Environmental science

To better understand and help mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere, the global aviation industry is working on advancements in environmental science for air- and space-borne technologies.

Using a solid foundation in science, we are helping the industry reduce the impacts of existing and emerging environmental risks using research designed to enhance our understanding of and ability to predict atmospheric and surface conditions.

Our expertise

To support the development of technologies and unique aerospace capabilities that will accelerate Canada's transition to net-zero emissions, the NRC's Aerospace Research Centre is prioritizing its work in environmental science. The strategic goal of this focus area is to conduct science-based environmental studies that will inform government policy makers and guide future investments through the deployment of unique aerospace capabilities.

Using advanced aerospace platforms, sensors and expertise, we provide leadership to the environmental science community through the practice of advanced data-driven methods in areas of high societal impact.

Our research focuses on revolutionary technologies in the following 3 R&D and innovation pillars with our strategic partners:

• Earth and atmospheric ecosystem phenomena leading to improved and actionable knowledge of climate change (e.g. wildfires, anthropogenic and natural emissions, fundamental earth and atmosphere dynamics, invasive species and biozone change)
• New and improved airborne technology and scientific methodology applied to characterization, modelling and digitization techniques of environmental systems
• Validation of in situ airborne and space-based Earth observation sensors for environmental applications

Cross-cutting themes for the 3 pillars:

• Atmospheric science
• Earth surface science
• Development of models and methodologies
• Engineering, development and validation of sensors

Programs and initiatives

Discover other NRC programs and initiatives that support Canada's environmental science goals:

Facilities and labs

Learn more about the NRC's Aerospace Research Centre's facilities and labs that can help you succeed with your environmental science projects:

• Convair 580 research aircraft
• Twin Otter research aircraft
• Flight test and evaluation centre

Success stories

Learn more about our milestones and accomplishments in the field of environmental science research:

• The NRC's advanced wildfire research "sparks" excellent results
• First of its kind satellite to measure wind in clouds chosen for the next European space mission
• When science meets space! Memorandum of understanding between the NRC and the CSA will strengthen R&D collaboration in support of Canada's space program
• The NRC's Aerospace Research Centre and its partners find a method for reducing building energy overconsumption
• Cloudy with a chance of research
• A new "eye in the sky" is revealing hidden features on Earth
• National Research Council of Canada collaborates with European Space Agency to validate satellite sensor data

Scientific publications

• Coincident in situ and triple-frequency radar airborne observations in the Arctic (in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques)
• Exploring the spectral variation hypothesis for α- and β-diversity: a comparison of open vegetation and forests (in Environmental Research Letters)
• Airborne and ground-based measurements of aerosol optical depth of freshly emitted anthropogenic plumes in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
• Mapping canopy traits over Québec using airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
• Radiative closure tests of collocated hyperspectral microwave and infrared radiometers (in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques)
• Assessing the impact of illumination on UAV pushbroom hyperspectral imagery collected under various cloud cover conditions (in Remote Sensing of Environment)
• Implementation of polarization diversity pulse-pair technique using airborne W-band radar (in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques)
• Spectral Reflectance of Polar Bear and Other Large Arctic Mammal Pelts; Potential Applications to Remote Sensing Surveys (in Remote Sensing)
• Experiment of Sea Breeze Convection, Aerosols, Precipitation and Environment, ESCAPE (in Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society)
• Remotely sensed carbon content: The role of tree composition and tree diversity (in Remote Sensing of Environment)
• Total organic carbon measurements reveal major gaps in petrochemical emissions reporting (in Science)

Why work with us

Our specialized services range from consulting to the use of the NRC's unique world-class facilities with staff expertise in remote sensing, cloud microphysics, aerosols and Earth observations. We have experience in and a long history of delivering research, nationally and internationally, working with partners from other Canadian government departments and international organizations.

With our experts and facilities dedicated to environmental science, we can work with you to advance your environmental science projects and research.

• Collaborative R&D: In a joint effort, our research expertise can help you advance your R&D projects
• Technical services: Our technical expertise can help you test and mature your technology and take it to the next level

Related links

• NRC facilities renewal – Convair 580 aircraft replacement
• Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope airborne field campaigns (Politecnico di Torino) mission – prelaunch suborbital flight campaign
• Ontario leads new research into aerial firefighting (TBnewswatch.com)
• Trixie HPC wiki (GitHub)
• EUMETSAT furthers ties with international partners to maximize impact of Earth observation data
• HAWC mission: Clouds and aerosols to help predict climate change

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