Global Scans · Environment · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT:? Our natural environment is under ever-increasing threat. Landscape and ocean adaptation plus stabilizing biodiversity strategies will play an important role in maintaining global food productivity as climate changes. Evidence is mounting that any economic strategy that ignores carbon pollution will impose tremendous costs on the global economy and will result in fewer jobs and less economic growth over the long term. The global market for commercial "Earth observation" data is expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2024. Battles over environmental regulation could become particularly pointed in the coming years.

• [New] BAE Systems is working on Software Defined Radios that might deliver both GNSS and Command and Control (C & C) services from Low Earth Orbit satellites or even high-altitude aircrafts. VynZ Research
• [New] The Galileo satellites will be deployed into Medium Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 22,922 kilometers, with spacecraft separation scheduled to occur 3 hours and 55 minutes after lift-off. Defence Industry and Space
• [New] The private industry will have its debut by HAL-L&T launching the first fully indigenously manufactured Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle early 2026, which will carry OceanSat-3A, an Earth observation satellite for oceanography and environmental monitoring. ArabNews
• [New] Using a combination of satellite imagery, weather and ground-level environmental datasets, challenge registrants - who can form teams of up to three members - will develop AI models to forecast water quality based on key parameters (alkalinity, salinity and phosphorous) for rivers in South Africa. Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach
• [New] The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons eXploration mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 on a trip to the Martian moon Phobos, where it will collect samples for return to Earth. Scientific American
• [New] The mystery of how Mars acquired its moons, Phobos and Deimos, may start to be unravelled in 2026 with the launch of a spacecraft that will eventually bring a chunk of Phobos back to Earth. New Scientist
• [New] As citizens, policymakers, and business leaders embrace 2026, the collective aspiration must be a Bangladesh where economic growth is matched by social inclusion, political stability ensures equitable governance, and environmental stewardship safeguards the future. The Financial Express
• [New] A controversial scheme will begin to reflect sunlight to Earth with satellites in 2026, so that dark places can be temporarily lit for visibility or energy production. New Scientist
• [New] By 2030, Reflect Orbital says it will have sufficient satellite coverage to beam 200 watts per square metre to solar farms on Earth, equivalent to levels of sunlight at dusk and dawn, so places with less natural sunlight can still generate reliable energy. New Scientist
• [New] 2026 will be defined by nutrition innovations across multiple categories, driven by consumers seeking products with tangible health benefits, ethical and environmental alignment, and convenient, science-backed solutions. CNS Media
• [New] Researchers from Case Western Reserve University warned of a global omega-3 shortage driven by rising ocean temperatures, overfishing, and pollution. CNS Media
• [New] Current Environmental Protection Agency regulations, set until 2029, may be insufficient and called for stricter limits and further studies to confirm causality and explore biological mechanisms. CNS Media
• [New] With nearly 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, its risk of collisions - and potential debris raining down on Earth - is growing. Scientific American
• [New] Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals are now a big part of how companies in India are expected to operate. Mapex
• [New] The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce an increase in the total renewable fuel requirements for 2026 and 2027. The Guardian
• [New] PIRG and Environment America envision a less wasteful, healthier and more sustainable future. PIRG
• [New] The International Plastic Pellet Count will take place again in 2026, but pellet counts throughout the year also contribute to efforts to end plastic pellet pollution. PIRG
• [New] The United States and Europe have said they will greatly reduce aviation pollution by using sustainable fuels, with the latter to move from a 2% share in 2025 to a 70% share by 2050. Yahoo News
• [New] Less than 1% of global jet fuel use comes from sustainable fuels, Space Daily noted, adding that aviation accounts for 2.5% of worldwide pollution and that air travel will double by 2040. Yahoo News
• [New] Emerging opportunities reflect Australia's unique environment - from agronomy and soil health to the integration of AI-driven technology and environmental management. Farmonaut
• [New] Investors will demand real results, operators will require reliability and the global environment will force resilience. Automation.com
• [New] Pollution, including from chemicals, is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and is an increasingly relevant global risk. ShareAction
• [New] Emerging economies are grappling with an annual shortfall of USD 3.7 trillion in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) finance required to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Financial Express

Last updated: 03 January 2026