Harnessing Earth Observation for Environmental and Industrial Sustainability in Canada

Image source: State of the Canadian Space Sector Report 2023

The 2023 State of the Canadian Space Sector Report highlights significant growth in Earth Observation (EO) technologies. In 2022, EO generated $349 million, accounting for 7% of total space sector revenues, marking a 29% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the expanding use of EO to monitor land use, ocean health, and other critical environmental parameters, as well as enhancing disaster response and resource management for sustainable development.

As Canada confronts accelerating climate change – warming at twice the global average, especially in Arctic regions – EO is becoming indispensable for understanding and responding to these shifts. EO satellites provide crucial data for tracking catastrophic events such as floods, wildfires, and extreme weather. In 2023, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the RADARSAT+ initiative, investing over $1 billion over 15 years to ensure continuous access to EO data. This highlights Canada’s dedication to using EO for environmental sustainability and resource management.

An investment of $1.012 billion, announced in 2023, will fund RADARSAT+ over the next 15 years, ensuring continuous, efficient, and sustainable access to critical, high-quality Earth observation (EO) data for Canada. Image source: State of the Canadian Space Sector Report 2023

“The impacts of climate change are felt across Canada, from our forests to northern territories. Access to timely satellite data enables informed decisions to protect ecosystems, manage natural resources, and enhance public safety,” says John Bowers, Head of New Business, Geointelligence at MDA Space, which owns and operates the RADARSAT 2 program.

The demand for data-driven insights to combat climate change and manage natural resources efficiently is set to drive further growth. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning enhance the processing and analysis of EO data, allowing for faster and more accurate decision-making.

John Roos, Enterprise Sales Director for Canada and LATAM at Maxar Intelligence, emphasizes the importance of timely satellite data: “As we enter an era of rapid environmental change, EO is evolving from a reactive tool to a proactive catalyst for change. By integrating analytics with satellite data, industries can anticipate challenges, innovate sustainably, and drive transformations in natural resource management.”

Consequently, there is a growing trend among organizations to integrate EO insights into their strategies, which is driving a notable change in decision-making across multiple sectors.

“There is a clear and pivotal shift in how organizations leverage geospatial data across the globe. The future is being defined by those who integrate EO insights into their frameworks, driving efficiency and sustainability,” says Aaron Addison, Executive Director of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC).

In line with these advancements, WGIC is organizing the program “Harnessing Earth Observation for Environmental and Industrial Sustainability in Canada” at the GoGeomatics Expo in Calgary, October 28-30. The event will feature presentations from leading EO companies, highlighting solutions for natural resource management, enhancing climate resilience, and advanced applications like flood mapping and methane emissions monitoring.

The program includes a panel discussion on Earth Observation Solutions for a Resilient and Sustainable Canada, that will explore the potential of satellite technologies to address climate change and resource management challenges. The session will highlight the collaboration between industries and government to drive sustainable practices and enhance environmental stewardship.

Enhancing Disaster Management

One of the significant benefits of EO is improving disaster management. Canada faces various natural hazards, including floods, wildfires, and landslides. Satellite imagery provides real-time data that enhances prediction and response capabilities. For example, during the 2021 British Columbia floods, satellite imagery was crucial in assessing flooding and identifying affected areas, enabling coordinated emergency response efforts.

Andrea Krupa, President of PhotoSat, emphasizes: “In Canada, understanding topography is essential for effective flood mapping. Accurate flood mapping and dam breach analysis rely heavily on high-resolution topographic data.”

Krupa, who will be speaking on How Topography Affects Flood Mapping and Dam Breach Analysis, highlights how using low-resolution inputs can underestimate flood impacts, leading to larger inundation areas and faster flow rates. “By employing high-resolution satellite imagery, we enhance the precision of our models, providing engineers and planners with the necessary information to protect communities and minimize disaster risks.”

Canada faces growing wildfire challenges as climate change increases their frequency and severity. EO is essential for wildfire mitigation, providing real-time data for monitoring, prediction, and response. A significant initiative from the Canadian Space Agency is the WildFireSat mission, set to enhance these capabilities through a constellation of satellites equipped with specialized sensors. WildFireSat will deliver near-real-time data on wildfires, focusing on detecting thermal anomalies and monitoring fire behavior.

As part of the SmartHarbour initiative, the Canadian Space Agency, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the Montreal Port Authority are using satellite data to monitor environmental variables during the Port of Montreal expansion in Contrecœur. This innovative approach helps protect biodiversity and natural habitats throughout construction and beyond. Image source: State of the Canadian Space Sector Report 2023

Monitoring oceans is critical for environmental health, economic prosperity, and security. As a country uniquely surrounded by three oceans, Canada faces distinct challenges and opportunities in managing its vast marine resources. Significant investments in EO, such as the RADARSAT Mission and Ocean Networks Canada’s deep-sea observatories, have bolstered Canada’s ability to monitor and manage its oceans.

Bowers, who will speak on Space-based Maritime Monitoring for Sustainable Management of Ocean Resources, adds: “Space-based maritime monitoring is essential for sustainable ocean management and protecting Canada’s vast ocean territories. It enables comprehensive assessments of marine environments, improving disaster response and supporting economic growth. It also ensures national security through the monitoring of ocean conditions and detection of illegal activities.”

Sustainable Resource Management

Canada’s vast natural resources – forests, water bodies, and agricultural lands – are critical to its economy and environment. EO technologies play a key role in managing these resources sustainably by providing up-to-date information on land use, vegetation health, and water quality.

For instance, the National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting, and Reporting System (NFCMARS) uses satellite data to monitor forest cover and carbon stocks, essential for sustainable forest management and meeting Canada’s climate commitments.

The energy sector is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy, contributing significantly to national revenue and employment (11.8% of Canada’s GDP and providing direct and indirect employment of about 300,000 and 400,000, respectively, as of 2022). As the country aims to transition toward a more sustainable energy future, there is an increasing demand for innovative technologies that enhance operational efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Roos, who will be addressing the topic Harnessing the Supercharged Maxar Constellation for Energy, says the recent expansion of the Maxar constellation is poised to transform how energy companies operate. “WorldView Legion will nearly double our electro-optical capacity and leverage mid-inclination orbits to collect images at new times of day, from dawn to dusk. These new insights will empower energy stakeholders to optimize their operations, proactively manage risks, and make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.”

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions are a major concern for Canada’s environmental sustainability and climate commitments, with the industrial sector being a key contributor and a critical participant in reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.

“Methane has a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Reducing methane emissions from industrial facilities is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” underlines Warren Shaw, Manager of Training & Development at GHGSat.

In Canada, emissions primarily stem from sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and waste management. To address these emissions, Canada has drawn up the ambitious 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan that outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Shaw, who will speak on Mapping Industrial Methane Emissions Using Space-based and Airborne Instruments, says, “Reducing methane emissions is vital for meeting Canada’s climate commitments. Our space-based instruments provide precise, actionable data on methane emissions from industrial facilities, enabling stakeholders to pinpoint and mitigate these emissions effectively. This proactive approach is essential in our collective fight against climate change.”

Future Prospects and Challenges

However, challenges to the widespread adoption of EO technologies remain. High costs, data accessibility issues, and the need for specialized skills can limit the use of these technologies. Initiatives like the Canadian Space Agency’s smartEarth program aim to address these challenges by providing funding and support for innovative EO applications.

As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, the importance of satellite-based EO will grow, with Canada positioning itself as a key player in this evolving field. Strong government investment and the increasing use of advanced data analytics support the sector’s continued growth, ensuring that EO will remain central to Canada’s space activities.