Emissions data is the quantitative measurement of pollutants released into the environment. Emissions can come from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and can be either gaseous or particulate in nature. Measuring emissions is important for understanding the impact of human activity on air quality and climate change, as well as for developing mitigation strategies to reduce environmental pollution.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to measure emissions, including direct measurements using sampling devices such as continuous emission monitors (CEMs), indirect methods that estimate emissions based on fuel consumption data, and atmospheric modeling. Data collected from these methods can be used to generate emission inventories, which provide information on the types and amounts of pollutants emitted by different sources. This information is critical for identifying sources of pollution, understanding how they contribute to overall levels of pollution, and setting priorities for mitigation efforts.
One challenge in measuring emissions is that many pollutants are not emitted continuously, but rather come from episodic events such as wildfires or flaring at oil and gas facilities. Another challenge is that some pollutants (such as black carbon) can have both natural and anthropogenic sources, making it difficult to attribute emissions to a specific source type. Despite these challenges, accurate emissions data is essential for informed decision-making about how to protect air quality and address climate change.