Earth Observation can help tackle global challenges from space – here’s how

In a world facing growing environmental pressures, economic volatility and resource constraints, organizations need better tools to anticipate disruption and manage risk.

Earth Observation (EO) can offer exactly that. By combining data from satellites, mobile phones, ocean sensors and other technologies, EO provides a clearer picture of our planet’s physical, chemical and biological systems—helping decision-makers detect risks earlier and respond faster.

But what problems is EO most capable of solving? The World Economic Forum’s recent white paper, The Executive’s Playbook on Earth Observation, identified key areas which can be improved by EO.

Extreme weather events have featured prominently on the Forum’s Global Risks Report for many years, generating threats in both the short and long term. EO has the capability to better monitor and analyze data that can counter these events.

Early warning systems help to predict potential natural hazards such as flooding, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides and warn affected communities. A common challenge in these scenarios is delayed response, leading to more damage and potentially loss of life. The UN has formed the Early Warnings for All initiative and is collaborating with the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) to help vulnerable countries use EO to improve such systems.

Vulnerability analysis – assessing the risks to people and places from environmental changes – is another area that can benefit. The information generated by EO can overcome difficulties in predicting which areas are susceptible to disasters or environmental stress. It is being used in Georgia in this way to assess flood risks on the Black Sea coast.

Of course, even with the advances being made, some risks cannot be overcome. In these cases, EO can support post-event analysis and recovery efforts, providing data that can help ensure responses are effective and resources are allocated intelligently.

Many organizations, governments and institutions are exploring how EO can be used to improve transparency and information sharing, in turn improving accountability.

Activities as routine as checking the weather forecast or air quality status rely on EO data to improve consumer experiences, allowing people to plan around situations that may affect their activities or health.

But it can also help improve more complex challenges such as environmental impact monitoring and disclosure. Accurate reporting enables organizations to fulfill regulatory obligations and meet shareholder expectations. For example, a 2024 Forum report on the economic value of EO, produced in collaboration with Deloitte, explored many use cases including the monitoring and mitigation of oil and gas leaks.

Businesses can also improve supply-chain monitoring, minimizing environmental disruption to production and combatting unethical practices. Trade in Space, a Scotland-based start-up, has used satellite data to ensure goods have been produced sustainably. “We can verify that production has been sustainable, and we are tracing sustainable and unsustainable cacao to make sure the two don’t get mixed,” Managing Director Robin Sampson told Investment Monitor.

EO can help people find efficiencies and improve decision-making. In the world of agriculture, the technology has been used to support farmers to access precise crop yield data at scale. This can inform decisions about how much water, fertilizer or feed is needed.

In construction, EO can support site selection for large-scale infrastructure projects. Inaccessible potential sites – like mining fields and fishing grounds – often rely on predictions instead of direct measurements, leading to a higher risk of failure.

EO can also be used in route optimization in transport and logistics, overcoming unanticipated delays. In the maritime industry, satellite data has been used to monitor weather and ocean conditions, reducing service disruption and improving fuel efficiency.

While EO clearly has huge potential to help overcome many key challenges, finding ways to implement it can be challenging.

The Executive’s Playbook on Earth Observation identifies three key pillars for successful EO adoption. As outlined below, by considering readiness and resources, pathways to implementation, and the durable impact of EO, leaders can understand and overcome barriers to adoption.

“Organizations that effectively leverage insight-rich technologies are poised to unlock previously unconsidered opportunities, proactively manage risks and drive sustainable growth,” says the white paper.

To do this, governments and organizations must keep up with evolving EO technologies, it says. “The path forward requires not only the ability to extract value from EO but also the capacity to remain agile and adaptive. This means continually monitoring technological advancements, evaluating new data sources and ensuring that EO continues to align with shifting business needs and external challenges.”