to the onsite synthesis (15 minutes). To boost participation, we’ll use open-source tools like Jitsi for breakout discussions and Etherpad for real-time, collaborative note-taking, accessible to all attendees. This design fosters inclusivity, bridges onsite-online gaps, and delivers a rich experience, empowering diverse stakeholders to co-create interoperable solutions.