Nature-based projects are generating more environmental data than ever before. Satellites observe landscapes from orbit, while field teams capture what is happening on the ground. Yet these data sources often remain disconnected, limiting their value for project developers, investors and carbon markets.
Phi Earth Technologies and Australian Earth intelligence company LatConnect 60 (LC60) announced a strategic partnership to bridge that gap by connecting satellite Earth Observation with validated field intelligence for nature-based projects.
The collaboration will integrate LC60’s Earth Observation capabilities with Phi Earth’s audit-ready digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) platform, laying the foundation for an Earth Observation-enabled Digital Twin. Together, the companies will combine intelligence from space with ground-truthed field data to create a continuous feedback loop that strengthens both operational decision-making and environmental reporting.
The partnership goes beyond measuring outcomes after they occur. By combining complementary strengths, it is designed to support projects from early planning through ongoing monitoring, helping project developers, landowners and ecosystem partners make better operational decisions throughout the project lifecycle. As projects progress, field observations continuously validate satellite-derived insights, improving the quality of Earth intelligence while providing more actionable operational intelligence on the ground.
“The value of good data isn’t simply in collecting it. It’s in helping people make better decisions,” said Stewart Gunnery, CEO of Phi Earth Technologies. “By connecting what satellites can see with what we’re measuring on the ground, we can build a much clearer picture of how nature-based projects are performing. That helps project developers operate more effectively while giving investors and stakeholders greater confidence in the environmental outcomes we’re all working towards.”
The collaboration will initially support projects in Malaysia and Australia across biomass and regenerative agriculture. Early applications include napier grass, sweet sorghum and agave, expanding the diversity of crop environments supported through the partnership. That diversity enables LC60 to demonstrate its Earth Observation capabilities across a broader range of biomass systems beyond traditional crop applications, while providing Phi Earth with richer ground-truth data to strengthen its digital platform across different operating environments.
“We’re excited to see our Earth Observation capabilities supporting real projects in the field. That’s where Earth intelligence proves its value,” said Venkat Pillay, CEO & Founder of LC60. “Working with Phi Earth allows us to demonstrate how our data can strengthen digital MRV while expanding into new biomass crops and nature-based applications. We want to show the market how satellite-based Earth Observation can help deliver practical outcomes for project developers, landowners and the broader climate economy.”
As demand grows for transparent, verifiable and operationally useful environmental data, digital infrastructure is becoming as important as the projects themselves. By connecting space, Earth intelligence, ground truth and operational intelligence, Phi Earth and LC60 are helping build a stronger digital foundation for regenerative agriculture, biomass and high-integrity carbon projects. LC60’s very high resolution Short Wave Infra Red (SWIR) Satellite Earth Observation constellation, also known as the SWIRSAT constellation, will generate unique datasets to drive insights around biomass growth, biomass moisture and carbon sequestration. LC60’s roadmap includes two SWIRSATs launching in Q1 2027 and an 18-satellite constellation by 2029. SWIRSAT is supported by the Australian Space Agency and the Government of Western Australia.
Facts Only
* Phi Earth Technologies partnered with LatConnect 60 (LC60).
* The partnership connects satellite Earth Observation with validated field intelligence for nature-based projects.
* The collaboration integrates LC60’s Earth Observation capabilities with Phi Earth’s digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) platform.
* The goal is to lay the foundation for an Earth Observation-enabled Digital Twin.
* The combined effort creates a continuous feedback loop using space intelligence and ground data.
* The project scope initially supports biomass and regenerative agriculture in Malaysia and Australia.
* Early applications include napier grass, sweet sorghum, and agave.
* LC60’s Short Wave Infra Red (SWIR) Satellite Earth Observation constellation is referenced.
* LC60 plans to launch two SWIRSATs in Q1 2027 and an 18-satellite constellation by 2029.
Executive Summary
A partnership was announced between Phi Earth Technologies and LatConnect 60 (LC60) to connect satellite Earth Observation with validated field intelligence for nature-based projects. This collaboration integrates LC60’s Earth Observation capabilities with Phi Earth’s digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) platform to establish an Earth Observation-enabled Digital Twin. The goal is to create a continuous feedback loop by combining space-based data with ground-truthed field observations to improve operational decision-making and environmental reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
The initiative will initially focus on biomass and regenerative agriculture projects in Malaysia and Australia, specifically involving crops like napier grass, sweet sorghum, and agave. This allows LC60 to demonstrate Earth Observation capabilities across diverse biomass systems and provides Phi Earth with richer ground-truth data for its digital platform. The collaboration aims to support project developers, landowners, and ecosystem partners from planning through ongoing monitoring by validating satellite insights with field measurements.
Full Take
The framework described shifts the locus of value creation from passive data collection to dynamic, actionable intelligence through integration. The core implication is that the utility of remote sensing is fundamentally constrained by its context, which the partnership seeks to resolve by embedding spatial observation with operational reality. This addresses a systemic gap where large-scale environmental monitoring (space) lacks the necessary granular context for on-the-ground impact assessment (field).
The narrative positions digital infrastructure—specifically the combination of space, ground truth, and operational data—as a prerequisite for scalable climate action in sectors like regenerative agriculture and carbon markets. The drive toward a Digital Twin suggests a transition from static reporting to dynamic simulation and real-time governance over ecological systems. The fact that the focus is on expanding biomass diversity (agave, sorghum) indicates an attempt to use this technological synergy not just for established metrics but for emerging, complex biological systems where verification becomes harder.
The underlying pattern suggests a response to market demand: stakeholders require verifiable accountability, which necessitates closing the gap between abstract spatial data and tangible operational outcomes. The success of this bridge depends on maintaining the integrity of both the satellite observations and the field measurements. If the ground-truthing process is weak or inconsistent, the resulting "Earth intelligence" risks becoming an unverified overlay, potentially creating a false sense of security in high-stakes markets like carbon trading. The long-term implication rests on whether this integration fosters genuine operational resilience or merely creates a new layer of complex, proprietary data siloed for specific market advantages.
Bridge Questions: If the integration model proves effective, what governance structure is required to ensure data quality standards are harmonized across diverse regional and crop environments? How will the framework manage inevitable discrepancies arising from different sensor resolutions and field methodologies? What mechanisms must be established to ensure that access to this combined intelligence supports equitable decision-making for all ecosystem partners, not just project developers?
Sentinel — Human
This article is well-structured, grounded in specific technical partnerships and projected timelines, suggesting a foundation in human reporting or internal company communication rather than pure generation.