How space technologies can help in the race to net zero

Satellite technologies are already reducing carbon emissions by 1.5 billion tonnes (or 1.5 gigatons) every year, according to independent research commissioned by Inmarsat from leading consultants at Globant’s Sustainable Business Studio. This is equivalent to almost a third of the entire United States’ carbon emissions in 2021^[1][2], or the lifetime emissions of 50 million cars^[3].

Demonstrating the possibilities of space technologies in the race to net zero, the report focuses on three industry sectors: 1) transport and logistics; 2) agriculture, forestry and other land use; and 3) energy systems. Together these account for approximately 60% of global emissions.^[4]

If satellite technologies were adopted universally by these industries, the CO₂ savings currently being delivered through satellite technologies could almost quadruple to up to 5.5 billion tonnes a year based on current technologies alone, the Globant analysis suggests.

This is equivalent to one-sixth of the total carbon emissions currently estimated as necessary to keep the rise of global temperatures below 1.5°C by 2030 — or one-third of that necessary to keep temperature rises below 2°C^[5] — underlining the positive impact space technologies could have on the largest single challenge facing the world.

Based on the research, the Globant calculations suggest that the world is currently missing out on up to 4 billion tonnes of potential and immediate CO₂ reductions^[6] by not taking advantage of the decarbonising abilities of satellite technologies. These technologies enable fuel consumption savings and improved routing in transport, reduced energy use and optimisation, and even fire prevention in forestry.

Rajeev Suri, Inmarsat CEO, said, “Action to address decarbonisation is a global priority, and space technologies offer a significant source of hope in addressing this challenge. Our report, commissioned from Globant, underlines how space can offer significant carbon emissions savings now and even greater savings in the future — directly contributing to the fight against climate change.

“As world leaders gather shortly for COP27, we offer them the opportunity to look at the role of satellite technologies within their decarbonisation strategies and encourage them to work closely with our industry to gather more effectively the data we need to make an impactful contribution towards de-risking Earth’s temperature rise. At COP27 and beyond, we look forward to working with world and industry leaders to seize this opportunity, and effect real, lasting change for our planet.”

Recent consumer research conducted for Inmarsat as part of its ‘What on Earth is the value of space?’ initiative found that four in 10 people think space can help solve climate change.^[7] The findings from the second study in the initiative should be particularly encouraging to this large minority.

That said, satellite technology is by no means the sole solution to climate change. Crucial work on alternative energy sources and new energy storage technologies and other remedies needs to continue at full pace. But the savings available from existing space technologies can make an immediate impact — helping to potentially buy more time for these additional remedies to be developed and rolled out.

Looking ahead, the Globant report also found that 8.8 billion tonnes of carbon emissions — equivalent to almost a quarter (23%) of global emissions in 2021^[8], or the emissions per capita of 1.8 billion people^[9] — could be saved if the wealth of nascent space-enabled technologies that are emerging or set to emerge were widely adopted over the coming years. These include:

• In maritime, autonomous ships could save 400 million tonnes by reducing fuel consumption.
• In energy, AI-driven energy optimisation for energy transition could save 1.3 billion tonnes of CO₂.
• In aviation, the ESA Iris technology could save 100 million tonnes of carbon if adopted across the aviation industry — with the first aircraft set to fly in early 2023.
   

Martin Umaran, Co-founder and Chairman for EMEA at Globant, said: “As a digitally native company, we are constantly striving to understand and appreciate the role that disruptive technologies play on paramount topics for the greater good such as sustainability and the race to net zero. This is why this joint effort with Inmarsat is both thrilling and impactful for us. At Globant, we are frontrunners in sustainability powered by tech, and the synergy with satellite communications technology delivers an unprecedented thought leadership decarbonisation piece as a result.”

_{[1] ONS}

_{[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/183943/us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-1999/}

_{[3] Roughly 66,000 lbs CO2 [is] emitted by an ICE car (assuming 93,000 miles driven)}

_{[4] Included in the research: transport (15% of global emissions), agriculture, forestry and land use (22%), electricity and heat (23%)}

_{[5] “The emissions gap in 2030… is estimated at 12-15 Gt CO2 to limit global warming to below 2°C and 29-32 Gt CO2e to 1.5°C.”}

_{[6] The difference between 1.5 billion tons of existing savings, and the 5.5 billion tons of savings projected from full adoption of satellite technologies}

_{[7] https://www.inmarsat.com/en/news/latest-news/corporate/2022/people-unaware-concerned-space-landmark-report.html}

_{[8] “In 2021, global CO2 emissions ... totalled 37.9 Gt CO2”}

_{[9] https://www.statista.com/statistics/268753/co2-emissions-per-capita-worldwide-since-1990/}

Image credit: iStock.com/3DSculptor