Kayrros

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Kayrros is an environmental intelligence company founded in 2016. [1]

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Kayrros tracks methane and carbon dioxide emissions, analyses carbon sinks and assesses the risk of wildfires, landslides, floods and other climate events. It also monitors the fuel mix and the progress of the green transition, evaluating the fossil fuel supply chain and facilitating the introduction of renewable energy sources, such as solar. [2] The company uses public and private data, including satellite imagery from the European Space Agency's Copernicus satellites [3] [4]

History

Kayrros was founded in 2016 by energy industry leaders and scholars Antoine Rostand, Antoine Halff, Laurent El Ghaoui, Alexandre D'Aspremont and Jean Michel Lasry. [5] Headquartered in Paris, the company has regional hubs in London, New York, Houston, Bangalore and Singapore. [6]

Kayrros uses satellite observations and AI to automate the measuring of organisational, regional and global methane emissions. The United Nations Environment Programme's International Methane Emissions Observatory and The International Energy Agency use data supplied by Kayrros. [7] [8] [9]

In 2021, Kayrros attended COP26 on behalf of France to demonstrate their technological advances in the field of earth observation. The same year, Kayrros data and analysis were part of the first reports showing that Russia's official estimates of oil and gas-related methane emissions were grossly inaccurate. [10] [11] [12]

In February 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Kayrros' work with Copernicus in detecting gas emissions and publishing reported discrepancies that other countries were unable to detect. [13] The same month, Kayrros' data was used in the first statistical characterisation of methane ultra-emitters from oil and gas. [14] [15]

In March 2022, Kayrros raised €40 million from investors including the French public investment bank Bpifrance, BNP Paribas, NewSpace Capital and the European Investment Bank, [16] [17] taking the total the company has raised since 2016 to €72m. [18]

In May 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kayrros reported that Ukraine's wheat harvest could fall by 35%. [19] In November 2022, it reported a parade of gas ships sailing from the US to Europe to ease the gas crisis. [20]

In March 2023, Kayrros revealed 1,000 super-emitter sites released methane into the atmosphere in 2022. [21] It reported potent greenhouse gas leaks in Turkmenistan in May 2023. [22]

Kayrros announced a partnership to provide satellite data and insights on the Amazon basin to the global carbon ratings agency BeZero Carbon. [23] The French arm of multinational insurance firm AXA announced the release of a wildfire risk model developed by Kayrros in the summer of 2023. [24]

Award

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change mitigation</span> Actions to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change

Climate change mitigation (or decarbonisation) is action to limit the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change. Climate change mitigation actions include conserving energy and replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources. Secondary mitigation strategies include changes to land use and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Current climate change mitigation policies are insufficient as they would still result in global warming of about 2.7 °C by 2100, significantly above the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to below 2 °C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon offsets and credits</span> Carbon dioxide reduction scheme

Carbon offsetting is a carbon trading mechanism that enables entities to compensate for offset greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that reduce, avoid, or remove emissions elsewhere. When an entity invests in a carbon offsetting program, it receives carbon credit or offset credit, which account for the net climate benefits that one entity brings to another. After certification by a government or independent certification body, credits can be traded between entities. One carbon credit represents a reduction, avoidance or removal of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide or its carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions</span> Sources and amounts of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide, from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is one of the most important factors in causing climate change. The largest emitters are China followed by the United States. The United States has higher emissions per capita. The main producers fueling the emissions globally are large oil and gas companies. Emissions from human activities have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50% over pre-industrial levels. The growing levels of emissions have varied, but have been consistent among all greenhouse gases. Emissions in the 2010s averaged 56 billion tons a year, higher than any decade before. Total cumulative emissions from 1870 to 2022 were 703 GtC, of which 484±20 GtC from fossil fuels and industry, and 219±60 GtC from land use change. Land-use change, such as deforestation, caused about 31% of cumulative emissions over 1870–2022, coal 32%, oil 24%, and gas 10%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States</span> Climate changing gases from the North American country

The United States produced 5.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020, the second largest in the world after greenhouse gas emissions by China and among the countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person. In 2019 China is estimated to have emitted 27% of world GHG, followed by the United States with 11%, then India with 6.6%. In total the United States has emitted a quarter of world GHG, more than any other country. Annual emissions are over 15 tons per person and, amongst the top eight emitters, is the highest country by greenhouse gas emissions per person.

