How can location data and technology improve sustainability?

At Ordnance Survey (OS), we believe that trusted and authoritative location (geospatial) data is fundamental to the further development of impactful ESG, as such data will help accelerate the journey towards both nationally and internationally consistent ESG and build a more sustainable global economy that supports climate change. Therefore, we need to simplify the landscape and make it easier for companies to pull in the spatial insights that will really help drive transformation in corporate action.

Incorporating geospatial data into mainstream business decisionmaking and ESG reporting can help organisations more accurately assess the impact of environmental factors such as deforestation, land degradation, changing coastlines, tracking pollution, biodiversity loss, or unsustainable agricultural practices. It can also help track the positive restoration of habitats that have been previously degraded.

By combining different datasets such as satellite imagery, along with machine learning techniques and artificial intelligence, OS has a wealth of experience in providing the services and knowhow to find viable solutions and supporting customers across the public and private sector. OS can enable businesses and organisations to identify, prevent or mitigate risk, which is especially prevalent when it comes to greenwashing accusations, and identifying opportunities for green and sustainable investment with valuable and trusted insight.

OS is currently working with Natural England to develop a new way to monitor peatland health and help inform and target future restoration activity on the site. This type of project highlights the need for viable solutions to combat the risks of climate change. It also demonstrates how accurate geospatial data can provide credibility in nature-based restoration for investment, ensuring that organisations and landowners are effectively preserving and restoring our peatlands, while satisfying those carbon investors who are seeking the highest standards of project assurance. By working alongside Natural England and Durham University, OS is helping to produce a detailed carbon model for Thorne and Hatfield Moors, part of Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve in the North of England.

The project will support the development of an accurate and detailed peat map of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, which can be used to monitor peatland health and help inform and target future restoration activity on the site.

OS’s technical experts have been using geospatial data and Earth observation (EO) data to analyse the current condition of peatland. This baselining technique could be rolled out nationwide to facilitate access to investment for largescale peatland restoration projects from carbon markets.

Using OS data, experts will accurately record different types of vegetation species, provide reporting on vegetation cover and health, monitor greenhouse gas emission types and establish the water table. The data will be presented via the OS VeriEarth platform, supported by a dashboard which will enable Natural England to assess site condition and monitor changes across a large site area with a high degree of accuracy. This enables a detailed carbon baseline to be established and accurately monitored, which could enable effective verification for a highly sophisticated approach for carbon accounting.

The project team want to demonstrate how this technology can be used to support a highly accurate assessment of the beneficial impact of peatland restoration on carbon emissions across a large site, and to assess the potential for validation of restoration work under the Peatland Code. The aim is to meet the verification and monitoring requirements of the Code, and to satisfy those carbon investors who are seeking the highest standards of project assurance.

Peatlands are the largest natural carbon store on land, storing more carbon than is currently in the global atmosphere and have a net cooling effect on climate change. Natural England aims to prevent further loss of peatland habitats, re-wetting peatland areas and returning them to their natural state which could make a significant contribution to achieving targets on reducing carbon emissions and reaching Net Zero by 2050, as well as improving water quality, reduce flood risk and support biodiversity.

We need to protect our peatlands so they are healthy and rich in wildlife. Using geospatial data and our technical expertise we can provide valuable insights and evidence to ensure we are preserving carbon sinks and optimising site management. This type of project highlights the need for viable solutions to combat the risks of climate change and demonstrate how accurate geospatial data can provide credibility in nature-based restoration for investment, ensuring that organisations and landowners are effectively preserving and restoring our peatlands. This technology could also enable effective verification for carbon accounting across Britain.