Australian scientists have developed a groundbreaking online tool to assess the environmental impact of fossil fuel projects on the climate. This tool, named the Carbon Impacts Tracer, can predict the effects of proposed energy developments on global warming, glacier melting, and potential human fatalities. By analyzing carbon dioxide emission data provided by project proponents, the tool calculates the projected increase in global temperatures and the resulting real-world consequences, such as coral reef degradation, food production declines, and job losses.

The Carbon Impacts Tracer was officially launched with case studies on several Australian projects, one in the U.K., and the Bay du Nord offshore oil project in Canada. The Bay du Nord project, led by Equinor, is anticipated to extract over 430 million barrels of oil reserves. According to the tool, the project’s CO2 emissions could reach 188 megatonnes over two decades, leading to a minimal temperature rise. Additionally, it forecasts that the emissions would expose more individuals to extreme heat, potentially causing heat-related deaths in Europe, glacier loss, and job losses, pushing people into poverty.

While Equinor has not commented on the findings, experts like climatologist Joel Finnis emphasize the tool’s significance in revealing the true impacts of fossil fuel projects. Maria Nawaz, from the University of New South Wales, highlights the tool’s potential in holding governments and corporations accountable for their emissions. She envisions its use by policymakers, regulators, and the public to evaluate proposed projects and strengthen climate litigation efforts. Insurers and economists could also utilize the tool to assess risk and economic repercussions.

The Carbon Impacts Tracer presently focuses on proposed projects, excluding existing oil wells or mines, with plans to include more developments as data becomes accessible. The tool aims to dispel the notion that individual project emissions are insignificant, providing a tangible link between fossil fuel activities and measurable environmental and social impacts.