Carbon monitoring as part of greenhouse gas monitoring refers to tracking how much carbon dioxide or methane is produced by a particular activity at a particular time. For example, it may refer to tracking methane emissions from agriculture, or carbon dioxide emissions from land use changes, such as deforestation, or from burning fossil fuels, whether in a power plant, automobile, or other device. Because carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas emitted in the largest quantities, and methane is an even more potent greenhouse gas, monitoring carbon emissions is widely seen as crucial to any effort to reduce emissions and thereby slow climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gas-fired power plant</span> One or more generators which convert natural gas into electricity

A gas-fired power plant, sometimes referred to as gas-fired power station, natural gas power plant, or methane gas power plant, is a thermal power station that burns natural gas to generate electricity. Gas-fired power plants generate almost a quarter of world electricity and are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can provide seasonal, dispatchable energy generation to compensate for variable renewable energy deficits, where hydropower or interconnectors are not available. In the early 2020s batteries became competitive with gas peaker plants.

Fugitive emissions are leaks and other irregular releases of gases or vapors from a pressurized containment – such as appliances, storage tanks, pipelines, wells, or other pieces of equipment – mostly from industrial activities. In addition to the economic cost of lost commodities, fugitive emissions contribute to local air pollution and may cause further environmental harm. Common industrial gases include refrigerants and natural gas, while less common examples are perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Europe</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Europe related to climate change

Climate change has resulted in an increase in temperature of 2.3 °C (4.14 °F) (2022) in Europe compared to pre-industrial levels. Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. Europe's climate is getting warmer due to anthropogenic activity. According to international climate experts, global temperature rise should not exceed 2 °C to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change; without reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, this could happen before 2050. Climate change has implications for all regions of Europe, with the extent and nature of impacts varying across the continent.

Increasing methane emissions are a major contributor to the rising concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere, and are responsible for up to one-third of near-term global heating. During 2019, about 60% of methane released globally was from human activities, while natural sources contributed about 40%. Reducing methane emissions by capturing and utilizing the gas can produce simultaneous environmental and economic benefits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey</span> Climate-changing gases from Turkey: sources, amounts, and mitigation policies

Coal, cars and lorries vent more than a third of Turkey's six hundred million tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions, which are mostly carbon dioxide and part of the cause of climate change in Turkey. The nation's coal-fired power stations emit the most carbon dioxide, and other significant sources are road vehicles running on petrol or diesel. After coal and oil the third most polluting fuel is fossil gas; which is burnt in Turkey's gas-fired power stations, homes and workplaces. Much methane is belched by livestock; cows alone produce half of the greenhouse gas from agriculture in Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference</span> 26th UN Climate Change conference held in Glasgow, Scotland

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP26, was the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, held at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, from 31 October to 13 November 2021. The president of the conference was UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma. Delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the third meeting of the parties to the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the 16th meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP16).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by China</span> Emissions of gases harmful to the climate from China

China's greenhouse gas emissions are the largest of any country in the world both in production and consumption terms, and stem mainly from coal burning, including coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel. When measuring production-based emissions, China emitted over 14 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases in 2019, 27% of the world total. When measuring in consumption-based terms, which adds emissions associated with imported goods and extracts those associated with exported goods, China accounts for 13 gigatonnes (Gt) or 25% of global emissions. According to the Carbon Majors Database, Chinese state coal production alone accounts for 14% of historic global emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by Russia</span> Greenhouse gas emissions originating from Russia and efforts to reduce them

Greenhouse gas emissionsbyRussia are mostly from fossil gas, oil and coal. Russia emits 2 or 3 billion tonnes CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about 4% of world emissions. Annual carbon dioxide emissions alone are about 12 tons per person, more than double the world average. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore air pollution in Russia, would have health benefits greater than the cost. The country is the world's biggest methane emitter, and 4 billion dollars worth of methane was estimated to leak in 2019/20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate target</span> Policy for emissions reductions

