The Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme (HCCP) returned £33 for every £1 invested, according to a recent value-for-money analysis into the economic benefits of the 2018 to 2021 phase of the programme.
The Met Office Hadley Centre is a world-leading climate research centre dedicated to advancing the understanding of climate change and its far-reaching impacts. This latest evaluation estimated that the HCCP has shown an exceptional return on investment with £1.9 billion worth of benefits to the UK economy following a government expenditure of £57.6 million.
As well as highlighting the financial return, the independent analysis also showed that the work of the HCCP has significantly deepened the understanding of climate change at all levels of UK industry and government and bolstered the UK’s status as a global leader in climate science. It has also fostered collaboration between universities and research institutions and improved access to climate data.
Director of the Met Office Hadley Centre, Professor Rowan Sutton, said; “The HCCP has shown an exceptional return on investment, and its rigorous analysis and cutting-edge research have been instrumental in informing UK adaptation and mitigation policies. By driving evidence-based decision-making, the programme has played a crucial role in the drive towards a resilient and sustainable future amidst the challenges of climate change.
“Alongside our world leading science, we are working with stakeholders in government and the private sector to develop and deliver climate services to help them unlock the benefits of using Met Office and Hadley Centre research.”
Key highlights of the 2018-21 HCCP:
- The HCCP has been instrumental in aligning stakeholder research focus with government needs empowering both government and industries to make well-informed mitigation and adaptation decisions.
- HCCP outputs significantly contributed to and amplified extensive academic research across various disciplines within the UK.
- 320 scientific papers were published from 2018 to 2021. Through media coverage of significant reports, the HCCP indirectly educates the public on the latest climate science.
The vital work of the Climate Programme has continued since 2021. Among the programme’s many achievements, Met Office Hadley Centre scientists have pioneered work in attribution science, looking at the extent climate change is responsible for extreme weather. They have worked with partners to launch an online tool promoting the co-benefits of climate action, and provided scientifically robust and useful research, tools and guidance to help manage climate-related risks to UK plants.
A work plan has been set out for the Climate Programme through to 2027, with a focus on addressing emerging climate risks and supporting the UK’s net-zero transition. You can find out more here.
This is a crucial time for our planet and the continuing work of the HCCP enables local and national governments and industries to make informed decisions that future-proof the UK’s infrastructure and economic assets.
This analysis was commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and carried out by London Economics and Frazer Nash Consultancy, contributing to the findings of a wider economic analysis of the Met Office published in September 2024.
To find out how climate research and earth observation can benefit people and the planet, join us at ISRSE-40, taking place 17-21 March 2025. Find out more.
Earth observation (EO) has become a crucial sector for understanding and managing environmental changes, improving sustainability, and addressing global challenges. From monitoring climate change to enhancing disaster management, the latest advancements in this sector are driven by cutting-edge technology, new satellite missions, and innovative data analytics.
Here are key trends and updates in the global Earth observation sector:
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Advancements in Satellite Technology
The development of new satellites and imaging technologies continues to shape the Earth observation landscape. More countries and private companies are entering the satellite deployment race, launching advanced, high-resolution Earth observation satellites. For instance, the European Space Agency (ESA) has expanded its Copernicus program with the launch of new Sentinel satellites, improving the resolution and frequency of Earth observation data.
Meanwhile, private companies like SpaceX, Planet Labs, and Maxar Technologies are also pushing the boundaries with fleets of small satellites, providing frequent and high-quality imagery of Earth’s surface. These satellites are significantly enhancing the capabilities to monitor everything from urban growth to crop health.
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Increased Collaboration in Global Monitoring Initiatives
There is an ongoing push for collaboration among nations, institutions, and private-sector players in Earth observation. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) are examples of initiatives that encourage global cooperation to share and analyse Earth observation data. This sharing facilitates enhanced disaster response, climate change monitoring, and biodiversity protection.
The United Nations (UN) has also called for more integrated Earth observation efforts to track progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include goals related to climate action, clean water, and terrestrial ecosystems.
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AI and Machine Learning Integration
AI and machine learning are becoming central to processing and analysing the vast amounts of data captured by Earth observation satellites. These technologies are used to automate the interpretation of satellite images, improving efficiency and accuracy in identifying patterns or anomalies.
For example, AI can help detect deforestation trends, track wildlife movement, or identify urban sprawl more effectively. The use of deep learning algorithms also aids in enhancing the resolution of satellite imagery, transforming low-resolution data into clearer and more useful insights.
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Focus on Climate Change and Environmental Monitoring
The growing awareness of climate change has increased demand for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. Earth observation data plays a pivotal role in understanding and managing natural hazards, monitoring emissions, and tracking the effects of global warming on ecosystems.
Satellites are now equipped with sensors capable of tracking carbon emissions, sea-level rise, temperature anomalies, and atmospheric conditions. For instance, the launch of NASA’s Earth System Observatory and the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative (CCI) are providing comprehensive datasets to monitor the Earth’s changing climate.
