Earth Knowledge News
Earth Knowledge Leadership Present at City and Financial Global 3rd Annual Sustainability Reporting Standards
Earth Knowledge’s Julia Armstrong D'Agnese, CEO and Co-Founder, and Frank D'Agnese, President, CTO and Co-Founder were honored to present in London at City & Financial Global’s 3rd Annual Sustainability Reporting Summit on January 2024 on “Earth Knowledge Case Studies: Climate-related physical risk from identification to mitigation and management”. They presented alongside leadership from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Principle for Responsible Investment (PRI), CDP, WWF, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP FI), GFANZ, IOSCO.
Three members of Earth Knowledge’s Science Council coauthored the recently released Fifth National Climate Assessment: Dr. Anne Marie Stoner, Dr. Kenneth Kunkel, and Dr. Don Wuebbles.
This assessment of the science of climate change and its potential impacts on the American people is required by the U.S. Congress under the 1990 Global Change Act. The new study further amplifies what has been found by prior national and international assessments, namely that climate change is one of the most important issues humanity has ever faced.
Earth Knowledge Climate Science Team Co-Authored the 5th US National Climate Assessment
Earth Knowledge Climate Science Leader Presents Critical Innovative Downscaling Model at The White House’s USGCRP Interagency Group
“Dr. Anne Stoner, Principal, Earth Systems Modelling Analyst for Earth Knowledge, a leader in climate data innovation, presented the STAR-ESDM (Statistical Trends and Analysis of Residuals – Empirical Statistical Downscaling Model) statistical downscaling technique and products at “Understanding Decision-Relevant Regional Climate Projections Workshop” in Berkeley, CA on November 14.
The workshop is coordinated by The White House's US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Interagency Group on Integrative Modeling (IGIM) and the Federal Adaptation and Resilience Group (FARG) with participation by several major federal agencies as well as scientists and data users.
The workshop enabled the development of guidelines for production, evaluation, and utilization of high-resolution regional climate projections.
Earth Knowledge Fireside Chat hosted by the London Stock Exchange Group
Earth Knowledge’s Fireside Chat, "Climate Change and Nature Loss: New Approaches to Target Adaptation of UK Infrastructure" is Thursday, October 5 from 4:00 to 5:00PM (BST) at the London Stock Exchange Group in person and via webinar.
The session will be moderated by Richard Peers, Founder, Responsible Risk Ltd. and the speakers include Holger Kessler, MSc CGeol FGS FRGS, Science Lead – Future of the Subsurface for the UK Government Office for Science, and Frank D'Agnese D’Agnese, Ph.D., President, CTO and Co-Founder, Earth Knowledge.
Dr. Frank D’Agnese and Julia Armstrong D'Agnese Present
at City & Financial Global Climate and ESG Data Summit 2023
Earth Knowledge founders, Dr. Frank D’Agnese and Julia Armstrong D'Agnese, presented “Beyond ‘climate’ in the ‘E’ of ESG: sourcing data for nature-impacts and biodiversity” at the City & Financial Global Climate and ESG Data Summit 2023. City & Financial Global’s Summit assembles the most senior leaders and experts of this field to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise on best practice approaches to addressing the ESG data challenges. The Summit was June 12 at the American Square Conference Centre in London.
Stephen Polasky, Earth Knowledge Natural Capital Director, Selected as Co-Chair for IPBES Business & Biodiversity Report
Natural Capital Director for Earth Knowledge, Stephen Polasky was one of three Co-Chairs selected to lead the new IPBES business and biodiversity assessment. The report is a methodological assessment of the impact and dependence of business on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. Stephen, Regents Professor and Fesler-Lampert Professor of Ecological and Environmental Economics at the University of Minnesota, along with Professor Ximena Rueda Fajardo, Associate Professor at the School of Management at Universidad de los Andes, and Matt Jones, Head of Nature Economy at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), will lead a highly interdisciplinary team of expert authors, including practitioners, currently being selected by the IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel.
