Sustainability Atlas
Space & Earth Observation·12 min read··...

Playbook: adopting Earth observation satellites & climate analytics in 90 days

A step-by-step rollout plan with milestones, owners, and metrics. Focus on data quality, standards alignment, and how to avoid measurement theater.

The Earth observation (EO) satellite market reached $9.41 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 6.92% CAGR to $17.2 billion by 2033, with environmental and climate monitoring applications capturing 40-45% of total market share (Straits Research, 2025). In August 2024, Planet Labs launched Tanager-1, the first hyperspectral satellite in the Carbon Mapper constellation, which detected a 1,600 kg/hour methane plume at a Karachi waste facility within 12 hours of observation—demonstrating how actionable satellite intelligence has become. For organizations seeking to integrate EO-derived climate analytics into their operations, the path from procurement to production insight no longer requires multi-year timelines or eight-figure budgets. This playbook provides a 90-day framework for deploying satellite-based climate monitoring with measurable outcomes.

Why It Matters

Climate disclosure requirements are intensifying globally. The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the SEC's climate disclosure rules, and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards all demand verifiable emissions data that goes beyond self-reported estimates. Earth observation satellites provide the independent, third-party verification layer that regulators and investors increasingly expect.

Satellite-derived analytics offer three strategic advantages over traditional ground-based monitoring:

Spatial coverage at scale. A single Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite covers 290 kilometers of swath width with 10-meter resolution, enabling organizations to monitor assets, supply chains, and landscapes across multiple continents simultaneously. Ground sensor networks cannot economically achieve equivalent coverage.

Temporal consistency. Satellite constellations like Planet Labs' 200+ Dove satellites provide daily global coverage, creating consistent time-series data that reveals trends invisible in periodic manual audits. This temporal granularity is essential for detecting anomalies—illegal deforestation, unreported emissions events, or water stress patterns—that occur between traditional reporting cycles.

Measurement independence. Satellite data originates from sensors operated by third parties (ESA, NASA, commercial operators), providing the measurement independence that financial auditors, carbon credit verifiers, and regulatory bodies increasingly require. The Copernicus CO2M mission, launching in 2027, will specifically measure anthropogenic CO₂ emissions to support Paris Agreement compliance verification.

For organizations with climate commitments, EO integration is transitioning from competitive advantage to operational necessity.

Key Concepts

Sensor Modalities and Their Applications

Different satellite sensors capture distinct environmental phenomena. Understanding which modality matches your use case prevents costly procurement misalignment.

Sensor TypeResolution RangeKey ApplicationsLimitations
Multispectral3-30mVegetation health, land use change, water qualityCannot see through clouds; limited spectral bands
Hyperspectral30-60mMethane/CO₂ detection, mineral identification, crop stressData volume intensive; emerging commercial availability
SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)1-25mAll-weather imaging, subsidence, flood mappingComplex interpretation; geometric distortions
Thermal Infrared30-100mSurface temperature, industrial heat loss, wildfireLower spatial resolution; atmospheric correction required

Data Access Tiers

Satellite data is available across three primary access models:

Open data programs include Copernicus (Sentinel-1, 2, 3, 5P) and NASA/USGS (Landsat 8/9), which provide free, analysis-ready data through the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem and USGS EarthExplorer. These sources offer sufficient resolution for regional-scale monitoring and regulatory compliance baselines.

Commercial constellations such as Planet Labs (3m daily coverage at $4-10/km²), Maxar (30cm resolution for infrastructure-level detail), and ICEYE (SAR with 16-25cm resolution) provide higher temporal frequency and spatial resolution for asset-level monitoring.

Derived analytics platforms including Maxar ClimateDesk, Google Earth Engine, and Descartes Labs process raw imagery into decision-ready insights, reducing the technical barrier for organizations without in-house remote sensing expertise.

Analysis Ready Data (ARD) vs. Raw Imagery

Raw satellite imagery requires atmospheric correction, geometric correction, and radiometric calibration before analysis. Organizations should prioritize Analysis Ready Data (ARD) products—preprocessed imagery that is immediately usable—unless building proprietary processing pipelines. Copernicus, Planet, and most commercial providers now offer ARD as the default product tier.

What's Working

Methane Detection at Facility Scale

Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite, operated by Planet Labs and launched in August 2024, achieved first-light methane detection within weeks of commissioning. The satellite's hyperspectral sensor quantifies methane plumes >100 kg/hour from individual facilities—landfills, oil and gas infrastructure, feedlots—with results published through an open data portal. California Air Resources Board has integrated this data into regulatory enforcement workflows, demonstrating government adoption of commercial satellite analytics.

Insurance and Climate Risk Integration

ICEYE's SAR constellation, now exceeding 60 satellites, provides flood extent mapping within hours of inundation events. Major reinsurers including Swiss Re and Munich Re have integrated ICEYE data into parametric insurance products, triggering payouts based on satellite-verified flood boundaries rather than claims adjusters. Severn Trent Water (UK) partnered with ICEYE in 2024 for continuous wastewater and flood monitoring across its infrastructure network.

