One-to-one with AIRCAS
Zhengqiang Li, you wear many hats! What are they, and what role do they allow you to play at SCO?
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Zhengqiang Li: I am Director of the State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing at the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS). Since 2022, I have been representing the China National Space Agency (CNSA) as the SCO focal point. I have been actively coordinating and selecting China’s representative projects to leverage advanced remote sensing technologies for climate observation, adaptation, and mitigation. I also hold roles as the President of the Atmospheric Environmental Remote Sensing Society (AERSS) and the Co-chair of the Advancement of POLarimetric Observations (APOLO). These roles allow me to contribute to satellite data sharing and apply remote sensing technologies to address climate change challenges. |
Can you remind us how many projects were accredited in 2024 for this SCO China and describe one or two major projects you are leading within the SCO framework?
Z.L: In 2024, six projects were accredited for the SCO China. Two of the major projects I lead are DUST and MethMine. The DUST project focuses on developing an operational early warning system for severe dust and haze events. It aims to enhance adaptation to extreme weather conditions exacerbated by climate change and it has already helped communities better adapt to these events. The MethMine project estimates methane emissions from large high-gas coal mines in China. It provides critical data for controlling coal mine gas emissions and promotes the development of satellite-based point-source methane emission monitoring and quantification technology. The project is already contributing to more precise monitoring and mitigation strategies for greenhouse gases in China.
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▶︎ In early April 2023, a huge dust storm originating in the Gobi Desert swept across several East Asian countries, including China, South Korea, Thailand and Japan, causing reduced visibility and respiratory problems among the population. On April 13, one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites captured the extent of the dust that had reached the northern part of Japan, after traveling more than 3,000 km. European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery |
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What innovative technologies are used in these projects and how do they improve the collection and analysis of climate data?
Z.L: For the DUST project, we developed a high-accuracy algorithm that integrates ground-based observations with data from China’s Gaofen-5 polarized atmospheric satellites. This innovation enhances the early warning accuracy for severe dust and haze events by producing high-resolution atmospheric parameters like optical thickness and PM2.5 levels. For the MethMine project, we adopted a Gaussian Plume model using data from Sentinel-5P’s TROPOMI sensor. By cross-verifying results with bottom-up emission inventories, we achieved reliable methane emission estimations from high-gas coal mines.
Collaboration is at the heart of the SCO. Which partnerships mobilize these projects?
Z.L: Collaborations with entities like the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data, SONET research group, and international institutions such as the University of Lille have enriched the DUST project through data and expertise sharing. For MethMine, domestic collaborations between the Aerospace Information Research Institute and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences localized global models for China’s specific needs, exemplifying the value of partnerships in achieving SCO’s goals.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your projects?
Z.L: A significant challenge lies in involving industrial partners, especially for projects requiring verification data from factories. However, SCO’s efforts to engage private entities present a key opportunity to enhance collaboration and data accuracy.
What are your future plans to continue fighting the impacts of climate change? How do you see China’s role in the SCO initiative evolving in the coming years?
Z.L: We aim to advance projects on large-scale aerosol mapping, air pollution-related health risk assessments, and methane emissions monitoring from landfills. I am full confident that SCO China has been and will continue to being one of the leading parties to provide brilliant projects and possibly toolbox for SCO initiative in the coming years.
Spatial distribution of POSP/GF-5(02) main aerosol products: (a) Aerosol Optical Depth – AOD; (b) Fine mode Aerosol Optical Depth – AODF; (c) Coarse mode Aerosol Optical Depth (AODC); (d) Single Scattering Albedo – SSA; (e) Ångström Exponent – AE (440/870); (f) Scale height of aerosol vertical profile – ALH. Source : Chen et al : Chen et al, https://essd.copernicus.org/preprints/essd-2024-483/
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The China National Space Agency (CNSA) is China’s leading authority for space exploration and satellite development, playing a pivotal role in advancing space-based technologies for environmental monitoring and climate action. Through the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), the CNSA coordinates China’s contributions to the Space Climate Observatory (SCO), fostering national and international collaboration in the use of satellite remote sensing data to tackle climate challenges. AIRCAS supports innovative climate projects and facilitates the development of space-enabled solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation, in line with China’s commitment to sustainable development and global climate action.