It has been just over two years since the GGKP launched its web platform greengrowthknowledge.org. The web platform was developed to provide policymakers and practitioners with improved opportunities to access green growth resources, tools, data, and guidance, to better inform and implement on-the-ground policy change. All of this was done with the understanding that knowledge is essential to inform and support decisions makers working to implement a green economy.
Since the web platform was launched in January 2014, the GGKP has been closely monitoring the web analytics to understand how users are interacting with the site and whether the knowledge they are accessing is leading to lasting impact. In 2015, we went one step further and conducted a comprehensive web user analysis. Through the process, we collected feedback from over 700 web platform users, and conducted in-depth follow-up interviews with a diverse selection of users.
This exercise helped us better understand our users (e.g. who is using the web platform and why, what information are they looking for) and gather insights on the web platform itself (e.g. why are some sections more popular than others, how easy it is for users to find the information they are looking for). Based on the conclusions drawn from this process, this past month, the GGKP implemented a number of significant changes to its web platform to improve the user experience.
Developing Knowledge Pathways
The biggest change to the GGKP web platform was a complete rethinking of the pathways we present users, in other words, what are users looking for and how can we best assist them in finding relevant resources?
Based on the user surveys we conducted and analysis of our web analytics, we discovered a disconnect between the resources our users want and the resources they actually use. With some further digging, we uncovered one key challenge: We had spent the past two years building out a number of knowledge databases, however, many users were not even aware that these databases existed. One frequent request we received through the surveys was to create a database of existing green growth courses and training materials. Sounds like a great idea, the problem is that we already had such a database!
With these challenges in mind, we completely redesigned the GGKP navigation menu and the layout of the homepage. Through new pathways, we now more clearly outline for users what resources we have, and how they can use them.
The first pathway we created focuses on what green growth is, and what it means across different sectors, themes and countries. In the redesigned GGKP navigation bar, the first item is a new reference page, inviting users to explore what green growth means. Immediately beside this, users can dive in to learn about green growth across key sectors, themes and countries. A total of 29 sector and theme pages highlight the most relevant publications, projects and blogs. While 193 country pages provide access to country-level data, publications, projects and policies.
The second pathway we created focuses on the types of knowledge available to users. This includes publications, learning products, project descriptions and country data. We have termed these our “Global Databases”. Through these databases, the GGKP provides access to a rich selection of relevant knowledge products being produced by learning organisations and experts. Today, the web platform draws together over 2,000 knowledge products from more than 300 oragnisations, making it the leading source of green growth knowledge for policymakers and practitioners working to mobilise an inclusive green economy.
Highlighting the link between green growth and the SDGs
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and global agreement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) countries are now increasingly focused on achievement of these 17 goals and their 169 targets. Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation is embodied in the SDGs, and as a result green growth will be central to achieving them. To help illustrate these links, the GGKP has matched the green growth resources available through its web platform to the relevant SDG goals and targets. For instance, users interested in green growth in the energy sector can also access resources directly relevant for SDG Goal 7, including target 7.2 on renewable energy, target 7.3 on energy efficiency and target 7.a on energy R&D.
Finding the knowledge you need faster
Some of the biggest changes we made to the web platform are invisible to users, but they will have important implications, particularly for our low bandwidth users.
All information on the web platform can now be accessed within one or two clicks from the navigation bar or the homepage. This improved efficiency allows users to start exploring key knowledge products faster.
At the same time, we also installed a number of new modules to improve the web platform’s overall load speed. When attempting to connect with users in countries with low internet bandwidth, slow load speed can render a website completely useless.
Same tools, new look
The final set of changes we made to the web platform included the redesign of individual sections to better allows users to search or browse through content, and tweaks to the tools we offer to improve their usefulness.
The Events section was given a cleaner look where upcoming and featured events are now featured front and center, and users can browse through past events.
The Learning Database was simplified to more clearly highlight what types of resources are available to users, including courses, guidance material, webinars, multimedia and online tools. Users can also now search the database by keyword or by organisation. Additionally, frequent users can stay up-to-date on what’s new, or browse the selection of upcoming courses.
The Data Explorer also benefited from some remodeling work. Improvements to the legend displays and axis re-labelling will now help users more easily interpret results.
Finally, important changes were made to the GGKP’s Google translate widget, which allows users to instantaneously translate the website into over 50 different languages. With a global audience, this type of tool is critical to enable users to explore the site. We moved this tool to a more visible location (in the top right hand corner of the navigation bar) and adjusted its design to make it more prominent.
We want to hear from you
We invite you to explore the new and improved GGKP web platform and share with us your comments and feedback. User input was critical to inform all the web work described above and we look forward to continuing to hear from you to ensure we can respond to your evolving green growth knowledge needs.