Space 4 Sustainability

Earth observation is making a significant contribution to addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators such as quality education, climate action, and clean water and sanitation. At Surrey, multidisciplinary teams are using Earth observation to provide data which can make a difference to people’s lives across the world.

Meeting sustainability goals using Earth observation

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. One of the challenges in meeting these goals is obtaining data of the required quality and quantity to populate the 232 indicators which inform them. This is particularly true in developing countries, with limited resources available.

Earth observation is a promising and innovative way of addressing this issue, enabling reliable, unbiased information to be gathered without heavy costs or on-the-ground infrastructure. Bringing together knowledge within the Centre for Environment and Sustainability and Surrey Space Centre (which pioneered the low-cost small satellite industry), Space 4 Sustainability is aimed at optimising the use of Earth observation to provide much-needed data.

Find out about the Centre for Environment and Sustainability's research with the National Physical Laboratory on ‘Seeing Sustainability from Space’.

Read about the analytical framework developed by the Centre to translate Earth observation data into sustainable development indicators.

PhD student Ana Andries talks about Centre for Environment and Sustainability's research on assessing overcrowding in Nigerian schools and monitoring biodiversity in the local area. This presentation was made to HRH The Countess of Wessex in November 2020 to mark World Science Day for Peace and Development.

Explore World Science Day

Projects

Our recent and active projects demonstrate the critical role Earth observation can play in helping to achieve environment and sustainability goals by addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators.

Analysing biodiverse habitats and connectivity across Surrey AONB

High resolution satellite data has been used to monitor diversity and public access in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Assessing overcrowding in Nigerian schools

A study aimed at identifying overcrowding in rural primary schools in Nigeria, with the objective of improving quality of education.

An essential tool for sustainable planning of water resource and land use

A deep analysis of Lake Poopó in Bolivia, which has shrunk over two decades, will provide essential information for planning water resources and land uses.

Maize mapping and sustainable water use in Afghanistan

This collaboration with Surrey spin-out company Alcis is aimed at improving understanding of agricultural practices in rural Afghanistan.

Sustainability management in Brazil

A project exploring the use of EO data to support environmental management in Brazil, and highlighting the challenges faced by end-users.

Research papers

Seeing sustainability from space

Translation of Earth observation data into sustainable development indicators

Earth observation for monitoring, reporting, and verification within environmental land management policy

Collaborations

The Centre for Environment and Sustainability collaborates with a wide range of external partners, including industrial companies, national bodies and charitable organisations – as well as with specialist groups at Surrey.

Remote Sensing Applications Research Group

Develop new models, applications and tools for remotely sensed data, in maritime surveillance, flood and vegetation monitoring

Enterprise M3

Space and low carbon sectors are collaborating on innovative projects to support the UK’s move to carbon net zero

Handshake with visual of people working together within this

Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT)

Dedicated to supporting the growth of small to medium enterprises in the UK

Meet the team

The Space 4 Sustainability team brings together researchers and academics from the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, Surrey Space Centre and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

For further information, contact Richard Murphy.

Professor Richard Murphy

Professor of Life Cycle Assessment, Programme Director - CES Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability, University Sustainability Research Theme Champion