Satellites are playing an increasingly important role in the fight against climate change, with private companies collaborating with space agencies to track greenhouse gas emissions. While public sector constellations remain the backbone of Earth observation, private firms are using smaller satellites to pinpoint sources of pollution. Canadian firm GHGSat has nine small satellites in orbit that fly over oil and gas sites, looking for methane leaks. The company sells its information to oil companies such as Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell. France’s Absolut Sensing and Kayrros also plan to enter the sector. Advances in technology have made it possible to measure what was thought impossible just five or 10 years ago. Meteorological satellites, such as those overseen by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, also play a vital role in adapting to a heating world.
