Methane detection technology (aerial surveys, drone-mounted sensors, ground monitoring)
We're flying blind on climate data
Climate action is happening in the dark. We're making trillion-dollar decisions about energy systems, carbon markets, and climate adaptation based on incomplete, outdated, or simply wrong information.
Most of what we think we know about emissions comes from estimates and calculations, not actual measurements. We're guessing at how much carbon forests store, how fast cities are decarbonizing, and whether our climate projects are working. Meanwhile, climate impacts are accelerating faster than our models predicted, and we need precise, real-time data to respond effectively.
This isn't just an academic problem. Investors can't tell which climate projects deliver real results. Cities can't plan infrastructure without knowing their local climate risks. Companies can't manage what they can't measure. The gap between what we need to know and what we actually know is enormous — and it's slowing down everything else.
Most emissions data is built on estimates and activity statistics, not direct measurement
We're running the global carbon budget on spreadsheet math. Most emissions data comes from multiplying activity levels by emission factors — like estimating a power plant's CO2 output based on how much coal it burns, rather than measuring what actually comes out of the smokestack.
This approach misses methane leaks, underestimates industrial emissions, and can't track emissions in real time. It's like trying to manage your bank account by guessing how much you spent instead of checking your balance. For climate policy and carbon markets to work, we need to know what's actually happening, not what we think is happening.
Methane detection technology (aerial surveys, drone-mounted sensors, ground monitoring)
Specialized equipment for detecting methane emissions, which are often invisible and can vary dramatically over short time periods. This includes aircraft and drones equipped with methane sensors, handheld detection devices, and continuous monitoring systems for oil and gas infrastructure.
Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, and small leaks can have large climate impacts. These technologies help companies find and fix leaks quickly, provide data for methane regulations, and support efforts to reduce emissions from agriculture, waste management, and fossil fuel operations.