TOTTERING AT THE EDGE

Sustainability is more crucial than ever before for our collective future, and while there are innovative solutions, processes, and spatial advancements, lack of progress on climate mitigation would lead to a terrible backslide.

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Edge of the Precipice: Lack of Concrete Climate Mitigation

In the aftermath of the damning IPCC assessment report, it becomes evidently clear that curtailing climate change is the biggest challenge for all realizing all sustainability parameters, and ensuring a renewable transition.

VOLUME: 13 / ISSUE: 02

Editor-in-Chief

Sanjay Kumar

Managing Editors

Prof. Arup Dasgupta

Sanjay Singh

Contributing Editor

Geospatial Infrastructure

John Kedar

Contributing Editor

Global Defense and Security

Keith J. Masback

Associate Editors

Geospatial World

Aditya Chaturvedi

EMEA

CEO, HawkEye 360 Marc Prioleau

Meta – Head of BD, Mapping, and Location, Overture

Frank Tierolff CEO, Kadaster

Meenal Dhande

Asia Pacific

Sarah Hisham

Assistant Editor

Nibedita Mohanta

Sub Editors

Sachin Awana

Richa Tyagi

Jeffy Jacob

Chief Designer

Subhash Kumar

Visualizers

Pradeep Chauhan

Saurabh Srivastava

Circulation

Harender Rawat

Vijay Singh

Disclaimer

Geospatial World does not necessarily subscribe to the views expressed in the publication. All views expressed in this issue are those of the contributors. Geospatial World is not responsible for any loss to anyone due to the information provided.

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John Serafini

Step Back from the Abyss T

he launch of Starship by SpaceX has sent reverberations around the world. True it was a spectacular failure, but out of failure comes eventual success. Soon, may be too soon, humans will land on the moon to begin lunar resource exploitation.. Next destination may be Mars, which is the target of Starship.

Humanity is eyeing celestial bodies as the next major milestone of progress after Christopher Columbus discovered the New World.

But what about our only home –The Blue Marble, the pale blue dot, the fourth rock from the sun – the Spaceship Earth? These intrepid explorers may leave behind a dying planet, too hot for sustaining healthy living and well-being, recurrently prone to violent storms and other destructive weather events, and declining agriculture, water scarcity reducing options for development, and creating a degraded ecosystem.

Doomsday scenario? This is what the IPCC’s latest report outlines unless the world wakes up to the accelerating global warming.

Temperatures are showing a rising trend such that unless strong measures are taken now, by 2030 we will cross the point of no return – a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels.

It is not that people are unaware of the dangers, the IPCC report lists out in great detail what needs to be done but human events are working against these recommendations. The prolonged war in Ukraine is creating

an ecological and environmental disaster, and the recovery from the wastelands created will consume precious resources.

Worse still, a hiatus in phasing out of fossil fuels will aggravate the problem. The oceans are equally under pressure as are vulnerable island nations. Already due to extreme weather events, agricultural output is being globally affected.

In this scenario, sustainable urban planning and management, accelerated adoption of non-fossil energy resources, efficient agriculture, and preservation of forests are some of the key activities that need immediate attention.

Geospatial systems for monitoring the earth, oceans and atmosphere already exist. Their data must be made available without parochial mindset and overtly regulatory approach. The technology exists to enable data access, but the laws are quite restrictive. Similarly, data analytics need to mature and become easily accessible. Geospatial must break silos and become mainstream across all human endeavors.

Information Technologies, particularly geospatial systems, are ready to meet the needs of sustainable development which can restrict global warming. It is up to governments, industries, and communities to work together seamlessly and take proportionate share of the efforts to ensure that the earth remains sustainable for future generations –those who will be left behind, as well as those whose ancestors colonized the Moon and Mars.

Prof. Arup Dasgupta arup@geospatialworld.net

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The Global Drought Scenario and Vulnerability Assessment

With drought conditions affected nearly a quarter of the world, especially the third world countries, focus needs to be shifted to creating more awareness with the help of the multifaceted geospatial technologies we have at our discourse. Disaster management is due course, and the time is only limited.

By Prof. T.P. Singh

Drought is a natural phenomenon and creeping disasters have significant effects on the environment, agriculture, and human populations. It has increased in frequency and severity over the past few years as a result of climate change, making it a significant worldwide issue that needs attention and action.

According to the United Nations, this creeping disaster affects more people than any other natural disaster, with up to 1.5 billion people around the world affected by drought conditions. Climate change, which is changing weather patterns and increasing the frequency and severity of droughts in many parts of the world, is one of the main causes of drought. Moreover, human actions like deforestation, changes in land use, and excessive water consumption can make drought conditions worse. It affects agriculture, resulting in lower crop yields, food shortages, higher food costs, and starvation. In areas where water is scarce, it can also result in water shortages and disputes over water supplies.

Mega droughts have occurred recently all across the planet, particularly in central and western India especially the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state, South Africa, California in the USA, and Australia. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, severe to exceptional drought conditions affected over 70% of the Western United States in 2021. This has resulted in a lack of water, lower crop yields, and a higher danger of wildfires. Since 2018, there has been a drought in Southern Africa, which has caused crop failures, food scarcity, and an increase in migration. Prevalent drought conditions have decreased agricultural productivity and raised water stress in urban centers in regions of Asia, including India and China.

These droughts have brought to light the need for improved drought management strategies. Governments and non-governmental organizations from all over the world are tackling the problem of drought through several measures, including water conservation and wise water management, better land use and land cover practices, and the development of drought-resistant crops.

According to predictions made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), droughts will increase in frequency and severity throughout much of the world as a result of climate change, especially in areas like the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and parts of South America. Long-lasting drought conditions in Australia have lowered crop yields, increased pressure on water resources in metropolitan areas, and caused water shortages.

Economic Impact

Long term prevailing drought condition has a considerable economic impact, especially in areas where agriculture accounts for a large portion of Gross Development Product (GDP), especially in South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, Part of Africa and South America, Drought-related decreased agricultural yields can result in reduced crop based earnings, higher food costs, and more food imports, all of which can be detrimental to the economy as a whole. It is crucial to remember that the severity of the drought, the types of crops damaged, and the degree of economic diversification in the affected area can all have a significant impact on how the economy is affected.

In some cases, drought can also create chances for innovation and expansion in industries like water management and the creation of drought-resistant crops. Longterm economic repercussions of droughts include decreased property values and reduced tourism revenue in drought-affected areas which we have seen in South Africa.

The United States suffered an estimated $30 billion in losses from agriculture alone as a result of the 2012 drought. however, a drought that affected California from 2011 to 2017 cost the state’s farmers an estimated $3.8 billion in losses, which decreased the state’s GDP. India experienced a drought in 2015–16 that impacted 330 million people and resulted in an estimated $10 billion in economic losses. It was calculated that Australia’s Millennium Drought, which ran from 1997 to 2010, cost the country’s economy $13 billion annually.

In general, dealing with the economic effects of drought necessitates a multifaceted strategy, involving investments in agriculture that is resistant to drought, better water management techniques, and laws that encourage economic diversity and resilience. By proactively addressing the effects of drought, economies may more effectively endure the difficulties presented by this natural

occurrence and guarantee longterm growth and prosperity.

Food security

Crop productivity is constrained by an increase in climate extreme events in the past decade, especially drought conditions in many parts of the world more specifically in the global south. Moreover, crop productivity is restricted in many regions by this phenomenon. Which vindicates its impact on highly vulnerable south east Asia and part of Europe’s food security. A growing body of evidence indicates that agriculture across a variety of economies, crops, and farming systems is already being significantly impacted by climate change in the form of extreme occurrences and changes in weather patterns. People in these areas have an unsettling side effect of increased disease risk due to rising daytime temperatures and reduce night temperatures.

Crop productivity is constrained by an increase in climate extreme events in the past decade, especially drought conditions in many parts of the world more specifically in the global south

Current predictive technologies can assist with contingency planning in areas that are very susceptible to drought and create higher yields of crops that are drought resistant, especially in eastern and central India and, most importantly Southeast Asia and south Europe However, for this to be realized, a substantial investment will be needed to create an accurate real-time drought prediction model.

Geospatial and Drought

By delivering precise and timely information regarding water availability, soil moisture levels, and crop health, geospatial technology can significantly contribute to reducing the effects of drought. The ability of geospatial tech-

nology to gather, analyze, and interpret data from a variety of sources, such as satellite imaging, ground-based sensors, and weather stations, is one of its key advantages. Researchers and decision-makers will then be able to better comprehend the prevalence and severity of drought conditions in various places thanks to the utilization of this data to produce detailed maps and models of the earth’s surface.

With the help of technology, farmers and other stakeholders may develop tools and applications that will aid in irrigation planning, crop management, and water conservation. For instance, based on local weather patterns and soil moisture levels, farmers can utilize geospatial data to predict the best time to plant and schedule irrigation for their crops and recognize when their land is stressed.

Drought Prediction

Owing to its dependence on a variety of variables, such as weather patterns, soil moisture, and water availability, complex nature can be challenging to anticipate. Our capacity to antic-

ipate and respond to drought conditions may be enhanced by improvements in weather forecasting models and the addition of local hydro-meteorological conditions.

Moreover, improvements in remote sensing technology, such as ground-based sensors and satellite imaging with high temporal and spatial resolution and the inclusion of Artificial intelligence, have made it possible to track and forecast drought conditions in real-time. Scientists across the globe are working to incorporate meteorological, Biophysical, and climate indices to provide solutions.

Ultimately, the scientific community and decision-makers will be able to manage and respond to droughts more effectively thanks to global and regional prediction systems, which will help to attain food security on a worldwide scale.

NASA, University of Nebraska Release New Global Groundwater Maps and U.S. Drought Forecasts – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

Improvements in remote sensing technology have made it possible to track and forecast drought conditions in real-time

Prof. (Dr.) T.P. Singh PhD., M.Phil. (Engg.), M.Sc.,MS (Paris University VI), and Chairman ISG Pune.

Edge of the Precipice Lack of Concrete Climate Mitigation Risks Sustainable Development

In the aftermath of the damning IPCC assessment report, it becomes evidently clear that curtailing climate change is the biggest challenge for all realizing all sustainability parameters, and ensuring a renewable transition.

By Arup Dasgupta

Profligate use of Earth’s limited resources has shown that unlimited and untrammeled development is not an option if the Earth has to survive as a livable planet. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 agreed to a set of seventeen sustainable development goals, adopted in 2015 by the UN.

These goals would give the earth a chance to revive and achieve a state of environmental balance and help in achieving an equitable global socio-economic development by 2030.

One of the fallouts of the development route followed by many countries has resulted in the steady warming of the earth, causing the

climate to change. The World Meteorological Organization, a body affiliated with the UN marked climate change as an effect of anthropogenic activity. It established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC in 1988. IPCC continues to monitor the effects of climate change, builds possible future scenarios as the climate warms, and suggests mitigation measures.

Climate change and sustainable development are closely intertwined. The best approaches to counter climate change are largely those activities that may ensure overall sustainability. On the other hand, ignoring these practices will only accelerate climate change and lead to irreversible adverse impacts on civil society, the economy, and the environment.

The Implications

Two notable points emerge from the recently released sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC One, the emissions in 2019 were 12% higher than in 2010 indicating a rapid increase in Green House Gases (GHG). Second, the possibility of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius in the period 2030-2035 to ensure a net zero emission by 2050 looks bleak. The emissions calculated from the Nationally Determined Contributions and corresponding policies show that the temperature rise will remain in the range of 2.2 to 3.5 °C in 2030.

