Climate Trace, a climate protection organization, has released a world map of the largest greenhouse gas emitters. The data is intended to aid in the fight against climate change. The map includes nearly 80,000 major emitters, including the 500 largest power plants, industrial facilities, ships, steel mills, oil and gas fields, and cement factories. According to Climate Trace member Al Gore, the map will help reduce emissions by identifying their sources. The organization explains that it is essential to assign emissions not only to countries but also to individual sectors in the fight against climate change and to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The data was collected using Earth observation satellites and other sensors and analyzed using artificial intelligence. In addition to the particularly large emitters of CO? and other greenhouse gases shown on the world map, data on several million other sources can be accessed at Climate Trace. The organization is also working on processing historical data from recent years. Climate Trace is also considering how to determine the ownership of major emitters. Currently, the map shows the sources of emissions but not the individuals or companies that own them. According to the organization, attributing emissions is problematic. For example, in the case of a power plant, it would be necessary to determine whether the consumers of the energy, the direct owners, their parent companies, or investors are responsible.
The world map of greenhouse gas emitters is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. By identifying the sources of emissions, it will be easier to reduce them and achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate Trace’s use of artificial intelligence and satellite data is an innovative approach to collecting and analyzing data on emissions. However, the organization’s efforts to determine the ownership of major emitters highlight the complexity of the issue. It will be essential to continue to develop new methods for tracking and reducing emissions to combat climate change effectively.
