The UK Space Agency is providing funding for ten new projects that will utilize satellite data services supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle pollution and biodiversity threats. These projects aim to develop forecasts and models using Earth Observation tools to assist various sectors, including agriculture, energy, finance, and insurance.
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The applications of these satellite data services go beyond understanding and mitigating biodiversity threats. They also aim to identify opportunities for green financing, promoting sustainable business growth in the process.
George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, highlights the importance of supporting UK innovators in utilizing modern technology like satellite data services, AI, and Earth Observation. This support not only aids in growing the country’s economy but also establishes the UK as a major player in the space sector.
Each project will receive funding of up to £55,000 to develop satellite data services that provide the most up-to-date view of environmental contexts. These services will address issues such as methane and nitrous oxide emissions, watercourse resilience, biodiversity threats, and the infrastructure of decarbonizing technologies.
Among the funded projects is EOLAS Insight Ltd, which aims to develop a mapping and reporting service that helps businesses understand the impact of global temperatures on local watercourses and the benefits of investing in mitigation strategies. Omanos Analytics will generate social context data to examine the impact of climate change on different demographic groups, enabling more integrated approaches to pollution and biodiversity threats.
The funding supports early-stage innovations in satellite data services, leveraging the UK’s expertise and innovation in Earth Observation. The goal is to accelerate the rollout of these services, benefiting a wide range of users within and beyond the space sector.
The funded projects include initiatives by Agreed Earth Ltd, EOLAS Insight Ltd, Frontierra, Map Impact Ltd, Sparkgeo UK, Agtelligence, Omanos Analytics, Capterio, GeoSmart Information Ltd, and Stellarsat Ltd. These projects cover various aspects such as monitoring nitrous oxide emissions, reporting watercourse climate resilience, low-cost assessments of climate impacts, forecasting climate change and biodiversity threats, methane monitoring, biodiversity threat assessment and green financing, resilience planning and social context data, gas flaring and methane emissions tracking, groundwater-level forecasting, and addressing biodiversity threats to critical energy infrastructure assets.
Overall, these satellite data services, supported by AI and Earth Observation, have the potential to make significant contributions in combating pollution and biodiversity threats while supporting sustainable business growth and driving the UK’s presence in the space sector.
