UK-France MicroCarb Satellite Aims to Revolutionize Climate Monitoring

In a significant advancement for climate science, the MicroCarb satellite, a collaborative project between the United Kingdom and France, was successfully launched on July 26, 2025, aboard a Vega-C rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. This mission marks Europe's inaugural dedicated carbon dioxide monitoring satellite, with the potential to transform global climate data and enhance the fight against climate change.

The MicroCarb mission, supported by a £15 million investment from the UK Space Agency, aims to provide precise measurements of carbon dioxide emissions across urban landscapes at an unprecedented resolution of 2 kilometers by 2 kilometers. This capability is deemed essential, as cities are responsible for more than 70% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 2023).

UK Minister for Space, Sir Chris Bryant, emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, "This groundbreaking mission is proof of what can be achieved when we harness the strength of Britain's burgeoning space industry, together with our deep scientific expertise." Bryant noted that the MicroCarb satellite will enhance the UK's standing as a leader in climate science and technology.

MicroCarb's primary function is to join an international constellation of satellites monitoring greenhouse gases. It will deliver critical data that governments need to track progress toward climate commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement. According to Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, "Satellites like MicroCarb are our eyes in the sky. Over half of the critical data we use to understand climate change comes from space."

The satellite will also monitor natural carbon sinks, such as oceans and forests, thereby improving understanding of global carbon absorption. This information is crucial for developing effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies. Noteworthy is its ability to measure Solar Induced Fluorescence (SIF), which reflects the amount of carbon that plants absorb during photosynthesis, offering insights into the carbon cycle.

Professor Paul Palmer from the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) and the University of Edinburgh, who is the UK lead for the MicroCarb project, remarked, "Currently, we are witnessing rapid and unprecedented changes in the global carbon cycle. MicroCarb will deliver SIF and atmospheric CO₂ data that are crucial for understanding those changes."

The mission reflects a robust bilateral agreement between the UK and France, initially signed in 2014 and renewed in 2021, which underscores their strategic partnership in space and security technologies. This collaboration showcases the capabilities of both nations in the realm of space science and technology.

As nations worldwide strive to meet climate targets, MicroCarb is positioned as a pivotal tool in the quest for transparency and accountability in emissions reporting. The first data products from MicroCarb are anticipated within a year, aiming to provide essential insights into urban emissions and the performance of natural carbon sinks. This data will contribute to international climate assessments, influencing future satellite missions under the UK's Earth observation roadmap.

Ultimately, the successful launch of MicroCarb not only enhances the scientific community's ability to monitor climate change but also serves as a testament to international cooperation in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.