New student designer position at Data-Driven EnviroLab for current UNC Chapel Hill students! Data-Driven EnviroLab is seeking a student graphic designer intern to work on report design and layout, infographics, and interactive data visualization tools to improve communication around environmental issues. Candidates with proven research and design skills, with a particular emphasis on scientific research and an ability to convey scientific concepts to the general public, are encouraged to apply. Graphic design experience and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite are required. An interactive visualization development experience or experience vibe coding data visualizations and dashboards is preferred. For more information, please visit https://lnkd.in/gmyQW3cm. To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and relevant work samples to ddl@unc.edu with the subject “DDL Graphic Designer RA application” before August 14, 2026. Please indicate in the body of the email your availability to start, expected graduation date, and the number of hours you could commit to.
Data-Driven EnviroLab
Environmental Services
Applying cutting-edge data-driven approaches to the world's most pressing environmental challenges
About us
The Data-Driven EnviroLab (DDL) is an interdisciplinary and international research collective that’s redefining how we use data to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. From AI to urban heat, we turn complex, large-scale, and often messy datasets into actionable insights that shape policy, drive accountability, and inspire impact. Rooted in a commitment to evidence-based solutions and equity, our lab bridges disciplines, sectors, and geographies—especially focusing on underrepresented voices and data-challenged environments in the Global South. Based at the Institute for the Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and academically affiliated with the Department of Public Policy and the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program (E3P), DDL is led by Associate Professor Angel Hsu. We train the next generation of data-savvy environmental changemakers through hands-on research that is co-produced with real-world stakeholders—from city leaders and grassroots organizers to multilateral institutions and global platforms like the IPCC and WEF. At DDL, we call this Data in Action - bold, transparent, anticipatory, and grounded in lived experience. We don’t just study environmental problems—we build tools, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what data can do for people and the planet.
- Website
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https://datadrivenlab.org/
External link for Data-Driven EnviroLab
- Industry
- Environmental Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Chapel Hill
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2016
- Specialties
- Environmental, Data Science, and Policy
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Chapel Hill, us
Employees at Data-Driven EnviroLab
Updates
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At the GENESIS Summer Research Symposium at UNC Chapel Hill, our summer interns Carlos Carranza and Vivien Hines presented our work in developing a "Solar-Powered Ventilated Shield for Low-Cost Sensors." Over the summer, our team designed and 3D-printed three actively ventilated shield prototypes using solar-powered fans and ABS filament before testing them at various field sites in North Carolina. This work enables more accurate measurements of high temperatures for researchers and policymakers to effectively tackle heat stress. Data-Driven EnviroLab would like to thank the Environmental Health Scholars Program at UNC Institute for the Environment (Kathleen Gray Neasha Graves, Mitierra Johnson, and Evan Goodman), NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the The Samuel Family Foundation for their generous funding and support which made this work possible. Angel Hsu, PhD, Sarah Berk, Isabel Bukovnik, Austin Irwin
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🔎 Net Zero Tracker Historical Time Series Dataset Launch The Net Zero Tracker just launched the Net Zero Tracker time-series data, which provides the most comprehensive historical record yet of net zero and related climate commitments, tracking more than 4,000 countries, states and regions, cities and companies across the period 2015–2026. Data-Driven EnviroLab's Diego Manya discussed the data, its methodologies, and applications in a webinar hosted by NZT project lead John Lang, ECIU and NZT Data lead Helen Tatlow. 👀 Check out the data for free here: https://zerotracker.net/
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New dataset launch! 🎉 Join us to explore the Net Zero Tracker Historical Time Series on July 22nd, 16:00 BST / 11:00 ET. NZT project lead John Lang will be joined by NZT Data lead Helen Tatlow, Data-Driven EnviroLab's Diego Manya, and others to discuss key features of the dataset and analytical opportunities for policy analysis, climate governance, and accountability This new dataset was developed using rigorous coding methodology based on publicly available primary sources and an innovative #citizen #science model. To date, 709 trained volunteers from 92 countries around the world have contributed to data collection and validation, creating one of the most comprehensive historical records of #climate #commitments currently available. July 22nd, 16:00 BST / 11:00 ET Location: Zoom - register here: https://lnkd.in/eJq5fycS
