2019-10/1572438037_birminghamgoogleenvironment

The online giant is to make crucial climate data available in the region’s three main cities – Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton – to help the West Midlands tackle the current climate emergency.

The data, which will take the form of a free online tool known as the Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE), is to come from an analysis of Google’s global mapping data, showing estimates of building and transportation carbon emissions and renewable energy potential.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

"Climate change is a critical issue that must be addressed - and fast.

"The WMCA, led by our environment portfolio holder Ian Courts, has already declared a climate emergency in the region, and we are now working up our plans as to how we become carbon neutral no later than 2041.

"This data being made available across our three cities by Google will make a substantial difference to our efforts and will help us target specific areas to achieve greater results.

"I am delighted to team up with Google in the fight against climate change and I also feel incredibly proud that they have chosen the West Midlands as one of the first locations for their Environmental Insight Explorer tool."

Google’s data is currently available in Birmingham, and will be made available in Wolverhampton and Coventry at a later date.

As well as the three West Midlands cities, Google’s EIE is also launching in Dublin, Copenhagen, and Manchester.

Rebecca Moore, director of Google Earth, Earth Engine and Outreach, said:

“Over 10,000 cities around the world have committed to taking action on climate change over the next decade. But without the right data, it can be hard to know where to start.

“That is why last year we created the Environmental Insights Explorer, which I am proud to say has now launched in its first European cities, and its first European region – the West Midlands.

“Created in collaboration with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), EIE analyses Google’s comprehensive global mapping data to estimate building and transportation carbon emissions and renewable energy potential, data that helps build policies, guide solutions and measure progress.

“We’re already working on bringing EIE to many more cities around the world, as we’re excited about helping more cities create a healthier, cleaner future for their citizens and for the planet.”

For more information on Google’s EIE click here, and to view the West Midlands data that is currently available, click here.

Article credit: West Midlands Combined Authority

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