BAKU, AZERBAIJAN | November 15, 2024 – Climate TRACE has released a new report providing detailed monthly emissions data for every country and major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) worldwide. For the first time, it also includes data for every state, province, county, and over 9,000 cities, offering vital information to help local governments take climate action.
Before this release, 80% of cities worldwide lacked accurate data on their GHG emissions. Now, with Climate TRACE, these urban areas can track their emissions, which collectively account for 17 billion tonnes of CO2e — over 25% of global emissions.
New Data on Air Pollution
Climate TRACE also tracks harmful air pollutants from large sources, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause millions of deaths annually. Former U.S. Vice President and Climate TRACE co-founder Al Gore emphasized that this data helps local leaders take action where national efforts have fallen short. He pointed out the need to address emissions and environmental injustice together.
Key Findings from Climate TRACE
– Unequal Pollution Exposure
Climate TRACE revealed that pollution often impacts disadvantaged communities the most. Decarbonizing these areas could cut emissions more efficiently while improving equity.
– Subnational Trends
While emissions are rising in many countries, some states and provinces have managed to reduce them. For example, 378 states in the top 30 emitting countries have cut emissions since 2021.
– City-Level Inequalities
In a study of 500 major cities, those with lower GDPs had emissions grow 50% faster than wealthier cities. These cities contributed nearly three times the emissions of wealthier ones.
Global Emissions Insights
– GHG Emissions Hit New Highs
Global GHG emissions rose 0.7% in 2023 and are expected to grow slightly in 2024. Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, emissions have increased by 9.2% (5.2 billion tonnes CO2e).
– Oil and Gas Underreporting
Climate TRACE found that oil and gas emissions, especially methane, are three times higher than official reports due to gaps in tracking.
– Opportunities for Quick Wins
Data highlights “low-hanging fruit” for reducing emissions, such as targeting inefficient facilities or large landfills.
– Developing Countries at the Center
Most of the highest-emitting assets are in developing countries, but they receive less climate finance than needed.
Regional Highlights
– Tropical Forests
Emissions from deforestation dropped in the Amazon and Congo regions but surged by 40% in Indonesia due to fires and land degradation.
– Methane Emissions Rise
Despite pledges to reduce methane by 30% by 2030, emissions have increased by 5.17% since 2020.
– Maritime Emissions
“Dark fleet” vessels, which do not report their locations, accounted for 7% of global maritime emissions in 2023.
New Features in Climate TRACE
The latest updates include:
– Monthly Data: Available for all sectors from 2021 onwards, with updates every month starting in 2025.
– Granular City Data: Emissions can now be tracked at a much smaller scale, including 1 km x 1 km areas.
– Improved Accuracy: Data from over 660 million sources has been cross-verified with satellite and ground-based measurements.
Call to Action
Climate TRACE continues to refine its methods using AI and machine learning. With detailed data, it aims to empower leaders worldwide to make informed decisions and accelerate climate action. Al Gore calls this a “game-changer” for addressing pollution and climate justice.
If you want to join or contribute to Climate TRACE, reach out to coalition@ClimateTRACE.org.
###
About Climate TRACE
The Climate TRACE coalition was formed by a group of AI specialists, data scientists, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations. Current members include Carbon Yield; CTrees; Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability; Earth Genome; Former Vice President Al Gore; Global Energy Monitor; Hypervine.io; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab; OceanMind; RMI; TransitionZero; and WattTime. Climate TRACE is also supported by more than 100 other contributing organizations and researchers, including key data and analysis contributors: Arboretica, Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, Global Fishing Watch/emLab, Michigan State University, Open Supply Hub, and University of Malaysia Terengganu.
