The Swiss Data Cube is a national Earth observation platform that provides long-term, consistent satellite data for Switzerland. Its primary purpose is to support environmental monitoring and analysis using harmonised time-series data. For finance professionals, it offers reliable environmental information that can inform risk, ESG, and long-term trend analysis.

Organisation behind the tool

The Swiss Data Cube is developed and maintained through a collaboration led by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, with scientific and technical support from research institutions including the University of Geneva and the University of Zurich. It forms part of Switzerland’s national environmental monitoring and Earth observation infrastructure and aligns with international Earth observation standards.

What the tool does

The tool provides access to analysis-ready satellite data covering Switzerland over multiple decades. Key functions include:

• Integration of satellite imagery (notably Landsat and Sentinel missions) into a single, standardised data cube.
• Provision of long-term time series that allow users to analyse environmental change over time.
• Tools to assess land cover, vegetation dynamics, surface water, snow cover, and other environmental indicators.
• Ability to visualise and analyse spatial and temporal trends through predefined products and user-driven queries.
• Access for users to extract and download processed datasets for further analysis.
• The platform focuses on consistency and comparability, reducing the technical burden typically associated with raw satellite data.

Target audience

The primary users are researchers, environmental analysts, and public authorities involved in monitoring and managing natural resources. Policymakers and government agencies use the tool for evidence-based environmental decision-making. The platform is also relevant to private sector analysts and consultants who require credible, long-term environmental data. Access for the general public is available for viewing and basic analysis.

Relevance to finance professionals

For finance professionals, the Swiss Data Cube can support several analytical and decision-making contexts:

Risk assessment

• Identification of exposure to environmental hazards such as floods, droughts, land degradation, or changes in snow cover.
• Assessment of physical climate risks affecting assets, infrastructure, or regions within Switzerland.

ESG analysis

• Use of objective environmental indicators to support environmental reporting and monitoring.
• Input into assessments of land use change, ecosystem condition, and resource pressures relevant to environmental performance.

Market and sector insights

• Analysis of trends affecting agriculture, forestry, water resources, and energy-related land use.
• Contextual data to support scenario analysis for sectors sensitive to climate and environmental change.

Investment context

• Long-term datasets that help identify structural environmental trends rather than short-term variability.
• Support for due diligence and portfolio exposure analysis related to environmental conditions in Switzerland.

Overall, the Swiss Data Cube provides a credible, science-based data source that can strengthen environmental analysis underpinning sustainable finance and risk management activities.