Space Cities Network: Emmanuelle David on Driving Sustainability in Space

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HQ Global

4th Dec, 2024

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Interview

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Emmanuelle David, Executive Director of ESC - eSpace and a leading voice in the Space Cities Network, is dedicated to promoting sustainability and responsible practices in space. Through innovative initiatives such as the Sustainable Space Hub and global collaboration efforts, she's working to shape the future of space activities with a focus on environmental responsibility.

In this HQ interview, Emmanuelle shares her views on the challenges and opportunities of space sustainability, the role of education and cities in driving change, and how the Space Cities Network is paving the way for responsible space development.

As Executive Director of ESC – eSpace, you work closely with experts from both academia and industry. How can collaboration between these sectors promote environmentally responsible practices in space, and what role can educational institutions play in preparing the next generation for these challenges?

In 2023, we launched the Sustainable Space Hub, built on three key pillars: Measure, Understand, and Act. This initiative aims to provide science-based insights into the state of space sustainability, addressing areas such as Space Situational Awareness, the impacts of space missions on Earth and space environments, and framing the concept of space sustainability. We focus on developing state-of-the-art tools that industry players can use to assess their environmental impact and performance against defined criteria.

Two of our primary initiatives include the Space Sustainability Rating and the ACT (Assessment Comparison Tools) tool, which support early-stage life cycle assessments for mission design. Life cycle assessment is a methodology used to measure the environmental impact of specific parameters, such as CO2 emissions or ocean toxicity. These tools empower industry stakeholders to measure their impact and improve their performance. Additionally, the results can be shared with key stakeholders (governments, taxpayers, and others) to justify and explain these impacts.

By developing these tools, we also identify knowledge gaps, which drive the creation of new projects to address these challenges. Beyond tools, we’ve introduced educational formats to share this knowledge with the workforce. For example, we created a professional course on Space Sustainability, the second edition of which will take place in March 2025, and a class for Master’s students. Educating the next generation of space professionals is critical to ensuring missions are designed and operated with minimal environmental impact.

One of your core teaching areas is space sustainability and responsible space practices. Why do you think this is a pressing issue, and what are the space industry's main challenges in adopting sustainable approaches?

Regarding climate change, all the warnings have been red for decades. With the steep rise in launches and space activities (as detailed in the ESA Space Environment Report, available online), space is becoming increasingly congested. We can no longer afford to wait. We must act now.

While some industry players are naturally "good Earth citizens," embedding sustainability into their processes from the outset as part of their DNA, others face challenges due to the pressures of a competitive market. These players may see sustainability requirements as an additional burden rather than an opportunity.

The most effective way to drive change across the sector is to link sustainability requirements directly to critical processes such as funding, licensing, or reporting. For example, agencies can incorporate sustainability criteria when procuring missions, or require compliance as part of launch licences or emission permits. Similarly, initiatives like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) create an accountability framework that encourages stakeholders to adopt responsible practices.

Given the current difficulties in reaching a global consensus on sustainable policies and environmental issues on Earth – such as the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – and with some political groups adopting positions of climate change denial or scepticism, do you think that space-related environmental responsibility is a priority for governments today?

I don't think environmental responsibility in space is a priority for most governments today. Policymakers often perceive space as far away and vast, making it seem less pressing. However, citizens can play a crucial role in pressuring their governments to pay more attention to this topic.

This is particularly important because the most effective laws governing space activities today are national laws. Change needs to happen at the national level, and citizen influence is key to making that happen. By training students on these matters and sharing our knowledge with the general public, we aim to raise awareness and encourage citizens to push for stronger government action.

In this context, being part of the Space Cities Network helps to amplify this bottom-up approach, allowing us to collaborate and raise awareness globally, while empowering communities to demand action from their governments.

Why is adopting sustainable practices in space important for life on Earth? How can space activities have a direct negative environmental impact on our planet?

There isn’t a day when we don’t rely on space-based infrastructure. From global navigation systems (like the map applications on our smartphones) to accurate weather predictions, space technology plays a critical role in our daily lives. Beyond this, it underpins our resilience in critical areas such as emergency monitoring, telemedicine, remote education, and secure communication in conflict zones. If this infrastructure were to shut down suddenly, it would lead to chaos in our societies.

Like any other industry, space activities directly impact Earth through their design, production, and transport processes. However, space-specific impacts are particularly visible during launches and re-entries. For instance, rocket launches release exhaust gases that affect the upper atmosphere, while the combustion of spacecraft during re-entry can also have environmental consequences.

This is why we must ask ourselves how to lower the environmental footprint of space activities. This could involve reducing unnecessary travel, minimising waste, or developing more environmentally friendly propellants. As other industries are taking steps to reduce their impact, the space sector must also be responsible for its environmental footprint.

Is it possible to establish common international standards and create a shared consensus on space practices, and if so, what would it take to make it happen?

The United Nations has already defined Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines, and several working groups are actively working on their implementation. However, it is ultimately up to governments to incorporate these guidelines into their national regulations.

In Europe, organisations like the European Space Agency and the European Commission are leading significant efforts to establish standards for the European space sector. Globally, various initiatives are also underway to develop and promote these standards.

Every action taken contributes to this progress and demonstrates a growing global momentum toward sustainable practices in space.

Looking ahead, how do you see the Space Cities Network contributing to the agenda of responsible space development? What role do cities and associations play in fostering sustainable practices in this sector?

Cities are uniquely positioned to engage with their citizens and local stakeholders. Through the Space Cities Network, cities can share local best practices and implement concrete solutions while learning from one another’s experiences.

The Network also plays a critical role in fostering global collaboration by creating opportunities for students and young professionals. By facilitating travel and exposure to new cultures and perspectives, we can ensure that all visions and perspectives of space sustainability are embraced.

This interview is part of HQ’s series exploring the Space Cities Network and its commitment to responsible space development. Don’t miss our previous conversation with Gérald Howard, Senior Business Development Manager at Lausanne Montreux Congress, and Claire Hector-Taylor, Business Development Manager – International at ChristchurchNZ, where they discuss the Network’s launch and its global ambitions.

You can also read our interview with Grégoire Bourban, Head of Space Exchange Switzerland (SXS), who highlights the importance of international collaboration in advancing space innovation. Read more here.