Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has for the use of Earth observation data; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using it to support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of UK net zero emissions targets.

Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government monitors and verifies greenhouse gas emissions using measurement data collected through a network of sensors across the country. The UK is one of only four countries in the world currently reporting the validation of greenhouse gas emissions based on Earth Observation measurements.

The Department regularly considers developments in Earth Observation technology and their potential application through a dedicated Inventory Improvement Programme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has for the data collected by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Modelling Advancement (GEMMA) programme; and if he will make it his policy to integrate that data into greenhouse gas emissions statistics.

Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government monitors and verifies greenhouse gas emissions using measurement data collected through a network of sensors across the country. The Department is working closely with the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Modelling Advancement (GEMMA) programme to consider how measurements from this programme could be incorporated into its greenhouse gas inventory verification programme database.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will have discussions with the (a) UK Space Agency and (b) Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on using UK Earth Observation data for greenhouse gas emissions tracking.

Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and the UK Space Agency through the National Space Council, where Government’s direction for space policy and strategy is decided. These departments also engage at Official level through the National Space Board.

The UK is one of only four countries in the world that uses an independent system of Earth Observation measurements to supplement its greenhouse gas inventory and the first to do so.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for future (a) funding of and (b) data sharing by the Earth observation data hub.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Earth Observation (EO) data hub project is a pathfinder project which will assess whether a new infrastructure for EO data could deliver better access to and exploitation of EO data by federating EO data assets from public and commercial centres in a quality-assured environment and by creating a platform for analysis and value add.

The project was funded through the Earth observation investment package until 31st March 2025.

Decisions on any longer-term funding for EO data infrastructure will be made in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has as chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites to support development of methane emissions measurement best practices.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The UK Space Agency is increasing engagement with private, academic and public sectors to improve methane monitoring and address gaps.

As Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, we will promote a new framework, developed by the National Physical Laboratory and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to validate data providers' products to ensure reliability. It will provide new best practice for measuring from space facility-scale methane emissions.

The UK Space Agency will promote the framework internationally, collaborating with other nations and industry to ensure these best practices are recognised as an approved measurement methodology within the Global Methane Pledge.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the UK Space Agency's methane monitoring programme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The UK Space Agency is increasing engagement with private, academic and public sectors to improve methane monitoring and address gaps.

As Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, we will promote a new framework, developed by the National Physical Laboratory and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to validate data providers' products to ensure reliability. It will provide new best practice for measuring from space facility-scale methane emissions.

The UK Space Agency will promote the framework internationally, collaborating with other nations and industry to ensure these best practices are recognised as an approved measurement methodology within the Global Methane Pledge.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the future of the Geospatial Commission's Earth observation data pilot.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Earth Observation data pilot came to an end in 31 March 2024. Working with optical, thermal and SAR data from space satellites, the pilot demonstrated that increased use of this data could improve evidence-based analysis and enhance front-line delivery in the public sector to support the provision of digital government services for citizens. The work will inform decisions on the procurement, accessibility and use of earth observation across the public sector.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to use earth observation data to help support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of (i) agricultural, (ii) landfill and (iii) land use contributions to the UK's net zero emissions targets.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Remote sensing technologies have increasing potential to provide cost-effective solutions for monitoring land use changes, gas leaks, and population density. Defra is examining the feasibility of employing Earth observation techniques for the monitoring and measurement of point source greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, landfills, and other land uses.

We will continue to follow advances in this technology and investigate opportunities for its deployment, including via satellite-based Earth observation, and other remote sensing technologies such as drones and handheld equipment, which are crucial for ground truthing and establishing baseline measurements.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to paragraph 3.68 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, what steps he plans to take to monitor the potential impact of the £20.4 billion R&D investment on economic and R&D business growth; and how much of that funding he plans to allocate to each (a) sector and (b) research and innovation cluster.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

R&D is fundamental to achieving the government’s mission of kickstarting economic growth. DSIT regularly monitors economic and R&D business growth indicators and requires monitoring and evaluation to be undertaken as a condition of its funding. At the Autumn Budget, DSIT was allocated £13.9bn for R&D in 2025/26. The Secretary of State will announce further details of how this funding will be allocated in due course.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; George Freeman; Dr Allison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; George Freeman; Dr Allison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; George Freeman; Dr Allison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; George Freeman; Dr Allison

Found: Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West) (Chair) Emily Darlington (Labour; Milton Keynes Central) George Freeman

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Following the general election, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced plans to become the “digital centre of government”. It was also confirmed that the Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for Artificial Intelligence would move from the Cabinet Office into DSIT, to “unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department”.