Microsoft Features Earth Knowledge in Partner Blog, “Amplifying the Impact of Trailblazing Women Leaders”
To honor International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month 2023, Microsoft highlighted trailblazing women in tech and their solutions that are benefitting industries and communities around the world in a Microsoft Partner blog. Women and their trailblazing innovations across industries from healthcare to sustainability, and business functional areas such as workplace collaboration and procurement were featured. Julia Armstrong D’Agnese and Earth Knowledge’s Foresight Platform that provides forward-looking planetary intelligence that helps companies mitigate future risk and guides investment decisions, bringing clarity to the economic risk of climate change and biodiversity loss were recognized.
Earth Knowledge CEO 1 of 4 Women Microsoft Featured for Women’s History Month
As part of the Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Microsoft highlighted women-owned businesses, their solutions, and their journeys growing their business on the marketplace during each week of Women’s History Month in March 2023. In the fourth edition of the series, Microsoft’s Gena Goh sat down with Earth Knowledge’s CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, to hear her story and partner journey.
Earth Knowledge CEO Awarded One of the Top 100 Women B2B Founders for 2023
Earth Knowledge CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, was recognized by Women In Cloud as one of the top one hundred women business-to-business founders in 2023. Women In Cloud in partnership with Masterfund, has been carefully curating a list of the leading women tech founders who are developing B2B cloud-powered SAAS solutions or services that considers environmental sustainability and fosters economic and social development. Congratulations Julia!
Earth Knowledge Climate and Nature Financial Risk Advisor Bob Litterman Testifies at US Senate Budget Committee hearing on Climate Risk
Dr. Bob Litterman, Earth Knowledge Lead Climate and Nature Financial Risk Advisor, former Goldman Sachs Partner & Kepos Capital Founder and Head of Risk, testified in Congress with Mark Carney on Climate Risk on February 15, 2023.
The US Senate Budget Committee held its first hearing of the new Congress and their focus was on Climate Risk. The hearing explored climate-related economic risks and their impact on the federal budget and the global economy.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the committee’s Chairman, said, “If we don’t get this right, it’s a $180 trillion cost to the global economy. If we do get it right, it’s $40 trillion in added value.”
Microsoft showcases Earth Knowledge’s Leadership in Climate and Sustainability
We’re honoured to be showcased in Microsoft’s feature, “Creating Sustainable Innovation”, where we had the chance to share more about Earth Knowledge’s leadership in Climate and Sustainability. The video encourages other Microsoft partners to prioritize sustainability and join the #BuildFor2030 Initiative.
Earth Knowledge Leadership presents in Zurich at the Swiss Sustainable Finance Conference alongside the United Nations Environmental Program, WWF and IBAT
Earth Knowledge CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese and President/CTO, Frank A. D’Agnese presented, “Earth Knowledge’s System of Systems Approach: Achieving Success with Nature Positive Investments”, at the Swiss Sustainable Finance and ZHAW/University of Zurich Conference, “Big Data and AI for Sustainable Finance.”
Earth Knowledge Selected by Microsoft as the Featured Climate and Sustainability Partner Accelerating our Collective Impact for #BuildFor2030
As part of the Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative Earth Knowledge was recognized by Microsoft as their top Climate and Sustainability Partner. Earth Knowledge’s CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, M.S. was featured in Microsoft’s “Accelerating our Collective Impact for #BuildFor2030 “ video.
Earth Knowledge Presented at The Conference on CSR, the Economy and Financial Markets: Sustainable Wealth Management
In November 2022, Dr. Bob Litterman, Earth Knowledge Lead Advisor on Climate and Nature Risk, Dr. Don Wuebbles, Earth Knowledge Director of Climate Science, Dr. Frank D’Agnese, President/CTO and Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, CEO, Earth Knowledge presented at Northern Trust’s “Sustainable Wealth Management Conference” in Chicago. Earth Knowledge Corporate Advisor, John Andersen, President of Greenleaf Advisors led the conference.
