FIRE-TRACE

Indicator: 

• Net Green-house Gas emissions from the LULUCF sector (ESS code: 13_21)
• Close UN indicator: 13.2.2

Pilot:

Province of Cosenza (Italy): learn more

Traditional inventory-based fire emissions monitoring is slowed down by reporting delays. In contrast, advancements in Earth observation and environmental modelling have rapidly transformed the understanding of GHG emissions from forest fires. Therefore, SDG-EYES developed FIRE-TRACE, a new service to advance and harmonise GHG emissions monitoring. It ntegrates several data layers to capture the true complexity of fire behaviour. FIRE-TRACE is a research-driven, Earth observation-based tool that delivers timely maps of GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and particulate matter.

More accurate and realistic data.

Recognising that only a portion of standing biomass is consumed during a forest fire, FIRE-TRACE combines Copernicus (freely-available) satellite data with novel partial-combustion models and local biomass inventories. This replaces outdated assumptions of complete biomass loss with more accurate estimates of emissions.

Near-real-time data.

By leveraging Copernicus’s available satellite archives, FIRE-TRACE delivers data without the need for heavy on-site infrastructure. The platform is cloud-based, cost-effective, and features an intuitive interface, making it accessible even to smaller administrations. It offers a faster and potentially more reliable alternative to traditional national inventories, which typically report emissions data annually.

Co-design process.

Developed through a sustained co-design process, FIRE-TRACE reflects the needs of its end-users, including national statistical offices, environmental agencies, and forest managers. By incorporating the feedback gathered through workshops and webinars, the platform has ensured compatibility with existing monitoring frameworks and reporting standards.

FIRE-TRACE enables automated estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from forest fires. Upon user input of the date and region, the tool integrates remotely sensed data on burned area and fire severity (from EFFIS), above-ground biomass, and emission factors. The outputs generated are spatially explicit GHG emission maps, time series analyses, and a downloadable emissions database.