EU project CORSO improves satellite monitoring of fossil fuel CO2 emissions for climate policy

The EU funded CORSO project has developed better methods to distinguish fossil fuel CO2 emissions from natural carbon fluxes using satellite data on nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and vegetation indicators. By integrating these supplementary observations into the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, the project improves the accuracy of emission tracking for both science and policy. Researchers used satellite data to validate and correct global power plant emission databases, including fixing errors in plant locations and emission ratios. They also incorporated vegetation data like soil moisture and solar-induced fluorescence to improve carbon flux estimates. These advances are being integrated into the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' Integrated Forecasting System, which will enhance the global CO2 monitoring system. The project's data and models remain publicly available through the project website and Zenodo portal for four years, supporting researchers and policymakers working on carbon cycle understanding and emissions verification at country and city scales.