The recent Space Sustainability Forum held by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicated a broad consensus among governments and the industry on keeping outer space viable for humanity’s future.
The discussions, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland on 10-11 September, suggested governments, space agencies, and the private sector know they must work together internationally to keep space sustainable.
Notable outcomes and conclusions of the Space Sustainability Forum include:
- Acknowledgment of the unifying nature of space and the collective responsibility to ensure a safe, peaceful, and responsible space environment for all humanity.
- Recognition of the various dimensions of space sustainability – environmental, operational, economic and scientific – and the functions of different types of organizations, such as policy-setting, regulatory and standards-setting bodies, coordination organizations, research and advocacy committees, as well as industry and the private sector. In that regard, addressing space sustainability is a complex, multi-faceted effort involving numerous organizations with specific roles.
- Highlighting industry’s important role in space sustainability, with many operators integrating sustainable practices into their business models due to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, as well as for reputational benefits.
- Affirming the enormous economic and social benefits of weather, climate, hydrological, and related environmental services, particularly for early warnings and climate action, which rely on the effective operation of Earth-observation satellite systems. The forum emphasized the crucial role of space-based observation in delivering these services and supporting humanitarian action and security.
- Recognition that future generations have a significant stake in the long-term sustainability of space, with interests that must be addressed in decision-making processes.
- Consensus on the importance of addressing space sustainability challenges, with a call for immediate action to enhance collaboration, transparency, and trust among all space actors.
- The need for capacity-building and more user-friendly tools for new entrants in the space sector, as well as support for regulators in promulgating space sustainability practices.
- The importance of partnerships and connections among the various United Nations specialized agencies, such as the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and other relevant bodies, each working within its respective mandate, to leverage data and expertise to secure the benefits coming from space.
- Agreement on the necessity of international collaboration to tackle space sustainability issues effectively, as no single nation or entity can solve these challenges alone.
- A proposal for the ITU to facilitate information sharing, disseminate best practices, and develop a space sustainability toolkit to aid in implementing best practices for the sustainable use of the radio frequency spectrum for space services.
- The suggestion to incorporate more space-related content across ITU capacity-building platforms and activities, such as the ITU Academy and annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR), to build bridges and foster inclusiveness in the space sustainability dialogue.
- The decision that ITU should co-create another edition of the Space Sustainability Forum with other relevant organizations and UN offices to continue the momentum and work towards actionable solutions for space sustainability.
Overall, the first Space Sustainability Forum suggested a consensus on the importance of space sustainability, as well as the need for coordinated, pragmatic, and inclusive actions to ensure the long-term viability of space activities for current and future generations.
Source: https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/11/outcomes-of-itus-first-space-sustainability-forum/