Carbon trading is a cornerstone of international climate change policy, since carbon markets are seen as critical mechanisms to promote the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Paris Agreement, Article 6). With regulatory and social pressure increasing as the consequences of climate change intensify, the market is booming.
However, the effectiveness of carbon markets, and the ultimate success of GHG reduction efforts, depend on the credibility of carbon credits: carbon projects need to be reliable, accurate and transparent to ensure that the claimed carbon credits are genuine and accurately reflect the reduction of GHG emissions. Cost-effective tools to verify carbon projects are therefore essential. Space-based technologies harbour strong potential in this field, as satellite images can provide data that is transparent, frequent and covers large areas at low incremental costs.
Picture 1: Kuva Space satellite illustration
Forest project monitoring in terms of new trees planted or protected, is one of the main field of applications of space technologies in this context. But space applications in the blue carbon ecosystems sector have also progressed through different technologies (satellite-based navigation communications, and earth observation).
Download the reportInterested by blue carbon? Opportunities for a dedicated Blue Capital BASS Kick-start activity around the value of space and potential applications on coastal and marine ecosystem monitoring, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, and blue finance will be advertised in May 2024 on https://business.esa.int/ under Featured Opportunities, stay tuned!