Space4Nature awarded international Space Climate Observatory accreditation
Space4Nature, a groundbreaking initiative to map, classify, restore and connect habitats across Surrey, has become one of only two UK climate projects awarded international Space Climate Observatory (SCO) accreditation.
The news was announced at the first Global Space for Climate Conference (GLOC) in Oslo, Norway. Strata, an early-warning system to identify where climate change could impact areas already affected by natural disasters or conflict, was the other successful UK project.
An international initiative, the SCO aims to make the best use of satellite data and digital technologies for climate action, and coordinates global efforts to promote operational tools for climate monitoring and mitigation. It brings together 23 space agencies and organisations worldwide, with 32 signatories including the UK.
SCO's interactive website where people can find SCO-accredited projects.
The £1.25 million, three-year Space4Nature project is funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund, the University of Surrey and Surrey Wildlife Trust in partnership with Buglife and Painshill Park Trust.
Space4Nature combines the latest Earth Observation (EO), satellite and artificial intelligence technology from Space South Central founding member, the University of Surrey, with citizen science to help protect and create new habitats for the county’s wildlife. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of thriving biodiversity and protecting habitats, giving people of all ages in the local community opportunities to participate in the project.
To become accredited, Space4Nature had to meet 11 different criteria as an operational tool for climate decision-makers. These included showing how they fully leverage satellite and socio-economic data for climate monitoring, mitigation and adaptation locally, and how Space4Nature could be adapted for use in other geographic areas facing similar climate challenges.
Space4Nature will now be featured among the SCO-labelled climate tools on the SCO’s interactive website, where visitors can search for trustworthy, reliable tools by topic, geographical area and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) they meet.
Andrew Jamieson, Project Manager for Space4Nature at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said:
"Space4Nature is a mission with major ambitions for habitat management and conservation within Surrey and potentially far more widely.
“The data we are collecting will also contribute to our understanding of climate change and its potential effects on landscapes and species.
“Becoming SCO compliant extends the reach of our project and exemplifies our commitment to forming partnerships to address the major issues facing our environment."
Space South Central introduced Space4Nature to Space4Climate, the official SCO coordination point for the UK Space Agency, following its call for projects to apply for SCO accreditation.
Dr Louise Butt, Director of the Space South Central Enterprise Network, said:
“More than 50% of climate variables can only be measured from Space, making satellite technologies an essential tool to address climate change.
“Space4Nature is an amazing project, embracing these technologies and encouraging citizen scientists to boost wildlife habitats in Surrey.
“To be recognised by the Space Climate Observatory is an incredible accolade, and we are delighted to have leveraged our network to support the team's submission.”
