Quantifying localized anthropogenic CO2 sources from space: Current capabilities and requirements for a policy-relevant monitoring system
Abstract
The concept of monitoring anthropogenic CO2 emissions from space has gone from a theoretical possibility to a central objective of the next generation of CO2 satellite missions. NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) has provided XCO2 imaging observations that have demonstrated the ability to quantify CO2 emissions from individual power plants or cities in select cases, while also increasing our understanding of the limitations of our current observing capacity. OCO-3, launched in May 2019, has now added exciting new capabilities for quantifying anthropogenic emissions; however, true policy-relevant monitoring of anthropogenic CO2 emissions that can support commitments under the Paris Agreement is still years away. According to current understanding, no single satellite or instrument could possibly be sufficient. A robust system for anthropogenic CO2 emissions monitoring will require: 1) Multiple satellites with complementary orbits and observing strategies, 2) Improvements to modeling and analysis techniques, and 3) Rigorous calibration/validation and use of ancillary observing methods (i.e. ground-based remote sensing and in situ observations from stationary and mobile platforms). This presentation will include examples of localized anthropogenic CO2 emission quantification to demonstrate methodology and our current capabilities, followed by a discussion of studies and analyses on the requirements for a policy-relevant anthropogenic CO2 monitoring system.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.A44E..08N
- Keywords:
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- 0322 Constituent sources and sinks;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0345 Pollution: urban and regional;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE