7 APIs to Access Environmental Data

In response to the growing environmental concerns, technology companies are directing their efforts towards sustainability. Companies release Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that focus on crucial environmental issues such as air pollution, water pollution, and waste management and make them available for enterprises. 

Furthermore, tech companies have invested substantial resources in supporting startups in accessing and utilising environmental data, thus amplifying the impact of their collective commitment. Additionally, the concept of a ‘sustainable cloud’ reflects the industry's efforts to provide cloud services that reduce environmental footprints and contribute to a greener digital landscape.

APIs automate data movement, reducing errors. Besides, manual work and reusing them save resources and ensure consistent data across apps. Optimised APIs use less data, lowering energy use in processing and storage. This approach is explored further to reduce waste and enhance reuse using API-led integration.

Here is a list of 7 APIs that are used for environmental purposes. 

Project Sunroof

Recently, Google shared mapping and computing resources on Project Sunroof’s foundation covering 320 million buildings across 40 countries with advanced AI models. It estimates solar panel output using rooftop angles, shade, weather, and energy costs, eliminating on-site assessments. 

In addition, the Air Quality API processes terabytes of data hourly, offering real-time pollution insights from various sources, including traffic data. The expanded Pollen API tracks pollen in 65+ countries, aiding those allergic to it. These APIs aid sectors like healthcare and travel planning, fostering accurate air quality and pollen information. 

AirVisual API

The AirVisual API offers real-time and historical air quality data from 10,000+ monitoring stations globally, including AQI, pollutants, weather, and forecasts. The API documentation guides usage, and it supports various programming languages. It provides current/historical AQI, pollutant info, weather, and forecasts. Benefits include global accuracy, easy integration, affordability, and expert support. 

However, the free plan limits to 100 calls/day, doesn't cover all pollutants, and may lack some features compared to other APIs. Overall, AirVisual API is reliable for air quality data. 

Carbon Interface API

Carbon Interface is a data-rich API estimating carbon emissions from various activities like travel and food. Backed by scientific data, it offers two main endpoints: ‘Estimates’ for specific activities and ‘Ledger’ for transaction sets. It's user-friendly, and suitable for integration, with reasonable pricing. 

The API's strengths include accuracy, ease of use, affordability, and expert support. It suits those seeking precise carbon emission estimates. It aids individuals, businesses, and governments in battling climate change by curbing carbon emissions. You can calculate carbon emissions, track trends, compare products, and strategize emission reduction.

Cloverly API

With Cloverly API businesses and developers can integrate sustainability into their applications and services seamlessly. Through a RESTful API, Cloverly facilitates the calculation, purchase, and offsetting of carbon emissions for various activities, such as shipping, travel, and e-commerce transactions. 

The API provides real-time carbon offset estimates and allows for the selection of renewable energy sources for offsetting. Cloverly offers a range of endpoints to support these functionalities, including calculating emissions, obtaining offset options, and making offset purchases. The company announced a $2.1 million funding in the seed round to continue building the APIs in 2021. 

OpenAQ API

OpenAQ is a free and open-source air quality data platform that aggregates information from over 6,000 monitoring stations globally, accessible through its REST API. It offers data on air quality index (AQI), pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, coordinates, date/time, and metadata. 

The API aids air quality tracking, pollution source identification, visualisation creation, and mitigation strategies. To access it, register and acquire an API key. The OpenAQ API documentation and examples facilitate usage, including benefits like global data access, easy integration, free usage, and open-source contribution. However, currently it does not cover all locations and pollutants compared to some other air quality APIs. 

PVWatts API

The PVWatts API, developed by NREL, estimates energy production of grid-connected PV systems worldwide with simple inputs. It considers location, system size, module type, inverter type, and climate. It's used for energy estimation, system comparison, design optimization, and performance tracking. It requires an account and API key. The API is accurate, user-friendly, integrates well, and free. 

It has been online since 1999, and since then, several versions have been released. 

TERI Greenfacts API

The TERI GreenFacts API, spawned by the Tata Group, operates as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation. It offers access to environmental data from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), covering energy, climate change, water, air, waste, and sustainable development. It assists in tracking trends, identifying challenges, and creating visualisations. To use it, create an account and acquire an API key. The documentation explains usage and provides examples. It can be used to track energy consumption, analyse climate change data, monitor water quality, visualise air pollution, and develop waste reduction strategies. 

The API is valuable for informed decisions on environmental matters, available for individuals, businesses, and governments to improve the environment and sustainable development.