Launch of the first global public fossil fuel database

At the UN General Assembly in New York, a groundbreaking database for tracking the global production, reserves, and emissions of fossil fuels starts on Monday.

Over 50,000 oil, gas, and coal fields in 89 nations are represented by data in the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels. That covers 75% of global reserves, production and emissions, and is available for public use, a first for a collection of this size.

There have previously been analyses of the world's fossil fuel usage and reserves, as well as private data that may be purchased. A public database on oil, gas, and coal is also maintained by the International Energy Agency, although it concentrates on the demand for those fossil fuels rather than the amount that has not yet been consumed.