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The Role of Earth Observation in Disaster Management
Earth observation is crucial in disaster management, as it allows for rapid assessment and response during events such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Satellites equipped with radar sensors, for example, can offer valuable insights into flooded areas or the extent of wildfires, even in challenging weather conditions.
Furthermore, Earth observation is being integrated into early warning systems for natural disasters, helping governments and relief organizations make informed decisions and respond more quickly.
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Open Data and Access to EO Resources
There is an increasing trend towards the open availability of Earth observation data, allowing businesses, researchers, and governments to access critical insights without barriers. This movement has been driven by initiatives like the Copernicus Open Access Hub, where satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel missions are freely accessible.
This open data model supports innovation and helps ensure that environmental monitoring and research are not restricted by high costs. It also enables governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to better track environmental conditions in low-income regions.
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Growing Commercial Applications
As Earth observation technologies advance, private sector companies are increasingly integrating EO data into their products and services. From agriculture to logistics, insurance, and energy, businesses are finding new ways to use Earth observation for decision-making.
For example, in agriculture, satellite imagery is being used to assess crop health, predict harvest yields, and optimize irrigation. In the energy sector, Earth observation data helps in locating renewable energy sites, such as wind or solar farms, by analysing environmental conditions.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond
The global Earth observation sector is undergoing a transformative phase, with innovations in satellite technology, AI-driven data analysis, and international collaboration. These developments are providing crucial tools for tackling global challenges such as climate change, resource management, and disaster response.
As we move forward, Earth observation will continue to evolve, offering unprecedented opportunities for businesses, governments, and organizations to gain deeper insights into the state of our planet and take proactive steps toward a more sustainable future.
Interested in learning about earth observation and remote sensing trends with the greatest minds in space? Attend The 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, taking place 17-21 March 2025. Find out more here.
As CEOS celebrates its 40th anniversary at the annual CEOS Plenary in Montreal, the CEOS Community of space and meteorological agencies and other groups has also renewed its collective commitment to CEOS’ mission and efforts in responding to global challenges for the good of humanity, with the agreement of the Montreal Statement.
Satellite Earth observation data can deliver significant public benefits in areas ranging from climate and biodiversity monitoring, disaster management, clean energy and urban planning.
The UK Space Agency’s role as CEOS Chair will be to oversee the activities of CEOS and ensure it is achieving the objectives of its work plan. The UK Space Agency has proposed four priorities to champion data-driven solutions for major global challenges over the 12-month period as Chair, within the theme of ‘Unlocking Earth Observation for Society’:
- Using Earth observation to improve public services.
- Increasing use of space data in the Global Stocktakes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Supporting development of Methane emissions measurement best-practices.
- Inspiring the next generation through a new ‘CEOS in Schools’ initiative.
As Chair, an early task will be to represent CEOS on the global stage and promote its goals and objectives, starting at next month’s COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and continuing throughout 2025.

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “For 40 years, CEOS has been uniting the global community to champion the transformative potential of satellites and Earth Observation.
I’m proud to be chairing this globally-valued committee and will use the next year to demonstrate how, by working together across borders, we can harness space technology for the benefit of our societies, our shared environment, and our economies.”
Unlocking EO for Public Service:
The UK will create opportunities for CEOS’ agencies to share their national perspectives and explore how to bridge the gap between data and public sector services, including hosting a workshop in September 2025 ahead of the UK’s CEOS Plenary 2025, in Bath, Somerset in November. This supports work to get Earth observation tools and information embedded into UK public sector policies at the national and local scale.
Éric Laliberté, CEOS Chair 2024 on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency said: “We congratulate the UK Space Agency on assuming the chairmanship role and are committed to ensuring that data-driven decisions pave the way for increasingly sustainable practices.
Together, we are advancing the role of satellite Earth observation in creating sustainable solutions for the future of our societies and natural environments.”
Unlocking EO for the Global Stocktake
The Global Stocktake of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a process for evaluating progress on climate action at a global level and identifying gaps. Over the next 12 months, the UK will work closely with Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, and the CEOS working group on Climate to study lessons learned from the previous Global Stocktake. The aim is to refine CEOS strategies to enhance the use of Earth observation data in the next Global stock-take for global climate action.
Professor John Remedios, NCEO Director, said: “The National Centre for Earth Observation is very pleased to see the UK taking on leadership on the world stage. The UK is able to contribute world-leading capability and methods in Earth Observation to the global community.
“Through this role in CEOS, the UK will be able to support the important collaborative efforts that agencies need to achieve to meet the challenges of climate and of resilience with commitment, rigour and Earth intelligence. We are delighted to be supporting the UKSA in its delegation with scientific advice and connectivity to the leading research in environmental science.”
Methane Best-Practices
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a warming potential approximately ~80 times higher than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Reducing methane emissions is the quickest way to mitigate acute climate risks and is crucial for maintaining the 1.5-degree target. At COP26 in Glasgow, 158 countries committed to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
The CEOS Greenhouse Gas Task Team is developing best practices for space-based methane measurements, which are crucial for addressing climate change.
