Closing Gaps in Emissions Monitoring with Climate TRACE
Authors
Brittany V. Lancellotti
Jordan M. Malof
Aaron Davitt
Gavin McCormick
Shelby Anderson
Pol Carbó-Mestre
Gary Collins
Verity Crane
Zoheyr Doctor
George Ebri
Kevin Foster
Trey M. Gowdy
Michael Guzzardi
John Heal
Heather Hunter
David Kroodsma
Khandekar Mahammad Galib
Paul J. Markakis
Gavin McDonald
Daniel P. Moore
Eric D. Nguyen
Sabina Parvu
Michael Pekala
Christine D. Piatko
Amy Piscopo
Mark Powell
Krsna Raniga
Elizabeth P. Reilly
Michael Robinette
Ishan Saraswat
Patrick Sicurello
Isabella Söldner-Rembold
Raymond Song
Charlotte Underwood
Kyle Bradbury
Abstract
Global greenhouse gas emissions estimates are essential for monitoring and mitigation planning. Yet most datasets lack one or more characteristics that enhance their actionability, such as accuracy, global coverage, high spatial and temporal resolution, and frequent updates. To address these gaps, we present Climate TRACE (climatetrace.org), an open-access platform delivering global emissions estimates with enhanced detail, coverage, and timeliness. Climate TRACE synthesizes existing emissions data, prioritizing accuracy, coverage, and resolution, and fills gaps using sector-specific estimation approaches. The dataset is the first to provide globally comprehensive emissions estimates for individual sources (e.g., individual power plants) for all anthropogenic emitting sectors. The dataset spans January 1, 2021, to the present, with a two-month reporting lag and monthly updates. The open-access platform enables non-technical audiences to engage with detailed emissions datasets for most subnational governments worldwide. Climate TRACE supports data-driven climate action at scales where decisions are made, representing a major breakthrough for emissions accounting and mitigation.
