ESA: Satellite Technology in a New Geopolitical Configuration
ESA is working to further develop satellite services supporting the global trade reconfiguration and European autonomy in critical space-based services.
ESA
Satellites for Climate Science and Trade Analysis
I interviewed Nick Appleyard, European Space Agency Head of Business Applications and Solutions.
We discussed satellite technology, its applications in various sectors, and the role of the private sector in developing satellite technology, and the practical uses of satellites in climate science.
ESA has partnerships with UN agencies and EU institutions for satellite technology applications in various sectors. It also advises policy-making bodies on space technology applications, particularly in maritime surveillance and climate change mitigation.
ESA is working to further develop satellite services supporting the global trade reconfiguration and European autonomy in critical space-based services.
Its UK facility focus now is on commercialisation and practical applications of satellite services, and to maintain collaboration with private sector companies for spacecraft and satellite development.
Nick clarified that their organization primarily collaborates with businesses and industry in Europe. We spoke about the current developments within their organization, including technology transfer and applied research.
Watch
WWF Urges Urgent Action at UN Ocean Conference
The Ocean Economy is valued at an estimated US$2.5 trillion per year.
As global delegates convene in Nice, France, for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has issued a strong call for immediate investment to protect the ocean’s health and resilience. Speaking during the first Ocean Action Panel of the five-day summit, Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, said we need to move from promises to tangible progress.
“We have said multiple times that we must act urgently, at scale, to repair the damage caused by climate change, overfishing and pollution,” Schuijt stated. “Now it’s time for straight talk: Too many well-intentioned commitments are going unfulfilled.”
Schuijt called on governments to overcome implementation bottlenecks and restore the political will necessary to achieve the ocean-related goals outlined in key global frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement. She underscored that the time has come to make “unprecedented investments in marine and coastal conservation” in order to combat the interlinked threats of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Among the core recommendations from WWF is the urgent need for countries to develop ambitious national action plans to conserve 30% of marine areas by 2030, in line with the “30x30” target of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Additionally, Schuijt urged the timely ratification and implementation of both the High Seas Treaty and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, alongside finalizing the Global Plastics Treaty.
The WWF also raised the threat posed by deep sea mining. Schuijt reiterated the organization’s call for a moratorium on such activities until sufficient scientific understanding exists to ensure effective environmental protection.
“The ocean’s bounty can bring lasting benefits for generations—but only if it is managed sustainably and in true partnership with communities,” said Schuijt. “That’s why WWF champions ocean solutions that are inclusive, equitable, and rooted in human rights.”
She emphasized that inclusive conservation must be backed by fair and timely access to finance, technology, and capacity building—especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities leading on the frontlines of ocean stewardship. These elements are critical for scaling up efforts in conservation, restoration, adaptation, and resilience.
Schuijt’s remarks come as delegates from UN member states, civil society, the private sector, scientists, and Indigenous and local communities gather for UNOC3, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from June 9 to 13. The conference aims to accelerate collective action to conserve and sustainably use ocean resources, particularly in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water.”
This year’s summit marks a pivotal shift in focus from setting targets to delivering results. Previous UN Ocean Conferences were held in New York in 2017 and Lisbon in 2022. UNOC3 is expected to serve as a key platform for mobilizing the political will, finance, and partnerships required to deliver on ocean-related commitments before the 2030 deadline.
WWF’s advocacy at the summit is guided by its “Team Ocean Playbook,” which outlines 20 targeted recommendations to halt and reverse the loss of marine biodiversity in a fair and equitable manner. The playbook identifies specific priorities for UNOC3, including expanding networks of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs), implementing ocean-climate solutions through national climate plans, and advancing the governance of the high seas under the newly adopted UN High Seas Treaty.
The ocean economy, valued at an estimated US$2.5 trillion per year, supports livelihoods, food security, and climate stability for billions of people. Yet, marine ecosystems continue to be degraded by unsustainable practices and rising temperatures, prompting warnings from scientists and conservationists alike.
“We have the science, strategies, and solutions—now it’s time to accelerate action,” Schuijt said in closing. “WWF invites everyone here today to work in partnership to secure a thriving ocean that sustains the health and resilience of both people and nature.”
As the week progresses, attention will turn to how nations respond to these calls for action and whether UNOC3 will mark a decisive turning point in efforts to safeguard the world’s ocean for future generations.
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