TRACKING CARBON
FOOTPRINT USING AI
By S.Wali, S.Mahad, Zayan.U,
Muneeb.A, Muhibullah.S,
M.Ibrahim.Z
PROBLEM
Rising carbon emissions contribute to global climate change, escalating the frequency and severity of
extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves, while also accelerating the melting of
ice caps and raising sea levels. The Hindu Kush glaciers are particularly vulnerable, melting rapidly
and facing potential collapse, with projections indicating they could lose over 80% of their ice in this
century. Health implications arise from high carbon emissions, including headaches, dizziness, and
respiratory issues. Economically, there are challenges such as infrastructure damage, disruptions in
supply chains, and increased insurance claims. Transitioning to cleaner technologies is crucial, but it
poses economic challenges for carbon-intensive industries. Furthermore, agriculture and labor sectors
suffer from climate impacts, risking crop yields, food security, and workforce productivity. Health costs
associated with air pollution strain economies, emphasizing the urgency for action to mitigate these dire
consequences and transition towards a low-carbon economy.
CONCEPT
We will integrate the Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensor with a microcontroller or
a small computing device capable of performing data preprocessing before storing it
securely on a blockchain for analysis and subsequent actions. Among existing
blockchain technologies, Ethereum and Bitcoin best align with our requirements.
Subsequently, we will implement AI systems or algorithms to analyze the collected
data and provide feedback. Alternatively, we can develop an AI system capable of
predicting emissions by detecting changes in data patterns. Following this, we will
design a user interface using HTML and JavaScript, if the web route is chosen. This
interface will display real-time sensor data through live graphs and provide AIgenerated recommendations in textual format.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY
There are numerous benefits associated with this initiative, including a reduction in our carbon footprint,
resulting in a more hospitable and livable climate. Solutions to carbon emissions, such as improved public
transportation, offer societal advantages, while NDIR sensors facilitate the detection and mitigation of
CO2 levels in the environment. Additionally, this effort not only enhances national well-being but also
contributes to the global community by mitigating climate change and improving public health.
Furthermore, it fosters ecosystem preservation, ensuring the safety of wildlife habitats. Our project
stands to positively impact millions worldwide by improving living conditions through the reduction of
harmful carbon dioxide emissions, which are linked to various issues such as global warming and
respiratory diseases like pneumonia, asthma, and lung cancer. By addressing these challenges, our
initiative plays a crucial role in combating the ongoing climate crisis.
CONTRIBUTION TO QATAR
Qatar is one of the most affected countries from high carbon emissions. In fact it has
the highest carbon emissions per capita in the world. Our project helps by tracking
the footprint live making it more efficient, also accessible to everyone. So everyone
can track their carbon footprints and act on it.
WHAT IS UNIQUE IN OUR PROJECT
We implemented using AI which is not a very common practice in this field. Ai has
great potential to strive in this field as proven in several other fields, giving as a
strong recommendation about the air quality. Secondly we implemented the
blockchain technology in this project which is something innovational and new for this
field making our theory stand out amongst the others.
HOW DID WE IMPLEMENT AI IN THIS PROJECT.
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), abundant data from sources such as the Internet of
Things (IoT), cybersecurity, mobile devices, business operations, social media, and healthcare are
available for analysis. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML), plays a pivotal role
in intelligently analyzing this data and developing smart, automated applications. Various machine
learning algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning,
along with deep learning, offer sophisticated data analysis capabilities. This paper provides an extensive
overview of these machine learning techniques and their applicability across diverse domains such as
cybersecurity, smart cities, healthcare, e-commerce, and agriculture. Additionally, it discusses challenges
and potential research directions. Ultimately, this paper aims to serve as a valuable resource for
academia, industry professionals, and decision-makers, offering insights and guidance on leveraging
machine learning in real-world scenarios from a technical perspective.
QATAR’S CO2
EMISSIONS
Qatar is one of the most affected countries from high
carbon emissions. In fact, it has the highest carbon emissions
per capita in the world. Our project helps by tracking the
footprint live making it more efficient, also accessible to
everyone so they can track their own carbon footprintFossil
fuel combustion and industrial processes in Qatar produced
102.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂)
emissions
WHY BLOCK CHAIN.
integrating blockchain technology into this project offers significant advantages. Blockchain's
decentralized structure ensures the security and integrity of data through cryptographic techniques,
rendering it tamper-resistant and providing a transparent, verifiable ledger. The consensus mechanism
and immutability of blockchain records enhance trust and reduce the risk of fraudulent activities, creating
a reliable and auditable trail of information. The elimination of intermediaries and the use of smart
contracts make blockchain a cost-effective solution, reducing administrative overhead and automating
processes for greater efficiency. In the context of addressing global issues such as carbon emissions and
climate change, blockchain's transparency and collaborative nature provide a robust framework for
collecting, sharing, and validating environmental data. This not only aligns with the project's goal of
fostering international cooperation but also ensures that diverse stakeholders can contribute and access
information securely. Overall, incorporating blockchain technology into the project not only guarantees the
security and integrity of data but also brings efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness, contributing
significantly to the project's success in addressing complex global challenges.
WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchain technology, renowned for its decentralized and distributed ledger system, revolutionizes
record-keeping by ensuring secure and transparent transactions across a network of computers. Beyond
its association with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain operates on decentralized nodes, providing a
synchronized database accessible to all participants. Transactions are grouped into blocks, forming an
immutable chain with sequential linking, ensuring integrity. Consensus mechanisms, such as Proof of Work
or Proof of Stake, validate and add new blocks, ensuring agreement among nodes on transaction
validity. Utilizing cryptographic techniques, public and private keys secure transactions and access
control. Smart contracts, self-executing agreements with coded terms, enhance efficiency by
automatically enforcing conditions upon fulfillment. Blockchain's immutability reinforces security and
trustworthiness, making alterations exceptionally challenging once a block is added. For this project,
Ethereum and Bitcoin are selected as the most suitable options among existing blockchain technologies,
meeting our requirements effectively.
SMART CONTRACTS
Operating on blockchain, revolutionize contract execution by replacing or augmenting traditional legal
agreements with code. These self-executing contracts automatically enforce terms and conditions when
predefined criteria are met, streamlining processes across various industries. The decentralized and
distributed nature of blockchain ensures transparency and reduces reliance on central authorities for
execution and verification. Smart contracts' immutability secures terms throughout execution, while
cryptographic security and trustless transactions enhance reliability. The automated, transparent, and
tamper-resistant nature of smart contracts not only saves time and costs but also finds applications in
finance, supply chain, healthcare, and beyond, showcasing their versatility in transforming diverse
sectors
SENSOR
We will be using an ndir sensor (non dispersive infrared) sensor.
An NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) sensor detects gases like
carbon dioxide by emitting infrared radiation through a gas
sample chamber. If the target gas is present, it absorbs specific
infrared wavelengths. The remaining radiation reaches an
infrared detector, which measures the intensity, proportional to the
gas concentration. A reference channel compensates for variations
in the light source or detector, ensuring accurate readings. NDIR
sensors are efficient, low-power devices commonly used for
precise gas concentration measurements in applications such as
climate control