UPH Advances International Climate Data Collaboration through the En-ROADS Research Initiative
As part of its commitment to global sustainability and data-driven climate policy, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), through the Faculty of Science and Technology (FaST), conducted a pioneering study titled “Correlation Between Energy Supply, Transport, and Emission (ESTEM) in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. Led by Dr. Laurence and her research team, this six-month study (January–June 2024) forms part of UPH’s active participation in international collaboration on gathering and measuring data for the SDGs.
The research employed the En-ROADS Global Climate Simulation Model, a tool co-developed by Climate Interactive, the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, and international partners under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This simulation environment allows researchers worldwide to analyse and compare climate policy scenarios by integrating open-source, evidence-based datasets on energy systems, emissions, and temperature dynamics. By using En-ROADS, the UPH research team joined a global community of analysts contributing to shared climate data repositories and policy-impact modeling that inform international SDG monitoring, particularly for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Through advanced statistical and machine-learning methods, including multiple linear regression, LASSO, Ridge, and Random Forest regression, the study assessed over 31,000 international climate data points to identify the most influential variables affecting global temperature rise. The findings revealed that carbon pricing, methane management, and afforestation are the most impactful policy levers for mitigating climate change, aligning with the United Nations’ SDG Progress Report 2023 and the outcomes of COP 28. These insights not only contribute to the global understanding of emission reduction strategies but also provide a robust, data-based foundation for climate policy evaluation.
The research represents UPH’s growing role as an academic contributor to global sustainability data networks, promoting evidence-based analysis for policy coherence and international cooperation. It also reflects the university’s strategic focus on using data modeling and simulation tools to bridge the gap between science and policy in climate governance. By participating in En-ROADS-driven global data sharing, UPH’s research outcomes support international benchmarking for SDG progress, enhancing collective knowledge on effective pathways to net-zero emissions and sustainable energy transition.
Ultimately, this initiative underscores how UPH integrates international research collaboration, data gathering, and analytical innovation into its academic and policy engagement efforts. The project stands as a tangible example of how higher education institutions can contribute to global SDG data ecosystems, reinforcing the shared pursuit of a sustainable and climate-resilient future.