Monday, September 23, 2023 | 9:00am - 4:30pm EDT | Harvard Club of New York City.

Data Cooperatives and Digital Commons: Pioneering Digital Governance for Regenerative Solutions
Moderated by Gaël Van Weyenbergh, Co-Convenor

At the heart of the Leaders of Regeneration summit, the Data Cooperatives and Digital Commons panel spotlighted groundbreaking approaches to rethinking digital governance and ownership in the context of ecosystem regeneration. As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from biodiversity collapse to climate change, this session explored how data cooperatives can serve as key mechanisms for aligning economic incentives with the preservation of nature.

The panel discussed how data cooperatives, with their multi-stakeholder governance structures, offer communities the ability to control, share, and manage their data in a democratic and ethical manner. These cooperatives provide a much-needed alternative to centralized data ownership, empowering communities—especially Indigenous and vulnerable groups—to steward their own data while participating in the broader global effort to combat environmental degradation.

Key Takeaways from the Data Cooperatives Panel:

• Countering Harmful Economic Incentives: Data cooperatives enable communities to resist destructive economic activities such as logging and mining by quantifying the immense planetary value of ecosystems—such as biodiversity, carbon capture, and oxygen generation. This ensures that nature's intrinsic value is not only recognized but also economically supported.

• Bridging Technology and Ancestral Knowledge: Through data cooperatives, communities can integrate advanced technological systems with ancient wisdom, fostering new insights into regenerative practices while safeguarding Indigenous land and knowledge rights.

• Unlocking New Revenue Streams: By leveraging the power of collective data ownership, communities can open new pathways for sustainable finance, creating revenue models that reward environmental stewardship and ecosystem regeneration.

• Creating Digital Sovereignty: Data cooperatives place control back in the hands of those who generate the data, enabling communities to maintain sovereignty over their resources while contributing to global efforts in a fair and transparent manner.

Notable Speakers in the Data Cooperatives Panel:

• Mei Lin Fung, Chair of the People-Centered Internet and co-founder of ImpactX, who emphasized the role of data cooperatives in fostering trust and inclusion in the digital age.

• Yannis Ioannidis, President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), spoke on the intersection of data science and democratic governance models.

• Gurvinder Ahluwalia, Blockchain pioneer, CEO of Digital Twin Labs, ex-CTO of IBM North America, and father of live streaming, explored how blockchain technology can be used to secure data cooperatives and ensure their long-term viability.

• Raphael de Ry, Founder of ALLCOT IO, a pioneer in sustainability, carbon markets, and zero-waste initiatives.

• Wes Geisenberger, VP of Sustainability & ESG at HBAR Foundation, leading climate and biodiversity initiatives.

• Sophie Rigg, Independent International Policy Adviser on UN advocacy, climate, and the SDGs, who emphasized the importance of integrating policy with regenerative solutions.

• Jose Maria Gualinga Montalvo, Leader of the Kichwa People of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, who shared insights on the role of Indigenous knowledge in ecosystem regeneration and the power of digital sovereignty.

This panel was a crucial element of the summit's broader agenda, which seeks to integrate innovative financing, data-driven insights, and ancient wisdom to regenerate ecosystems and create a more sustainable and equitable future.