The success of net zero targets is dependent on improving emissions data.

That’s the key finding of a new study, that claims if governments and industry are not given better data to base their pledges on, they will not be achieved.

The study was done by BCS and revealed that 71% of tech experts do not feel policymakers and departments have the correct data to make net zero a reality.

It claims that correct information on everything that emits carbon – from vehicles to homes and offices – must be accessible or setting pledges like the many witnessed recently in light of COP26, will be futile.

In addition to the wariness of underestimating data, 61% of those surveyed also stated the IT and digital technologies are not being used efficiently enough throughout industries to tackle climate change.

Alex Bardell, Chair of BCS, said: “There is huge potential in existing digital technology to cut carbon emissions and reach vital targets – but we need better, richer data and far more qualified data scientists to do this.

“Reaching net zero in time will involve gathering data about every single process on the planet that generates carbon dioxide including in cars, trains, homes and in every office.

“The trends and spikes in that data are essential to decide the best way to save the planet as quickly as possible whilst building a sustainable economy and quality of life. Otherwise, the only way we’ll know what’s going on is when the next extreme weather event wipes out our towns and countryside.”