A climate target, climate goal or climate pledge is a measurable long-term commitment for climate policy and energy policy with the aim of limiting the climate change. Researchers within, among others, the UN climate panel have identified probable consequences of global warming for people and nature at different levels of warming. Based on this, politicians in a large number of countries have agreed on temperature targets for warming, which is the basis for scientifically calculated carbon budgets and ways to achieve these targets. This in turn forms the basis for politically decided global and national emission targets for greenhouse gases, targets for fossil-free energy production and efficient energy use, and for the extent of planned measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Climate TRACE is an independent group which monitors and publishes greenhouse gas emissions. It launched in 2021 before COP26, and improves monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of both carbon dioxide and methane. The group monitors sources such as coal mines and power station smokestacks worldwide, with satellite data and artificial intelligence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methane leak</span>

A methane leak comes from an industrial facility or pipeline and means a significant natural gas leak: the term is used for a class of methane emissions. Satellite data enables the identification of super-emitter events that produce methane plumes. Over 1,000 methane leaks of this type were found worldwide in 2022. As with other gas leaks, a leak of methane is a safety hazard: coalbed methane in the form of fugitive gas emission has always been a danger to miners. Methane leaks also have a serious environmental impact. Natural gas can contain some ethane and other gases, but from both the safety and environmental point of view the methane content is the major factor.

References

  1. ↑ Ecology, Inside (2023-08-02). "BeZero Carbon and Kayrros join forces to monitor carbon stocks in the Amazon rainforest". Inside Ecology.
  2. ↑ Misbrener, Kelsey (2022-07-11). "Satellite data shows big solar installation delays in Texas". Solar Power World.
  3. ↑ "Mapping methane emissions on a global scale". www.esa.int.
  4. ↑ "Satellite data at the heart of COP26 pledge to reduce methane emissions | ESA Business Applications". business.esa.int.
  5. ↑ FinSMEs (2017-01-12). "Kayrros Raises €9M in Series A Funding". FinSMEs.
  6. ↑ kayrrosadministration. "Who are we?". Kayrros.
  7. ↑ "Methane Tracker 2021 – Analysis". IEA.
  8. ↑ Russell, Laurence (2023-01-19). "Kayrros to supply UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory with global detection capacity". Satellite Evolution. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  9. ↑ "Kayrros to supply UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory with global detection capacity". Satellite Evolution. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  10. ↑ "Russia allows methane leaks at planet's peril". WashingtonPost.com.
  11. ↑ "A look back at SCO at COP26". www.spaceclimateobservatory.org. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  12. ↑ Rathi, Akshat; Ainger, John (2021-11-02). "Why the global methane pledge is a big deal for the climate". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  13. ↑ "Déclaration de M. Emmanuel Macron, président de la République, sur le spatial européen, à Toulouse le 16 février 2022". www.vie-publique.fr. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  14. ↑ "Satellite images show biggest methane leaks come from Russia and US". New Scientist. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  15. ↑ "Groundbreaking study in Science provides first statistical characterization of methane ultra-emitters from oil and gas". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  16. ↑ "BNP Paribas joins €40 million funding round in climate data outfit Kayrros". Finextra Research. 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  17. ↑ Allen, Patricia (2022-03-22). "French climate tech startup Kayrros raises €40 million to help companies and policymakers achieve sustainability goals". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  18. ↑ Turner, Millie (2022-03-22). "European Investment Bank-backed climate data firm snags £33m in funding". CityAM. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  19. ↑ Harvey, Fiona; Butler, Sarah (2022-05-06). "Ukraine's wheat harvest may fall by 35%, raising fears of global shortage". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  20. ↑ Reed, Stanley (2022-11-16). "A Parade of Tankers Has Eased Europe's Energy Crisis". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  21. ↑ Carrington, Damian (2023-03-06). "Revealed: 1,000 super-emitting methane leaks risk triggering climate tipping points". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  22. ↑ Carrington, Damian (2023-05-09). "'Mind-boggling' methane emissions from Turkmenistan revealed". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  23. ↑ "BeZero Carbon's New Partnership With Kayrros To Enhance Risk Assessment Of Amazon Projects". Carbon Herald. 2023-08-01.
  24. ↑ "Axa lanza en Francia un servicio de prevención de incendios forestales basado en imágenes por satélite". future.inese.es/ (in European Spanish). 2023-08-02.
  25. ↑ "TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2023: Kayrros". Time. 21 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Tech Champions 2022: The winners and the shortlists". Financial Times. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  27. ↑ "The 10 most innovative companies in energy and sustainability of 2023".
  28. ↑ "These 13 companies are using AI and data to make the world a better place".
  29. ↑ "French Tech 2030 – La French Tech" (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
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