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Co-lead: Mario Acosta (BCS)
The primary purpose of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprint (ECCF) Task Team, is to evaluate the energy consumption and carbon footprint of CMIP, develop appropriate target setting and monitoring procedures, and identify potential actions for reducing impact.
Challenge
Between CMIP3 and CMIP6 model data generation increased from 40 TB to over 25 PB. Several factors drove this increase: model resolution and model complexity, the quantity of requested variables and the number of Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs) undertaken. This is especially relevant in terms of the energy requirements of associated data storage, access and processing, see for example Acosta et al., 2024 “The computational and energy cost of simulation and storage for climate science: lessons from CMIP6”(here) With effective experimental design, developing prototype experiments (before proposing MIPs) and sharing MIP applications amongst model groups, the carbon footprint of subsequent model simulations can be reduced.
Objectives and Deliverables
The key objectives of the CMIP Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprint Task Team are to:
- Identify key areas and activities in CMIP for which energy consumption and carbon footprint should be monitored.
- Develop a calculation framework and methodology. This should include, but is not limited to:
- Identify essential metrics and make recommendations on how the necessary data can be collected, stored and published utilising relevant tools and platforms.
- Develop consistent methodologies for the metrics and provide the associated templates.
- Assess how the methodologies can be used in different countries and/or contexts.
- Design options for a platform to host the data and metrics.
- Assess opportunities for reduction in energy consumption and carbon footprint throughout the current and future CMIP value chain from model development through to data delivery, access and analysis, while maintaining principles of equity and inclusion.
- Develop a roadmap of possible actions identifying key areas of community reduction effort in energy consumption and carbon footprint. This includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
- Explore the potential impacts of different forms of CMIP evolution (including the role of AI).
- Conduct an analysis of the CMIP carbon footprint in the context of its societal benefits including equity and inclusion considerations.
- Make recommendations to CMIP Panel for the monitoring and measurement of carbon impact in CMIP activities (including WIP activities related to CMIP and all task teams and other subsidiary bodies).
- Actively engage stakeholders through regular consultations and feedback sessions to ensure diverse representation and community buy-in. This will include outreach to under-represented countries and communities to gather input and foster collaboration.
- Acknowledging potential challenges such as data availability, stakeholder engagement, and resource allocation, strategies to be developed to address these challenges proactively.
The task team is aiming to deliver:
- CMIP Computational and Footprint metrics (initial computational metrics required within six months).
- CMIP Computational and Footprint Calculation Methodology.
- Framework for monitoring the progress of objectives and evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed actions. This will include setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and regular progress reports to the CMIP Panel, aligning with any WCRP carbon reporting requirements.
- Roadmap identifying key areas of community reduction effort in energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Members
| Mario Acosta | Co-lead; 2025- | BSC-CNS | Spain |
| Muhammad Amjad | Member; 2025- | CGISC | Pakistan |
| Frédéric Bonou | Member; 2025- | UNSTIM | Benin |
| Pierre-Antoine Bretonniere | Member; 2025- | BSC-CNS | Spain |
| David Hassell | Member; 2025- | STFC | UK |
| Asad Mahmood | Member; 2025- | Pakistan | |
| Sergi Palomas | Member; 2025- | BSC-CNS | Spain |
| Sophie Valcke | Member; 2025- | CERFACS | France |
Activities
The Task Team will undertake a survey of modelling centres experimental energy use commencing in December 2025. A survey and guidelines will be published here. Details to follow.
An open call for Task Team members was released in February 2025 and closed April 2025
