The UK is a world leader in efforts to monitor the Earth from space. Satellites are proving vital for weather forecasting, pollution monitoring, disaster relief and long-term assessments of our planet 's changing climate. By its very nature, Earth Observation is a global endeavour.
These measurements enable us to monitor changes to the environment and patterns of land use and can influence environmental policy. Within two years of satellite monitoring showing a hole in the ozone layer, for example, Europe and 24 non-European countries had signed up to The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
This protocol protects the ozone layer by controlling the production and consumption of harmful chemicals. More than 160 countries have now formally approved the protocol.
Co-ordinating missions
BNSC partner the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (link opens in a new window) is responsible for the UK’s funding of Earth observation science missions and a number of UK facilities and centres of excellence. The UK, through BNSC, also works very closely with its international partners to co-ordinate space missions and share results.
UK funding for Earth observation missions is predominantly through the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, EUMETSAT. The UK is involved in the following activities and strategies:
BNSC funds GIFTSS (Government Information From The Space Sector). GIFTSS develops partnerships between UK Government departments and agencies. The aim is to investigate and develop the use of satellite-based data to address challenges such as intelligent transport, long-term landuse monitoring and humanitarian aid distribution.
GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) is a European Union led initiative in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). GMES will build a co-ordinated system for Earth observation and monitoring and has a particular emphasis on climate change. With GMES, Europe's politicians will have access to independent environmental data to form and support their policy decisions.
CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites) provides an international forum in which to discuss international Earth Observation issues. The CEOS ensures that countries work together to get the most from international civil space missions that observe and study planet Earth.
CEOS consists of 23 members (most of which are space agencies) and 21 associates (associated national and international organisations). It is recognised as the major international forum for the co-ordination of Earth observation satellite programs and users of satellite data worldwide.
Missions
Details of all these missions – and others - can be found on the missions pages (link opens in a new window) of the BNSC website.
