5-14. Potential Use of Satellite Data for Emissions Monitoring

As part of climate change countermeasures and environmental compliance, companies are now required to accurately track their emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. In response, satellite data has emerged as a powerful tool for monitoring emissions. While traditional methods relied on on-site measuring devices and self-reporting, satellite data now enables more comprehensive and precise monitoring over a wide range.

1. How Satellite Data is Used

Sensors on satellites can observe greenhouse gases and air pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2​), methane (CH4​), and nitrogen oxides (NOx​). High-resolution satellites, in particular, can pinpoint emission sources within a few kilometers, making it possible to visualize emissions from specific factories or regions. Furthermore, because satellites provide comprehensive global coverage, they enable the comparison and trend analysis of worldwide emissions—something that was impossible with localized measurements.

2. Advantages for Businesses

Using satellite data offers companies a wide range of benefits. First, it makes it easier to track emissions across the entire supply chain. Managing emissions from overseas locations or contract factories has traditionally been difficult, but satellite data increases transparency. Second, by using an independent data source, companies can provide more reliable reports to regulatory authorities and investors, fulfilling their accountability. Third, companies can quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of their own emission reduction measures and quickly implement improvement cycles.

3. Practical Challenges in Emission Monitoring

However, there are also challenges to using satellite data. The limits of resolution can make it difficult to identify small-scale emission sources. Because observation accuracy can be affected by weather conditions and atmospheric conditions, a hybrid analysis that combines satellite data with on-site measurements is necessary. Furthermore, processing and analyzing large volumes of data require specialized knowledge and a robust system infrastructure, making internal resource development essential.

4. Future Outlook and Corporate Strategy

Internationally, many satellites are already being used for greenhouse gas observation, such as the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel satellites and NASA's OCO-2. The future will see more launches of high-resolution private-sector satellites, making more detailed data available. For companies, adopting this satellite data early and integrating it into their internal EHS management and sustainability reporting can lead to a competitive advantage. Especially for achieving ESG ratings and carbon neutrality goals, emissions monitoring using satellite data will become an indispensable tool.

Conclusion

Monitoring emissions using satellite data is an effective way to comply with environmental regulations and ensure corporate transparency. While there are challenges, combining satellite data with on-site measurements enables highly accurate emissions management that strongly supports a company's decarbonization strategy. In the future, the use of satellite data is expected to play an increasingly important role in advancing sustainable management.