A New Tool to Help Countries Set Credible Climate Targets: The FAB Dashboard Launch | |
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The ESG team, supported by GPS, launched the Feasibility and Ambitiousness (FAB) Dashboard—a data-driven tool designed to support performance-based finance by helping users set realistic yet ambitious sustainability targets.
At the launch, the importance of clarity and credibility in sustainability-linked instruments was emphasized as key to attract green capital and influence public policy. Speakers stressed that strong, data-backed targets, serve as both financial anchors and policy benchmarks.
The event also highlighted the wider economic benefits of setting credible targets, including the creation of green jobs and support for long-term development. Countries such as Côte d'Ivoire (see below) and Kenya are already using the FAB Dashboard to align financing with climate goals, even in the face of fiscal constraints. Learn more>>
| | | ESG Insights: Tips, Indicators & New Data | | |
Focus on What’s Changed: Using Land Cover Transitions More Effectively
When exploring land cover dynamics, try using the "Only show changes" option in the Land Cover Transitions tool. This handy feature filters out areas with no change, helping you zero in on where land use has actually shifted over time—making it easier to identify meaningful trends and transitions. Explore the tool >>
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Forest Area (% of Land Area)
This key indicator measures the share of a country’s land covered by forests—providing valuable insights into deforestation, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation potential.
The data, sourced from the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment, helps track long-term land use trends and supports informed, forest-related policymaking.
Explore the indicator >>
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Data Update: June 2025
The Sovereign ESG Data Portal has just been updated, now featuring nearly 200 indicators across 214 economies, with data extended through 2024. This release introduces new metrics on poverty and inequality, updated forest loss figures, and fresh insights from the Changing Wealth of Nations 2024—providing an even richer foundation for ESG analysis and decision-making.
Explore the latest data >>
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Côte d'Ivoire Sets New Benchmark with Sustainability-Linked Finance
Côte d’Ivoire is advancing climate action with the launch of its first Sustainability-Linked Loan, tying borrowing costs to ambitious targets for reforestation and energy access. Backed by the FAB approach, the deal introduces a new standard for climate accountability by linking financial incentives to measurable outcomes. The country also unveiled its Sustainability-Linked Finance (SLF) Framework, marking a significant step forward in reshaping sustainable development financing across Africa. Learn more >>
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Natural Capital Data Hub
The Natural Capital Data Hub is a one-stop platform connecting users to the World Bank’s key datasets on wealth and sustainability—making complex data accessible for analysis, policy, and storytelling: The Changing Wealth of Nations (CWON) offers country-level wealth and natural capital estimates across the asset categories. The ESG data provides country-level indicators on environment, social, and governance to support sustainable development analysis.
Find more>>
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Kenya Launches Bold New Data Strategies to Power Sustainable Development
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) launched two transformative frameworks: the Second Kenya Strategy for Development of Statistics (KSDS2) and the National Plan for Advancement of Environmental Economic Accounting (NPAEEA).
The NPAEEA, supported by GPS, introduces a groundbreaking approach to integrating environmental and economic data. It prioritizes the development of six key accounts: energy, water, forest, land, ecosystem, and minerals. These accounts will help Kenya better understand the value of its natural capital and inform policies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The KSDS2 (2023–2028), supported by the World Bank, sets out a bold vision to modernize Kenya’s statistical system.
Rewatch the launch event
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Greening Our Lives Can Benefit from Including Natural Capital in Macro-Models
The second in-person training session on greening macro-economic models, held as part of the Kenya Core Implementing Country (CIC) program and funded by GPS, brought together staff from the National Treasury, the State Department of Economic Planning, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA).
The training focused on integrating natural capital and climate considerations into macroeconomic analyses and using climate and natural capital data compiled by KNBS for these purposes.
