Engineers Show How Collecting Data From Old (And New) Cars Can Fight Pollution

A team of engineers in the U.S. have been helping the world fight against traffic pollution by gathering and sharing the kind of data countries need to draft effective policies and reduce carbon emissions.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) won a 1.5-million-dollar prize this month from the Skoll Foundation for its work in providing useful data and guiding countries through rolling out tighter policies.

“They look at different proposals on the table and scrutinize where they think there could be weaknesses”, says Artur Runge-Metzger, director of international and EU climate strategy for the European Commission, adding that the ICCT feeds in key data required to push things ahead and helps countries implement good ideas from others.

For example, the ICCT helped collect data on every old and new vehicle in Mexico, according to Rodolfo Lacy, environment director for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. They analyzed car makers’ future plans and prospective imports, resulting in the nation launching groundbreaking regulations to cut emissions.

“I was able to pass the first CO2 climate regulation in my country thanks to their help,” highlights Lacy.