The potential of CO2 satellite monitoring for climate governance: A review.

Good-quality CO 2 emission data are fundamental for effective climate policy and governance. Data manipulation should be deterred, while developing countries are generally weaker than developed countries in compiling bottom-up CO 2 emission inventories due to less adequate data collection capacity. This paper assesses the capabilities of CO 2 satellites as objective, independent, potentially low-cost and external data sources for monitoring energy-related anthropogenic CO 2 emissions at regional/national, megacity and point-source geographical scales. After overviewing all major CO 2 satellites, SCIAMACHY, GOSAT and OCO-2 are focused on due to their wider research applications and higher CO 2 sensitivity in total column measurements that include near surface emissions. Nighttime light satellite data for proxy CO 2 monitoring are also brought into comparison to distinguish the importance of direct CO 2 satellite monitoring. Studies are reviewed from the perspectives of spatial and temporal capability and accuracy to comprehend the current statuses of applications, assess the strengths and weaknesses of research methods, investigate major challenges and propose suggestions for future progress. We conclude that CO 2 satellite monitoring can strengthen the data foundation for implementing international climate treaties and domestic climate policies. • We review CO 2 satellites for climate governance as independent data sources. • CO 2 satellites are compared with nighttime light satellites as proxy monitoring. • We examine applications at national/regional, megacity and point-source levels. • The assessment specifically focuses on SCIAMACHY, GOSAT and OCO-2 satellites. • CO 2 satellite monitoring strengthens the data foundation for climate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]