Space data helping Earth adapt to challenges of climate change

12 November 2021

Telespazio UK will lead a UK Space Agency project to develop a Climate Risk Index tool, known as CRISP, to help the insurance sector provide vital financial products to those at risk from droughts and wildfires.

Using climate data from an ensemble of climate projection models, historical reanalysis and Earth Observation data, the prototype developed collaboratively by Telespazio UK and Assimila will focus on two examples – agricultural drought and wildfires – to show insurance companies how to use the data in their own assessments to benefit the finance sector.

CRISP was demonstrated at the S4C green zone stand at COP26, the United Nations climate change conference being hosted by the UK in Glasgow. The British ESA astronaut Tim Peake also attended the S4C stand to hold a live session.

 

 “With the UK set to enforce mandatory reporting on climate-related financial disclosures from April 2022, we need to be prepared and able to deliver clear, reliable, and comprehensive information on the understanding of risk and impacts of climate. Telespazio in collaboration with Assimila are at the forefront of harnessing the power of Earth Observation data to improve reporting in the financial sector and subsequently enable better informed, climate aware decision-making”.

Geoff Busswell, Head of Marketing and Sales at Telespazio UK.

 

The new British National Space Strategy pledged to work closely with the financial sector, including identifying the risk of climate change impact, and the UK space sector is keen to lead the way in climate-related risk disclosures that impact the financial sector. 

Telespazio UK and Assimila are both part of the Space4Climate Climate Risk Disclosure Task Group, and over the past two years have explored how the UK space sector can support the green finance sector in making climate-informed decisions and disclosures.

Other News & Stories

19.02.2026
Telespazio Ibérica awarded contract to build the Canary Islands satellite constellation

Telespazio Ibérica, the Spanish subsidiary of Telespazio (a Leonardo Group company), has been awarded the €20 million contract to develop the Canary Islands satellite constellation, the first Earth observation system created by a Spanish autonomous community. The company will lead the project, build the ground segment, and manage the constellation.

12.02.2026
Membership of the Abruzzo Aerospace District (DAAB) exceeds 60 after the first six months of activity

Strategic and Technological Plan approved at the Members’ Assembly

26.01.2026
Leonardo and Telespazio at the 18th European Space Conference

Leonardo and Telespazio will once again take part in the 18th edition of the European Space Conference, scheduled to take place in Brussels on 27–28 January, together with e-GEOS.

19.01.2026
First look at Earth from the COSMO-SkyMed FM3 satellite

Just days after launch, the first images are received from the third satellite of the second generation of the Earth Observation programme promoted by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence, involving national industry with Leonardo, Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-GEO

19.02.2026
Telespazio Ibérica awarded contract to build the Canary Islands satellite constellation

Telespazio Ibérica, the Spanish subsidiary of Telespazio (a Leonardo Group company), has been awarded the €20 million contract to develop the Canary Islands satellite constellation, the first Earth observation system created by a Spanish autonomous community. The company will lead the project, build the ground segment, and manage the constellation.

12.02.2026
Membership of the Abruzzo Aerospace District (DAAB) exceeds 60 after the first six months of activity

Strategic and Technological Plan approved at the Members’ Assembly

26.01.2026
Leonardo and Telespazio at the 18th European Space Conference

Leonardo and Telespazio will once again take part in the 18th edition of the European Space Conference, scheduled to take place in Brussels on 27–28 January, together with e-GEOS.

19.01.2026
First look at Earth from the COSMO-SkyMed FM3 satellite

Just days after launch, the first images are received from the third satellite of the second generation of the Earth Observation programme promoted by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence, involving national industry with Leonardo, Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-GEO