Another study by Pennsylvania State University using a data-driven AI approach shows that a 1.5 °C rise will be achieved soon “even if the climate forcing pathway is substantially reduced in the near term” and that “a high probability of reaching the 2 °C threshold by mid-century in the High, Intermediate, and Low scenarios, suggesting that even with substantial greenhouse gas mitigation, there is still a possibility of failing to achieve the UN Paris goal of

holding global warming well below the 2 °C threshold”.

Net Zero

As implied by the Nationally Declared Contributions and the implemented policies, the mean GHG loading in the atmosphere as of 2020, was 57 Giga tons of equivalent carbon dioxide per year (GtCO2-eq/ yr). There is a gap of 7 GtCO2-eq/yr already concerning the 2030 target. As of 2020, the analysis shows that the gap increases to 6-14 GtCO2-eq/ yr if the rise is to be limited to 2 °C and 16-23 GtCO2-eq/yr if the limit is set to 1.5 °C to be able to achieve the goal of 2030. In percentage terms existing policies will result in an increase of GHG by 4%. If a situation of high overshoot is accepted followed by a restriction to 2 °C or 1.5 °C, it will result in a 4% decrease in GHG but strong and immediate action from now onwards to limit the rise to 2 °C will need a reduction of 26% of GHG. The corresponding figure for 1.5 °C is 43%.

The goal of controlling global warming is to achieve net zero emissions of GHG globally. This implies that there will be some emitters and some absorbers of GHG. If the world succeeds to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 °C by restricting GHG load to 34 GtCO2-eq/yr the net zero CO2 will be achieved by 2050 but other GHGs will take up to another 50 years (2100) but Methane will still be present. The corresponding picture if the limit is set to 2 °C will be a maximum GHG loading of 43

GtCO2-eq/yr with net zero CO2 by 2070, other GHGs, mainly methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture, will last beyond 2100.

Pathways to Mitigation

The IPCC report also looks at ways to reach net zero. As of 2019, the major contributors to GHG were about 20 GtCO2-eq/yr by transport, industry, and buildings, another 16 GtCO2-eq/yr by energy supply, about 15 GtCO2-eq/ yr from non-CO2 sources and 5 GtCO2-eq/yr from land use change and forestry.

With the best of measures, Net Zero may be achieved by 2030 only for optimized land use changes and control of deforestation. One of the major causes of global warming, energy supply will achieve net zero only after 2050 while the other cause, transport, industry, and buildings, will most probably achieve net zero only by 2100.

Several illustrative mitigation pathways can help in achieving net zero. A less rapid introduction of mitigation measures followed by a subsequent gradual strengthening can limit the warming to only 2 °C but a high reliance on pathways such as net negative emissions, high resource efficiency, and a focus on sustainable development or renewables can help to limit warming to 1.5°C. It is important to note that the sustainable development route shows the best results in the long term with emissions falling to under 10 GtCO2-eq/

A less rapid introduction of mitigation measures followed by a subsequent gradual strengthening can limit the warming to only 2 °C but a high reliance on net negative emissions, high resource efficiency, and a focus on SDGs can help limit warming to 1.5°C

yr and emission sinks absorbing another 5 GtCO2-eq/yr.

Climate Change and SDGs

Currently, the global community recognizes the urgent need to address climate change and promote sustainable development, and these issues are a central focus of international efforts, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Sustainable Development hinges on effective action to limit climate change. Climate Change in turn looks at sustainable development as the best way to achieve the 1.5-degree target for global warming.

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a global agreement aimed at limiting global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The agreement sets out national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provides a framework for international cooperation and support to help countries achieve their targets.

The two means of climate-resilient global sustainable development are adaptation and mitigation. While mitigation is a short-term activity, adaptation is a long-term effort. The IPCC SYR AR6 report points out that, “Accelerated implementation of adaptation will improve well-being by reducing losses and damages, especially for vulnerable populations. Deep, rapid, and sustained mitigation

actions would reduce future adaptation costs and losses, and damages, enhancing sustainable development co-benefits, and reducing irreversible climate changes. These near-term actions involve higher up-front investments and disruptive changes, which can be moderated by a range of enabling conditions and removal or reduction of barriers to feasibility.”

While factors like cost might tempt implementations to seek a tradeoff between mitigation and adaptation, an approach that looks at synergies between the two to advance sustainable development may yield better results in the long run. Though tradeoffs are in some cases unavoidable, an integrated approach using both synergies and tradeoffs using the SDG as a template is shown in the figure.

There have been several successes in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while also addressing climate change. A few examples are:

Renewable energy: The expansion of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power has been one of the major successes in the fight against climate change. In 2020, renewable energy accounted for almost 75% of new power capacity additions globally, indicating that the transition to clean energy is gaining momentum. This shift has helped to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, while also supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Sustainable agriculture: Another area where progress has been made in addressing climate change is sustainable agriculture. Farmers are adopting practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration, such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and cover cropping. These practices also improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and support SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Sustainable transportation: The transition to sustainable transportation is another success story. Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable and accessible, and cities are investing in public transportation systems that run on clean energy. This shift not only reduces emissions but also reduces air pollution and supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Sustainable finance: The financial sector is also playing a crucial role in advancing the SDGs while addressing climate change. Sustainable finance is becoming mainstream, with more investors considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions. This shift is helping to direct more capital towards sustainable projects and initiatives, supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

These are just a few examples of how progress is being made in addressing climate change while also advancing the SDGs. It is important to note that there is still

Sustainable Development hinges on effective action to limit climate change. Climate Change in turn looks at sustainable development as the best way to achieve the 1.5-degree target

Near-term Adaptation and Mitigation Actions

Potential synergies and trade-offs between the portfolio of climate change mitigation and adaptation options and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taken from Synthesis Report of The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) pp 77. SDG 13 is missing because mitigation/ adaptation is being considered in terms of interaction with SDGs. The length of each bar represents the total number of mitigation or adaptation options under each system/sector. The number of adaptation and mitigation options vary across system/sector, and have been normalised to 100% so that bars are comparable across mitigation, adaptation, system/sector, and SDGs.

a long way to go in achieving these goals, and continued efforts and investments are needed to ensure a sustainable future for all.

What more needs to be done to mitigate climate change effects on SDGs?

Accelerate the transition to clean energy: The world needs to rapidly transition to clean, renewable energy sources and away from fossil fuels. This requires bold policy decisions and investment in clean energy infrastructure, as well as public awareness campaigns to

encourage the adoption of clean energy technologies.

Implement sustainable land use practices: Agriculture and deforestation are major drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing sustainable land use practices,

Region-wise Climate Risks

Every region faces more severe or frequent compound and/or cascading climate risks in the near term.

Courtesy: Taken from page no 65 of Synthesis Report of The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and reforestation, can help mitigate the effects of climate change while also supporting food security and biodiversity.

Invest in climate resilience: Climate change is already causing devastating impacts, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and food insecurity. It is essential to invest in climate resilience measures, such as early warning systems, improved infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Support sustainable urbanization: Cities are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also offer opportunities for sustainable development. Supporting sustainable urbanization, such as through public transportation, green buildings, and waste reduction initiatives, can help reduce emissions while also improving quality of life.

Strengthen international cooperation: Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. Countries need to work together to reduce emissions, share best practices, and provide support to vulnerable countries and communities.

Issues for Implementation

Despite global efforts, progress toward sustainable development and addressing climate change remains uneven. Many countries are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels and high-carbon industries, and the impacts of climate change are already being felt in many regions, including more frequent and severe natural disasters, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.

Some of the worrying aspects of events that pose a challenge to the efforts of reducing global warming are related to current events. The war in Ukraine has resulted in the disruption of energy supplies. Europe is planning to reopen coalbased power generating stations.

Despite the best efforts, the oceans have not been able to meet the sustainable development goals. 14% of the coral reefs, called the rainforest of the seas, have already been lost. 17 million metric tonnes of plastics are already in the oceans and are threatening marine life. Eutrophication due to excess nutrient pollution has increased dead zones to 700. Oceans-based actions can contribute 20% to the reduction of GHG by 2050.

Another conundrum is in the energy sector. Replacing coal and oil-based power will require the mining of a huge number and amount of minerals. For example, to meet the 2-degree limit, the demand for lithium needed for energy systems will rise by 2050 to 488% of the amount mined up to 2018. Mining activities produce enormous amounts of GHG, require high volumes of water, and may add to the pollution of water and air, and land.

Add to these other minerals such as cobalt, nickel, etc needed for various alternative energy systems and the picture becomes more complicated. Most of these minerals are located in politically unstable countries which may already be under severe unsustainable developmental stress. Many minerals are located in a single country. For example, China produces 96.67% of the world’s

Gallium which is needed in the semiconductor industry.

Conclusion

There is a long haul ahead. Analysis shows that time is running out for the world in terms of mitigation, adaptation, and trade-offs for climate justice. The effects on sustainable development have been well documented and the synergy between the two is clear. Climate justice will aid Sustainable Development and vice versa.

There are major issues. While small island countries like Grenada have created a Digital Twin to help assist their actions, larger and poor countries, may not find the going that easy. The cost of implementation is a major issue. The triad of government, civil sector, and industry have to work together to find and implement solutions specific to each country.

In the end, it is all about social equity, justice, and sustainability of the environment and people. Development cannot stop but reduced options for development and degradation of the ecosystem are not acceptable.

To mitigate the effects of climate change on the SDGs, a comprehensive and coordinated approach is needed that involves government, business, civil society, and individuals. This will require significant investment and effort, but the benefits of a more sustainable and resilient future will be well worth it. Managing Editor

Prof. Arup Dasgupta

arup@geospatialworld.net

Fostering Global Awareness

“We now have enough satellites in orbit to make it possible to gather data as often as every hour over high priority regions. Revisit and capacity will continue to improve as we launch additional satellites this year”, says John Serafini, CEO, HawkEye 360, in a conversation with Geospatial World

Due to geo-political volatility and frequent disruptions, the use of satellite monitoring has escalated globally, leading to a sustained demand for more innovative products and services. What is your innovation strategy to stay ahead of the curve?

We always had a big vision to move fast. We introduced this new commercial RF satellite technology and have been building the market from scratch. We are still early in the technology development curve, though we engage closely with our customers, learning their unique requirements, and feeding that continuously into our R&D. We also follow the small satellite method of incremental improvements for each set of new satellites. Quarter by quarter, we can point to better metrics for our ground processing software and the quality of our data products.

After the recent launch of three satellites for IndoPacific maritime domain awareness, would you be looking at bigger market engagement and expansion in Asia?

The Cluster 6 satellites are the first in the

HawkEye constellation to enter an inclined orbit, boosting revisit rates over the mid-latitude regions of the globe. The RF data we collect will benefit visibility of maritime activity across Asia. I would like to reference a Tweet from Dr. Ely Ratner, who is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the United States.

Upon our launch in January, he was kind enough to post, “Big day for the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). Today, we celebrated the launch of a new satellite cluster, which will deliver a faster, wider,

and sharper maritime picture to partners across the region.”

What is the future outlook of Hawkeye 360 towards digital transformation?

We are not only deploying a high-quality RF sensing constellation, but also world-class RF data processing and analytics that enhance usability of what we can deliver to solve customer problems. We have an end-to-end secure network from our satellites to AWS GovCloud, protecting the data to satisfy the rigorous requirements of our government defence and intelligence users. Our data

science team is applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to interpret the data and generate value for our customers.

Tell us something about your latest offerings?

We now have enough satellites in orbit to make it possible to gather data as often as every hour over high priority regions. Revisit and capacity will continue to improve as we launch additional satellites this year. Our GPS Interference monitoring has become a powerful offering.

We have also broadened the types of devices we can detect and the raw data we can provide to our hard-core defence and intelligence users. But I’m most excited about new maritime domain awareness analytics we will be release later this year that will transform finding and tracking dark vessels.

