The UAE Space Agency cooperates with Planet Labs to build an atlas of losses and damages using satellite data.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: As part of its efforts to enhance the ability to face the challenges of climate change, the UAE Space Agency and Planet Labs, a leading company in the field of maps and data on the Earth, announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to build an atlas of losses and damages based on satellite data to enable countries to confront climate changes.

The agreement comes within the framework of the vision and strategy of the Emirates Space Agency, to support various transformational initiatives and projects aimed at limiting climate change, and within the preparations for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), which will be hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai, during The period from November 30 to December 12 of this year, with the participation of elite leaders of countries and decision makers to discuss climate issues.

The Atlas of Loss and Damage is designed to expand the provision of technology and technical expertise to developing countries to address losses and damages resulting from climate change, in line with the Early Warning Systems for All initiative launched by the World Meteorological Organization, to enhance the availability of early warning systems to reduce the risks of weather events in several countries. The Early Warning Systems for All initiative is the result of the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund during COP27 in 2022.

Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Space Agency, said, “The strategic cooperation and partnership with Planet Labs represents a strong step towards building a sustainable future that is resistant to climate change, and reflects our commitment to strengthening our analytical capabilities to face changes.” climate and make informed and considered decisions,” adding, “We realize the importance of addressing global climate challenges, and through the use of advanced technology, space data, and satellites, we will work to establish an atlas to support the file of losses and damages resulting from climate change that contributes to the development of early warning systems, in a way that supports building our capabilities and adaptation.” With the accelerating climate changes, as well as helping other countries to develop plans and strategies to limit future climate changes.

For his part, His Excellency Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Emirates Space Agency, said, “We place as a top priority our priority to support and strengthen national private sector companies in the field of sustainability and combating climate change.” He added, “This agreement represents a strong foundation for contributing to achieving sustainable development goals by Through a unique atlas of losses and damages through the enormous potential it provides in order to support a positive impact to limit climate changes, and in a way that supports national visions and strategies aimed at building a sustainable economy by preserving the environment and biodiversity.

The atlas of losses and damages will play a pivotal role in determining the damages caused by climatic phenomena, such as floods and droughts, with the aim of contributing to the establishment of early warning systems and rapid response to mitigate potential impacts, in addition to that it will be developed by startups, institutes and universities in the United Arab Emirates and will be presented. The first was during the “Cop 28” conference.

For his part, Will Marshall, co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, said, “We are proud of our partnership with the United Arab Emirates to deliver this data to our international partners,” adding, “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face on the planet, so It is important for developing countries to be able to obtain real and tangible observations and insights to build their capabilities to face climate change, and we have the technology to help build early warning systems and address climate challenges, but we cannot do this alone.

In order to achieve its vision to support sustainability, the UAE Space Agency has launched, over the past few years, several projects and initiatives to combat climate change, including the Space Data Complex, the unique digital platform for collecting and providing space data for scientists, researchers, government and private institutions, startups, and community members with the aim of developing software and finding Solutions to meet national and global challenges.

It also announced the Space Solutions Program (SAS) program for space applications, which includes many initiatives and challenges, including the food security initiative, greenhouse gas monitoring, environmental monitoring, infrastructure, environmental monitoring and vegetation cover, in addition to working to improve infrastructure to ensure development. sustainable in the face of climate-related risks.

To facilitate these endeavors, the Emirates Space Agency launched the space data analysis platform, which is specialized in earth observation and remote sensing. Which aims to facilitate access to satellite data for scientists, researchers, government and private institutions, startups, and community members to develop solutions that support national and global challenges in the form of space data applications and value-added services, relying on satellites to address national and global challenges.

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About the Emirates Space Agency

The Emirates Space Agency is a public federal authority, established by Federal Decree Law No. 1 of 2014 regarding the establishment of the Emirates Space Agency. The space sector includes all activities, projects and programs related to outer space above the Earth’s atmosphere. The agency aims to organize and develop the national space sector in a way that contributes to supporting the sustainable national economy, developing human cadres, supporting research and development projects in the space sector, strengthening and highlighting the country’s role on the space map regionally and globally, ensuring the provision of all administrative services in accordance with standards of quality, efficiency and transparency, and establishing a culture of Innovation in the institutional work environment.