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A seat at the table: women’s role in the fight against climate change
Women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, yet rarely enjoy equal representation in climate decision-making, leading to policies that do not adequately address their needs. On International Women’s Day this year, some governments and organisations recognised this predicament and renewed a push for change It is a fact that climate change is…
Report urges AI sustainability as energy concerns grow
The British government should invest in sustainable AI amid concerns about the amount of energy needed to power the technology, according to a report by the UK’s National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC). The report – produced by the Royal Academy of Engineering, which leads the NEPC, together with BCS (the Chartered Institute of IT), and…
Australian Treasury to model climate change effects on economy
The federal Treasury is to model the economic impacts of climate change on Australia for the first time in nearly a decade. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has directed the department to look into the effects of climate change on the economy and budget as part of a wider effort to understand the risks posed to households,…
Achieving zero: how are governments to reach climate neutrality in an age of permanent crisis?
National governments are grappling to understand how net zero can be achieved, and world events are making that task harder still. During a GGF webinar, experts discussed some of the options available to help governments reach their goals – and why citizens’ trust must be earned if they are to be successful For many national…
Two ministers, one department: can Australia’s new environment super-department work?
Good news, Australia – the environment is back. The country’s new government has introduced a new super-department covering climate change, energy, the environment and water. But while the ministry move sounds great in theory, it’s risky in practice. Having one super-department supporting two ministers – Tanya Plibersek in environment and water, and Chris Bowen for…
Saving people and planet: creating a fairer world in the move to low-carbon economies
As governments focus increasingly on the climate crisis, they must ensure that people and communities are at the centre of policy decisions. At a GGF webinar, Jack Aldane heard experts discuss how to make a just transition and why quality negotiation is key What is a price worth paying for a sustainable planet? Twenty years…
Biden beefs up federal requirement to assess environmental impact of infrastructure after dilution by Trump
President Joe Biden has restored key facets of a law that requires government agencies to assess the environmental consequences of major infrastructure projects, after they were dropped by his predecessor Donald Trump. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced last week that under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal agencies would have…
Water resilience: why we must take a new approach to preserving a shrinking resource
In the UK, it is easy to take water and its free availability for granted. The reality, however, that water is a precious and finite resource is something we simply cannot ignore for much longer. It has been abundantly recited in recent years, and especially in light of COP26 and heightened action to achieve net…
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Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
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