Read a blog from one of the Space4Climate-funded Breakthrough project collaborations designed to break down barriers to the take-up of climate services and register to receive the outcomes.
UK Net Zero ambition
Read a blog from one of the Space4Climate-funded Breakthrough project collaborations designed to break down barriers to the take-up of climate services and register to receive the outcomes.
The UK Government has set targets to reach Net Zero by 2050. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has gone a step further, setting its own goals for farms across England and Wales to achieve Net Zero by 2040. Improved efficiency and on-farm carbon storage have been highlighted as key action areas and nature-friendly farming practices are needed to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The role of space solutions
Earth Observation refers to the collection, analysis and presentation of data to better understand our planet; over 60 high-tech environmental satellites scan the Earth from space. The data they capture supports monitoring and assessment of the status of emissions and changes in the natural and man-made environment.
Insights gained over agricultural land allow informed decision making, supporting emission reductions and improving efficiency, farm profitability and nature positive outcomes; from crop and soil metrics driving precision agriculture to on-farm nature based solutions and resilience planning.
Costs for Earth Observation services and associated requirements, such as connectivity and devices, are falling, improving accessibility. The ever-increasing number of services available, or near-market, provides scope for integration, maximising value to users. For example, automated field boundary capture ensures farmers receive regular actionable information aligned with field-based management units for cereal cropping or livestock grazing.
How can we promote the adoption of these powerful tools?
Some agri-food businesses are embracing innovative technology in their journey to Net Zero, streamlining operations, cutting costs, boosting climate resilience and often empowering and supporting businesses they work with. Yet many lag behind, hesitant to embrace change. In response, in June 2023, Space4Climate created a fund to support a consortium of Earth Observation climate service providers to raise the profile and identify market breakthrough opportunities for space solutions to drive climate action.
The question this collaboration is considering, is:
How can awareness of the benefits of Earth Observation technologies be increased to accelerate the agricultural sector’s Net Zero ambitions?
Through open discussions with stakeholders across the supply chain, this project explores the typical challenges and realities of adopting space technology. It investigates both consortium and stakeholder experiences, aiming for a shared understanding to pinpoint necessary actions to break down barriers and speed up the transition to Net Zero in UK agriculture.
What will the project deliver?
The consortium will deliver a roadmap defining impactful steps to overcome barriers and provide agricultural supply chains with greater access to satellite-derived climate services in October 2024.
If you would like to hear about the outcomes of the project please sign up here.