The Conference on CSR, the Economy and Financial Markets is an annual event sponsored by Global Finance Journal that rotates its meeting among Chicago, Tokyo, and Düsseldorf. The Sustainable Wealth Management series is a joint effort between Greenleaf Advisors, DePaul University, and the Global Finance Journal sponsored by Northern Trust that has focused on building sustainable value for impact and building portfolio values through investments that address environmental issues.
The conference focuses on investment considerations amidst the transition towards resilience, adaptation, and mitigation of climate change.
Dr. Mary Hill, Earth Knowledge Science Council, Inducted into the National Academy of Engineering
Dr. Mary Hill was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2021 for her contributions to the development and application of methods for parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis in hydrologic models. The ceremony had been delayed due to Covid; therefore, she was recognized officially at the NAE event in Washington, D.C. in October 2022. As of 2021, the NAE had only 267 female members (U.S. and foreign, not including deceased) out of their 2,300 U.S. members and 280 foreign members.
Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, CEO, Earth Knowledge was honoured to attend the NAE induction ceremony with her and celebrate this huge milestone. Julia commented, “Congratulations, Mary! We are so proud of your brilliant scientific mind, strong leadership, highly collaborative spirit and all the ways that you “broke the glass-ceiling” to pave the way for other female scientists to achieve success and recognition around the world!”
Dr. Mary Hill advises Earth Knowledge on Model Evaluation, Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis. Mary, a Princeton-trained hydrologist, is one of the leading global experts in uncertainty analysis. She was with the US Geological Survey (USGS) from 1981-2014 and was promoted to the rank of GS-ST, the highest level possible for government scientists and only the second woman to reach that level in the US Department of Interior.
Earth Knowledge Science Council present at Geological Society of America (GSA)
Earth Knowledge, an international leader with the Geological Society, presented an all-day session on “Multi-dimensional Earth Systems Models” in October 2022. The session was organized to educate GSA members and to commemorate Dr. Keith Turner, Earth Knowledge Director of Global Multi-dimensional Modeling, lifetime achievements.
The session was co-organized by Illinois State Geologist Richard Berg, Minnesota State Geologist Harvey Thorleifson, and Earth Knowledge’s Bryan Turner. Presentations were provided by the co-organizers and a long list of Earth Knowledge team members and its extended network including Frank D’Agnese, Lorrie Flint, Alan Flint, Claudia Faunt, Holger Kessler, Michiel van der Meulen, Don Keefer and many other colleagues from around the world.
The Geological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1888, is a global scientific society with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 115 countries with 22,000 members dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences.
CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, Interviewed at Microsoft’s Annual Global Partner Inspire Conference
Earth Knowledge CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, was interviewed by Microsoft’s Channel Inclusion and Impact Senior Strategy Lead, Gena Goh, along with Catalyte CEO, Jacob Shu, and Propelelo Founder, Helen Tinnelly on the topic of “Bringing Solutions to Market with #BuildFor2030 and Social Impact” at the 2022 Microsoft’s Inspire Conference.
Earth Knowledge Receives Microsoft Climate and Sustainability Partnership Recognition
In April 2022, Earth Knowledge received Microsoft’s Climate and Sustainability Partnership recognition. This prestigious partnership recognition was awarded to eleven companies that leverage the Microsoft cloud, Cloud for Sustainability, data and AI to help customers transform their operations, products, services, and supply chains, to facilitate their transition to net zero, and achieve their sustainability goals.
Earth Knowledge is 1 of 16 Top Women-led Companies Selected for Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative
Earth Knowledge’s CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, M.S. was selected by Microsoft as an innovation partner for the #BuildFor2030 Initiative. One of Microsoft’s #BuildFor2030 initiatives supporting gender equality, this partnership celebrates women-led businesses and their solutions solving industry challenges and driving positive business outcomes.
