SUPARCO Unveils Satellite Tools to Track Smog, Floods and Heatwaves
LAHORE: Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO has showcased new satellite-based climate monitoring tools aimed at helping government institutions track floods, crop conditions, air pollution, heatwaves and changing water resources more effectively.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission held the third regional symposium of its Space4Climate initiative in Lahore on Thursday, bringing together government officials, policymakers, scientists, researchers, academics and development partners.
The event focused on the use of Earth observation, remote sensing and geospatial technologies to strengthen climate resilience and support evidence-based planning in Punjab and across Pakistan.
Participants discussed major climate risks including floods, disasters, deteriorating air quality, heatwaves, glacier melt, changing land cover and pressures on agriculture and water resources.
SUPARCO Demonstrates Space4Climate Portals
A major feature of the symposium was a live demonstration of SUPARCO’s Space4Climate Geospatial Portals, which are designed to provide satellite-derived information for government planning and environmental monitoring.
According to SUPARCO, the system integrates data from Pakistan’s satellite assets, including PRSS-1, SAR-1, EO-series satellites and hyperspectral capabilities.
The platform can provide near real-time information on greenhouse gases, air quality, glaciers, snow cover, waterways, land cover, coastal ecosystems and other environmental indicators.
SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan said Earth observation satellites, remote sensing, geospatial analytics and Geographic Information Systems have become increasingly important for monitoring climate and environmental change.
He said Pakistan is facing growing challenges from glacier melt, floods, droughts, heatwaves, air pollution and increasing pressure on agriculture and water resources.
According to the chairman, SUPARCO is working to convert satellite data into actionable climate information that can support national and provincial decision-making.
Focus on Crops, Smog and Heatwave Risks
Technical sessions at the Lahore symposium covered four major areas: waterways and land-cover dynamics, crop monitoring, air quality and environmental assessment, and heatwave hazard assessment.
Experts discussed how satellite-derived information could support agriculture, water management, disaster risk reduction, urban planning and environmental protection in Punjab.
The event also included a panel discussion on integrating space-based information into provincial planning and development.
Participants called for stronger coordination among government agencies, wider access to geospatial data and greater use of satellite-based climate services in disaster preparedness, natural resource management and environmental governance.
Space4Climate Series Expands Across Pakistan
The symposium concluded with recommendations for wider institutional use of Space4Climate services, stronger collaboration between government and scientific organisations, expanded training in geospatial technologies and continued development of operational climate information systems.
The Lahore event was the third stop in SUPARCO’s seven-city Space4Climate symposium series.
Earlier events were held in Peshawar on July 23 and Gilgit on August 5, while upcoming sessions are planned for Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta and Muzaffarabad.
SUPARCO said the initiative is part of its broader effort to use space science and technology for climate resilience, environmental sustainability and sustainable development.