A company which uses satellite images to help tackle climate
change will build international trade links with the aim of
attracting investment in Scotland at COP28 next week, with
Scottish Government support.
Cabinet Secretary for the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy
visited Glasgow-based Digital
Content Analysis (D-CAT), one of 19 companies receiving support
to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
The company analyses images and data from satellites for a range
of applications. These include predicting crop yield, monitoring
changing temperatures to inform urban development and detecting
deforestation and forest fires.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary said:
“D-CAT is an innovative Scottish company pushing technological
boundaries, using information gathered from satellites to address
the climate crisis. From preventing deforestation to predicting
farms at risk of losing productivity, these are urgent tasks that
the vista from space is helping to provide answers to.
“Scotland is already punching above its weight in terms of
performance within the UK space sector. Glasgow is the biggest
manufacturer of small satellites outside the US and one fifth of
all UK space sector jobs are based in Scotland. I am committed to
promoting the opportunities that space presents as a force for
good to help create a more sustainable and prosperous economy.
“As the first country to declare a climate emergency in 2019,
Scotland continues to strengthen our response to the wider
impacts of climate change. No one nation can deliver net zero on
its own – international co-operation will be vital – and
Scotland’s skilled workforce is leading the way in delivering a
just transition, taking advantage of our vast renewable energy
potential, not least in wind and low carbon green hydrogen.
“COP28 presents a chance to make progress on shared climate
priorities; including sustainable trade and a just transition to
a green wellbeing economy. Let us seize the opportunity for good
presented by this global gathering of world leaders and decision
makers.”
DCAT Chief Executive Officer Phil McLachlan said:
“D-CAT takes great pride in being selected for the Scottish
business delegation to COP28.
“Our esteemed team of top scientists and engineers has pioneered
the extraction of cutting-edge climate insights from satellite
remote sensing data. These efforts have been central to our
creation of unique data products that play a pivotal role in
monitoring, reporting, and verifying that effective change is
happening on the ground.
“We anticipate that our involvement in the delegation will lead
to new collaborative opportunities, accelerating our growth and
our mission to provide critical data insights that are vital for
achieving the worldwide net zero transition goals.”
Background
Monitoring,
reporting and verifying what matters from space | Digital Content
Analysis Technology Ltd (d-cat.co.uk)
The business delegation will participate in a specially designed
programme organised by the Scottish Government, Scottish
Development International and the Scottish Chambers of
Commerce. They will have the opportunity to showcase, pitch
for investment and network with other businesses in the Blue and
Green Zones at COP28 as well as take part in Fringe events.
They will attend a series of business networking receptions and
take part in activity in partnership with Heriot Watt and
Strathclyde Universities.
Scottish businesses will visit the Dubai Energy and Water
Association, The Dubai Chamber and the Sharjah Chamber of
Commerce, which represent companies in the biggest UAE cities and
have opportunities to meet with business leaders attending
COP28.
