Prize launched to address carbon data confusion

Run by innovation foundation Nesta, the prize aims to encourage progress in CO2 reductions by finding advances in carbon measurement.

Ahead of the launch, Nesta is issuing a survey called Carbon Data Uncertainties, to identify the public’s main carbon data measurement concerns.

Nesta hopes that the results of the survey will clarify whether the challenge should focus on agriculture, reducing heat consumption, effective neighbourhood emissions measurement or shifting demand to off-peak energy use.

Nesta’s head of Centre for Challenge Prizes Vicki Purewal said: “The biggest uncertainties around carbon measurement are in the most complex sectors – for example biofuels, buildings, residency and energy efficiency. We would like people to come forward and let us know which areas they feel need the most urgent attention in terms of carbon measurement.

“Investors, policy makers and the public need better data about carbon savings to determine the most appropriate platforms, technologies or projects to invest in.

“Much of the carbon market and information about the performance of low carbon technologies doesn’t relate well to the real world; this is not the best basis for policy, investment, business or household decisions.”

Conor McGlone