UK nature-tech firm secures Dh25.7m in Dubai-led funding for global forest mapping

Key support could help company produce accurate nature maps of Middle East

A deforested area near El Capricho in Colombia. Bloomberg

A company in the UK that specialises in satellite data analysis is on a mission to map the world’s forests and protect them from climate change after securing about Dh25.7 million ($7 million) in Dubai-led funding.

Space Intelligence already has nature data that spans 640 million hectares across seven countries, with information on land cover, deforestation and regrowth.

The funding, led by Dubai’s AzurX Space Ventures and US-based tech firm Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, will help the organisation expand mapping to many more countries.

Dr Murray Collins, co-founder and chief executive of Space Intelligence, said the company processes “highly accurate” data from various types of satellites, built by organisations such as Nasa and the European Space Agency, to create nature maps.

These include an optical imaging satellite that uses visible light, a radar satellite that can see through any kind of weather, day or night, and others that use lasers to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the planet’s surface.

“Having this human-in-the-loop process is critical to the development of high-accuracy mapping to ensure the nuances of specific landscapes and forest types are factored into our classification – for example, ensuring we take into account how forests change over seasons and appear in satellite data,” he told The National.

Dr Murray Collins, right, chief executive of Space Intelligence, and chief scientist Professor Ed Mitchard pictured during a field assignment. Photo: Space Intelligence

Mapping the world's forests is crucial for tracking deforestation, protecting biodiversity and fighting climate change by ensuring these ecosystems continue to absorb carbon dioxide and support life on Earth.

Forests absorb about 7.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, according to the World Resources Institute, making them one of the planet's most vital carbon sinks.

However, deforestation remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for nearly 11 per cent of global emissions.

Organisations that oversee environmental initiatives use forest maps developed by Space Intelligence.

“Our data is being actively used for high-integrity project development but also by companies like Apple who are investing $400 million into forest restoration projects through their Restore Fund,” said Dr Collins.

He said the data has also been useful in protecting the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia.

The company provided highly accurate maps that revealed severe deforestation around the sanctuary, which other data sources failed to detect.

Apart from conservation efforts, the satellite data also helps companies comply with latest environmental guidelines, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation.

“There’s an increasing amount of legislation coming into being to help enforce action to create deforestation-free supply chains and financial portfolios,” said Dr Collins.

“We would expect this type of legislation to broaden in scope and geographical enforcement, and help to stop major deforestation caused by the production of certain goods.”

A nature map of Cambodia that Space Intelligence produced using satellite data. Photo: Space Intelligence

The new funding will also help Space Intelligence expand into the Middle East and Northern Africa.

“There’s great potential in supporting initiatives for restoration of critical ecosystems in the region, such as mangroves – which provide incredible carbon sequestration but also ecosystem services such as flood barriers – as well as the oversees projects that the major corporates and financial institutions based in the region are looking to support,” said Dr Collins.

Anna Hazlett, founding partner of AzurX Space Ventures, said her firm is keen on investing in tech-enabled space companies that address global challenges.

"Space Intelligence stood out as a leader in using satellite data to tackle environmental issues," she said. "The company has had strong traction since 2020, working with Apple, Equinor, Verra and Shell. We believe this investment, aimed at expanding data, science and commercial operations, will reinforce Space Intelligence’s position as the leader in trusted, independent analysis-ready satellite data for nature mapping."