Satellite tv for pc expertise and Earth commentary information are poised to play a big position in constructing resilience in an more and more unstable and unpredictable world.

Extra insurers and governments are tapping real-time satellite tv for pc imaging capabilities not simply to measure and predict dangers amid pure catastrophes, but additionally to make data-driven selections about catastrophe response and rebuilding resiliently, in response to Rafal Modrzewski (pictured under), CEO and co-founder of ICEYE.

“Earth commentary information can improve each section of insurers’ and emergency administration organizations’ response,” he instructed Insurance coverage Enterprise.

Addressing world and enterprise leaders at Davos

Final month, Modrzewski delivered a message about satellite tv for pc expertise’s developments and its use for local weather resilience on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos.

Satellite tv for pc imaging developments are poised to seriously change a number of industries that require reliable information to help decision-making, in response to the CEO.

“Prospects embody improved administration of carbon sequestration, initiatives for ocean cleansing, and the event of totally autonomous transport programs,” Modrzewski stated.

“Groundbreaking innovation on this house will assist tackle the complexities of those challenges and construct world resilience sooner and extra precisely than ever earlier than.”

In keeping with Modrzewski, there are two key elements to satellite tv for pc expertise: the granularity of knowledge obtainable and the velocity at which it may be accessed. Artificial aperture radar (SAR) satellite tv for pc imagery gives detailed pictures of floods and wildfires as they develop.

SAR satellite tv for pc expertise is a game-changer as a result of its developments allow us to trace adjustments and patterns on the planet, empowering decision-makers to foretell the actions of pure disasters into the longer term.

“These insights are invaluable for governments and insurance coverage firms to reply quickly and precisely with hazard information that persistently closes the hole,” he stated.

Public-private partnerships for local weather resilience

ICEYE has been instrumental in a number of public-private partnership initiatives for flood and wildfire resilience all over the world. Modrzewski referred to as on leaders at Davos to hurry up private-public collaboration to handle the accelerating impacts of local weather change and plug gaps in safety.

Quickly intensifying climate occasions and different world challenges have put humanity on the verge of a basic change, he argued, demanding stronger partnerships between the personal and public sectors.

“The collective actions that people, organizations, and world leaders take collectively may help transfer the needle towards lowering world dangers and making the transition profitable,” Modrzewski stated.

In February 2023, ICEYE teamed up with insurer Swiss Re Company Options, dealer Man Carpenter, and New York Metropolis authorities companies to launch a landmark parametric flood insurance coverage pilot. The primary-of-its-kind parametric program gives as much as $1.1 million in rapid flood aid to low-income households within the metropolis.

ICEYE contributed its flood insights to a monetary resilience program in Accra, Ghana, developed by the Insurance coverage Growth Discussion board (IDF), UNDP, and the German authorities. Insurer Allianz and reinsurer Swiss Re had been additionally companions in this system.

The info expertise agency can be concerned in an identical effort in Nigeria, the place a number of gamers – together with AXA Local weather, Swiss Re, and others – are looking for to offer insurance coverage and monetary resilience to Lagos.

“At ICEYE, we function over 30 SAR satellites orbiting Earth, capturing pictures day or evening, and, extra importantly, given the perils, by way of darkness, smoke, and clouds,” Modrzewski stated.

“Proudly owning the most important SAR satellite tv for pc constellation issues as a result of it influences the revisit charge with which we are able to monitor any given location on Earth.”

Higher information to energy parametric insurance coverage options

Lastly, Modrzewski addressed the significance of well timed and correct information earlier than, throughout and after main catastrophes like floods or wildfires.

An increasing number of insurers are deploying parametric insurance coverage and different various options to assist cowl dangers that conventional property and casualty insurance policies can’t. However Modrzewski stated the hole in information has beforehand hindered the effectiveness of parametric insurance coverage, which depends on immediate and environment friendly protection for at-risk communities.

“Parametric insurance coverage options rely closely on information, with particular thresholds set as triggers for rapid payouts following a catastrophe,” he stated.

“Information acquisition accuracy, consistency, and velocity are very important for these triggers. Fast and dependable information supply is essential for realizing the total potential of parametric insurance coverage.”

What are your ideas on satellite tv for pc imaging and comparable applied sciences as instruments for constructing local weather resilience?