What is the Hawkeye vision towards social resilience?

Among the many applications of our RF data, we can improve security of marine sensitive areas and help monitor illegal fishing activity. Marine ecosystems collapse if not properly regulated. Better visibility of ships and patterns of life can inform Coast Guards and authorities on how to prevent illegal activities that devastate the marine environment. Knowledge is a powerful tool and HawkEye 360 is helping fill gaps in people’s understanding of our world.

We are not only deploying a high-quality Radio Frequency sensing constellation, but also world-class Radio Frequency data processing and analytics that enhance usability of what we can deliver to solve customer problems

HawkEye 360 Launches Next-Generation Cluster 4 Satellites - HawkEye 360

HawkEye 360's RFGeo Revolutionizes Global Radio Signal Monitoring

Interviewed by: Aditya Chaturvedi

MANY NAUTICAL MILES TO SAIL Sustained Collaboration Critical to Secure Seas

While there are binding treaties and conventions safeguarding maritime traffic, there is a need to run a tight ship, facilitating multi-later cooperation, satellite detection, reconnaissance, and intel-sharing.

By Guy Thomas

In March this year, there was a great deal of celebration at the United Nations and elsewhere on the signing of the High Seas Treaty, and rightfully so. However, the work required to make our seas safer in all respects is not done by a long shot.

While the High Seas Treaty does provide strictures for the governance of the Blue Ocean world, it does not stipulate the building

of the system of Global Maritime Awareness needed to detect, track, apprehend, and thus deter, treaty violators and other wrongdoers.

Maritime security has multiple dimensions, including but not limited to maritime law enforcement, safety, environment protection, science & technology, maritime trade & economy, maritime law, trade sanctions enforcement, and public health.

However, there can be no Maritime Security without Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) and Global MSA can only be achieved by a global approach involving all the above stakeholders plus industry and academia on a truly global scale.

In the last dozen years, unclassified space systems, led by satellite AIS, which provides the identification and locational information crucial in any geospatial system, have shown that they can dramatically improve maritime awareness and are now in use in several regions.

Collaboration in Space for International Global Maritime Awareness (C-SIGMA) is a concept which capitalizes on these new systems to improve life on Earth worldwide by increasing maritime safety and security via specific unclassified space systems’ capabilities. Of course, terrestrial systems would also be melded into

the data flow of the global maritime awareness system. No one system, terrestrial or space-based, can do it all by itself.

These new capabilities in space could – and should be – employed globally. The High Seas Treaty addresses the global problem of lawlessness at sea, including illegal fishing and other marine resource theft, smuggling of narcotics, weapons, people and other contraband, marine environmental damage, and even slavery.

All of these crimes could be mitigated via coordinated use of satellite systems, which helps improve safety of life at sea and assist in disaster mitigation and recovery.

C-SIGMA is the pathway to global maritime cooperation for safety, environmental protection, resource conservation, and security.

While the United Nations is the logical choice to lead the way for the benefit of all, but if it fails to act, then others need to step up to this task. In the long run, the benefits would outweigh the costs.

Since the era of sea pirates and buccaneers, smuggling is the oldest crime committed at sea, but its ambit has broadened over the years, now including sanction evasions as well. Many of these crimes also infringe on nation-

state security, with weapons and drugs being the most common, and the most damaging to national security. Then there are safety regulation violations, both for the safety of the ship and the crew.

This second set spills over into human rights violations. The final two basic divisions of hurtful actions at sea are closely related but distinctly different. They are related because they both deal with the marine environment and its protection.

Polluters defile the oceans while thieves steal fish, minerals, oil, and now, even sand, harming the marine environment as well as

the states which are the victims of these crimes.

Right now, there are some crime-specific systems, but one collaborative collection system could be tasked to gather data and that information could be analysed to determine illicit activities.

Significance of Maritime Security

Immediately after 9/11, there was a need to improve the security of the maritime assets of the USA from terrorists. Around the same time, there was a lot of information and awareness on the effects of crime at sea and its disastrous impact on marine environment.

The potential contributions of space-based Earth observation systems to maritime awareness is of growing interest to the world’s naval and law enforcement forces, as well as to environmental preservationists, commerce, maritime, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness governmental ministries

Source: TeleGeography; World Bank

The various problems that were considered made it clear that one master system, most probably administered by region, was required. But there needs to be one hub coordinating the global collaboration required to combat these crimes, especially marine pollution and theft. All of these are global problems that require a coordinated global response.

In the 21st century, it is well known that the cyber world has expanded exponentially though parts of it still skulk in the shadows. Since 2004, there has also been an ongoing revolution in space-based Earth observation systems led by space-based AIS. These capabilities not only support safety and security at sea but can also significantly assist in economic and environmental stewardship, resource protection, as well as disaster mitigation and recovery.

This is especially true of the remote territories such as the Arctic, and resource-rich areas in

the underdeveloped world such as the Gulf of Guinea, the South China Sea, Micronesia, the Indian Ocean, as well as the South Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America.

One of the good things is that many new, highly capable space systems are either here now or will be here in the next few years. Advances in the cyber world including Big Data mining, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning are allowing more complete processing of the data provided by these new systems. The expansions in both Earth observation from space and in-data handling provide us with a unique, epoch-making opportunity

Core requirements of geospatial information include the location of the object in question and some way of identifying it. Satellite AIS does precisely that. It was the missing link, but now it has been well-deployed.

Until satellite AIS came online

ships were often only identified by their physical characteristics and their location when imaged by satellites. With the launch of the first satellite AIS constellation in 2008 by ORBCOMM the marine world now had a system that provided the core geospatial requirements of location and identification of all the legal ships in the world.

The potential contributions of space-based Earth observation systems to maritime awareness is of growing interest to the world’s naval and law enforcement forces, as well as to environmental preservationists, commerce, maritime, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness governmental ministries.

Apart from them, it is valuable for ship brokers and those interested in marine domain environment and security. However, coordination to maximize these capabilities is lacking.

Different modes of communication available for ships.

Need of the Hour

Ongoing research shows that no single country or organization has the ability and resources to fully support the safe, secure, and efficient use of the maritime domain. This is due to the fact that conservation and protection of marine environment with finite resources of fish, minerals, and oil cannot be done unilaterally.

Among the greatest need, as well as the greatest opportunities, for international collaboration are presented by the multiple national and regional efforts to develop the doctrine and concept of operations to coordinate the use of the space technologies now available for detecting, identifying, and tracking vessels well offshore, on a global scale. These systems are especially suited in areas with shared international interests such as the Arctic, in pirate-infested waters, or in areas known to support smuggling or resource theft of all types.

Implementing C-SIGMA could well be the key to building the envisioned, truly global, maritime security system, and would substantially assist in many tasks including the detection of illegal smuggling of all types, improved maritime pollution control, resource protection, as well as dramatically assisting humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery operations.

Remote ocean surveillance in such areas as the Arctic, the southern oceans, and the western Pacific would immediately benefit people everywhere. C-SIGMA already exists in Europe via FRONTEX and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Implementing it in the Arctic and a few other locales such as the Gulf of Guinea and the western Pacific could be the needed stepping stone to the implementation of truly Global Maritime Awareness for the betterment of the entire world.

The positive side is that hardly a week goes without news of more capable satellites being launched. And a lot of countries have commenced using these systems for maritime situational awareness.

Several regional organizations have been created to provide coordinated maritime situational awareness to their national military and law enforcement leaders. There is some coordination between various regional centers, but there is no global collaboration to provide global maritime awareness, which is vital to protect the global marine environment.

C-SIGMA envisions seizing that opportunity by linking together existing and planned unclassi-

fied space system capabilities in a worldwide collaborative network via coordinated regional centers for international global maritime awareness to provide substantially improved security, safety, environmental protection, resource conservation, as well as disaster mitigation and recovery.

The time to take advantage of new opportunities unveiled due to the tidal wave of New Space systems and enhanced Earth Observation capabilities, drawing across the horizon, and rapidly bearing down on the world is now.

C-SIGMA envisions seizing opportunity by linking together existing and planned unclassified space system capabilities in a worldwide collaborative network via coordinated regional centers for international global maritime awareness

Guy Thomas Managing Director, C-SIGMA LLC, he has a unique mix of experience in maritime and aerospace operations, concept development, and operational test/evaluation.

An EEZ zone captured from sky

Open Data Access Bedrock of Sustainability

“A lot of organizations pushing for sustainable solutions can't afford access to proprietary map solutions or those available under restrictive licensing terms. Open map data changes this equation completely, enabling a level playing field that makes mapping accessible for everyone”, says Marc Prioleau, Meta – Head of Business Development, Mapping, and Location, in an exclusive interview with Geospatial World.

The foundation is a collaborative stride towards data interoperability and standardization, much needed at a time when spatial data is truly ubiquitous. What is your vision to promote open-data usage and incubate mapping innovations?

Overture is based on the premise that map data needs to be a shared asset to support future applications. As the requirements for accuracy, timeliness, and advanced features in maps have grown to meet user needs, the costs of collecting and maintaining that data have grown beyond the capability of any single entity.

Beyond the cost of building map data, future applications will increasingly rely on shared spatial data. Whether intended for self-driving cars or climate change mitigation or augmented reality applications, users need a common digital representation of the physical world. That requires open map data that meets the needs of those applications.

The focus begins with collecting the best data from all available signals, including open government data, crowdsourced local mapping data, AI/ML techniques, and more. As AI evolves, we are quickly going to see new ways to generate data from a wide range of sensors and be able to process that data into geospatial data in near real-time.

Overture is based on the proposition that that map of the future can be best built through a collaborative process resulting in an open, shared asset.

Tell us about the philosophy of Overture Map Foundation, and how is the spirit of collaboration fostered among key steering members and stakeholders. We assume that no single entity has access to all the signals that can tell us how the world is changing. However, if we can combine forces, we can merge the assets from many entities to build a robust ecosystem that can build that fast-changing map.

As an example, in our April demonstration release, we showcased an example of this. Engineers took aerial Lidar data that the US Geological Survey had captured as part of the 3D Elevation program (3DEP) and overlaid it with open datasets of building footprints from Microsoft and OpenStreetMap. Once we developed the process, we were able to build 3D data for over six million buildings in weeks. We hope to complete it for most of the 100 million buildings in the US.

No one organization had all the assets necessary, but through collaboration, we created some new user data. That model can be replicated with different inputs and technologies to build road networks, places, 3D buildings, and a huge variety of other map data.

Where do you think the future of next-gen mapping is headed, and how do you envision the foundation five years down the line?

You can look at the future of mapping by breaking it down into three components: the inputs, the processes, and the outputs.

The outputs are the map data itself. In the last ten years, we have seen amazing advances in the accuracy of data, the requirement that it is constantly updated, and the richer features that users expect. Looking ahead, those requirements will only increase. Applications like autonomous driving, mobility, and the metaverse will drive the need for better and more accurate map data.

We are also seeing an explosion in the inputs that are needed to build the map. Consider the growth of earth observation systems that provide near realtime updates on the state of the world, mobility data derived from aggregated movement data that can determine traffic patterns or road closures, or accelerate the availability of highly valuable map data that governments produce.

These are increasingly made available under opensource licenses to drive higher impact for a wide variety of commercial, environmental, and social use cases.

The processes that take those inputs and convert them into usable map services are perhaps the most dynamic area of all. It is stunning to see how fast computer vision and AI technologies are moving, giving us the ability to process inputs into map data, detect changes and output valuable map services in near-real time.

The combination of expanding map data building inputs and accelerated processes for building that data gives us confidence that we can meet the higher expectations for map data in the future.