Our CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese featured on “Bigger Than Us” Podcast
CEO, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese was interviewed by Raj Daniels, host of the Nexus PMG Bigger Than Us™ podcast. Bigger Than Us™ is a podcast that highlights business leaders whose ideas will shape the future of our planet and ultimately, our existence.
“Climate change has caused substantial damages, and increasingly irreversible losses”
Dr. Don Wuebbles, Director of Climate Science at Earth Knowledge, provides his summary and perspective on the IPCC WGII’s recent report.
The IPCC’s (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) most recent report from Working Group 2, presents new insight into the progress being made to adapt and mitigate Climate and Biodiversity risk.
WWF, Earth Knowledge and Leading Experts publish a new guide to Geospatial data for Environmental Insight.
Led by the WWF, World Bank Group and Global Canopy, Earth Knowledge have co-authored a new report to provide a clear understanding of the environmental insight businesses and governments can realise from geospatial data and in particular existing Open Data.
With relatable worked examples, the report provides a clear guide for using Geospatial data and the considerations needed for its use to inform ESG decision making. With input from leading global experts, this paper provides a meaningful starting point and helps demystify what is often seen as a complex and involved capability, to help encourage business and government leaders to gain new perspective, understanding and insight to mitigate climate and biodiversity risk and take positive action.
Microsoft digs deeper into Bio-diversity with Earth Knowledge
A couple of weeks ago we were invited to spend a little time with Andy Trotman at Microsoft to talk more about our recent collaboration with Microsoft and Ernst & Young. Working in collaboration we’ve recently published a report called, “Waking up to Nature – the biodiversity imperative in financial services.”
In the interview we were delighted to be able to share more about our work on the paper, the important findings we’re publishing but also an introduction to how we’re helping companies have an in-depth view of their biodiversity risk, using our Planetary Intelligence platform.
Waking up to Nature
As much as half of global GDP ($44 trillion) is dependent on ecosystems and 13 of the 18 sectors that comprise the FTSE 100, representing US $1.6 trillion in market capitalisation, are associated with production processes that have high or very high material dependence on nature. In a unique joint report by Ernst & Young, Microsoft and EarthKnowledge the situation is not lost if we change to support nature’s resiliency, productivity, and adaptability.
This report points to significant, untapped financial opportunities for the financial services sector around conservation, sustainability and biodiversity and outlines four immediate actions to tackle biodiversity loss.
Earth Knowledge indicators will help you simplify, measure and monitor your progress.
Earth Knowledge showcased as one of the top 4 ESG Partners by Microsoft
EarthKnowledge has been selected as one of the top 4 ESG partners by Microsoft as a part of their Build for 2030 initiative, launched on Earth Day, 2021.
Sustainable Finance Live: Earth Knowledge invited to keynote and lead natural capital risk workstream
As a keynote and workstream lead at Sustainable Finance Live: Building Actionable ESGtech Strategies with a Partnership Ecosystem EarthKnowlege provide new insight and perspective on Natural Capital risk and how companies can change the way they mitigate to secure future operations.
Panel facilitators from ESG Treasury, Wonder14, Impact Investing, WWF, Verisk Maplecroft, Smart4Tech and Earth Knowledge proposed a forward-looking risk system with dynamic inputs that can identify carbon intensive and damaging biodiversity activities across supply chains and help price this climate or natural capital risk.
Earth Knowledge tackle sustainable finance risk assessment
Earth Knowledge, a global sustainability information technology leader, after years of building and refining authoritative earth-systems models and processes, have simplified the assessment of risk and opportunity for sustainable finance through the calibration of over 300 critical indicators.
Spatial Finance: challenges and opportunities
EarthKnowledge were invited to provide expertise and contribution to the joint WWF-World Bank report tackling the Environment pillar of ‘Environmental, Social and Governance’ issues - a critically underexplored issue for the financial industry.
The report identifies key barriers, but crucially describes potential solutions within the emerging field of ‘spatial finance’, which complements existing ESG data streams, and outlines for the first time a robust taxonomy for the field.