ESG Verification at Portfolio Scale

Asset managers overseeing diversified portfolios use satellite analytics to verify ESG claims across holdings. Hydrosat's thermal infrared satellites monitor industrial heat loss and water stress across agricultural supply chains, while GHGSat's constellation (12+ satellites by 2024) provides methane emissions monitoring for oil and gas portfolios. The ability to independently verify sustainability claims at portfolio scale is reshaping due diligence processes.

What's Not Working

Commercial Demand Lags Government Procurement

Despite market enthusiasm, commercial adoption of EO analytics remains slower than projections. TerraWatch Space reports that 50% of industry revenue derives from US government contracts, with another 25% from allied government customers. The remaining 25% commercial segment—insurance, agriculture, infrastructure—has proven more price-sensitive than anticipated. Many potential buyers find that free Copernicus/Landsat data meets their needs for regional monitoring.

Integration Complexity Underestimated

Organizations frequently underestimate the technical lift required to integrate satellite data into existing systems. Geospatial data formats (GeoTIFF, Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF, netCDF), coordinate reference systems, and temporal alignment with operational databases require specialized expertise. Companies that procure satellite data without parallel investment in geospatial infrastructure often see data languish unused.

Measurement Theater Persists

Some adopters treat satellite procurement as a compliance checkbox rather than an operational capability. Purchasing access to a data platform without defining KPIs, analysis workflows, or decision triggers creates "measurement theater"—the appearance of sophisticated monitoring without substantive climate action. Effective adoption requires clear linkage between satellite-derived metrics and operational decisions.

Key Players

Established Leaders

Planet Labs (USA) operates 200+ Dove satellites providing daily global multispectral coverage, plus the Tanager hyperspectral constellation for Carbon Mapper. Revenue reached $244M in FY2024 with growing defense and intelligence customer share.

Maxar Technologies (USA) offers the highest commercial resolution (30cm) through its WorldView Legion constellation launched in 2024, plus the ClimateDesk analytics platform providing climate projections through 2100. Acquired by Advent International for $6.4B in 2023.

European Space Agency / Copernicus (EU) operates the world's largest open EO data program through Sentinel satellites, with the CO2M anthropogenic emissions mission launching 2027. All data is free and open access through the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem.

Airbus Defence and Space (EU) provides Pléiades Neo (30cm optical) and operates the European Defence Fund space programs. Key contributor to Copernicus infrastructure.

Emerging Startups

ICEYE (Finland) leads commercial SAR with 60+ satellites, achieving profitability in 2025 with €200M revenue. Secured €1.76B German defense contract through Rheinmetall joint venture. Valued at $2.8B following December 2025 Series E.

GHGSat (Canada) operates the world's first commercial methane-specific satellite constellation, with 12+ satellites monitoring individual facility emissions. Spire Global provides space services for constellation expansion.

Pixxel (India/USA) raised $36M Series B led by Google for hyperspectral imaging satellites targeting agriculture, mining, and environmental monitoring. Represents growing Indian space startup ecosystem.

OroraTech (Germany) focuses on wildfire detection with thermal infrared sensors. Closed $27M in 2024 and secured NASA JPL contract with Spire Global for wildfire monitoring constellation.

Key Investors & Funders

BlackRock has invested in ICEYE and HawkEye 360, signaling institutional appetite for EO infrastructure.

Space Capital operates a dedicated 10-year fund for space economy investments, with significant EO portfolio exposure.

ESA InCubed Program provides direct co-investment for commercial EO product development, having supported Kuva Space, constellr, and other European startups.

Solidium Oy (Finnish sovereign wealth fund) led ICEYE's 2024 funding rounds, representing government strategic investment in national EO capabilities.

Examples

1. Nestlé: Supply Chain Deforestation Monitoring

Nestlé integrated Starling (an Airbus-Earthworm Foundation joint venture) to monitor palm oil, cocoa, and soy supply chains for deforestation. The system processes Sentinel-2 and commercial radar imagery to detect forest clearing within 30 days of occurrence across 3+ million hectares. When deforestation alerts trigger, procurement teams engage suppliers for verification, with satellite evidence supporting suspension decisions. The system reduced deforestation-linked sourcing incidents by 70% in pilot palm oil supply chains (Earthworm Foundation, 2024).

2. Munich Re: Parametric Flood Insurance

Munich Re launched parametric flood insurance products using ICEYE SAR data for flood extent verification. When satellite-confirmed flood boundaries exceed policy thresholds, payouts trigger automatically within days—versus weeks for traditional claims processes. The model was deployed across Southeast Asian markets in 2024, with $50M+ in parametric coverage written. Satellite verification eliminated disputes over flood extent and accelerated policyholder recovery.

3. Chevron: Methane Leak Detection and Repair

Chevron integrated GHGSat methane monitoring across Permian Basin operations, supplementing ground-based optical gas imaging with weekly satellite overflights. The satellite data identified 23% more emission sources than ground surveys alone, concentrated in remote well pads where ground crew access is irregular. Leak repair prioritization now incorporates satellite-detected emission rates, reducing total methane intensity by 12% in monitored facilities (GHGSat, 2024).

Sector-Specific KPI Table

SectorPrimary KPISatellite SourceTarget RangeMeasurement Frequency
Oil & GasMethane intensity (kg CH₄/BOE)GHGSat, Carbon Mapper<0.2% productionWeekly
AgricultureNDVI anomaly detectionSentinel-2, Planet<5% deviation from baselineWeekly
Forestry/REDD+Deforestation alert area (ha)RADD, Global Forest WatchZero gross deforestationNear-real-time
InsuranceFlood extent accuracy (IoU)ICEYE, Capella>85% intersection over unionEvent-triggered
Real EstateHeat island intensity (°C above baseline)ECOSTRESS, Hydrosat<2°C differentialMonthly
UtilitiesInfrastructure subsidence (mm/year)InSAR via TRE Altamira, ICEYE<10mm annual displacementQuarterly

Action Checklist

Days 1-30: Foundation

  • Define 2-3 specific monitoring use cases with measurable outcomes (emissions verification, supply chain monitoring, asset condition assessment)
  • Assess existing geospatial infrastructure: GIS platforms, data engineering capacity, cloud storage
  • Register for Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem and USGS EarthExplorer accounts (free)
  • Identify internal champion with authority over both sustainability reporting and IT/data systems
  • Establish baseline using 12 months of historical imagery for key monitoring areas

Days 31-60: Pilot Deployment

  • Select 1-2 commercial data providers for pilot (Planet, ICEYE, or Maxar depending on use case)
  • Deploy analytics platform or engage systems integrator (Google Earth Engine, Descartes Labs, or vertical-specific platform)
  • Process first automated analysis run on pilot geography
  • Establish data pipeline from satellite platform to internal decision systems
  • Train 2-3 staff members on platform operation and interpretation

Days 61-90: Operationalization

  • Validate satellite-derived metrics against ground truth or existing monitoring systems
  • Define alert thresholds and escalation workflows for anomaly detection
  • Integrate satellite KPIs into sustainability reporting dashboards
  • Document standard operating procedures for ongoing monitoring
  • Develop business case for scaled deployment based on pilot outcomes

FAQ

Q: What is the minimum budget to meaningfully adopt satellite climate analytics? A: Organizations can start with zero incremental data cost using Copernicus and Landsat open data, investing primarily in staff time and potentially cloud computing (~$5,000-15,000/year). Commercial high-resolution imagery adds $50,000-250,000/year depending on coverage area and frequency. Analytics platforms typically range $30,000-100,000/year for enterprise licenses. A meaningful pilot can launch at $75,000-150,000 total first-year investment.

Q: How do we handle cloud cover that obscures optical satellite imagery? A: Three strategies address cloud contamination: (1) increase temporal frequency through constellations like Planet, which images every location daily, improving cloud-free composite availability; (2) incorporate SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellites like ICEYE or Sentinel-1, which penetrate clouds for all-weather observation; (3) use cloud masking algorithms that combine multiple observation dates into cloud-free composites. Most operational systems combine all three approaches.

Q: Can satellite data meet the evidentiary standards for regulatory compliance or legal proceedings? A: Increasingly, yes. California Air Resources Board accepts Carbon Mapper data for methane enforcement. EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) explicitly permits satellite-derived deforestation evidence. For legal proceedings, chain of custody documentation from satellite operators provides evidentiary foundation, though courts are still developing standards. Best practice is treating satellite data as "first alert" that triggers ground verification for regulatory submission.

Q: How do we avoid "measurement theater" where we collect data but don't act on it? A: Define decision triggers before data procurement. Specify: "If satellite data shows X, we will do Y within Z days." Examples include supplier suspension thresholds, maintenance dispatch triggers, or disclosure materiality thresholds. Establish ownership by assigning specific individuals accountability for responding to satellite-derived alerts. Finally, audit response rates quarterly—the percentage of alerts that generate documented actions.

Q: What technical skills are required to operate satellite analytics in-house? A: At minimum: GIS competency (ArcGIS or QGIS proficiency), data engineering skills for pipeline management (Python, SQL, cloud platforms), and domain expertise to interpret results. Many organizations outsource technical processing to analytics platforms (Google Earth Engine, Descartes Labs) while retaining domain interpretation in-house. Full in-house capability typically requires 2-4 FTEs combining geospatial science, data engineering, and domain expertise.

Sources

Topics

earthobservationbenchmark KPIstraceabilityadditionalityhyperspectraltransition plan

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