CommonSensing is an innovative international project based on a partnership between Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and a consortium of international partners, working together to support and build climate resilience and enhance decision making through the use of satellite remote sensing technology.

Many years of earth observation data is available from satellite imagery, giving a wealth information that can be used as rigorous unbiased evidence for supporting climate financing funding application. This data can be used for calculating baselines, reference conditions, and measuring the rate of change for many climate change conditions such as sea level rise, temperature, flooding, and land degradation.

The governments of Fiji Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, use all available data to guide their decisions on climate investment plans and to identify the right communities to participate in projects. Pre and post disaster management is improved through the use of earth observation data and the dedicated support of Commonwealth climate finance advisors.

With this evidence, it is possible to build stronger applications for climate finance funding, which is particularly relevant in rebuilding communities after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about how the Commonwealth Climate Section through interventions like the CommonSensing Project in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and the Climate Finance Access Hub can help you.

Read: Earth observation technologies for improved access to climate finance

Read the discussion paper published by the Commonwealth Secretariat with IPP CommonSensing on accessing climate finance to meet national plans for adaptation and mitigation actions against climate change.

The paper provides data and technical assistance to support the design of evidenced-based climate change proposals and concrete justifications to enhance access to climate finance, making data and information readily accessible, along with the capacity building for technical staff of national government agencies in utilising the geospatial-based CommonSensing platform for developing bankable climate finance proposals

Download the Earth Observation Technologies for Improved Access to Climate Finance discussion paper Adobe PDF icon

The discussion paper was launched during a virtual event on 7 June 2021. The event facilitated discussions on the innovative use of earth observation data as a tool to increase access to climate finance, and demonstrated how the CommonSensing platform can be practically applied to add value to climate finance proposals.

Download event summary Adobe PDF icon

Conversations were mainly around best practice and increased use, replicability and scaling up the use of earth observation data for practical application within government institutions outside the Pacific region.

Watch a recording of the launch the discussion paper

The Commonsensing Project is a partnership between Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and a group of international partners. The include the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR – UNOSAT), Devex, UK Space Agency, Catapult Satellite Applications, the University of Portsmouth, Met Office, Sensonomic, and Spatial Days.

Find out more about The CommonSensing Project