UK backs satellite-AI projects to tackle climate and transport challenges

Backed by £1.5m from the UK Space Agency, six projects will apply satellite data and AI to green shipping, rail and finance, create tools for biodiversity and accessibility, and support net zero while opening new markets in a space sector that already employs 56,000 people

Six UK projects using satellite technology and artificial intelligence to address climate change, transport networks and accessibility have secured £1.5m in government funding.

The funding, awarded through the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Business programme, will support innovations ranging from a carbon emissions dashboard for shipping to satellite-enabled navigation tools for visually impaired pedestrians. 

Officials said the aim is to demonstrate how space data and AI can deliver practical, scalable solutions to real-world challenges, while advancing the Government’s Industrial Strategy and creating growth opportunities for the UK space sector, which already employs 56,000 people.

DSIT minister Ian Murray said: “These innovative projects showcase the transformative power of Britain’s space sector. From reducing emissions to making our streets more accessible, we’re backing the satellite technology and AI solutions that really make a difference to people’s lives.”

Among the recipients, Ether Capital will build a real-time dashboard for the shipping industry that integrates satellite tracking with AI to give financiers and operators immediate insights into vessel emissions, supporting compliance with tightening international rules. Furrer+Frey will create a satellite-powered design tool for railway electrification to cut planning times and reduce costs. MakeSense Technology will use Earth observation data to generate safe walking routes for visually impaired people, aimed at improving independence and confidence.

Other projects focus on financial services. Howden will use satellite intelligence to improve biodiversity risk assessments, while Rebalance Earth will combine AI and space data to guide investment in nature-based carbon projects. Foresight Group will develop tools to turn satellite observations into financial insights to help investors assess climate and nature-related risks.

Craig Brown, investment director at the UK Space Agency, said: “These projects show how the UK’s space sector is delivering real-world impact, using satellite data and AI to tackle climate change, decarbonise transport, and improve accessibility. By supporting innovation in sectors that haven’t traditionally used space technology, we’re unlocking new economic opportunities and helping to build a more sustainable, inclusive future.”

The Unlocking Space for Business programme has already engaged more than 350 organisations and is part of a wider initiative that generated at least £2.2bn of investment and revenue for the UK space sector in 2024–25. Officials said the six projects show how combining space data with AI can support net zero targets, make transport cleaner and more efficient, and open new markets for British companies.

READ MORE: A European satellite mission is set to transform how we track carbon emissions from space. Developed by the European Space Agency, the Copernicus CO2M mission will provide an unprecedented view of greenhouse gas emissions, caused by humans. This will help scientists, policymakers, and governments to take action in the fight against climate change. Find out how the groundbreaking technology will reshape global emissions monitoring here: Who is really cutting emissions? These satellites will tell us

_{Main image, courtesy Pixabay.}