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As Washington D.C. kicks off its first-ever Climate Week from April 28 to May, 2025, it’s the perfect time to spotlight an innovative tool that's changing how we understand and address climate change at the local level: the Open Data Portal (open.crosswalk.io), launched last year as a partnership between the Data Foundation and Crosswalk Labs. The tool provides emissions data for every neighborhood in the United States, democratizing climate data that was previously inaccessible for most communities.
Developed through collaboration between the Data Foundation and Crosswalk Labs, this platform is transforming how communities understand and address their climate impacts. The Open Data Portal provides census tract level emissions data by sector covering more than a decade as an open data asset, freely available for local government decision-makers, researchers, non-profits, and the media. With the newly released 2024 emissions data now available, the tool provides the most current insights to help drive meaningful action.
Washington D.C. offers a compelling case study for how this tool can drive targeted climate action. Using the Open Data Portal, we can examine emissions patterns across Washington, D.C. with remarkable granularity, revealing both challenges and opportunities.
The numbers tell an encouraging story of progress: Washington D.C.'s per capita CO₂ emissions have decreased from 4.6 metric tons in 2014 to 3.9 metric tons in 2024 – a 16% reduction over the decade. This improvement reflects the District's commitment to its ambitious climate goals of 60% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045.
But the real power of the Open Data platform is in its ability to break down these numbers by sector and neighborhood. In Washington, D.C., buildings account for 56% of emissions in 2024, followed by transportation at 38% and electricity at 6%. The visualization tools reveal exactly where these emissions are concentrated, allowing for precisely targeted interventions.
Census tract level view of total direct emissions in the DC metropolitan area.
What makes this platform especially insightful is how it enables decision-makers to:
For example, by examining the hexagon layer map of D.C., we can identify which neighborhoods have the highest building-related emissions and prioritize these areas for energy efficiency retrofits and electrification programs. Similarly, transportation corridor analysis can pinpoint where infrastructure changes have impacts.
Total direct emissions displayed in hexagon grid format across the DC metropolitan area, revealing how major transportation arteries create emissions hotspots
As we enter into DC Climate Week this week, it’s an excellent time to explore how this tool can inform more effective, data-driven decision-making. Whether you're a policymaker, business leader, community advocate, or concerned citizen, the Open Data Portal offers unprecedented insight into emissions patterns and potential pathways for efficiency improvements.
Visit open.crosswalk.io to explore the data for yourself and discover how hyperlocal emissions information can support fact-based planning and targeted resource allocation at the neighborhood level.
NICK HART, PH.D. is President and CEO of the Data Foundation. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