📢 Launching the Net Zero Tracker Historical Time Series Dataset How have net zero commitments evolved since the Paris Agreement? Have they become more robust, more transparent, and more credible over time, or not? We're excited to launch the Net Zero Tracker Historical Time Series Dataset, the most comprehensive longitudinal record yet of net zero and related climate commitments across countries, states and regions, cities, and companies. 📊 The dataset covers: • 4,000+ entities • 2015–2026 • Target data Building on the work behind the Net Zero Wave research, the dataset opens up new opportunities to analyse how climate commitments spread, evolve, strengthen, weaken, and interact with policy, markets, technology deployment and public support. In doing so, it helps address one of the central questions in climate governance: how targets interact with policy, markets, technology deployment and public support to create, or stall, the reinforcing ‘ambition loops’ needed for global decarbonisation. Join us on 22 July at 16:00 BST / 10:00 EST as John Lang (ECIU), Helen Tatlow (University of Oxford), and Diego Manya (UNC) introduce the dataset, explain the methodology, and discuss its applications. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eJq5fycS
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Last week, Data-Driven EnviroLab researcher Dr. Yuetong Zhang attended The World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists (WRECE) 2026 where she presented her work on "the dual burden of energy poverty and climate exposure." On her experience, Dr. Zhang shared, "A recurring discussion across multiple sessions was the growing role of #AI in #environmental #economics and #climate #research. An interesting debate centered on whether AI agents can represent human economic behavior and whether AI-based analyses can provide credible causal evidence and support welfare-based policy analysis. While there was broad excitement about AI's potential, many participants stressed that these methods could complement, rather than replace, economic theory and empirical identification." "The conference is closely related with our lab's ongoing research in climate policy, integrated assessment modeling (IAM), and empirical environmental economics. Several presentations focused on advancing IAMs by incorporating biodiversity and ecosystem services into general equilibrium frameworks, providing valuable perspectives for improving our ML-IAM research. Other sessions applied econometric methods to evaluate climate mitigation policies and climate governance, which are directly relevant to my current work on problem-shifting."
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Last week, Data-Driven EnviroLab Director Dr. Angel Hsu, PhD spoke at a panel on "Reclaiming Net Zero: Credibility, Competitiveness, and Delivery" at London Climate Action Week! Check out some of the key insights in the post by Net Zero Tracker below 👀
Yesterday, we co-hosted an inspiring panel with Goals House at London Climate Action Week on ‘Reclaiming Net Zero: Credibility, Competitiveness and Delivery.’ The event closed with the phrase, ‘Stubborn with the destination, flexible with the approach.’ This captured what the next phase of the transition demands: unwavering commitment to the goal, but a willingness to adapt and innovate how we get there. Some key themes stood out: ➡️ Implementation is the new frontier. Schneider Electric and H&M Group shared obstacles and successes on the road to electrification and supply chain transformation – and critically, how these efforts are translating into business value. ➡️ Scope 3 is a collaboration challenge. As H&M’s recent white paper (linked below) explains, there’s a growing opportunity for sector peers to collaborate to boost the climate credentials of their collective supply chains. ➡️ Standards are maturing. The emerging SBTi and ISO standards are providing greater clarity on what credible climate action looks like. But as an accountability ecosystem we need to find ways to distinguish climate leadership, as well as setting the floor for compliance. ➡️ We need to strive for societal net zero. Organisations don't decarbonise in isolation. Achieving net zero increasingly depends on transforming the wider systems - energy, infrastructure, policy and value chains - that connect us all. ➡️ The language is changing. One comment captured the mood: "This is about shifting from the carbon accounting story, to the language of doing" - because that's what creates value for customers and investors. Thank you to our outstanding panelists, Shirley Rodrigues C40 Cities; Hampus Starre Friberg; Frederic Hans, NewClimate Institute; Vanessa Miler-Fels of Schneider Electric, Angel Hsu, PhD of Data-Driven EnviroLab The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and Kaya Axelsson, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford and to NZT lead John Lang of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit for expertly moderating the discussion. And huge thank you to our partners at #GoalsHouse, and everyone who joined us for such a thoughtful conversation. Link to H&M white paper: https://lnkd.in/gdCz9iNh Danielle Wilder Nelly Richards Helen Tatlow Steve Smith Thomas Hale Louise Bammel Victoria Fischdick Freuds Group Arlo Brady Nick Hay
