Monitoring Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Northern Africa Using Spatio-Temporal Analysis with Google Earth Engine (2019–2022)

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects various sectors, including agriculture, health, and the economy. GHGs, primarily CO, CH4, and NO2, are key drivers of climate change and global warming, especially in urban areas of developing nations. This chapter focuses on the spatiotemporal distribution of these gases in Northern Africa including Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. This study employed spatiotemporal analysis using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) to quantify and track changes in GHG concentrations over time. Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques were used to map the geographic distribution of these pollutants and analyze their sources. This chapter examined the correlation between GHG levels and land use/land cover (LULC) patterns, with a specific focus on the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2022. The methodology included multi-temporal satellite images (2019–2022) analysis, geoprocessing, and correlation assessments to determine the relationships between land use/land cover (LULC) types, densities, and GHG concentrations. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between LULC and GHGs levels, highlighting areas with high pollution and their temporal variations, particularly across different climatic seasons. These findings suggest that GEE is a robust tool for monitoring GHG emissions in Northern Africa, providing essential spatial data for developing effective mitigation strategies. However, this chapter emphasizes the importance of integrating ground-based observations to enhance the accuracy of GHGs inventories and to inform targeted interventions. Relying solely on satellite data may not fully capture the complexity of the changes in GHG emissions and LULC. The study concluded with a note of concern, highlighting that GHG levels are likely to worsen owing to the ongoing economic activities and population growth in the region.