Overview
According to the United Nations, 2° Celsius is the maximum allowable change in global temperatures without catastrophic consequences. Project 2° was created to give cities around the world practical tools to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The project’s Web-based Emissions Tracker software enables cities to calculate the carbon footprint of both municipal operations and the communities they service in a uniform way. Additionally, the application enables cities to plan meaningful actions that save energy and money and that make a profound impact in the fight against climate change.
How it Works
Project 2° software allows cities to establish a baseline on their greenhouse gas emissions, manage inventories, create action plans, track the effectiveness of their emissions reduction programs, and share experiences with each other. It will be the first global, multi-lingual emissions measurement toolset available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Web.
Users input data on emission producing activities such as fuel and electricity consumption, vehicle traffic, waste production, industrial processes and air and sea vessel fuel use. The software then converts the data into tons of CO2 equivalent, taking into consideration the source and type of energy and fuel used. Once data has been entered, users can customize the data and coefficients for the calculations. Data is managed in a private and secure environment that allows administrators to choose what data to publish and share with other users.
The tool is designed to be compatible with internationally accepted protocols such as those developed by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. The tool will allow cities to produce a standardized report showing graphs, charts and comments and to slice data by sector and jurisdiction.
This common measurement system will enable cities to easily compare and share best practices on emissions reductions, energy savings, cost savings, and other project benefits.
To learn more about Project 2°, please visit http://www.project2degrees.org
