UK to Provide Advanced Greenhouse Gas Data to UNEP's IMEO through GHGSat Satellites

UK provides high-resolution greenhouse gas data to UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory

Image (Left to right): Dan Wicks, Managing Director UK, GHGSat, Beth Greenaway, Head of Earth Observation and Climate, UKSA and Steven P. Hamburg, Chief Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund, Chair of IMEO Scientific Oversight Committee at COP28 (Photo Credit: GHGSat)

MONTREAL, December 5, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - The UK, through a collaboration between the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency, is set to provide high-resolution greenhouse gas data to the United Nations Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). This initiative will involve GHGSat satellites making 300 observations at sites selected by IMEO, funded by the UK Space Agency.

IMEO, a major climate change initiative launched at the G20 Summit in 2021, focuses on building a global dataset of methane emissions. The observatory integrates information from various sources, including scientific research, industry data, and national inventories, to create a comprehensive and actionable dataset. The Methane Alert and Response System, a part of this initiative, utilizes verified satellite data for countries and businesses to address methane pollution.

IMEO commented on the importance of combining satellite data with ground-based measurements, stating, “the potential to be a game changer for methane emissions reduction.” GHGSat, a pioneer in industrial greenhouse gas emissions monitoring from space since 2016, is recognized for its high-resolution technology that has transformed the understanding of methane emissions sources. As the first to supply high-resolution satellite emissions data to IMEO, GHGSat's technology offers low detection thresholds and high spatial resolution, making it crucial for accurate emissions monitoring.

Starting November 2023, IMEO will have the capability to directly task GHGSat satellites to monitor targets, providing quick-turnaround data for actionable insights. The UK Space Agency’s funding of this activity is part of a broader effort to champion space-based emissions measurement in climate policy and mitigation.

Manfredi Caltagirone, Head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, highlighted the value of satellite data. “Satellite data is an important part of IMEO’s work: it provides unique insight and helps validate emissions information from other sources. Our goal is to provide comprehensive data that is open and reliable but also - actionable. Being able to directly task GHGSat’s satellites, which can pinpoint the exact source of emissions, is a welcome addition to our capability,” Caltagirone said.

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, emphasized the role of satellite technology in environmental efforts: “Harnessing satellite technologies such as those developed by GHGSat are key to driving forward the UK’s commitment to Net Zero emissions by 2050 and protecting our planet. Today’s announcement shows we remain at the forefront of climate action: using the strengths of the UK space sector in Earth Observation and data analytics to provide trusted information and intelligence to international partners, including the United Nations,” Bate stated.

Lucy Edge, COO of Satellite Applications Catapult, and Stephane Germain, CEO at GHGSat, also expressed their perspectives on the partnership’s significance in addressing methane emissions and global warming challenges.

For more information, visit www.ghgsat.com.

Source: GHGSat via Newswire