China is significantly expanding the use of space technology to support its climate change commitments, with a new greenhouse gas monitoring payload delivered to its space station aboard the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft, According to the Chinese state media.
The payload includes a lightweight, high-resolution greenhouse gas detection instrument developed under the leadership of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The device is designed to measure carbon dioxide and methane emissions from key sources across mid-to-low latitude regions of the Earth.
According to the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the instrument will provide high-frequency and accurate data to support greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, and verification systems, contributing to China’s long-term climate strategy.
China has set ambitious “dual carbon” targets peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Officials say the latest mission marks another step in integrating space-based technology into environmental governance. In recent years, China has launched multiple satellites for atmospheric and carbon monitoring, including systems equipped with advanced lidar technology capable of high-precision global observations.
Earlier initiatives include the launch of the TanSat satellite in 2016, China’s first global CO₂ monitoring satellite, which laid the foundation for scientific research on carbon cycles and international collaboration.
In 2022, China also introduced the Goumang satellite, the world’s first remote sensing satellite focused on forest carbon sinks, designed to monitor vegetation biomass and atmospheric conditions. It became fully operational in 2024.
Experts at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) say satellite-based monitoring provides a more precise “top-down” approach compared to traditional emission estimation methods, which rely heavily on statistical data and can vary in accuracy.
In addition to government-led initiatives, China’s private sector is also entering the field. A Ningbo-based startup, Dyscienc, has announced plans for a 28-satellite constellation dedicated to monitoring both carbon emissions and carbon absorption. The first satellite is expected to launch by the end of 2026, with near-real-time global monitoring targeted before 2030.