BIPM150 Interview: Dr Oksana Tarasova on Metrology for Greenhouse Gases and Earth’s Atmosphere
What does it take to measure the environment we live in? From air quality to climate science, reliable data begins with comparable measurements—and metrology plays a vital role in ensuring they are accurate and trustworthy across borders.
At the BIPM’s Scientific Conference during the 150th Anniversary of the Metre Convention, Dr Oksana Tarasova, Senior Scientific Officer at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), spoke with the BIPM about the role of metrology in environmental science, and specifically in atmospheric composition, from greenhouse gases to emerging pollutants.
Watch our interview
Dr Tarasova explains why accurate measurement underpins environmental regulation, how new substances of concern challenge existing metrological tools, and why traceability is essential for building global confidence in data.
[4 minutes]
Watch Dr Tarasova's Keynote Address
Watch Dr Tarasova’s keynote speech from #BIPM150, where she outlines the science behind the greenhouse effect, the rising levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and the role of metrology in building the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) programme. Her talk highlights how precise, traceable measurements are essential for tracking small atmospheric changes, ensuring global data comparability, and supporting strategies at local, national and international scales.
[28 minutes]
About the speaker
Dr Oksana Tarasova is a Senior Scientific Officer at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), where she leads work on atmospheric composition, including greenhouse gases. She has contributed extensively to international efforts to integrate environmental metrology into climate and air-quality monitoring, helping ensure that environmental decisions are backed by globally comparable science. Learn more.