What role can the Foundation play in making the world more resilient and sustainable?

Building a map is only the start. Maintaining it as the world changes are the bigger part of the job. The first step towards climate change mitigation is building a historical record of that change, which allows us to understand what is happening, where, the underlying causes, and what can be done.

Sustainability is also about data access. Organizations working for sustainable solutions must have access to the map solutions they need without excessive costs or restrictive licensing terms. Open map data changes the equation and provides a level playing field that democratizes mapping.

Would you be inducting new members anytime soon, and what are the criteria to join? What types of organizations are joining Overture?

Since we launched, we have continually been adding new members. Overture is an open collaboration. The main criteria to join are a strong interest in working towards the goal of building next-generation open map data and a willingness to make some contribution to that effort. There are various levels of participation to accommodate any organization.

The contributions of members are core to the success of Overture. Those contributions can be broadly categorized into four groups.

Data Contributions: This is at the heart of our mission. We welcome contributions of data that can help build the map. That can be primary map data that directly goes into the map or it can be secondary data that can be used in combination with other data or technology to build new map data.

Technology Contributions: Map data building will be heavily dependent on processing pipelines. We welcome technology from advanced AI and CV technologies, map data building, and quality checks.

Engineering: Binding data and technology is engineering. We are building a growing community of engineers working to move open map data forward. That is an area where contribution determines impact; the best ideas driven by the most energy will have the biggest impact.

Financial Support: Membership also has a crucial financial component that varies depending on the level of membership. Map data building is not easy and it is not free. It requires resources to make it happen and we ask the community to fund those efforts. We promise that this model will give the best results with the lowest cost of ownership.

Interviewed by: Aditya Chaturvedi

A Brief Report Card of Early Warning Systems

Annually, innumerable lives across the globe are lost to floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters. A robust Early Warning System, along with a weather data-sharing mechanism between countries, and analyzing past patterns, can significantly reduce the death toll.

Frequent change in climatic conditions as a result of worsening natural environment leads to untimely floods, cyclones, and wildfires, causing severe damage to agricultural production, and pushing the world towards multiple crises, such as food shortage and oceanic degradation. Unless some serious, strict, and well-thought-out steps are taken, it is already too late.

Timely tracking, monitoring, and detecting natural disasters help save lives as well as resources, giving first responders ample time to prepare for evacua-

By Nibedita Mohanta

tion efforts well in advance.

What is an Early warning system (EWS)?

EWS is an adaptive measure for climate change that allows governments, communities, and individuals to timely act and minimize the impact of climate-related events, through integrated proper communication systems. EWS includes response plans based on lessons learned from other communities, past actions, and other countries to build a healthy response against future climate, water, and related environmental disasters.

In November 2022, at the COP27 climate change conference, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres announced the Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings for All initiatives, to ensure everyone on the planet is protected by EWS within the next five years (2023-27). The plan calls for initial new targeted investments of $3.1 billion between 2023 and 2027.

UN Secretary-General has tasked the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to lead the effort and prepare an action plan.

“One of the most powerful ways to adapt to climate change is to invest in EWS,” said WMO Chief, Peteri Taalas back in 2022, in an interview with Geospatial World.

He mentioned that people who reside in vulnerable areas like the small island states are fifteen times more likely to succumb to climate disasters, which displace

A satellite image released by NASA shows Cyclone Amphan over the Bay of Bengal on May 19, 2020

Photo Credit: NASA/EOSDIS/AP

three times more people globally than conflicts. And the situation is worsening.

A new report from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the WMO published last year warns that half of the world’s countries are not protected by multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS).

The report shows that less than half of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and only one-third of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have MHEWS, and the countries with limited EWS coverage have eight times higher disaster mortality than those with high coverage. With the launch of the EWS plan, the UN believes it has taken the right step to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

The plan has been set to understand the important gaps in disaster risks, monitoring, predicting, preparedness, dissemination of information, response to warnings, and sending rescue efforts.

WMO said the need for EWS is urgent as the number of recorded disasters has increased five-fold, driven in part by human-induced climate change and more extreme weather.

EWS is widely regarded as the “low-hanging fruit” for climate change adaptation because they are a relatively cheap and effective way of protecting people and assets from hazards, including storms, floods, heatwaves, and tsunamis to name a few.

 EWS provides more than a tenfold return on investment

 Just 24 hours' notice of an impending hazardous event can cut the ensuing damage by 30 percent.

 The Global Commission on Adaptation found that spending just US$800 million on such systems in developing countries would avoid losses of $3 to 16 billion per year.

Taalas said, “Such progress is only possible with modern science, sustained systematic observing networks, daily international exchange of quality data, access to high-quality early warning products, the translation of forecasts into impacts, plus advances in telecommunications."

EWS Footprint

Even though this trend is expected to continue, half of all countries do not have EWS in place, and even fewer

have regulatory frameworks to link early warnings to emergency plans.

Coverage is worst for countries on the front lines of climate change, namely the world’s LDCs and SIDS.

"Currently, only half of the 193 WMO member countries have proper early warning services in place, which means when high impact weather event hits, the economic losses and casualties are higher,” added Taalas.

The countries which are capable of investing in the efforts to combat climate change are the ones least affected by extreme weather conditions and are the biggest contributors to climate change. And the countries which are least responsible for climate change, suffer the most.

Reports suggest that the most vulnerable regions are the ones that fall between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and most of the developing countries lie in this region.

“Accurate early warnings combined with coordinated disaster management on the ground prevented the casualty toll from rising even higher. But we can do even better and that is why the Early Warnings for All initiative is the top priority for WMO. Besides avoiding damages to the weather, climate and hydrological services are economically beneficial for agriculture, air, marine, and ground transportation, energy, health, tourism and various businesses,” Taalas said.

Subcontinent Experience

Areas around the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, the eastern and western peninsular flanks of the country, are prone to heavy cyclones, causing loss of life, livelihood, and resources. As per UN reports, Cyclone Amphan which struck the Indo-Bangladesh border in 2022, lead to an economic loss of $14 billion.

While one can’t prevent a cyclone or the destruction in

its trail, countless lives can be saved by the efficient use of Early Warning Systems (EWS).

It took around three years for India to come up with warning systems for all hydro-meteorological hazards in 2007, and 15 years to reduce mortality from cyclones by up to 90%.

"We have nearly 100% coverage of EWS for cyclones on both east and west coasts. We are working on building EWS for other hazards like heatwaves to make our communities resilient," said Indian Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, at COP27.

Bangladesh has been one of the countries recognized as a "trailblazer when it comes to seeing what an effective early warning system looks like". In 2021 WMO adopted a resolution on the free exchange of weather data between all 193 member states, which accounts for Bangladesh and other vulnerable countries. Bangladesh's journey to build a world-leading EWS dates back to 1970, however, the effective exchange of weather data has made the efforts fruitful.

"Climate finance is still a mirage, and effective climate adaptation such as Early Warnings For All helps us collectively in our region toward reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring preparedness and swift and timely response to natural hazards,” added Yadav.

One-third of the world's people, especially in the LDCs and SIDS are still not covered by EWS, In Africa, 60% of people lack coverage.

It takes decades for developing countries to build a healthy and effective EWS, so the UN's five-year goal to ensure every person on Earth is protected by EWS seems more far-fetched. The question arises: Is the UN timeline of 5 years for all countries viable?

At the recently held United Nations Water Conference in New York, WMO Chief spoke about access to early warning systems for all within the next five years being a key UN priority.

Addressing Gaps and Accelerating Climate Actions

“We have the tools, the knowledge, and the solutions. But we must pick up the pace. We need accelerated climate action with

deeper, faster emissions cuts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius. We also need massively scaled-up investments in adaptation and resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and communities who have done the least to cause the crisis,” said Guterres.

Major gaps in areas of preparedness include lack of climate investment, lack of waste management, lack of communication network coverage, digital divide, and usage of data gaps among others.

By the end of 2021, 5.3 billion people subscribed to mobile services, which represents 67% of the global population. Estimated by the end of 2025 the total subscribers will reach 5.7 billion, almost 70% of the global population.

The coverage gap remains significant in Africa, 18% of the population still does not have access to a mobile broadband network and almost 17% lack such access in LDCs and LLDCs. In 2022, an estimated 2.7 billion people (One-third of the world's population) remain unconnected to the internet.

Aside from limiting connection to receive alerts, Members are not able to upload observation data to enable the production and download of the high-quality forecasts that are critical for alerts.

In 2021, the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) was established, committing all countries to generate and exchange basic weather and climate data. However, today, less than 10 percent of these internationally

agreed data are available from LDCs and SIDS. These critical data gaps hinder the provision of high-quality climate services around the globe.

For this reason, WMO, UNDP, and UNEP established the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF37) as a UN MultiPartner Trust Fund, with the support of an initial group of funding partners. SOFF provides long-term, technical, and financial support to the countries with the largest capacity gaps, to close their GBON data gap, with a focus on LDCs and SIDS.

This new mechanism contributes to achieving the adaptation and systematic observation goals of the Paris Agreement through the improved climate and weather observations essential for effective climate services and early warnings.

The Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) was launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit (UNCAS) to enhance collaboration among climate, disaster risk reduction, development, and humanitarian communities, to work towards making “1 billion people safer from disasters by 2025”. The Partnership currently includes 70 governments and partner organizations that collectively commit to working together.

The Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience is jointly hosted by WMO and UNDRR and comprises over 14 United Nations and international organizations. It aims to increase the availability, understanding, and use of climate and disaster data and analysis for risk-informed develop-

The following actions are recommended to accelerate actions

 Scaling up investments and focus on LDCs and SIDs

 Enhanced data and technology available to enhance MHEWS

 Applying the Sendai framework metrics and data to monitor early warning coverage

 Enhance the observation network and monitoring

 Strengthen the Early Warning value cycle through a systematic approach

 Male MHEWS people-driven with increased accountability

 Improve Early Warning communication and outreach

ment and humanitarian action.

It also aims to strengthen climate and disaster risk governance through integrated planning and improved access to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in financing and investment mechanisms. Along with improving disaster preparedness and early action, including strengthening the availability and access to MHEWS.

The clock is ticking and the globe is undergoing severe changes with every passing day. Timely actions now can only minimize the severity of climate change if not entirely stop it from further accelerating. Assistant Editor, Geospatial World Nibedita@geospatialworld.net

Nibedita Mohanta

Next-level Spatial Planning to Tackle Future Challenges

New technologies allow us to share our work more easily, providing a larger platform for society to discuss spatial planning. The frontier we are working on now is to embrace the possibilities of 3D fully, says Frank Tierolff, CEO of Kadaster.

The Netherlands has been constantly battered by the North Sea. With one-third of its land under sea level, the country is the most fragile under climate change-triggered sea-level rise. What’s the role of land registers and cadastre in supporting measures that aim at adapting to and mitigating climate change?

The Dutch have a long history of fighting the North Sea. Economic development by reclaiming the land has been a feat that has made us famous world wide. One of the first things to be done after reclaiming land, before developing it, was to measure it and create maps accordingly.

In that way, the Dutch Kadaster provided insight and oversight of our fight against the sea. Nowadays, we still provide insight, but the thinking has changed. Instead of fighting, we try to work with the seas and rivers to create safe and sustainable living environments. For example, we are redeveloping our river delta.

To create space for rivers to expand in times of extensive rainfall, habitats for wildlife to thrive, and save distances between housing and the river edges to guarantee dry feet. This is no easy feat on such a small landmass as the Netherlands. But we can make it happen by using our extensive knowl edge of the land, the vast amounts of data available, and working together with all parties involved.

With the technological developments of today and tomorrow, combined with our data and expertise, I am confident that we can support the high level of spatial planning needed to face the challenges climate change poses.

