Data for a Clean Energy Transition

Are you working on your city’s climate action plan or pathways toward net zero? Do you already know how to make the most of data?

Data for a Clean Energy Transition is the second of three courses that are part of Planning the Energy and Climate Transition for Cities, a free training programme that will provide you with the tools and knowledge to turn theory into action.

This course is designed for city planners and technical staff directly involved in developing and implementing local climate and energy strategies. By enrolling, you will build the skills to identify, assess, and work with the data needed to define credible targets, track progress, engage stakeholders, and make better-informed decisions.

You will explore different data sources—internal, external, technical, and citizen-driven—and learn how to clean, process, and apply them effectively in planning and communication.

You will move from understanding data fundamentals to applying data to design and communicate climate strategies, in a format tailored to busy professionals.

---

---

Module 1 – From ambition to action: why data is the key to a successful city transition

Why does data matter in city-level climate action?
Cities should take advantage of data to define climate objectives, establish baselines, track progress, and explore future scenarios through evidence-based decision-making.
Real-world practices from both large and small cities will help you understand how to transform climate ambition into effective action.

---

Module 2 – The data is out there: where cities can find what they need to plan smarter

From internal utility bills to satellite maps and national emissions factors, you will learn where to look for data, what to choose, and how to prepare it for use.
Identify, select, and process internal and external data sources to support local climate planning, and apply practical techniques for evaluating, preparing, and managing data fit for purpose in decision-making. Take advantage of partnerships, licensing, and governance to access high-quality data.

---

---

---

Module 3 – Mind the gap: how to monitor and collect the missing pieces

How can you collect and monitor additional data to improve local climate action?
Interpret, determine, and model the use of additional data sources for local climate action, and develop optimal solutions to improve city energy performance. You will also be able to formulate practical tools to leverage stakeholder engagement and citizen science for smart city action. Inspiring examples and practical tools will help you further develop your city’s data sources.

---

Module 4 – From numbers to narratives: engaging citizens with data

Gain the skills and strategies to transform complex data into compelling narratives that engage and empower citizens. Learners will explore how to interpret, visualise, and communicate data in accessible and impactful ways, supporting transparency, participation, and informed public dialogue.

---

---

---

---

Planning the Energy and Climate Transition for Cities is the new SPARKLE training hosted on the Local Transitions Learning Centre and composed of three courses:

• Integrated energy and climate transition planning
• Data for a clean energy transition
• Transition Management: a process for co-creating transformative change

Click here to learn more, enrol and obtain the certification!