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As a member of the North Carolina AI Leadership Council, Data-Driven EnviroLab Director Dr. Angel Hsu, PhD recently helped shape the Statewide AI Strategic Roadmap, contributing strategies and insights to help North Carolina navigate the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence for the state. The council developed 17 goals across three categories, mainly: 1) Protect: safeguarding North Carolina residents through responsible AI use and strong risk mitigation practices. 2) Prepare: strengthening AI literacy and readiness for students, workers, and communities. 3) Transform: enabling state government to modernize and leverage AI to improve services for the public Check out the press release and full report here: https://lnkd.in/eZH-Ruzx
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Data-Driven EnviroLab recently published "Climate AI for Cities: Solutions for Mitigation, Adaptation, and Energy Access" in collaboration with our partners at the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)! We would like to thank Juan Pablo Astolfo, Deniz Esin Emer, Swan YTL, and Giorgia Rambelli from GCoM for their valuable insights and the opportunity to collaborate. Explore the report (https://lnkd.in/da35-k7m) and solution dashboard (https://lnkd.in/dw2TAzCy) here. Angel Hsu, PhD Diego Manya Damon Lim Wei Da Samuel Bertossi Alicia Bao
Today we are launching Data-Driven EnviroLab Climate AI Solutions for Cities Report at the #Innovate4Cities Conference in Nairobi with Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) Our report examines 100 AI solutions available for cities to explore across urban climate mitigation, adaptation, and energy access — providing a snapshot of this field in terms of development level, maturity, and feasibility for city deployment. Key takeaways: 📦 Most Climate AI solutions are presented as standalone products, which are easier to adopt but they limit local capacity-building unless extra steps are taken. 🚧 The field is still maturing as the majority of solutions are in pilot or early adoption phases. So cities should scrutinize providers claims on performance, scalability, and impact carefully before committing resources 💸 Costs are a major blind spot with significant variability in investment and pricing structure as well as hidden costs like subscriptions, computing power, staff training, and maintenance. 🤖 Generative AI is barely present — only 3 of 100 solutions use GenAI as a core methodology. This will change, but cities should be mindful of the energy demands and governance risks. 🗺️ Where to start? Cities need to assess their institutional capacity and data readiness first. Invest in data literacy and staff capacity and tap on peers, city networks, local universities and partnerships. Start small but don't wait for perfect data, build capacity through pilot implementation. Explore the full report (https://lnkd.in/eCXp5x6f) and interactive dashboard (https://lnkd.in/eWHiDuPZ) Huge thanks to my colleagues at DDL - Angel Hsu, PhD, Damon Lim Wei Da, Samuel Bertossi and Alicia Bao - and our partners from GCOM Juan Pablo Astolfo, Benjamin Jance IV for their support.
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Data-Driven EnviroLab is excited to welcome Samuel Fellow in Belonging Jillian E.! Every year, the Belonging Forum supports a fellowship at DDL for a young professional to tackle social isolation and strengthening belonging through research and community-driven solutions. This year, we are happy to have Jill join us from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. During her time at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jill studied the health impacts of flood exposure in Eastern North Carolina, an experience that inspired her to explore how social connection and capital interact with community resilience to environmental stressors. Working at the intersection of #urbanplanning, #publichealth, and data science, Jill will be joining DDL and the Belonging Forum as one of nine 2026 Samuel Fellows in Belonging. Her project is focused on developing a city-level conceptual framework for social connectedness, with the goal of improving the #UESI’s social equity and inclusion measures.
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Sharing an opportunity in NLP/AI and climate by Dr. Dominik Stammbach, one of our research collaborators! NLP and AI as Climate Solutions: Opportunities and Challenges - submission deadline: 30 June 2026. https://lnkd.in/eQnhgBr7
⏰ 3rd Call for Papers: ClimateNLP workshop at EMNLP 2026 🤖 💚 This is the final call to submit your work to the ClimateNLP workshop, co-located with one of the leading conferences in NLP and LLM research, Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP)! This conference aims to bridge the gap between climate sciences and NLP methods, from practitioners to researchers, and from policy insights to industry applications. If you are working at the intersection of these fields, feel free to submit your work and join us in Budapest! 📅 Important Dates: - Extended submission deadline: 15th of July - Workshop date: 28th or 29th of October 🔗 More information on our website: https://lnkd.in/eB3abuSP This workshop is the combined work of Dominik Stammbach (Princeton University), Gaku Morio (Hitachi), Jingwei Ni (ETH Zurich / Qwen), Kalyan Dutia (Climate Policy Radar), Aida Usmanova (Leuphana University of Lüneburg), Markus Leippold (University of Zurich / Google), Ario Saeid Vaghefi (University of Zurich / World Meteorological Organization), and me.
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