Japan to Expand Satellite Deployment for Greenhouse Gas Monitoring in Asia

Japan plans to increase the deployment of satellites to monitor greenhouse gas emissions across Asia, aiming to encourage the adoption of Japanese energy-saving technologies in the future.

Japan's Ibuki and Ibuki 2 satellites currently monitor greenhouse gas concentrations in Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan -- regions that contain substantial deposits of oil, gas, and coal. Monitoring is set to be extended to Turkmenistan by the fiscal year 2026.

Japan's Environment Ministry aims to broaden the utilization of Japanese satellite data, primarily in Asian nations, starting from fiscal 2027. Information from Japan's upcoming Global Observing Satellite for Greenhouse Gases and Water Cycle (GOSAT-GW), set to launch in the first half of fiscal 2025, will also be utilized.

The Environment Ministry anticipates that increased utilization of satellite data by international firms will encourage the use of Japanese equipment and technologies with low emissions.

In Japan, by the end of the month, Ibuki data will be accessible online for free via Tellus, a private satellite data service. The information can now be accessed via Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies, but it needs specific software. Tellus will provide access to the data via standard web browsers, simplifying the analysis process.

Aside from the greenhouse gases released directly by firms, the global community has been concentrating on decreasing Scope 3 emissions, which refers to emissions across the complete supply chain, covering raw material sourcing and transport. Comprehensive satellite information will enable an understanding of how greenhouse gases are released within a company's supply chain.

Utilizing real observed data will also help in guaranteeing that companies do not engage in "greenwashing," or deceiving the public regarding emissions reductions.