Read more>>
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Kenya’s Budget Policy Statement mentions work with GPS
The National Treasury, in partnership with the World Bank through Technical Assistance (P177097) funded by GPS, is developing KENMod—a Kenya-specific adaptation of macro-fiscal structural model (MFMod). KENMod reflects Kenya's economic context and integrates climate factors for more accurate macroeconomic analysis, supporting better planning that considers natural resources and sustainability.
The Kenya’s Budget Policy Statement (BPS) assesses climate risks, especially their macroeconomic and fiscal impacts, and includes a section on "Greening macroeconomic modeling" referencing GPS work on integrating climate data into KENMod. Policy simulations and the significance of natural capital are also highlighted.
The BPS goes on to say that, "the inclusion of natural capital data in macroeconomic modeling will not only improves forecasting and risk management but also fosters long-term sustainability. By recognizing the value of ecosystem services and incorporating them into economic decision-making, policymakers can design strategies that balance economic growth with environmental preservation. This approach will empower Kenya to pursue green growth, mitigate the risks posed by climate change, and develop more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development pathways."
See page 175 and parag. 403 of the BPS.
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Nature's Paradox: Stepping Stone or Millstone?
With support from GPS, a new report Nature’s Paradox: Stepping Stone or Millstone? explores how environmental conditions can either enable progress or deepen deprivation—especially for vulnerable, rural populations. The report examines the overlap between environmental degradation and social vulnerability, showing how land loss, deforestation, and weak public services compound inequality.
The report underscores the need for inclusive policies that turn environmental protection into economic opportunity—especially for underrepresented groups often left out of decision-making. A must-read for policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners. Read the full report >>
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Nigeria Moves Toward Institutionalizing Natural Capital Accounting
At the 2025 Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Conference in Abuja, stakeholders from across Nigeria’s environmental and economic sectors came together to advance the country’s efforts to integrate nature into its national economic planning.
Organized by GPS, the event focused on building Nigeria’s capacity to measure the value of natural assets—like forests, water, and clean air—and reflect them in national accounts.
The World Bank has supported this work for two years, helping develop ecosystem accounts for two states and greenhouse gas and land accounts for 2018. These efforts are part of Nigeria’s broader climate goals, including a 20% emissions reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2060.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is leading the technical work, supported by a high-level steering committee. The goal is to embed NCA into the daily operations of ministries and agencies, ensuring that environmental data informs economic decisions.
Read more>>
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Media Training
A recent GPS-led workshop, ahead of the 2025 Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Conference in Nigeria, equipped 17 journalists with tools to report on environmental solutions, strengthening public engagement and accountability.
Read more>>
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Towards Sustainable Tourism in Tunisia
Tourism drives over 13% of Tunisia’s GDP and supports 350,000 jobs—mainly along the coast. But Tunisia’s appeal goes far beyond its beaches, from northern forests to southern oases and ancient heritage sites.
The 2035 Sustainable Tourism Strategy aims to tap into this diversity by shifting toward nature-based tourism.
To protect the ecosystems that make this possible, Tunisia is using ecosystem accounting to better understand the environmental impacts and benefits of tourism. When paired with tourism accounts, this approach offers critical insights for planning aligned with the 2035 vision.
To support this effort, GPS, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, and Tunisia’s Ministries of Environment and Tourism hosted a workshop on ecosystem accounting and visited pilot oasis sites on May 27-28. More Read more>>
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Integrating Natural Capital into Policies for Climate Resilient Development in Africa
Side event at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
GPS will host a session that will bring together key policymakers, practitioners, and development partners to discuss and propose concrete actions on how Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) can be used to mainstream natural capital into policies and investments in Africa. The session promises to be a significant platform for dialogue and collaboration, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of natural capital in sustainable development.
Event page>>
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Upcoming Seminars:
- Uganda Transition Planning Gap Analysis
- Driving Digital Transformation Learning Event
Past Seminars:
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This newsletter is published by the GPS Communications Team
We welcome your submissions of news, events, and publications at gps@worldbank.org
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