International space agency disaster forum comes to ECCI
17 world space agencies gathered at ECCI last month for the 49th International Disaster Charter, hosted by the UK Space Agency.
The International Charter is composed of space agencies and space system operators from around the world who work together to provide satellite imagery for disaster monitoring purposes, ensuring there is a robust and timely response to natural and man-made disasters globally.
Formed on 20 October 2000 by the European Space Agency (ESA), French Space Agency (CNES) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), with the UK joining in 2005, the Charter is a worldwide collaboration.
The series of meetings and workshops in Edinburgh marked the start of The UK Space Agency taking over taking over the leadership of the Charter.
ECCI based Space Sector Business Development Lead at University of Edinburgh, Kristina Tamane, organised a fringe events to coincide with the prestigious event, allowing students, colleagues and local companies connectd to space, data and climate change, to learn more about the important and impressive work of the Charter.
Kristina Tamane, who is also Co-Chair of Environmental Task Force at Space Scotland, said: "The University of Edinburgh was delighted to host the Directors meeting for the International Disasters Charter, as the UK takes leadership of this important work through the UK Space Agency.
"The University is exceptionally well positioned to engage in this activity via our space and satellites team, who have a strong focus on both climate change and social dimensions and implications of research activities, working closely with colleagues in ECCI and Edinburgh Earth Initiative."
Sarah-Jane Gill, Head of International Relations, UK Space Agency, said: “We’re grateful to Kristina, ECCI and the University of Edinburgh for hosting a week of meetings and workshops, continuing the partnership between the UK Space Agency and the University.
"Being at the nexus of climate related research, data and action makes ECCI and The University the ideal venue for this important event, as the UK Space Agency embarks on its 6 month leadership tenure."
Space Data for Climate Action
With a growing and expanding list of key colleagues across the University working on space-based projects, The University of Edinburgh is a Space University.
The University of Edinburgh has been a key contributor, leader and delivery arm for the world’s first Sustainable Space Roadmap – through their leadership of the Environmental Task Force – currently chaired by Kristina Tamane and Andrew Fournet from CGI.
Additionally, with UK Space Agency support, the University has been building the Data Slipstream Service to support research and innovation, rooted in Edinburgh’s position as the national centre for supercomputing.
The Data Slipstream initiative is connecting academic researchers with business opportunities in areas including climate, agriculture, and flood mitigation; and businesses in areas including green finance and public health.
Furthermore, the Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science (SENSE) is a new research centre – in collaboration with the University of Leeds, the National Oceanography Centre, and the British Antarctic Survey – which uses satellite data and artificial intelligence to tackle global environmental changes. The Centre - worth £5million - will deliver 50 PhD students uniquely qualified to address emerging climate change problems using AI.