Climate Test Tool for Evaluating Fossil Fuel Projects

NRDC is in the process of developing a “climate test” tool with the capability of assessing the consistency of proposed fossil fuel projects with climate goals. The test, which is anticipated to be published in late 2021/early 2022, will have the capability to determine the consistency of fossil fuel infrastructure proposals with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Synapse provided technical support to NRDC for refinement of this climate test and potential future extensions. Synapse collaborated with NRDC’s team of in-house scientists and policy experts to carry out research and analysis of several case study demonstrations of the tool: a gas pipeline, oil pipeline, oil and gas field, and gas plants. The tool relies on environmental and economic data to quantify the environmental significance of impacts from individual energy infrastructure projects in the oil and gas sector.