FAQs about our data

  • What kind of data does the Mission Climate Project offer?

    We offer geospatial datasets. These convey various attributes of the risk of near-term climate change exacerbating existing social, economic, political and demographic tensions to cause instability. We use this information to tell us which locations, sectors or issues may be most consequentially exposed to near-term climate risk.

  • How much do you charge for access to the data?

    We do not charge for access to the data. It is free thanks to a grant from the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation.

  • How can I request access?

    Access is provided contingent on your agreement to complete a short training session and agreement not to use the data in connection with the fossil fuel industry or fossil fuel production. If those terms are fine with you, click here to submit a request using our data page.

    (Please note that we have a limited capacity to process requests until 2023 due to staffing issues. This means there may be a delay in replying to your request. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.)

  • Why do you require training to access the datasets?

    Because we are concerned that the datasets not be misused to feed alarmist, sensational or highly inaccurate analysis. We are particularly concerned about their misuse in media reports.

  • Which risk attributes do these datasets measure?

    Please note that there is no single Mission Climate Project risk score. That is, we do not rate countries or locations by their overall risk level. We rather focus on understanding specific risk exposures.

    Bearing that in mind, we currently (September 2022) have three datasets available for use:

    1. MCP-CCH shows our view of the risk of combined climate hazards (for example, flood followed by drought or heatwave followed by forest fire) occurring in a given location.

    2. MCP-EWE shows the risk of a specific form of extreme weather occurring in a given location.

    3. MCP-SOC shows the risk of social fragility that would make a given location more susceptible to climate change in the near term.

    We are working to improve and expand these datasets via our collaboration with the IBS Center for Climate Physics, and anticipate significantly improved releases in 2023.

    In addition to these, we are currently developing risk datasets which are specific for sectors or problems we have identified as crucially important in the 2020s. These will also be released during 2023.

  • Do you use other datasets to generate your data?

    Yes, absolutely (and gratefully). These are referenced in the data libraries under SOURCES.TXT where appropriate or cited as sources in our reports.

  • Can you customize the data?

    Yes, we can deliver customizations or expansions of the data upon request for either a fee (for private firms) or contribution (for philanthropies). In either case, the funds are received by our non-profit and the work executed in a way that is consistent with our goal of improving responses to near-term climate change. Contact us to find out more.