What is the Dutch Kadaster vision for truly inclusive sustainable development? For Dutch Kadaster and me personally, it is all about people. Connecting people from different backgrounds, expertise, and experiences. Bringing all these views together, combined with reliable data and insightful visualizations, is key to providing society with development made to last generations to come.

We need people from all walks of life to share their knowledge, experiences, and concerns. If we want to serve all people, we need our work to reflect the society we serve. That includes inviting your everyday partners to the table and the people you usually don’t speak to and see. This demands continuous attention.

The data comprised in the land information systems are also useful to facilitate government policy. How can geospatial data and analysis enable policymakers to advance SDGs? Many government agencies, both national and local, use our data. It provides agencies with the information to perform their basic tasks and the possibility to expand on that task, implementing new policies to create better living environments and higher levels of public services.

For example, we provide professional data and analysis for our Ministry of the Interior about developments in the housing market. With a huge housing shortage in the Netherlands, innovative policies are needed to provide citizens and refugees with proper housing. Almost one million houses are needed in 2030, so there is no time to lose. Our in-depth research provides policymakers with the tools to stimulate affordable and sustainable housing across the country.

With housing being one of the basic human needs, as reflected in the SDGs, this is an important contribution to our national goals and the United Nations’ SDGs. Therefore we are very active within UN-GGIM and in supporting other countries.

With the increasing availability of the cloud, fast connectivity, and the overall shift in the spatial marketplace from services to customized on-demand solutions, do National Mapping Agencies and Surveying bodies need to reimagine their roles? The urgency and the direction to go are very time and space dependent. But it is for all mapping agencies increasingly important to be conscious of our surroundings, I would say. Societies are changing. Our environments are changing. The challenges we face are changing all the time. But change is not a negative development in itself. It also grants opportunities. Opportunities to (re)connect with others, to learn from each other, and to implement the latest tech-

nological developments for the good of all. Keeping in touch with the people we serve and listening to their needs is critical here.

Land registry and classification are key components of development planning and determining usage to figure out sustainability planning. How do you see its future evolution?

The future is bright. New technologies allow us to share our work more efficiently, providing a larger platform for society to discuss spatial planning. The frontier we are working on now is to embrace the possibilities of 3D fully. Connecting and projecting data on 3D visualizations gives a whole new dimension to our work. It provides so much more insight into our living environment. We only just touched on the possibilities of this development. But the quality of our work stands and falls with the quality of our data. Ensuring data is reliable is key to providing a sustainable planning framework.

Furthermore, the responsible use of AI allows us to improve our services across the board. Often, there is a focus on the cost-effectiveness of AI. Still, I would argue that AI also makes our services and data more accessible for citizens who are not geospatial professionals.

Interviewed by: Meenal Dhande

Optimizing Quality of Service & Coverage with Advanced Geospatial Analytics

T-Mobile US, a leading wireless carrier in the United States, has been steadily expanding its network to provide better coverage and quality service to its customers.

Introduction

One of the key challenges for T-Mobile has been to optimize the quality of service and coverage to ensure that its customers get the best possible experience in wireless voice, messaging, and data services.

To address this challenge, T-Mobile has been leveraging advanced geospatial analytics to improve its network performance and customer satisfaction. Here is an overview of how T-Mobile has been using advanced geospatial analytical data to attain the highest return on investment, a massive increase in network improvement and site buildout decisions.

The Challenges

T-Mobile US had been facing challenges in providing reliable and consistent network coverage across different regions in the United States. The company was also struggling to maintain the quality of service levels, which led to a decrease in customer satisfaction.

To address these challenges, T-Mobile needed a solution that would help optimize its network performance by identifying areas of poor coverage and service.

By Dr. Chad Meley

Below are some of the challenges T-Mobile faced that required a comprehensive solution:

● Existing and earlier generation databases did not keep up with

the geospatial requirements of current gen big data, causing an urgent need of a solution of large scale geospatial rendering capabilities to maintain real time advanced analytics.

● Needed a solution to keep up with growing pace of the network density of 5G and the growing availability of IOT data harvesting.

● With this approach, T-Mobile was charting new territory replacing the industry standard solution i.e. PostGIS spatial database extender for PostgreSQL object-relational database, with a solution that could scale to process billions of data events,

including cell phone & weather.

● Excessive costs and unwanted latency plagued previous generation databases which couldn’t handle location-enriched data for modern geospatial analytics.

● T-Mobile had to provide more monitoring and vertically scaled resources to match the new data set because its previous open-source solution required continuous optimization that was unsustainable for the nature of their initiative. This had resulted in CPU outage problems because of massive spike in downloading data.

The Solution:

T-Mobile leveraged advanced geospatial analytic database

Kinetica to gain insights into network performance and customer experience. Kinetica, the database for time and space, was selected after thorough research for their

cutting edge real-time analytical and processing power of geospatial and time-series sensor data.

● Kinetica through a single unified database, ANSI SQL 92 compliant, could apply complex geospatial and predictive modeling to analyze massive geospatial data.

● Kinetica could predict large network build or coverage Return on Investment to rationalize spend prioritization decisions.

● Kinetica had features to add real-time data feeds and dashboards to leverage aggregated data from larger older historical datasets and provide interactive, real time analysis.

● Kinetica developed predictive analysis and advanced analytics to generate deeper network and subscriber insights.

● T-Mobile processed 90 billion spatial object records in under

an hour, turning lat/longs provided by Google into atomic routes used for coverage planning using Kinetica in a trial project which would normally take weeks to process otherwise.

Results

Kinetica has been primarily used for large network data sets where layer rendering and visualization is a significant use case thereby increasing the visual fidelity of every building.

Kinetica has had an analytical and visual representation of coverage in every building in the country. This is streamlined through predictive modeling using rich streaming location data that is becoming an analytical baseline in telecom industry.

Kinetica could also in seconds help T-Mobile achieve huge time savings processing massive joins of data sets. It also displays critical coverage and population data that informs strategic decisions like planning network builds by both the business and home Internet groups.

Dr. Chad Meley

CMO at Kinetica with over 20 years of experience as a leader in big data, advanced analytics, and data driven marketing.

T-Mobile leveraged advanced geospatial analytic database of Kinetica to gain insights into network performance and customer experience

Meet the Ladies on Climate Frontline

A new community group in the Netherlands called ‘Ladies Who Do Climate’ focusses on financial accountability and ESG to curtail greenhouse emissions.

By Caroline Robinson, BA CGeog FRGS MCMI

Change is the only constant, but climate change is happening faster than we ever predicted. Thank goodness that legislation is finally catching-up to the challenge of reducing our carbon footprint, but will it be enough? To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline by at least 43% before 2030. Women have been/are going to be the most affected. We have been told by the latest IPCC report that we are nowhere close to meeting this target. In fact, we may exceed the target and be hurtling towards 2-3°C increase already1

Meanwhile, organisations are only now ramping up their non-financial accounting processes to cope with identifying their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

With Environmental, Social and (corporate) Governance

(ESG) reporting, we are going to start seeing international organisations having to be more accountable to their investors, to their staff and to their regulators. Women are in the forefront of this work. Publishing the results alongside or as part of the annual financial accounts will stimulate the change required to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This is where ‘Ladies Who Do Climate’ fit in.

Currently, there is a space-race for non-financial accounting standardisation systems, such as: Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), B-Lab, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

The EU is enforcing its own rules on climate reduction for international companies and

their subsidiaries through the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)2. In the CSRD, the ISSB by the IFRS Foundation is the closest fit in terms of standardisation for the EU. However, the EU has decided to develop its own through various committees and the GreenDeal.

EU nation states have already agreed to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Paris Agreement, hosted by UNFCCC3. More change is afoot with ‘Fit for 55’ when the EU commits to making EU’s climate goal of reducing EU emissions by at least 55% by 2030 - a legal obligation - on nation states. EU countries are working on new legislation to achieve this goal and make the EU climate-neutral by 20504. This will also filter out to all subsidiaries on the planet, so the impact of what the EU can achieve will be felt worldwide.

It feels as though the geospa-

tial sector is moving towards developing products and services to meet this non-financial reporting requirement. However, we can’t rely on remote sensing for everything. We need to start including other sectors. Start by making friends with the statistical geographers, find out more about the voluntary reporting systems and discuss the topic of ESG reporting with other businesses. Wear your reduction targets like badges-of-honour!

The Netherlands, unfortunately like most countries in the global north, has been fudging and delaying its legal carbon reduction targets for a while. You may have heard about Urgenda taking the Dutch Government to court over failing to reach its GHG emissions reduction targets5. About the proposed expansion of airport capacity at Lelystad Airport while Schiphol Airport has been legally requested to reduce the amount of flights (Carbon Dioxide)6. Or about the Stikstof affair (Nitrogen), which has seen the rise of the Dutch farmers voting for the rightwing BBB in the recent Provincial elections7. In even worse news, carbon offsetting doesn’t work8; there is no quick fix. What we need is systematic change and fast.

I was reminded of all of this when I attended a really good session on COP27 at The Hague Humanity Hub. The news was that drastic action was required. All of society will be affected, the most vulnerable the most heavily impacted. After the presentations, I ended up talking to two other passionate women about climate change. As these things go, we were being shoo-d

out of the building, but we still wanted to continue the conversation. After a quick exchange of LinkedIn QR-codes, we kept in touch and started an informal conversation session in the Den Haag Central Library.

Since then we have started a new informal, but powerful group using Lean-in Circles as a basis to grow the group. 'Ladies Who Do Climate' is for women in the Netherlands, but we are a cross-sector, high-impact group of individuals who are all working to prevent climate change.

Our aim is to provide practical support for women, explore challenges and share knowledge. At the moment, all invitees have been hand-selected and we have representatives from waste reduction to lobbying fossil fuel companies. The overall idea is to build a community of women who can and will use their influence to create systematic change in our society in the Netherlands. We can go further together!

1. https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/

2. https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en

3. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

4. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/ green-deal/fit-for-55-the-eu-plan-for-a-greentransition/

5. https://www.government.nl/topics/climatechange/climate-policy

6. https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Transportation/Air/Airlines-to-Fight-Additional-SchipholFlight-Reductions

7. https://apnews.com/article/netherlands-election-farmers-bbb-mark-rutte-cc59032d926a1585002ce9e10aee0886

8. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/18/revealed-forest-carbon-offsets-biggest-provider-worthless-verra-aoe

Caroline Robinson

Founder and Lead Cartographer at Clear Mapping Co. She is the founder of Ladies Who Do Climate.

Past Lessons, Future Focus

Global Climate Conclaves and Primacy of Spatial Insights

Geospatial data has assumed more importance than ever before in tracing, tracking, assessing climate change, devising parameters, and designing innovative solutions.

Over the past thirty years, the amount of carbon dioxide released through human activity has doubled. This represents a collective let down of the world’s leaders to focus on climate crisis. Despite 2020 and 2021 being dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the geopolitical landscape around climate change has shifted seismically.

In the wake of the recently released IPCC report, it’s time to reach a consensus and act now. This can only be done with the help of something that offers immutable inisghts and indisputable data.

The power of geospatial coupled with Artificial Intelligence can be critical to provide effective solutions at the upcoming COP28 in Abu Dhabi.

Geospatial satellite imagery can also provide a plethora of other solutions especially in identifying forest cover areas, and track illegal logging and mining activities that can destroy ecosystems like wetlands, coral reefs and grasslands. Biodiversity threatening invasive species can be tracked through satellite and Drone imagery allowing for targeted management.

By Jeffy Jacob

Earth Observation imagery can be used to assess the extent of damage caused by climate related disasters like floods, hurricanes & wildlife. This helps in categorizing areas in need of assistance, and guide reconstruction and rebuilding efforts. Risk analysis can also be done to pinpoint and isolate high risk areas that are susceptible to future disasters.

