Cities are on the front lines of climate change, yet many lack the data and tools needed to plan, implement, and monitor effective climate action. “Accelerating City Climate Action Through Geospatial Data,” a joint report by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC), makes the case that geospatial technology is a critical missing piece in closing this gap.

The report maps the capabilities of the geospatial industry , from satellite-based greenhouse gas monitoring and thermal infrared imagery to digital twins, GIS platforms, and AI-powered analytics , against the real data needs cities face at every stage of their climate action journey, including emissions inventories, climate risk assessments, and action plan development. A matrix analysis reveals where today’s geospatial solutions are already deployment-ready and where further investment in local capacity and technology is still needed.

The report also presents case studies from cities including Berlin, Singapore, Helsinki, Prague, Gothenburg, and Uppsala, demonstrating how geospatial data is already being applied to build digital twins, optimize renewable energy siting, monitor air quality, and track methane emissions at the facility level, turning climate commitments into measurable, data-driven outcomes.