UAE Space Agency and Planet Labs begin working together

The UAE Space Agency has inked a partnership with Planet Labs, a leading Earth data and insights provider, to create a satellite-based loss and damage atlas aimed at enhancing global climate resilience. This collaboration is in alignment with the UAE Space Agency's vision and strategic goals, as it actively supports transformative initiatives and projects focused on addressing climate change, according to reports by the Emirates News Agency. This endeavour also resonates with the UAE's commitment, especially as it gears up to host the 28th UN Climate Change Conference from November 30 to December 12 in Expo City Dubai.

Sarah Al-Amiri, the UAE's Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, as well as the Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, highlighted that this strategic partnership represents a significant step towards building a sustainable and climate-resilient future. Al-Amiri further emphasized that cutting-edge technology, space data, and satellite technology would be leveraged to map the effects of climate change, assess loss and damage, and establish early-warning systems. She said: “It reflects our commitment to strengthening our analytical capabilities to combat climate change and make better-informed decisions.” She added: “The project also supports our plans to build capacities and adapt to the accelerating climate changes, as well as helping other countries to develop plans and strategies to limit future climate changes.”

Planet Labs' CEO, Will Marshall, expressed pride in this collaboration. He added: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we as a planet have ever faced, and it’s critical that vulnerable countries are able to have real, tangible insights to build resilience. “We have the technology to capture those insights and to help build early-warning systems for climate risks, but we can’t do it alone.”

The establishment of a loss and damage fund was a key highlight at COP27, marking the culmination of decades of pressure from climate-vulnerable developing countries. This fund aims to provide financial assistance to nations most severely impacted by the consequences of climate change. The Loss and Damage Atlas project aims to extend technology and expertise to developing countries to assist in mitigating the loss and damage caused by climate change.

Salem Butti Salem Al-Qubaisi, the Director General of the UAE Space Agency, underscored the agency's commitment to nurturing and empowering national private sector companies in their endeavours to enhance sustainability and combat climate change. He said: “This agreement marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, by establishing an unprecedented loss and damage atlas. “The implementation of this pioneering atlas holds immense potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.”