Methane is a greenhouse gas that is present in much lower concentrations (around 0.00017% of total atmosphere) than carbon dioxide (0.04%) in the Earth’s atmosphere, and is 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a century old timescale. The shortwave infrared band is particularly useful for detecting methane emissions because methane absorbs strongly in this part of the electromagnetic spectrum. By analyzing imagery in the shortwave infrared band, high methane concentration could be detected that helps in prioritizing mitigation efforts.

Stage Set for COP 28

One of the agendas of COP28 is Sustainable Cooling and the much needed development of a Global Cooling Pledge. Use of cooling technologies and practices that

are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible encompasses the term. This ensures in mitigating the effects of climate change and urban heat. Green roofs, or rooftop gardens, is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. It helps with reducing urban heat that builds up in an urban sprawl. Green roofs provide shade, remove heat from the air, and reduce temperatures of the roof surface and surrounding air. To identify suitable areas for green roof installation, high resolution satellite imagery can be used to analyze the building footprint and surrounding area.

Ensuring global food system is resilient to the changing weather patterns is also an important focus point, lack of which threaten farmers around the world. With the ever changing and unpredictable weather, there is need to protect the most vulnerable communities from biodiversity loss. Investing in nature-based solutions, like mangroves, which act as potent carbon sinks while protecting coastlines and preserving natural ecosystems is also in the agenda for COP28.

Dr. Sultan Ali, President COP28,

Timeline of Conventions

The UNFCCC was created at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to negotiate a worldwide agreement for reducing GHGs and limit the impact of climate change.

The UNFCCC officially came into force on 21 March 1994 and presently has 198 parties. Embodied within the UNFCCC are principles, including agreement by consensus of all parties, and differential responsibilities.

At COP3 on 13 December 1997, the first international agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, was drawn up which stated the general principles for a worldwide treaty on cutting GHG emissions and, more specifically, that all developed nations would aim to cut their emissions by 5.2% on their 1990 levels by 2008–12.

Even after the financial crash in 2008, expectations for COP15 in Copenhagen, 2009 were huge. New quantitative commitments were expected to ensure a seamless transition from the Kyoto Protocol. The leaking of the ‘The Danish Text’, subtitled ‘The Copenhagen Agreement’, and the proposed measures to keep average global temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels was the second blow.

All this laid the foundations for a future global climate agreement, which was achieved at COP21 in Paris in 2015 which was a stupendous success. The agreement states that the parties or nations are required to hold temperatures to ‘well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels’.

The Glasgow Climate Pact adopted at COP26 invited parties to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. But only 34 out of 194 parties submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) that had heavyweights like Australia and Mexico. Even the European Union increased its target from a 55% to a 57% reduction by 2030. Yet these strategies to a state of net-zero emissions were very few in number and COP27 decision urges the remaining countries to commit to a wider number of strategies by COP28.

COP27, took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, a resort town in Egypt in November 2022. The talks aimed to address the urgent need for global action on climate change.

One of the key historic outcome was the ‘loss and damage’ fund for climate impact in developing countries. It wasn’t an impeccable solution but it was a breakthrough on a topic long avoided by UN climate talks. The UN also revealed a $3.1 billion plan to ensure everybody on the planet is covered by early-warning systems in the next five years to reinforce nation’s ability to prepare for hazardous weather.

famously emphasised that COP28, being held from November 30th until December 12th, 2023 at the Expo City, Dubai will be a COP for all and a COP of Action. The focus shall be in moving economies forward while reversing emissions thus enabling transition that’s inclusive to all. Building on the progress made already made in Egypt during COP27, there is already a plan to operationalize the loss-and-damage fund fully for mitigating the damage done to the most vulnerable to rebuild after climate-related disasters. There is also a greater focus on working with energy industry

to accelerate decarbonisation to reduce methane and work on tripling renewable energy generation from 8 to 23 Terra Watt Hours by 2030.

All of this cannot be achieved without doubling down on the power of geospatial insights, analytics, broad collaboration, creating technology awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Collective Challenges

Climate Change is one of the four crucial challenges of the 21st century, the others being global

inequality, global insecurity and environmental degradation. The Earth's temperature is expected to rise and global sea level is predicted to increase resulting in a higher frequency of extreme weather events, like heat waves, droughts, storms, and floods. The severity of the impacts of climate change will be determined by the actions we take now as a collective to reduce carbon emissions.

Jeffy Jacob

Sub Editor

Jeffy@geospatialworld.net

Geospatial Technologies for Sustainable Palm Oil Production

With an eight billion population and growing by the second, there is a pressing need to balance food production with population growth and at the same time ensure sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and the communities.

By Sime Darby Plantation

At Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) we recognized the importance of employing geospatial technologies to enable sustainable plantation management practices. These technologies enable informed decision-making regarding planting, harvesting, and crop growth monitoring hence reducing environmental impact, and promoting efficient resource optimization.

The launch of Crosscheck in 2019, an open-access digital tool, which allows everyone to trace the sources of SDP’s fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and crude palm

oil (CPO) across all geographical locations, covering all their business units and 1,105 mills in Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. This is achieved through a combination of information points such as a supplier's location, land cover, and forest loss analysis. The platform helps identify deforestation-risk-prone areas and safe sourcing zones, which are used to guide sourcing decisions and identify suppliers that require further engagement.

Technological Intervention

Without the advent of remote

sensing technologies via satellite and drone imagery, maintaining an accurate inventory of about eight hundred million oil palm trees spanning four countries proved to be an incredibly challenging task. SDP leveraged such technology to identify and georeferenced the planted palms, monitor palm health, and accurately assess nutrient requirements at individual palm levels.

This enables precise optimization of fertilizer usage and other best agricultural practices, including pests and disease control. The ongoing research program, including collaboration with academia and technology providers, is aimed at further improving the efficiency of remote sensing technologies for oil palm plantations.

Terrain and hydrology modeling technologies have also contributed significantly towards responsible land use practices in SDP. With these technologies, SDP can identify areas of low productivity and high erosion risk hence enabling the company to develop customized measures for soil conservation, water management, and land rehabilitation.

Enhancing satellite imagery with machine learning algorithms enables the prediction of palm oil production levels with a high degree of accuracy.

This information can help companies make informed decisions about pricing, supply chain management, and forecasting financial performance. It is also important for SDP to use remote sensing technologies to track changes in land use around oil palm plantations, such as deforestation or land conversion for other agricultural purposes, due to its capacity to support the Crosscheck platform, which guides sourcing decisions and identifies suppliers that require further engagement.

Remote sensing technologies are vital in enabling accurate and timely identification of deforestation-risk-prone areas and safe sourcing zones. With such functions, the platform enables industry stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding sustainable sourcing practices.

Putting on Platform

Spatial Data Management and Rapid Analytics (SMART) is an

interconnected web and mobilebased GIS platform that is used to address critical business challenges and facilitate better collaboration across the palm oil production value chain. Its objective is to create SDP’s Geospatial Big Data ecosystem that enables stakeholder engagement using an integrated location intelligence platform to improve operational insights and efficiency towards the implementation of Agriculture 4.0.

The use of geospatial technology has enabled plantation managers to have a better understanding of their plantations, such as identifying the most suitable areas for planting or understanding the slope and soil types of various parts of their plantations. It also allows managers

to monitor plantation activities such as harvesting and irrigation, enabling them to optimize their resources while reducing their environmental impact.

Furthermore, geospatial technology facilitates precision agriculture in which the use of GPS and sensors guide farmers in planting, harvesting, watering, fertilizing crops, and identifying areas that require further attention. Overall, geospatial technology provides plantations with critical information that can lead to more efficient and sustainable management practices.

Choon Cheak VP II, Agronomy & Precision Agriculture Sime Darby Plantation Research Malaysia

Remote sensing technologies are vital in enabling accurate and timely identification of deforestation-risk-prone areas and safe sourcing zones. With such functions, the platform enables industry stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding sustainable sourcing practices

Sim

Spatial Data Infrastructure Modernization: Let's Move to Big Data

Achievement of the SDGs for us who are the National Environmental Information System is a primary objective and, therefore, it is necessary that our system and with it the technological infrastructure evolve to give concrete answers.

By Carlo Cipolloni – ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) Technical Manager – National Environmental Information System & Italian Technical Manager –INSPIRE Directive.

Over the past five years, many of the world’s public and private organizations have seen exponential growth in ingested data flows. In this scenario, the National Environmental Information System, (SINA) managed by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, has also entered into this process, having to manage more and more millions of records per year, coming from the environmental sensors network (e.g. air quality, water quality, electromagnetic wave, etc.).

This required a paradigm shift in how data flows were managed, as established spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) were unable to respond dynamically to the management and querying of such

masses of data. Furthermore, this change must be associated with the ever-increasing demand from various stakeholders for quality data. Industry, citizens, and the administrations are increasingly hungry for data to feed into artificial intelligence (AI) systems to expand their knowledge and market offerings.

The information system has passed from a management of structured spatial data flows to the need to acquire structured and unstructured data in real-time or near-real-time systems, witnessing a 1000% growth in records (from 100k records to 1M per day).

How did we respond to this need?

Considering data growth, it was therefore necessary to redesign the system architecture on how to ingest data in a more flexible way, how to store them and above all how to query them dynamically through WebGIS applications or analysis and control dashboards.

The new architecture is redesigned from data management with only relational databases to a mixed relational plus No-SQL system which has allowed the infrastructure to evolve towards data management via native APIs. With the joint use of relational databases and No-SQL it was possible to design two parallel data management paths – structured and unstructured, which are then archived jointly as GeoJSON or JSON documents in the new data management system implemented.

The structured environmental data flows that we manage follow well-defined national and Euro-

pean rules, with an organized verification and control system based on checks that ascertain the syntactic and semantic harmonization of the ingested flows.

In this context, therefore, it was necessary to carry out the major re-engineering of the system, placing side by side the traditional relational system where many of the controls are implemented with a No-SQL system of document collections, which would allow querying more quickly and also guaranteed greater reliability. The incoming flow is archived and checked with a traditional system and then, in an automated way, it is transformed and collected as JSON documents in the new non-relational database cluster.

The new archive is then made available with cascading REST API services. This also required a revision of the applications with visualizing, analyzing and querying the data, towards a more modern and dynamic model. The unstructured environmental data flows, on the other hand, can be considered recently acquired, so in this case from the beginning we thought of a system entirely based on No-SQL systems that would allow the direct acquisition of the flows as JSON documents. In the same way, the applications have been designed to respond to dynamic requests for data, while the implementation of the INSPIRE/OGC network services

has been entirely based on No-SQL datastores.

But we didn't stop at data flow management alone!

Achievement of the SDGs for us who are the National Environmental Information System is a primary objective and, therefore, it is necessary that our system and with it the technological infrastructure evolve to give concrete answers.

The new infrastructure is aimed at the increasingly necessary creation of an information system of knowledge, in which the new data ecosystem plays a central and decisive role. And it is for this reason that to enrich the data offer also from an open data point of view, the Triple-store database component has also been added to the architecture already described in order to have a SPARQL end-point which, on some environmental aspects, favors the federated integration with other data sources.

The next step will be to create a platform based on semantic knowledge graphs, is able to design differentiated knowledge paths as per stakeholder requests and therefore applications to support industry and citizens.

Carlo Cipolloni National Technical Manager

The new infrastructure is aimed at the increasingly necessary creation of an information system of knowledge, in which the new data ecosystem plays a central and decisive role

of the implementation of the INSPIRE Directive. Also the Member of Italian INSPIRE National Contact Point Board and Italian representative Member of INSPIRE MIG.

