Space is one of the UK’s fastest-growing industry sectors of the last decade. Recognising this, in 2021 the UK Government’s first National Space Strategy established a new vision to make the nation one of the most innovative and attractive worldwide space economies. As part of the strategic funding programme, in 2023, the UK Space Agency (UKSA) funded a scoping study to assess the potential of satellite data to address issues that the three North East England Local Resilience Forums face at all stages of implementing the UK’s Integrated Emergency Management Framework (IEMF). Through dedicated workshops convened by two North East England universities, regional stakeholders from the emergency domain and related industries identified three case studies ripe for applying satellite data in support of multi-agency IEMF activities. Master’s students in the UK’s Centre for Doctoral Training in Geospatial Systems then undertook a month-long integrated group project to assess the potential for satellite imagery to be applied in the identified application areas. The research reported in this paper demonstrates how satellite imagery may be adopted to help address challenges posed during power outages, for mitigating illegal waste site fires, and during periods of snow and extreme cold. While the maturity levels of satellite applications vary in the three case studies due to data availability and image resolution, all three cases demonstrate that space data, particularly when augmented with additional geospatial information, help to enhance IEMF analysis. It is anticipated that the findings from the study will help stakeholders involved in IEMF management appreciate the added value of integrating satellite data into their current processes and analyses. By empowering key stakeholders to use satellite applications more effectively, it is predicted that better decisions will be achieved, thereby improving emergency risk management. A prototype dashboard, an output of the research to demonstrate the potential of space data for emergency management, is available online.

Wastewater effluent can introduce nutrients that drive eutrophication and oxygen depletion in river systems, impacting their chemical and ecological status under the Water Framework Directive. Microbial degradation of effluent can also generate indirect greenhouse gases, which are increasingly relevant for meeting Net Zero goals. Understanding effluent behaviour in tidal rivers, where transport and mixing are complex, is therefore critical for effective catchment management. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of effluent discharge in the lower River Tyne, which receives continuous treated wastewater from Howdon Sewage Treatment Works, by applying a multi-phased approach that combines geospatial analysis, hydrodynamic modelling, and field measurements. Historical datasets have been analysed to characterise patterns and variability in effluent discharge, highlighting the need for targeted monitoring to capture biogeochemical hotspots. Two- and three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations will be used to explore effluent transport and mixing under varying tidal and flow conditions and will be validated against in situ observations. Ongoing field campaigns monitor several water quality parameters, alongside Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler surveys to resolve flow structure and stratification. Model outputs will be integrated with observed data to identify zones of minimal and maximal effluent impact and to estimate indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, this research will enhance our understanding of effluent dynamics in aquatic systems, providing insights for monitoring strategies and catchment management under current and future environmental conditions.