In a groundbreaking collaboration, tech giant Google has joined forces with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to support the MethaneSAT satellite mission, a pioneering effort aimed at combating climate change by monitoring methane emissions worldwide, Financial Times reported.

Scheduled for launch in March, MethaneSAT represents a crucial step forward in the global fight against greenhouse gas emissions, with Google’s advanced AI computing capabilities poised to play a pivotal role in the mission’s success.

Developed by the Environmental Defense Fund, MethaneSAT harnesses cutting-edge satellite technology to monitor methane emissions, a potent contributor to global warming, and create a comprehensive global map of oil and gas infrastructure to detect leaks.

Unlike conventional satellites, MethaneSAT is uniquely equipped to measure emissions that evade detection by other means, providing unparalleled insights into the sources and magnitude of methane emissions while tracking changes over time.

The partnership with Google promises to enhance the satellite’s capabilities through the integration of advanced AI algorithms, empowering MethaneSAT to accurately calculate total emissions and pinpoint their origins with unprecedented precision.

By leveraging Google’s AI computing prowess, MethaneSAT aims to revolutionize the way regulators monitor and penalize leaky infrastructure, paving the way for more effective climate mitigation strategies.

Methane emissions pose a significant challenge in the fight against climate change, with leaky oil and gas infrastructure representing a major source of these emissions.