The Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing at the National University of Singapore and Kumi Analytics have formalised a partnership to develop comprehensive methodologies for blue carbon projects.
The MOU was signed yesterday at the Global Space Technology Convention and Exhibition 2025 (GSTCE). The collaboration aims to create robust methodologies that utilise satellite data to monitor and assess blue carbon ecosystems, focusing on mangroves, seagrass, and seaweed. These ecosystems are critical for carbon sequestration, especially in Southeast Asia and other tropical regions.
These habitats not only absorb large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide but also provide vital benefits such as coastal protection, biodiversity support, and water quality improvement. Mangroves, in particular, store carbon up to four times more efficiently than terrestrial forests, while seagrass and seaweed contribute significantly to marine carbon cycling and serve as essential habitats for marine life.
The Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing at the National University of Singapore (NUS CRISP) has been a leader in remote sensing and satellite data analytics, specialising in monitoring the terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environments using multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal and synthetic aperture radar data.
The centre provides a wide range of customised products and services utilising both established techniques and those developed in-house with science-based and machine-learning models. Their expertise includes the development of remote sensing algorithms for estimating water quality and shallow water bathymetry and techniques relevant to analysing seagrass and other blue carbon-related aspects.
Kumi Analytics, headquartered in Singapore, specialises in using machine learning to analyse satellite and remote sensing data to drive sustainable and profitable business outcomes. Notably, Kumi Analytics was the first company to develop a commercially implemented mangrove carbon sequestration estimation methodology based on the use of satellite imagery.
The partnership will cover the entire lifecycle of blue carbon projects, from evaluating potential project areas and generating carbon stock/flux estimations to long-term monitoring. Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems. By integrating CRISP’s research capabilities with Kumi Analytics’ technological solutions, the collaboration aims to enhance the accuracy, efficiency and transparency of blue carbon assessments.
Developing such methodologies in Singapore aligns with the nation’s commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. Singapore’s established international relationships position it to share these advancements globally, benefiting ecosystems worldwide and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Both organisations will assemble a diverse team of research partners, consultants, and end-users to research, build, test, and optimise the blue carbon methodology and toolkit. This partnership signifies a vital step toward developing commercially available tools and methodologies derived from advanced research and development, establishing a robust research-to-market lifecycle for new technology development in the blue carbon sector.
