Study on Copernicus satellite data usage for action against environmental crimes

The project aims to analyse the use of satellite data, and in particular that provided by the European Union's Copernicus programme, in the fight against environmental crime. Unlike similar initiatives, the research excludes environmental monitoring, focusing instead on the enforcement of environmental legislation, supporting police, prosecutors and civil society in tackling environmental offenders.
The project will have a global focus and include case studies from ten to fifteen different countries, most of which will be the subject of field missions by IAI staff. The work will analyse the most relevant areas in relation to satellite use, such as illegal deforestation, but also new applications, such as those related to illegal fishing, poaching and forest fires. Both photo-optical and multispectral uses (capable of revealing, for example, spills and pollution invisible to the naked eye) will be considered, but the analysis will focus above all on obstacles and solutions at operational, social, judicial and even political level that favour the integration of satellite use in the global fight against environmental crimes.

Funding: European Space Agency (ESA)