This work, which is co-led by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is developing a set of agreed accurate, transparent and trusted best practices for reporting Methane emissions at the facility scale. The UK Space Agency will promote the uptake of these best practices on a global scale, focusing on the Global Methane Pledge to unlock the potential of space-based solutions and support the UK’s commitment to reduce methane emissions.
Ally Barker, Vice-chair of the UKspace Trade Association’s EO Committee said: “This is an opportune time for the UK to demonstrate its leadership in Earth observation on the global stage. UK industry looks forward to working closely with the UK Space Agency as it takes on the Chair of CEOS to maximise the societal and economic benefits of EO for the UK and the world.”
CEOS in Schools
The UK Space Agency is set to pilot a CEOS mechanism aimed at inspiring the next generation. This initiative will demonstrate to students, aged 14-16, how satellite Earth Observation is used to address global issues such as climate change, environmental protection, and disaster management, while also allowing those students to experience the power of international collaboration.
The programme will put experts into schools to bring the topics of climate and space to life and then bring students together from across the world for online workshops to discuss the topics with their peers. The programme will culminate in the first CEOS Youth Summit where students will have the opportunity to present and discuss their work with senior Earth observation experts, giving young people a voice in CEOS.
Met Office Services Director Simon Brown said: “It’s an exciting time for the UK to take up this prestigious role in CEOS. Earth observations are at the heart of us delivering world leading weather and climate services and we are proud of the observations we get through the collaboration of European member states at EUMETSAT and underpinned by national and ESA Missions.
“Access to Earth observations is changing and I look forward to working closely with UK Space Agency team to grow, influence and be part of the changing space endeavour to advance Earth observations to protect us from weather extremes.”
The UK will host the 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-40) at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Hampshire, from 17 to 21 March 2025. ISRSE-40 will run alongside the inaugural Farnborough International Space Show, an event which will pioneer the commercial space age.
Convened biennially since 1962, the Symposium is a global summit for world-renowned experts to share crucial, emerging knowledge in pursuit of protecting the planet and its people from harm.
The Symposium will host multiple international agencies including NASA and ESA, leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners all dedicated to the advancement of remote sensing technologies and the data analysis pivotal to Earth observation capabilities and space applications.
Titled ‘Synergy in Sight: Harnessing Earth Observation for Sustainable Development’, the symposium will emphasise the integration of scientific and technological disciplines through Earth observation to promote sustainability, as well as nurturing the next generation of space professionals in the sector.
Organised by the International Committee for Remote Sensing of Environment (ICORSE), the biennial symposium will run alongside the Farnborough International Space Show 2025 thereby uniting key constituents of the international space community. Collaboration will foster innovation across the fields of remote sensing, Earth observation, and the wider international space ecosystem to drive sector advancements and accelerate new technologies.
A partnership between a consortium of UK-based organisations, including Farnborough International, National Centre for Earth Observation and Space South Central, and ICORSE, the event will foster international collaboration, drive innovation, and address key global challenges including climate change, resource management, and disaster response. Figures from ADS Group indicate significant growth to the UK space industry which directly employs 48,800 people, delivering high value jobs for a highly skilled workforce, and supports 2,300 apprentices across the sector. Turnover growth continues to increase year on year, reaching £17.5 billion in 2022 and adding £7 billion to the UK economy, with space exports valued £5.9 billion to the UK in 2022.
Discussing the announcement, John Latham, President, International Centre for remote Sensing of the Environment, said: “Hosting ISRSE40 offers a pivotal moment for the UK to affirm its leadership in the global space community, driving forward our commitments to innovation, education, and sustainable development. We are poised to deliver a conference that not only addresses today’s challenges but also inspires solutions for the future.”
Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, said: “We are thrilled to be the host venue of this monumental event, alongside the launch of the Farnborough International Space Show. For decades, the UK, and Farnborough in particular, has been a catalyst for pioneering new technologies and forging powerful relationships, so to convene the global space industry on our historic site is an invaluable opportunity to cement the UK’s position at the forefront of the international space market for academia, manufacturing and innovation.”
Steve Volz, from NOAA Federal, added: “NOAA is very impressed with the breadth and depth of the UK proposal to host ISRSE-40 alongside the Farnborough International Space Show next March.
“There is increasing demand across all scales of decision making for critical Earth observations and remote sensing information to help us understand our changing climate, manage our natural resources, and prepare and respond to natural hazards. At the same time, the rapid pace of technological advancement and a growing commercial space sector are changing the way we collect and exploit earth observations. ISRSE-40 will bring together the scientists, applied users, and space industry to advance innovation through enhanced collaboration, helping us all take action for people, the planet and prosperity. NOAA receives important contributions from all of these participants.”
The Farnborough International Space Show is the UK’s largest international event pioneering the commercial space age and advancing space domain defence. The inaugural annual exhibition and conference is a catalyst for the future of international space innovation, connecting the space ecosystem across industry, defence, government and academia on a global scale.
Register your interest in ISRSE-40 here