The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are transforming sustainability reporting in the EU. For companies with significant land holdings, meeting ESRS-E environmental requirements demands a deeper understanding of their terrain. Sentinel-2, the EU's Earth observation mission, offers invaluable data that can help businesses comply with these new standards. One of the data sources tumblebee uses is the European Space Agency's Sentinel data.

Sentinel-2 Data: A powerful tool for ESRS-E compliance

Sentinel-2 satellites capture high-resolution images of Earth, measuring reflected light in different wavelengths. This data can be used to calculate various indices, providing crucial insights for ESRS-E reporting. Some of the indices relevant for ESRS-E are:

1. NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index): Measures vegetation growth and stress levels, and is often used to monitor crop health and identify areas at risk of drought or other stressors.

2. NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index): Assesses water content in soil and vegetation. It can for instance be used to track water consumption and identify leaks in irrigation systems.

3. SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index): Improves accuracy in areas with sparse vegetation. For example, a company managing land in a dry region could use SAVI to monitor the effectiveness of reforestation efforts or to identify areas vulnerable to desertification.

Addressing key ESRS-E requirements

The ESRS framework covers a range of environmental, social, and governance issues. Sentinel-2 data can help companies address several ESRS-E environmental reporting requirements:

1. Land use and biodiversity: Map land cover types, track changes over time, and identify high-biodiversity areas.

2. Pollution: Detect potential pollution sources and monitor ecosystem impacts.

3. Water management: Assess water stress and optimize irrigation practices.

4. Climate change adaptation: Monitor vegetation patterns and develop adaptation strategies.

Our tools leverage Sentinel-2 data and make them accessible to non-experts

Our user-friendly reports and the platform we are currently developing are based, among other things, on Sentinel-2 data.

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The future of sustainable land management

By embracing Sentinel-2 data and related tools, companies can not only meet ESRS-E requirements but also drive innovation in sustainable land management. This approach aligns with the CSRD's goal of enhancing transparency and quality in sustainability reporting.

As the first ESRS reports are due in 2025, companies need to start preparing now. Leveraging Sentinel-2 data can provide a competitive edge in meeting these new reporting standards while contributing to a more sustainable future.