Australian scientists have developed a pioneering online tool called the Carbon Impacts Tracer, which can assess the environmental effects of fossil fuel projects on the climate. They have chosen a Canadian offshore oil venture as a pilot study for this tool.

The Carbon Impacts Tracer analyzes the potential impact of proposed projects, such as mines and oil platforms, on factors like global warming, glacier melt, and human health. By utilizing data on carbon dioxide emissions provided by project developers, the tool calculates the projected increase in global temperatures and then estimates the real-world consequences, including coral reef degradation, reduced food production, and job losses.

This innovative tool was launched with case studies on various projects, including the Bay du Nord offshore oil project in Canada, led by Equinor. The tool predicts that over a 20-year period, the project could emit 188 megatonnes of CO2, resulting in a minimal temperature rise globally. It also foresees increased heat exposure for over 111,000 individuals, leading to 25 heat-related deaths in Europe alone.

Furthermore, the Carbon Impacts Tracer suggests that the Bay du Nord project could cause 4.6 square kilometers of glacier loss, elevating sea levels by 0.025 millimeters. It anticipates approximately 2,100 job losses due to pollution and nearly 9,800 people being pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the project’s activities.

Experts, including climatologist Joel Finnis and Maria Nawaz from the University of New South Wales, praise the tool for consolidating research findings into a user-friendly platform for the general public. They believe it will challenge the common industry argument that individual projects have negligible environmental impacts.

The tool is expected to aid governments, regulators, and the public in evaluating future projects and may strengthen climate litigation efforts to hold stakeholders accountable for their emissions. Insurers and economists could also utilize the tracer to assess project risks and economic implications.

While the tool currently focuses on proposed developments, researchers plan to expand its coverage as more data becomes available.