Canada strengthens its role in international emergency support from space
Artistic rendering of three satellites from the GHGSat fleet orbiting Earth and the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters logo. Credits: Canadian Space Agency and GHGSat
GHGSat, a Montreal-headquartered company specializing in greenhouse gas monitoring from space, has officially become a data contributor to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters! This global initiative provides free satellite data, available 24/7, to support emergency response during major disasters.
As a new data contributor, GHGSat will make satellite imagery available to emergency authorities responding to events like earthquakes, wildfires, oil spills, storms and industrial accidents around the world.
About the Charter
The Charter is an international collaboration between space agencies and satellite operators that provides rapid access to Earth observation data when disasters strike. Since , it has supported emergency efforts in over 130 countries, helping responders assess damage, plan evacuations, and protect lives.
The Canadian Space Agency is a proud founding member of the Charter.
Types of data provided by GHGSat
GHGSat's satellite fleet detects greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane and carbon dioxide, with world-leading precision while tracing the source to individual pieces of industrial equipment. This data can be especially valuable during wildfires, earthquakes and disasters involving damage to oil and gas industrial infrastructure. It will offer insights into potential leaks and resulting safety and economic risks to nearby communities and ecosystems.
By joining the Charter, GHGSat is helping improve situational awareness for disaster response teams around the world. This milestone reflects Canada's commitment to applying space-based innovation to strengthen preparedness and resilience in the face of major disasters.