UNICORN

Cities are both major contributors to global CO₂ emissions and key ares for climate mitigation action. UNICORN responds to this duality by establishing an urban greenhouse gas monitoring network in the cities of Heidelberg and Mannheim—two municipalities leading the way toward climate neutrality. With 18 Beaco2n sensors measuring CO₂ alongside co-emitted species such as CO, NOx, and PM2.5, UNICORN provides high-resolution CO₂ data to monitor urban emissions.  This enables independent tracking of local emission changes supporting policy evaluation and mitigation planning down to the district level.

UNICORN goes beyond technical monitoring by integrating  social science insights. In collaboration with partners in psychology, economics, and political science, the project explores how  CO₂ data can empower citizens and decision-makers to act. Our interdisciplinary approach not only tests how data immediacy influences behavior, but also investigates the broader governance structures that shape climate responses. UNICORN thus acts as a prototype for how dense urban CO₂ networks can catalyze effective, participatory climate action in cities worldwide.