Project 2°
Project 2° is the first global, multi-lingual emissions measurement toolset designed to help cities measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions 24 hours a day, seven days week, via the web. According to the UN, 2° Celsius is the maximum allowable change in global temperatures without catastrophic consequences.
Through its Web-based Emissions Tracker software, Project 2° enables cities to calculate the carbon footprint of both municipal operations and the communities they service in a uniform way. Additionally, the tool enables cities to plan meaningful actions that save energy and money and that make a profound impact in the fight against climate change.
Our Approach: Helping Cities Measure Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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.
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.
Through a common measurement system, cities can easily compare and share best practices on emissions reductions, energy savings, cost savings, and other project benefits.
Getting Started
Cities will provide all local activity data for input into the system. To prepare, cities should start collecting the following data, which in most cases is available from energy utilities and local suppliers, taxation, or other regulatory agencies:
- Existing emission inventories and mitigation project analyses
- Data on energy and electricity use within the community and city operations
- Transportation data, such as on-road travel distances and rail fuel use
- Waste management data, including information on historical waste disposal
- Information on major industries within the city or unique city operations that may impact emission footprints, such as manufacturing or electricity generation
For additional information, cities should refer to the information found on the Resources section of the Project 2° site: www.project2degrees.org.
Software Development
Ongoing development of the Project 2° software aims to meet the fast pace and evolving nature of the climate change field. Translations to other languages are in development, and additional features will be added in upcoming releases.
Our Project 2° Partners
Project 2° is a collaboration of the Clinton Climate Initiative, Microsoft Corporation, Autodesk, and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Additional expertise was provided by Ascentium Corporation and the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT).
