How satellite data prevent methane emissions equal to 3.5 million cars
Artist's concept of the GHGSat-C10 (Vanguard) satellite. (Credit: GHGSat)
Since , Canada has held the unique status of being the only non-European cooperating state of the European Space Agency (ESA). Through the Canada–ESA Cooperation Agreement, Canadian companies gain access to ESA programs and opportunities, opening the door to Europe's space market and fostering international success stories.
When it comes to tackling climate change, collaboration across borders – and even collaboration in outer space – is key. Case in point: GHGSat, a Montréal-based company whose nimble fleet of satellites is revolutionizing the way we monitor methane and carbon dioxide emissions from space. As of the end of , GHGSat's data has helped prevent the release of methane equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road for a year.
GHGSat's rise to global leadership began over a decade ago with early support from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Programs like the Space Technology Development Program and smartEarth helped the company take its initial concept from blueprint to orbit. And, more recently, GHGSat has been involved with the European Space Agency (ESA), thanks to the Canada–ESA Cooperation Agreement, led by the CSA. Together, they're harnessing satellite technology to track greenhouse gas emissions with unprecedented accuracy, offering vital tools to industries, researchers, and policymakers around the world.
A strategic partnership with Europe
GHGSat's growing impact in Europe is no coincidence. The company has been able to work directly with ESA and the European Commission on high-profile climate initiatives, opening doors to international markets and expanding its reach across the continent. GHGSat's high-resolution methane measurements – particularly valuable for detecting smaller sources like oil & gas infrastructure, landfills, farms, and wastewater plants – quickly became an important tool for the scientific community.
The collaboration deepened in , when GHGSat was designated a Copernicus Contributing Mission. That title gives the company a direct role in supporting Europe's flagship environmental monitoring program to provide accurate information related to global air pollution and greenhouse gases. Its satellites now work in tandem with ESA's Sentinel-5P satellite: Sentinel scans wide areas to detect possible methane hotspots, while GHGSat follows up with close-up views to pinpoint the exact sources. This "big picture plus fine detail" approach is transforming how Europe – and the world – understands greenhouse gas emissions.
A Canadian company with global ambitions
When GHGSat launched its first satellite in , it became the first company in the world to measure methane emissions from space at the facility level. Since then, the constellation has grown to 11 satellites. In , the company launched Vanguard, the world's first commercial satellite capable of measuring carbon dioxide emissions from individual industrial facilities, marking a major leap forward in emissions monitoring.
GHGSat's story shows what's possible when innovation meets international collaboration. From early Canadian government backing to deep engagement with ESA and the Copernicus program, the company has scaled new heights – literally and figuratively. Its journey from a Canadian startup to a critical contributor to Europe's climate monitoring efforts is a powerful example of how space technology, diplomacy, and environmental action can align for the greater good.