CA-ESRI
24.6.2021 14:02:10 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Esri , the global leader in location intelligence, today announced it is releasing for the first time ever a new high-resolution, 2020 global land cover map as part of the company’s Living Atlas . The map was built using European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, and developed using a new machine learning workflow teaming with new Esri Silver Partner Impact Observatory , as well as long-time partner Microsoft.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210624005176/en/
The new map will be updated annually supporting change detection and highlighting planetary land changes, especially related to the effects of human activity. A consistent map of land cover for the entire world based on the most current satellite information, the 2020 Global Land Cover Map can be combined with other data layers for green infrastructure, sustainability projects, and other conservation efforts that require a holistic picture of both the human and natural footprint on the planet. Later this year, Esri and Impact Observatory will make this new land cover model available to support on-demand land cover classification, allowing the GIS community to create maps for project areas as often as every week.
"This is a critical year for climate action," said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. "With the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) bringing international parties together to address a set of common goals, we are happy to do our part in making this map available to users that are working towards the health of our planet."
Users will also be able to manipulate the map in association with other GIS layers such as terrain, hydrology, and more, all available in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, the foremost collection of geographic information from around the globe, including maps, apps, and data layers. Through the visualizations being released, planners worldwide will better understand the geography around them to make more informed decisions—enabling them to gain insight into locations with distinctive land cover, as well as human activity affecting them.
High-resolution, open, accurate, comparable, and timely land cover maps are critical for decision-makers in many industry sectors and developing nations. These maps improve understanding of important topics such as food security, land use planning, hydrology modeling, and resource management planning. In addition, national government resource agencies use land cover as a basis for understanding trends in natural capital, which helps define land planning priorities and is the basis of budget allocations.
Impact Observatory, contracted by Esri, developed a deep learning AI land classification model using a massive training dataset of billions of human-labeled image pixels, and applied this model to the Sentinel-2 2020 scene collection, processing over 400,000 Earth observations to produce the map. The unique machine learning approach used to create this global map will soon be available on demand, supporting land managers who need to monitor change in a specific area of interest, looking at annual change and seasonal differences in land cover.
"Global efforts are urging world leaders to set and achieve ambitious conservation targets," said Steve Brumby, Impact Observatory co-founder and CEO. "With support from the geospatial experts at Esri, and access to incredible compute resources at Microsoft, we were able to build in record time a land cover map that provides leaders in governments, NGOs, and across industries with a novel, timely view of the planet, and a new AI-powered capability for actionable, science-based insights on demand. In doing so, Impact Observatory hopes to contribute towards the global conservation effort."
Esri is releasing this valuable resource under a Creative Commons license to encourage broad adoption and ensure equitable access for planners creating a more sustainable planet. This content will be made available in ArcGIS Online as a map service and be freely available for use by its 10 million users. It will also be available for download and viewing. To explore the new 2020 Global Land Cover Map, visit livingatlas.arcgis.com/landcover .
About Impact Observatory
Impact Observatory is a mission-driven technology company bringing artificial intelligence (AI) powered algorithms and on-demand data to sustainability and environmental risk analysis for governments, non-profit organizations, companies, and markets. Founded in 2020 in Washington, DC, Impact Observatory’s goal is to empower global decision-makers to be planetary superheroes, with the timely, actionable science-based insights they need to succeed. Visit us at impactobservatory.com .
About Esri
Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com .
Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210624005176/en/
Link:
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
IFF Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results3.11.2026 22:30:00 CET | Press release
Delivered Strong Sales, Profit and Cash Flow Performance in Third Quarter 2026Raising Low-End of Full Year 2026 Financial Guidance RangesRecently Completed $500M Share Repurchase AuthorizationFood Ingredients Divestiture Progressing Well and On Track to Close by End of Second Quarter 2027 IFF (NYSE: IFF) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. Results are presented on a continuing operations basis, excluding the Food Ingredients business and other minor perimeter adjustments (the “Food Ingredients disposal group”), and the Soy Crush, Concentrates, and Lecithin businesses (the “SCL disposal group”). The Food Ingredients disposal group and the SCL disposal group are reported as discontinued operations. Management Commentary “IFF delivered a solid third quarter, with improved sales and profitability across all divisions,” said Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF. “Taste and Scent delivered strong top- and bottom-line results, and Health & Biosciences improved modes
2026–2027 World Branding Awards Honours Global “Brand of the Year” Winners at Hampton Court Palace3.11.2026 21:00:00 CET | Press release
The World Branding Awards returned to honour the brands that continue to set the benchmark for excellence. The 2026–2027 World Branding Awards Ceremony took place at the iconic Hampton Court Palace, marking the 21st edition of the awards. Set within the grandeur of a historic venue, the prestigious event brought together guests from across the globe for a memorable celebration. The evening was hosted by the acclaimed BBC presenter, Hannah Gray, and was further enriched by a keynote presentation from renowned speaker Adrian Webster. Earning a World Branding Awards remains a highly distinguished achievement. Winners are determined through a rigorous evaluation process encompassing brand valuation, consumer market research, and public online voting. This year, over 105,000 consumers took part in the voting process, and more than 2,000 brands from 62 countries were nominated. Of these, less than 10 brands from each country were declared the “Brand of the Year” across the Global, Regional,
Gencom Acquires Rosewood London, Expanding Its Footprint With Its First Luxury Hotel Acquisition in Europe3.11.2026 19:05:00 CET | Press release
Located in one of the world’s most prestigious hospitality corridors, the acquisition of the 308-key hotel represents a major milestone in the firm’s international growth. Gencom, a U.S.-based investment firm that owns and develops prized real estate around the world, announces the acquisition of Rosewood London, the landmark 308-key luxury hotel situated at 252 High Holborn in Central London. The acquisition strengthens Gencom’s global hospitality investment platform and expands its presence in Europe through its first luxury hotel asset in London. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261103137897/en/ Gencom, a U.S.-based investment firm that owns and develops prized real estate around the world, announces the acquisition of Rosewood London in Central London London is one of the world’s most supply-constrained hospitality markets, supported by year-round demand from both leisure and business travelers. The acquisi
SGCA Honours Communication Excellence Across Asia, Europe and the Arab World3.11.2026 16:52:00 CET | Press release
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, honoured winners of the 13th Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA), organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261103972039/en/ SGCA honours communication excellence across Asia, Europe and the Arab world (Photo: AETOSWire) Winners represented China, India, Thailand, Ukraine and the Arab world. Some 433 entries from 31 countries across four continents passed initial screening. The award covered 23 categories across five sectors, including six partner awards. His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, highlighted the award’s growth under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, noting that it had attracted more than 9,500 entries over five year
BioLife to Showcase Oral Peptide Delivery Technology During London Life Sciences Week3.11.2026 16:03:00 CET | Press release
Company to highlight granted patent portfolio, preclinical semaglutide data and potential applications across future peptide medicines at LSX Investival BioLife Products Limited today announced its participation in London Life Sciences Week, where it will highlight its patented oral peptide delivery technology and recent advances in its intellectual property portfolio. BioLife will present at the LSX Investival Showcase on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. GMT, at Old Billingsgate, London. The presentation will be led by Former US Ambassador James P. Cain, Strategic Advisor to the Chairman & Founder, alongside Ludivine Delattre, Business and Corporate Relations, and will highlight the scientific journey behind the technology and its potential applications. BioLife is focused on developing a novel approach to delivering peptide therapeutics orally. Built on over 35 years of pharmaceutical effervescence expertise and two decades of oral peptide research by founder and inv
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom