Pacific island countries vulnerable to climate change will benefit from space technology to help them plan for and prevent natural disasters, thanks to a new UK and Australian partnership.
The UK Space Agency is looking for project ideas, to be delivered through UK aid, that use the data collected by satellites to improve decision-making for disaster risk reduction, ocean monitoring, mangrove mapping and maritime management.
This will also see Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, work with the UK Space Agency and invite UK organisations and other international partners to work with them to scope projects designed to deliver sustainable benefits to Small Island Developing States in the Pacific.
The work will build on those systems already under way to help prevent and plan for disasters that are a consequence of rising sea levels and climate change.
This follows a recent statement of intent between the UK Space Agency and Australian Space Agency and Australian Space Agency to establish a ‘space bridge’ to increase strategic collaboration and lay the foundations for swift negotiations for space related opportunities under any potential future trading arrangements.
Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “Increasing our investment in space technology demonstrates our determination to become a global science superpower, forming new collaborations with countries across the globe.
“We were the first major country to sign our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 into law, and next year the UK will be hosting the UN’s climate conference, COP26.
“Space has a crucial and expanding role as a green technology, providing vital data on earth observation and climate conditions, which helps to predict the impact of climate change.
“We are world leading in our expertise in satellite technology, and are seeking to become the first country in Europe which will be able to perform both horizontal and vertical launches into space – this fund expands on our growing commitment to become one of the world’s leading space nations.”
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