Australian researchers have developed a pioneering online tool known as the Carbon Impacts Tracer, aiming to assess the climate effects of fossil fuel projects. The tool, recently unveiled, allows users to predict the impact of proposed developments on global warming, glacier melting, and human fatalities. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate expert at the Australian National University, introduced the tool during a virtual press briefing, explaining its capability to trace emissions from individual projects to their contribution to planetary warming and subsequent effects.
By utilizing carbon dioxide emission data provided by project proponents, the tool calculates the projected temperature increase caused by a specific project. It then references scientific research to estimate real-world consequences such as coral reef degradation, agricultural production decline, and job displacement. The tool’s launch included case studies of several Australian projects, a UK endeavor, and the Bay du Nord offshore oil project in Canada, spearheaded by Equinor, a Norwegian energy company.
According to the tool, the Bay du Nord project could emit approximately 188 megatonnes of CO2 over two decades, resulting in a minute temperature rise globally. Additionally, it predicts increased heat exposure for over 111,000 individuals and anticipates 25 additional heat-related deaths in Europe. The tool forecasted glacier loss, elevated sea levels, job losses, and an increase in poverty due to the project’s pollution impact.
Joel Finnis, a climatologist from Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, praised the tracer project for consolidating various studies into a user-friendly platform. He emphasized its role in debunking arguments favoring expanded oil production, shedding light on the significant environmental and societal costs associated with seemingly minor projects.
Maria Nawaz, from the University of New South Wales, highlighted the tool’s significance in establishing clear links between fossil fuel ventures and their tangible repercussions. She emphasized its potential to strengthen climate litigation and urged governments, regulators, and the public to utilize it for evaluating upcoming projects in their regions.
The tool’s current focus is on evaluating proposed projects rather than existing installations, with plans for additional developments to be included as more data becomes accessible. Its potential applications range from aiding insurers in assessing project risks to assisting economists in forecasting economic impacts.