Satellite Remote Sensing Is the Verification Backbone

Satellite-based greenhouse gas monitoring is transitioning from government science programs to commercial infrastructure. GHGSat (methane point-source detection), Kayrros (basin-level methane mapping), and Planet Labs (land use change monitoring) are operationalizing data that was previously only available through NOAA and ESA research missions. The commercial driver: corporate Scope 1 emissions verification under SEC climate disclosure rules (if implemented) and EU CSRD will require third-party satellite verification for large emitters. Methane monitoring is the highest-value initial market — a single super-emitter event from an oil & gas facility can represent millions in wasted product and regulatory liability. GHGSat is the clearest pure-play; Spire Global and Maxar have adjacent data streams.