Climate change: Inmarsat report says satellite technology can cut a decade from push towards net-zero carbon emissions
- If key sectors ‘fully deployed’ existing technology by 2030 and nascent technologies by 2040, the world could reach net zero by 2040, report says
- Areas where satellites can help include optimising ship speeds to match berthing times and spotting methane leaks
The world could reach net-zero carbon emissions up to a decade ahead of the 2050 target date if three key high-emission industries greatly boost their adoption of satellite-enabled technologies to optimise operations, according to an industry report.
Satellite technology already helps avoid 1.5 billion tonnes, or 2.5 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, in the transport, energy systems and agriculture, forestry and other land use sectors, according to a report released by Globant on Thursday.
Together, the three sectors account for 60 per cent of global emissions, said the Luxembourg-based software developer and sustainable technology consultancy.
Greater deployment of mature satellite technologies in these sectors could augment emissions reduction by 9 per cent, and widespread usage of both mature and nascent technologies could double that to 18 per cent, according to the study, commissioned by London-based satellite telecommunications firm Inmarsat.
If existing technologies were “fully deployed” before 2030, and nascent technologies were wholly adopted before 2040, the world could reach net-zero carbon emissions as early as 2040, the report said.