Two projects to break down barriers to using EO data have been revealed, looking at carbon credits, nature, finance and agriculture’s ‘last mile’ of innovation – read the full story
Space4Climate funding will boost use of satellite climate data
Two innovative ideas have won funding to break down barriers to using satellite Earth Observation (EO) data in crucial areas: they focus on carbon credits and nature finance, and farming.
Space4Climate has awarded around £45,000 each to consortia led by EO climate services experts Environment Systems and Pixalytics. The selected Market Breakthrough Funding (MBF) Phase 2 projects will build on insights from our first MBF, that resulted in three reports on barriers blocking take-up of EO data by end users. These funded groups will now go on to develop practical roadmaps to put many of those recommendations into action.
Krupa Nanda Kumar, Climate Services Development Manager of Space4Climate, announced the successful consortia, saying: “These two projects are set to make significant progress on the insights from MBF Phase 1, ensuring we continue to understand the ever-changing market needs across crucial sectors, such as agriculture and finance.
“They will accelerate the adoption of satellite Earth Observation climate services. This is crucial not only to our climate and environment but also to the best interest of the corporations whose services rely on the health of our planet.”
THE SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:
‘Improving decision making to accelerate adoption of satellite data in carbon and nature finance markets’
Target stakeholders: Specialists in nature finance and carbon credits
Consortia members: Led by Environment Systems (Aberystwyth, Edinburgh & Harwell), with collaborators Paul Jepson Consulting (Musselburgh) and Beyond Zero (London).
Proposal summary: The project will set out a route for end users to answer the vital question ‘Which is the best dataset for us to use?’ It is a simple question but those in the financial services sector can rarely find straightforward answers. The project will work with EO technology providers and engage with stakeholders to develop showcases for decision tools developed for nature and carbon markets. A step-by-step roadmap will be developed as a practical tool, alongside a scalability plan for broader adoption of EO data across the financial sector. These innovations will take into account emerging EO data capabilities. The aim is that the resources will be transferable to other sectors as well.
Jacqueline Parker, Principal Consultant at Environment Systems, explained: “The opportunities for the use of satellite data in the carbon and nature finance markets are well documented, but matching the right use case with the right data is still a challenge. This project is exciting and timely and will help to deliver on these opportunities.”
Krupa commented: “This is a very exciting piece of work that will advance the means to overcome the barrier of data choice in the finance sector. We are still some way off in incorporating satellite data outputs in nature and accounting frameworks and its seamless integration into end-users’ processes along with other technologies. In addressing the question “Which data is right for our needs?” the project will also support the satellite community in understanding which use cases are best suited for EO climate services.”
‘Furthering market understanding through engaging with farm advisors to support climate services’
Target stakeholders: Those delivering ‘the last mile’ of innovation to farmers and growers, in agri machinery developers and providers, agri consultants and agriculture innovation hubs.
Consortia members: Led by Pixalytics Ltd (Plymouth), with collaborators Environment Systems (Aberystwyth, Harlow, Edinburgh); Remote Sensing Applications Consultants (RSAC) (Alresford) and Ian Encke Consulting (Hambledon).
Proposal summary: This project will focus on ‘the last mile’ in the supply chain of satellite climate data to the agricultural sector, clearly signposting where using EO can add value, particularly in providing advice and support to farmers. The aim is to move conversation on from long-term climate goals to farm resilience, enabling farmers to meet short-term goals with economic gains, that not only make more sense from a business perspective but also open up opportunities for a broader suite of innovations as many climate-enabled services are designed to improve land management. Consortia members will deliver a multi-pronged approach ranging from machinery providers to consultants, advisers, agricultural associations and innovation hubs.
Dr Samantha Lavender, MD of Pixalytics Ltd, is looking forward to this next stage of the MBF, saying: “We are excited by the opportunity to engage with the farming community and support the uptake of climate services based on satellite Earth Observation data, adding value across the agricultural supply chain. We also look forward to working with our collaborative partners, building on the knowledge gained during the first funding phase.”
Krupa adds: “We know farm advisors are the last mile support to farming business and a crucial piece of the puzzle to improve adoption of satellite climate services. We look forward to the cohort making significant progress raising awareness to this important stakeholder group which will benefit the wider community.”
Outcomes will be open access
Both projects will start this month with a fast-turnaround deadline of the end of the calendar year. Just as with phase 1, the outcomes and findings from these projects will be made available for all to access via the Space4Climate website. The Market Breakthrough Funding Phases 1 & 2 demonstrate Space4Climate’s commitment to making the path to adoption of EO easier on behalf of the UK satellite Earth Observation community, the UK economy and wider society in the face of climate change challenges.
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Read the Insight Reports from MBF Phase 1.