Tracking textile supply chain biodiversity indicators with Copernicus data
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation, Danish fashion brand GANNI has launched a pilot project in collaboration with EUSPA to better identify the drivers of biodiversity loss across key areas of its supply chain. The initiative, featured in GANNI’s recently released Responsibility Report, explores how Copernicus satellite data can support fashion brands in measuring and mitigating their environmental impact. Facilitated by Renoon, a Digital Product Passport provider bridging fashion and innovation, the collaboration connected the fashion sector with EUSPA’s expertise, making the pilot possible. This marks the first step toward integrating Earth observation insights into biodiversity monitoring across the fashion industry.
The start-up KANOP, by combining historical and near real-time satellite data and powerful AI models, analysed land cover and ecological changes between 2017 and 2025 in areas surrounding three of GANNI’s suppliers—two in Portugal and one in Italy—who are already involved in the company’s carbon insetting initiatives. These areas were selected for their strategic importance and their potential to provide a representative picture of biodiversity dynamics along the supply chain. The solution leverages a suite of Copernicus data products, including optical and radar satellite imagery (Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2), vegetation indices, soil moisture metrics, and land use classifications (Copernicus Land Monitoring Service). These datasets enable the detection of environmental stressors and long-term changes in land use, playing a crucial role in identifying potential drivers of biodiversity loss such as habitat fragmentation, infrastructure development, or changes in vegetation productivity.
By assessing the current state of biodiversity and monitoring changes over time, this pilot contributed to the development of a set of practical, science-based indicators. These indicators are intended to guide future biodiversity strategies, both within GANNI’s operations and potentially as a reference for broader fashion industry practices. The results help quantify habitat composition, fragmentation, vegetation condition, and human impact across the studied regions. Combined, these insights provide a more detailed understanding of the environmental footprint associated with fashion production—an industry increasingly called upon to align with global sustainability goals.
In the project was also involved the startup company Renoon, a Digital Product Passport solution provider, supporting data collection and enhancing product storytelling. As part of the pilot, Renoon explored how satellite data can be translated into insights for Digital Product Passports, strengthening their sustainability and traceability platform.
This partnership aligns with EUSPA’s broader mission to showcase the practical value that EU Space services can bring to both industry and society. In particular, it supports the objectives of the Green Transition and contributes to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially those focused on climate action, biodiversity conservation, and responsible production. This pilot demonstrates how the innovative use of space data can equip organisations to make more informed, accountable, and sustainable decisions, paving the way for more resilient supply chains across Europe and beyond.
Got interested in the use cases? Would you like to explore how Copernicus could benefit your organisation? EUSPA can support textile and fashion companies through initiatives such as the Copernicus Demonstrators, helping them recognise their specific needs, identify matching Copernicus-based solutions, and implement pilot projects. Fashion and Textile companies interested in exploring these opportunities are encouraged to contact EUSPA at market@euspa.europa.eu.
Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website.