ClimateSCOpe 4: Climate adaptation in Africa

Published on 27/05/2026

From land to sea, Africa is bearing the brunt of climate change. On May 21, 2026, 50 participants logged in to the 4th ClimateSCOpe to learn about three SCOlutions that use satellite data to develop adaptation solutions on the African continent. Replay.

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ClimateSCOpe, the new meeting place for international SCO projects. © SCO

In Africa, where field data is often lacking, remote sensing is essential for monitoring, understanding, and attempting to anticipate the impacts of climate change. As part of efforts to support countries in the Global South, three SCO projects - led by European organizations in partnership with local stakeholders - are sharing their work on supporting coastal and urban risk management on the African continent using satellite data.

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Interventions:

Preamble by Jacques Matara from the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), featuring an overview of their Earth observation initiatives.
🇬🇧 SEA-SMART project, by par James Doherty and Jack Lidgley from Plastic-i (UK): Supported by SCO UK, SEA-SMART is being developed to help seaweed farmers and coastal stakeholders adapt to climate change. Leveraging satellite imagery, in situ data, and AI models, the project will provide insights on biomass health, biodiversity, and pollution threats. It will be integrated into the Plastic-i Observatory, broadening the platform’s application to blue carbon ecosystems.
🇧🇪 e-SAFARI project, by Koen de Ridder and Niels Souverijns from Vito (Belgium): This project will develop and demonstrate an online dashboard containing present and future urban climate indicator maps for Niamey (Niger). The maps will be based on open-source fine-scale satellite-based imagery, advanced climate modelling, and global climate projections. Applications will highlight the potential of urban trees as an Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) measure to counter excessive heat.
🇫🇷 WACA-VAR project, by Rafael Almar from IRD (France): An interdisciplinary programme, WACA-VAR aims to implement a range of actions to sustainably manage the effects of climate change on the coasts of West Africa. For this space-related component led by France, a web platform will highlight the direct use of satellite data to generate knowledge to aid decision-making in terms of coastal risk management policies.
💡 WACA-VAR in the field – News from July 2, 2025