European Space Agency: Coastal Resilience To Climate Change

Funded participation to ESA Business Applications is open to any company and/or organisation, be it as group of users, public body or non-governmental organisation, residing in any of those states that subscribe to the BASS programme (this includes the UK).

Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, severe storms, flooding, and coastal erosion. These changes threaten essential ecosystems and the infrastructure supporting tourism, trade, and fisheries, while also affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities. In Europe alone, over 200 million people reside within 50 kilometres of the coastline, placing them at increased risk of climate-related hazards. These coastal regions play a crucial role in Europe’s economy, contributing to nearly 40% of the continent’s GDP and handling 75% of its international trade via maritime routes.

Here are some examples of potential services that could be developed under this initiative:

• Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: Monitor environmental changes to provide early warnings for extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, and heatwaves.
• Monitoring Coastal Erosion and Sea-Level Rise: Track coastal erosion and sea-level rise to plan and implement coastal defences.
• Water and Ecosystem Management: Manage water resources by monitoring rainfall patterns, river flows, and drought conditions.
• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Monitor changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services to protect and manage natural habitats.
• Urban and Infrastructure Planning: Use accurate geospatial information to design resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts.
• Adapting Coastal Agriculture: Implement services to protect crops from salinity intrusion, flooding, and extreme weather events.
• Disaster Response and Recovery: Ensure reliable communication during and after disasters for effective coordination of emergency services.
• Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Implement NBS, such as mangrove restoration, to enhance coastal resilience and provide multiple ecosystem services.
• Port Solutions: Develop management systems for ports to adapt to climate impacts, such as raising quays and installing advanced drainage systems.
• Tourism: Implement climate adaptation strategies to protect tourism infrastructure from rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.
• Insurance: Use satellite data to assess risks and manage claims, providing financial protection against economic losses from storms, flooding, and erosion.
• Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Help companies report physical risks and opportunities related to climate change and outline strategies for resilience.

Space-based technologies play a crucial role in enhancing coastal resilience to climate change. By leveraging satellite Earth observation (SatEO), global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and satellite communications (SatCom), innovative solutions can be developed to address the challenges faced by coastal regions.

• Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO) provides vital data for monitoring environmental changes and supporting climate adaptation strategies. This data is essential for tracking coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and alterations in biodiversity and ecosystem services. SatEO facilitates the development of early warning systems for extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, thereby mitigating their impact on infrastructure and communities. By observing rainfall patterns, river flows, and drought conditions, SatEO data also aids in the management of water resources.
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): GNSS is crucial for the effective coordination and management of resources in the aftermath of a disaster. GNSS enables the tracking of vehicles, vessels, or any mobile assets involved in response efforts. Additionally, it is indispensable for pinpointing the location of sensors that measure physical parameters for early warning systems or monitor the progression of a disaster. The geolocation of natural disaster events is vital for orchestrating timely early warning actions. GNSS can also be used by insurance companies who leverage the data to enhance their risk assessment and claims management processes. By accurately tracking the location of insured assets, such as vehicles and equipment, insurers can quickly verify claims and assess the extent of damage. This helps in providing timely and accurate payouts to policyholders.
• Satellite Communication (SatCom) offers dependable connectivity during and following disasters, ensuring that emergency services can coordinate efficiently. This capability is particularly critical in remote and rural coastal regions where terrestrial communication infrastructure may be inadequate. SatCom is essential for transmitting early warning messages during natural disasters, whether directed at individuals or field action institutions, to synchronise assistance and support efforts.
• High Power Computing (HPC) provides significant computational power for data processing, simulations, and high-speed calculations needed for AI or Digital-Twin solutions. ESA and Hewlett Packard Enterprise launched Space HPC at ESRIN in Italy, offering a secure environment for service development. Specify in your application if you want to use Space HPC.
• Digital Twins (DTs) can enhance coastal resilience to climate change by integrating data from satellite imagery, sensors, and historical records for real-time monitoring of sea levels, wave patterns, and weather events. DTs aid planners in developing response strategies for extreme weather, erosion, and sea-level rise, optimising design and maintenance for enhanced resilience.

ESA offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. The offer includes:

• zero-equity funding (50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
• technical and commercial guidance
• access to ESA network and partners
• ESA brand credibility

If you would like to find a project partner, or to contact the UK National Delegation, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team.