Specialists from Murmansk Arctic University developed a new method for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions along the Northern Sea Route. It will help freight operators comply with environmental standards, monitor carbon dioxide emissions and chart routes with minimal environmental impact, as per the press service of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

According to scientists, the new method for gauging greenhouse gas emissions can take into account multiple factors influencing the accuracy of calculations in the Arctic environment. They believe that this is the method’s main advantage.

“It is important that the method is adapted to the specifics of Arctic routes, it analyzes the ice situation, the duration of hauls and engine operation modes. This makes it possible to avoid error margins typical of traditional emission calculation concepts,” Zhanna Vasilyeva, Head of the R&D Laboratory Eco-Engineering and Monitoring Arctic Pollution Levels at Murmansk Arctic University, said.

According to Zhanna Vasilyeva, the method can be integrated into environmental monitoring systems of ports and coastal areas, digital shipping control platforms, including dispatch control centers of the Northern Sea Route, software modules for streamlining routes in line with carbon traces, as well as procedures for certifying environmentally friendly freight traffic and evaluating environmental risks.

Researchers want to adapt the new method for monitoring carbon dioxide emissions to Arctic sea-ice formations. There are also plans to expand the satellite database for faster monitoring.