Synspective was selected as the Japanese corporate partner for the Jamaica project under UNDP's Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge and will conduct a coastal monitoring demonstration project. It will use satellite data and AI to support adaptation to rising sea levels and ecosystem conservation in Jamaica's Portland Bight Protected Area.
Synspective announced that it had been selected as the Japanese corporate partner for a Jamaica-focused project in the sixth round of the Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In cooperation with the UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office, it will develop and demonstrate a coastal monitoring solution.
The project will focus on the Portland Bight Protected Area and use satellite data and AI to map habitats, detect changes and rapidly map flooded and inundated areas. It aims to monitor the long-term condition of ecosystems including mangroves, wetlands and sandy beaches, identify highly vulnerable locations and extract priority areas for conservation.
Satellite observations will combine SAR and optical data, comparing maps from different periods to quantify changes in coastlines and ecosystems. SAR's ability to penetrate clouds will be used to assess damage after floods and support government agencies in prioritising their response. Verification and training will also be conducted in cooperation with Jamaica's NEPA and local authorities.
The project is scheduled to run through February 2027. After completion, expansion to other parts of Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole will be considered. The project aims to incorporate the development tools into national coastal management and planning and contribute to achieving SDG11, SDG13 and SDG14.