Climate TRACE: Al Gore’s Real-Time Emissions Tracker Is a Game-Changer for Global Climate Accountability
Climate TRACE: Al Gore’s Real-Time Emissions Tracker Is a Game-Changer for Global Climate Accountability
“Built by a global, not-for-profit coalition of over 100 universities, scientists, and AI experts….Climate TRACE is a comprehensive emission tracker..that uses satellites, other remote sensing techniques, and artificial intelligence to deliver a detailed look at global emissions that gets even better over time.”
Al Gore and above photo courtesy of Deposit Photos
Climate TRACE (Tracking Real-Time Atmospheric Carbon Emissions) is a groundbreaking global initiative co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.
Launched in 2021, the project aims to provide independent, near real-time monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide, leveraging satellite imagery, remote sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance transparency and accountability in climate action
climate trace and the built environment
Climate TRACE has an excellent Comparison Tool. You can compare different countries, types of gases and also different sectors. There are ten sectors, one of which is buildings.
Ireland vs Portugal Climate TRACE
Why did I choose these smaller countries to do my first Climate TRACE comparison? I am from Ireland and my partner is Portuguese.
Ireland’s population is 5.308 million (2023) and Portugal’s is 10.58 million (2023). I normally feel proud to be Irish, as we are friendly, fun-loving people in general. But this statistic is something I do not feel proud of as an Irish person.
So Ireland has half the population of Portugal but has double the amount of emissions when it comes to buildings.
If we look at all the categories, not only the buildings, it isn’t quite so bad. But Ireland still lag far behind Portugal given the population is twice as large.
A New Era of Emissions Monitoring
Traditional emissions reporting often relies on self-reported data from countries and corporations, which can be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate.
Climate TRACE addresses these challenges by utilising data from over 300 satellites and other remote sensing tools, combined with AI algorithms, to detect and quantify emissions from more than 1.8 million sources globally. This includes power plants, oil and gas fields, steel mills, and even large ships .
The platform offers monthly emissions data with a typical lag of just 60 days, a significant improvement over the year-long delays common in traditional reporting methods. This timely data enables policymakers, researchers, and the public to make informed decisions and track progress toward climate goals more effectively.
France VS United Kingdom Buildings
In the case of France and the United Kingdom, both have a population of a bit over 68 million. But when it comes to the buildings sector, the UK has 19.26% higher CO₂ emissions.
There are so many ways to use this amazing data. Another example is to take a particular place and compare it year on year.
London Reduced From 64.15M CO₂ In 2023 To 47.65M CO₂ In 2024 = 25.74%
Key Findings and Insights
Climate TRACE’s comprehensive data has revealed several critical insights:
Underreporting of Emissions: The initiative has uncovered systematic underreporting of emissions, particularly in the oil and gas sector. For instance, emissions from oil and gas production and transport are found to be three times higher than officially reported figures.
High-Impact Reduction Opportunities: By identifying facilities with the highest emissions intensity, Climate TRACE highlights “low-hanging fruit” opportunities for emissions reductions. Targeting these sources can yield significant climate benefits with relatively low investment. Discover more at Climate TRACE
Environmental Justice: The data reveals that emissions and pollution disproportionately affect overburdened communities, often in developing countries. Focusing decarbonization efforts in these areas can address both climate change and social inequities.
Applications and Collaborations
Climate TRACE’s open-access data platform serves various stakeholders:Climate TRACE
Governments: National and local authorities can use the data to verify emissions reductions, develop targeted policies, and fulfill international reporting obligations.time.com
Corporations: Companies, such as Tesla and Boeing, are collaborating with Climate TRACE to assess and reduce emissions within their supply chains .Climate TRACE
Researchers and NGOs: The detailed emissions data supports scientific studies and advocacy efforts aimed at combating climate change.axios.com
Implications for Global Climate Action
By providing transparent, accurate, and timely emissions data, Climate TRACE empowers stakeholders to take decisive action against climate change. The initiative’s insights can inform international negotiations, such as those under the Paris Agreement, by offering an independent verification mechanism for emissions reductions.time.com
As Al Gore stated, “With this inventory at our fingertips, there’s no longer a valid excuse for anyone—businesses, governments, or otherwise—to turn a blind eye to the work that must be done to slash emissions significantly and quickly” .Climate TRACE
Accessing Climate TRACE Data
Individuals and organizations interested in exploring Climate TRACE’s data can visit their official website at climatetrace.org. The platform offers interactive maps, sector-specific data, and tools for downloading datasets to support various climate-related initiatives