Reimagining Urban Planning for Greater Flexibility

Through the years, there have been animated debates on the future of cities, on how they will look, and on the role of tech solutions in making them more habitable and attuned to individual ambitions as well as collective aspirations.

From and high-rises which became a conspicuous symbol of bustling, cities, to the move towards re-greening, and rethinking the idea of city to be more in sync with the changing social, economic and ecological zeitgeist, a lot of transformation is underway in the realm of urbanism.

Helene Chartier is the Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40, a consortium of mayors of 40 cities around the world that focusses

on making cities more livable, sustainable, people-friendly, and resilient shocks and disruptions. Helene has been an advisor to Ann Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, on government initiatives in the development of greater Paris metropolitan area.

“A lot of cities across the world are trying to develop a workable strategy for replanting, removing impermeable soil, fighting urban heat. There’s a need of spatial data so that a concrete climate strategy can be implemented. Instead of

decadal master plans, there is a need for more flexible approach to planning”, says Helene in an exclusive interview with Geospatial World.

What are some of the key C40 projects to curtail greenhouse emissions and advance smart mobility?

C40 is an organization that was founded in 2005, initially by the Mayor of London. The idea was to deliberate with mayors across the globe on initiatives to tackle climate change. We include experts on topics that relate to climate change, such as adaptation flooding, urban heat, urban mobility, buildings and urban planning. We try to cover a large spectrum of topics at the political as well as the technical level to share expertise between cities, helping

them to accelerate concrete policies and actions.

For instance, we have been working closely in Latin America on a program called ZEBRA, which is about developing electrical buses in the cities. So far it has been very successful in providing zero emission transport solutions. We are also trying to accelerate advanced active mobility and transform public spaces. Ever since the pandemic, there’s a conscious shift among cities to move to more people-centric urban spheres.

Urban planning and design are key for climate actions. Post-World War II, the urban planning vision largely promoted sprawl, car-oriented planning, over specialization of city neighborhoods with residential areas separated from central business district, commercial areas etc. and all of them connected by transport infrastructure that was either car-oriented or mass transit.

This model has increased the need to travel, it generated long commute, lack of amenities and poor quality of life in many neighborhoods. Due to these urban planning patterns, we see a lot of issues that arise with the modern cities such as congestion and increase of GHG emissions and air pollution.

In many North American and European cities, there are nascent movements to curb urban sprawl, and focus regeneration and infill policies. But of course, the challenge is vastly different in rapidly booming cities in Asia and Africa.

A lot of metropolises today are bursting at the seams due

to high population density, and at the same time rural communities are turning into decrepit settlements. How can this chasm be bridged, and what do you think is the future of cities in an era marked by increasingly volatile disruptions, workplace shifts, and climate change?

I think it is very important to limit consumption of natural land, and therefore, when possible, limit urban sprawling. In that sense we must first concentrate our efforts to regenerate existing cities, and in that sense secondary and thirdlevel cities, that are often less dense than the large metropolitan cities, have a lot of potential especially with the development of more flexible work practices. There’s a need of a strategy to accelerate the regeneration of secondary, and third-level cities.

In addition, in regions of high urban growth, it is also sometime necessary to develop new greenfield areas. And in this case, it is key to promote a better model of urbanization. The latest IPCC report highlights the importance of integrated urban planning to reduce emissions.

The report states that achieving compact and resource-efficient urban growth through location of higher residential and job densities, mixed land use, and transit-oriented development could reduce GHG emissions between 23-26% by 2050 compared to the business-as-usual scenario.

What do you think is the role of location intelligence and spatial technologies in making cities more resilient?

Cities need data, which is definitely very important, especially for urban planners who need accurate information for example for developing complete neighborhoods, also called ’15-minute neighborhoods’ where people can find key amenities and services close to where they live. We see a lot of different cities across the world trying to develop this approach and assess their neighborhoods in detail in that sense.

For instance, Madrid and Vancouver, are engaged in such projects. Land usage is also important, as we know that green and blue infrastructure is instrumental in terms of improving quality of life in cities and better adapt our cities to climate change. One of the key takeaways from the pandemic has been that cities’ public spaces need to be people-friendly, resilient spaces.

We are seeing across the world that a lot of cities are trying to develop a workable strategy for replanting and increasing permeable soil to fight urban heat and flooding. Melbourne, for example, has got tools and strategies to monitor each tree in the city so

that replanting, when needed, can be done swiftly.

There’s a need to gather spatial data to know about the state of infrastructure and the different services, so that a concrete climate adaptation strategy can be implemented. This is one examples where data and technology are crucial. They allow us to identify problem spots, and act better to transform urban spheres.

Spatial data are also essential to assess where climate hazards and air pollution are high and to adapt planning accordingly to limit the impact for the local population. For example, in Paris, where I live, some construction restrictions on the construction of housing and kindergarten have been decided next to a highly polluting ring road.

Another example is the evaluation and visualization of GHG emissions generated by each building in an area. This is something that New York is developing, so that the energy efficiency of each building can be determined, and necessary retrofitting can be prioritized and planned.

What are some of the most remarkable smart cities in the world today, and why?

There are cities working on specific projects, for instance, Medellin in Colombia is pioneer in bringing nature back. There are similar planned initiatives in a lot of cities. Paris is leading on urban planning with the 15-minute City model and mobility shift. The Nordic city of Oslo has been among the first to pave the way to reduce embodied emissions from construction activities. A lot of other leading examples are there all across the world.

Urbanism has always been centered on civic participation, citizen engagement, and an intangible albeit strong sense of belonging. How do we renew this bond for connected cities in the age of hyperconnectivity and automation? I think that the approach to planning needs to be more flexible, instead of fixed master plans for say two decades. There needs to be constant engagement, feedback mechanism, and mutual information exchange on projects.

A shift towards flexibility is needed. A representative from the City of Madrid recently told me that, in order to circumvent the cumbersome process that is legally required in Spain for the revision of a land-use masterplan, Madrid has developed a parallel strategic planning methodology. This strategic planning consists of organizing public consultations in each neighborhood of the city to collect the specific needs and aspirations of the local communities, get their inputs and feedback on

the main planning orientation and then prioritize key projects for the neighborhood.

This is an interesting bottom-up approach that works well if local communities can be provided with comprehensible assessments and data that can inform their contributions.

Big cities were initially either clustered around manufacturing units, or served as nodes of commercial transit. With the digital economy growing at an exponential pace, what kind of transformation is need in urban spheres so that they can reflect aspirations of diverse array of people? The development of digital economy and flexible works practices will accelerate the way we plan our cities. It makes the case for a polycentric development of city with multiple ‘complete neighborhoods’ aligned with the 15-minute City model. We must promote mixed land-use and more adaptable and multi-functional spaces.

I also think it is important to relocate certain industries. When the pandemic struck; everyone was looking at localizing the production of strategic goods. In France, we totally decentralized the production of a lot of goods. To be more resilient to crises, as well as to reduce emissions related to the transport of goods, it is necessary to ensure the local production of food and other essential supplies. There’s a need for incorporating these changes, alongside making space for new industries.

Interviewed by: Aditya Chaturvedi

Geospatial Enabling Sustainability

GIS plays an integral role in the emirate for various purposes, from ecology to social sustainability and quality of life.

By Eng. Aaesha Saif Al Shehhi,  & Siva Sankara Reddy K.

The goal of all sustainable planning, policies, and governance is to design processes that can help maintain the balance of planet Earth. This effort’s success depends upon a foundation of science, collaboration, and the implementation of sustainable policies and administration. GIS is an essential tool for designing and implementing sustainable processes at a scale ranging from local to global.

Establishing a base for determining cause and effect, GIS tracks ecological change and provides chains of evidence of human impact. It tracks land use, methods of resource extraction, and peripheral activities, such as supporting road networks. GIS manages large databases, depicts and prioritizes problems, models positive and harmful practices scenarios, and predicts environmental outcomes.

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Municipality has a unified addressing system for the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which enhances the citizens’ quality of life and promotes sustainable development opportunities under the guidance of the emirate’s vision for economic development. The essential and sustainable advantages of the unified and well-governed emirate level addressing are:

1. Reduced travel times with improved navigation capabilities

2. One-time plan and replicated implementation to any scale

3. Social change via continued community engagement to use the sustainable addressing solution in all day-to-day citizen services

4. Unified data reference at all government levels. Private and federal agencies to maintain well-architected data services.

The GIS complements sustainability in society by having a key influence on geospatial thinking in master & urban planning, buildings, and construction management, economic and statistical studies, environmental studies and preparation of sensitivity maps, GeoDesign of the new areas with scenario-based decision making, public health management,

investor relations with a focus on strategic location planning, public policy review and enhancement, real estate development, and tourism development.

Some of the applications developed for enterprises and for the public which are enabling interactive data access are the SDI portal (https://maps.rak.ae/SDIPortal/ Home) and the addressing portal (https://maps.rak.ae/Addressing/ Map). Manage My Land (https:// www.rak.ae/wps/portal/rak/e-services/govt/managemyland) is a virtual journey through an innovative electronic window to manage all the property operations through the official portal of the RAK government.

Principally, the application saves hours/days for the customer service agents with an ampli-

fied focus on critical cases and supports sustainability by strategically using the latest advancement in tech and user behavior to decrease the carbon footprint.

Data Infrastructure

Many countries have set up spatial data infrastructures (SDI) that enable data exchange via standards and interoperability. Organizations have created GIS portals allowing fast geo-data and map services access.

Some key benefits include enabling end-users with readyto-use data in the correct format at the right time and easing datadriven decision-making. Sustainable planning is enabled with complete and comprehensive data where conflicts and key project challenges are immediately studied and treated.

Using GIS and data infrastructure in RAK Municipality saves cost and resources, supporting the futuristic and modern government plan to make paperless/ smart/digital offices.

It is also vital in emergency response, planning, and operational response. Case managers and specialists in the municipality have understood and applied the geospatial contexts and developed a spatial mindset based on continuously updated data toward datadriven city management.

Way Forward

GIS Center and its futuristic solutions combined with modern data

architecture, automated data pipelines, parcel fabric, earth observation, data analytics, drone-enabled continuous aerial image collection, and GeoAI are strategically implemented following the vision of the RAK Emirate leadership and, more importantly, the growth of the UAE with far-reaching impact on the Middle East Region, with its aim to be a cultural, tourism, industrial along with real estate investments destination. Geospatial advancements of RAK are well advocated and followed by various regional municipalities and government enterprises towards maintaining sustainable societies.

Eng. Aaesha Saif Al Shehhi Director, GIS Center, Ras Al Khaimah aaesha_shehhi@hotmail.com

Siva Sankara Reddy K GIS Project Manager, GIS Center Ras Al Khaimah geospatialsiva@gmail.com

Using GIS and data infrastructure in RAK Municipality saves cost and resources, supporting the futuristic and modern government plan to make paperless/smart/ digital offices

Blue Economy for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Earth is often called a blue planet as 71 % of the earth’s surface consists of water. This vast resource is a critical source of life, supporting earth in various ways. The blue economy is based on this resource, which promotes economic growth and development, environmental sustainability leading to social equity. By

Coastal zones are among the most populated areas on the planet. As the population continues to rise, economic development must expand to support human life. However, this development may damage the coastal environment that is supporting human welfare for present and future generations.

The management of complex coastal and marine social-ecological systems viz., blue, requires tools that provide frameworks with the capability of responding to current and emergent issues.

How Big is the Blue Economy?

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the global ocean economy was valued at approximately USD 1.5 trillion in 2020, with the potential to reach USD 3 trillion by 2030.

Upasana Dutta & Yogesh Kumar Singh

Industries such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipping and ports, offshore oil and gas, and ocean renewable energy are the largest contributors to the global ocean economy. In 2020, these industries accounted for approximately 70% of the ocean economy's total value.

The shipping industry is a major contributor to the global economy, with over 90% of global trade happening by sea. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, the global shipping industry was estimated to be worth USD 574 billion.

Marine Species

These figures paint a magnanimous picture glorifying the need to conserve such an important and one of the most abundant resources on the earth. This most abundant resource carries a wide variety of biodiversity. About 226,000 marine

species have been identified and recorded. However, these are but a small fraction of the total.

According to a study published online in Current Biology today and supervised by Ward Appellants of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the ocean may be home to 700,000 marine species. The study’s findings are based on the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, about 90% of the world's fishermen are smallscale fishermen, who are directly dependent on coastal and marine resources for their livelihoods. Of these, around 21 percent are women.

In addition, many others in coastal communities such as

processors, traders, and workers in related industries are also dependent on the coastal economy for their livelihoods.

Although the exact number of people dependent on the coastal economy is difficult to ascertain, it plays a crucial role in providing employment and income to millions of people around the world.

Blue Economy & Climate Change

The blue economy is however vulnerable to climate change and prone to natural hazards and disasters. Several direct linkages can be seen tangled because of climate change directly on the ocean biodiversity and in turn on the blue economy.

According to UNCC, as the planet’s greatest carbon sink today, the ocean has absorbed about 90 percent of the heat generated by rising emissions. This excessive heat and energy warm the ocean, and the change in temperature leads to unparalleled cascading effects, including ice-melting, sea-level rise, marine heatwaves, and ocean acidification.

These changes ultimately

cause a lasting impact on marine biodiversity, the lives, and livelihoods of coastal communities, and beyond, including around 680 million people living in low-lying coastal areas. Almost two billion, live in half of the world’s coastal megacities, nearly half of the world’s population (3.3 billion) depends on fish for protein, and almost 60 million people work in fisheries and the aquaculture sector worldwide.

To have a globally sustainable model for the blue economy, the policy makers need to have effective and efficient disaster risk reduction and management practices entwined with it. They need to focus on how to implement viable strategies and draw plans to tackle the changing climate and weather dimensions.

Sustainable blue economy practices can have co-benefits for climate change mitigation and adaptation. For example, the restoration of coastal ecosystems can help sequester carbon and reduce the impacts of climate change, while also providing important habitat for marine biodiversity.

The ocean can be a source

of energy in several ways, for example, tidal and wave energy can be used to power coastal communities and businesses, while thermal energy can be used to power desalination plants or cooling systems for buildings. Salinity gradient energy can also be used to generate electricity in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet.

In addition to providing a source of renewable energy, the development of the blue economy can also provide job opportunities and economic growth in coastal communities. However, it is important to ensure that these developments are done in a sustainable way that does not harm the ocean ecosystem or negatively impact the livelihoods of local communities.

Blue Economy & Sustainability

While the blue economy has the potential to support sustainable development, there are several disasters that can impact its sustainability. Implementing sustainable practices such as marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and sustainable fisheries management can help reduce the

vulnerability of ocean resources to climate change impacts and natural disasters.

Enhancing early warning systems can help mitigate the impacts that can arise due to impending disasters. These will help in taking preventive measures and forewarning the coastal communities. Such kinds of systems are already operational and have a high rate of success. These systems can further include monitoring of ocean conditions, weather forecasting, and detection of changes in ocean temperatures and currents.

Due to increasing sea levels and extreme weather conditions, coastal infrastructure is the first to be hit. Disaster management strategies can help to ensure that the infrastructure supporting the blue economy is resilient to natural disasters and climate change impacts. This can involve designing ports and harbors to withstand the sea-level rise and extreme weather events, as well as investing in the maintenance and repair of coastal infrastructure.

Disaster management strategies should involve the participation of coastal communities in the planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction measures. This can help to ensure that local knowledge and needs are considered in the design of disaster management strategies and that the strategies are effective in protecting the blue economy and its stakeholders.

Space-based technologies along with geospatial data obtained through earth observa-

tion remote sensing satellite and ground observations can play a key role in achieving this goal by providing valuable insights into the ocean and coastal ecosystems by way of continuous monitoring and better management.

These technologies can help generate futuristic event-based scenarios to help put forth counteractive disaster management measures. It can help in monitoring and managing coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangrove forests, and a wide range of marine activities, including fishing, aquaculture, shipping, and oil and gas exploration.

High-resolution satellite imagery can provide valuable insights into the water quality, temperature, and salinity levels, which are critical for the growth and health of aquatic species, and help identify potential threats to marine, which can further help identify areas that are at risk of degradation. This information can be used to develop conservation plans and restoration strategies that protect these critical habitats while also supporting economic activities like tourism and recreation.

While the ocean provides a huge potential for energy generation,

there are important barriers that must be overcome to realize this in a sustainable and timely manner. Two key challenges facing the sector are the lifecycle cost of the energy produced, referred to as the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and its impact on marine ecosystems.

There are several ways in which space technology can help the sector tackle both challenges.

For example, the data products derived from Copernicus Satellite data, such as wind and wave climatology, can be used for broad-scale regional assessments or to perform a comparative analysis of sites during the early stages of development. Longterm climate quality datasets such as the ESA CCI (Climate Change Initiative) products can be used to understand regional climate risks including sea level rise and sea state.

As projects progress to more detailed assessments involving hydrodynamic modeling and in-situ data acquisition, satellite data can be used to validate models, thereby reducing uncertainty, and using emerging techniques such as GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSSIR), potentially significantly

High-resolution satellite imagery can provide valuable insights into the water quality, temperature, and salinity levels, which are critical for the growth and health of aquatic species, and help identify potential threats to marine, which can further help identify areas that are at risk of degradation

reducing the volume of expensive in-situ data required.

During the late seventies, the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner was launched as the first satellite intended for monitoring the Earth’s oceans and water bodies by observing ocean color and temperature, particularly in coastal zones.

Later, many other satellite sensors were developed by several space agencies. In general, satellite-based remote sensing images and techniques are advantageous as they usually collect uniform data with common acquisition and recording schemes, covering large areas.

Relation Between Climate Change, Blue Economy & Sustainability Climate change, the blue

economy, and sustainability are all closely interconnected topics that have significant implications around the world.

Globally, there is increasing recognition of the importance of addressing climate change, promoting the blue economy, and ensuring sustainability.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for this, with SDG 13 focusing specifically on climate action, and SDG 14 on life below water. Many countries have signed the Paris Agreement, which sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Integrating disaster management and sustainable blue economy practices in the context

of climate change presents both challenges and opportunities. While limited financial resources, lack of technical capacity, complex regulatory frameworks, and social and cultural factors can pose challenges, there are many opportunities for synergy, improved livelihoods, and economic growth, co-benefits for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and international support and collaboration. While there are many challenges to address, there are also significant opportunities for economic growth and social development through sustainable practices.

Upasana Dutta

Joint Director C-DAC Pune, India Associate Director C-DAC Pune, India

Dr. Yogesh Kumar Singh

Aussie Platform for Collaborative Emergency Response

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP), a national capability underpins emergency ability to assess rapidly changing and extreme climate events.

By Mark Dunford, Con Charalambou, and Kane Orr, Geoscience Australia.

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP) self-serve interface allows users to identify what has been exposed within their custom-defined area of interest.

The AEIP project was a collaborative effort between spatial professionals, software developers, and emergency management practitioners to develop and deliver an application enabling Australia’s emergency managers, researchers, advisors, academics, and the public, access to nationally consistent exposure information (previously access to the information was limited to select members).

The initial project began in June 2017 followed by the launch of the Beta product at the Australian Fire and Emergency Services Council conference in August 2018. An extension to the project in 2019 led to additional functionality and improved user engagement.

Identifying the Needs

After consulting with stakeholders, the main need identified was the ability to quickly gain a holistic understanding of what is potentially exposed within a hazard event area or any area of interest. In response, Geoscience Australia designed the Exposure Report, comprising a collation of selected National Exposure Information System (NEXIS) elements, presented in a clear and consistent layout enabling timely emergency response and recovery decision-making.

Before this project, the ability to generate Exposure Reports relied on manual intervention and was only accessible to a select few with knowledge and skills. The AEIP allows anyone to generate a report for any area of Australia at any time, combining the extensive work from the NEXIS and Exposure Reports with the comprehensive Natural Hazard Exposure Information Framework. For the first time, users have direct access to nationally consistent exposure information through a user-driven, on-demand interface.

What’s in Store?

The mapping application enables users to upload or draw their area of interest or also select from a list of existing geographies, select the type of exposure data themes they would like, and provide contextual information (such as report title). They are then delivered the resulting report via email within five to ten minutes depending on the size and complexity of the areas of interest.

The web platform includes an interactive map for area selection and report requests, and an Application Programming Interface (API) to allow external users to integrate the platform into their own existing or new applications. Users can request reports without having to leave their system (such as Cerberus a web-based fire spread simulator, used by New South Wales Rural Fire Service).

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP) provides users with an exposure report containing information on what is within their area of interest including counts and statistics on buildings, population, demographics, institutions, infrastructure, businesses, agriculture, and environmental exposure.

The project used a combination of bespoke open-source application development, Amazon Web Services cloud-based infrastructure, and Safe Software’s Feature Manipulation Engine

(FME) Cloud to deliver the functionality to a wide audience.

Resulting Heatmap

Since launching the AEIP there have been nearly 6 million Exposure Report requests stemming from all tiers of government, academia, private firms, and the public. The AEIP has been extensively used by Australia’s emergency management community

Since launching the AEIP there have been nearly 6 million Exposure Report requests stemming from all tiers of government, academia, private firms, and the public. The AEIP has been extensively used by Australia’s emergency management community during real-time events

briefings, and to plan relief and recovery work and mitigate disasters.

Community-focused recovery is essential. Disasters can deeply impact people’s lives and livelihoods, and helping communities recover from disasters can be challenging and complex. Every community is unique and will have its history, values, and experiences. They will also have their distinct challenges.

during real-time events, most notably during Australia’s Black Summer (2020-21) and the various floods that impacted Australia between 2020 and 2022.

Many state-based emergency management authorities and federal government agencies have API access and use Exposure Report results in situational awareness dashboards, executive

The AEIP supports recovery which includes the broader emergency management components of prevention, preparedness, and response. The AEIP includes built, environmental, economic, and demographic elements, across all of Australia. Recovery can provide an opportunity to improve these aspects beyond previous conditions, by enhancing social and natural environments, infrastructure, and economies – contributing to a more resilient community.

May 21-24 • St. Louis, Missouri

America’s Center Convention Complex

The largest GEOINT event in the nation returns to St. Louis on May 21-24. The GEOINT Symposium brings together government, industry, academia, professional organizations, and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges. USGIF invites you to join us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GEOINT Symposium.

This year’s Symposium theme, GEOINT: From Maps to Metaverse, reflects the evolution of the GEOINT discipline in the two decades since the first such gathering of our community. The GEOINT Symposium includes keynotes from the GEOINT community’s luminaries, panels comprised of experts in the community, and training and educational opportunities. Join 4,000+ GEOINTers for a week of building the community, accelerating innovation, and advancing the tradecraft!

Network with more than 4,000 geospatial intelligence professionals

Engage in 30+ hours of educational and training courses

Engage with the latest technology, services, and solutions from 200+ exhibitors

Save The Dates GW EVENTS CALENDAR 2023

Year after year, the Geospatial World Conferences maintain their reputation as the ‘must attend thought leadership’ events. Come see what everyone’s talking about!

www.geospatialworld.net