Distant Imagery Solutions
The UAE Innovator Democratizing Climate-Tech
Video courtesy of Reflections
Who is Distant Imagery Solutions? Founded in 2019, Distant Imagery Solutions is a UAE climate-tech company that blends advanced aerial technology with a nature-first, community-led approach to ecosystem restoration. Leading the charge - Jane Glaven, Distant Imagery’s co-founder and a Sustain Global - UAE member, While working at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Jane hit a frustrating roadblock: climate tech was powerful, but way too expensive and often not fit-for-purpose. Faced with that reality, Jane enlisted co-founder Corey and did what any unstoppable force for nature would do—launched a company to make high-impact climate tech affordable, scalable, and mirroring nature.
The Journey So Far… Distant Imagery is not just talking impact—they’re delivering it. To date, the business has planted over 9.5 million mangroves using their purpose-built aerial climate-tech, restoring coastline ecosystems at scale and partnering with major players like:
🌍 ENGIE, ADNOC, and Mubadala Energy
🌿 Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)
Why We Think They’re Awesome: Distant Imagery Solutions isn’t just another climate-tech company. Here’s what makes them special:
🌿 Nature-First, Not Tech-First – Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, Distant Imagery takes the time to deeply understand local ecosystems before designing custom-built solutions. Their technology doesn’t disrupt nature—it mirrors and enhances natural processes, using locally available and recycled materials to ensure sustainability at every level.
🤝 Community-Led for Lasting Impact – Real restoration isn’t just about planting trees. Distant Imagery partners with local communities, co-building solutions that they fully own. This means the technology is not only tailored to their environment, but also managed and operated by those who know it best—ensuring enduring social and environmental impact.
🚀 Smart, Scalable Restoration – Distant Imagery gives nature a bold assist with precision drone seeding, AI-powered monitoring, and MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification). The result? Faster, more efficient ecosystem regeneration at scale.
📡 Beyond Restoration – Data-Driven Conservation – Their technology doesn’t just track environment regeneration—it safeguards entire ecosystems. From biodiversity health to illegal fishing, poaching, and deforestation, their real-time data helps optimize conservation efforts across entire ecosystems.
And If Cooling the Planet and Restoring Ecosystems Wasn’t Enough… Distant Imagery, in collaboration with Sustain Global and Earth Matters Consultancy, has launched The Guardian Partnership, a game-changing nonprofit initiative that democratizes climate-tech—putting powerful tools directly into the hands of indigenous communities in the global south who safeguard our planet’s most critical ecosystems. But this isn’t just about handing over powerful tech and walking away. The Guardian Partnership partners with communities to co-build each project and the necessary climate-tech so that communities have complete ownership of the project, technology, and full revenue retention.
The goal? Protect and restore critical ecosystems across the global south with the UAE as a driver of global impact - showcasing to the world the right way to deploy climate-tech, following nature-first principles and with communities in the driving seat.
The Guardian Partnership is seeking strategic partners here in the UAE to scale the initiative - if taking a founding stake in a pioneering UAE-led movement that is redefining how innovation and community leadership protect natural ecosystems inspires you, then Check out The Guardian Partnership
The World is Taking Notice
🏆 WEF Uplink Top Innovator
🏆 Finalist, Zayed Sustainability Prize
🏆 Earthshot Prize Nominee 2025
🏆 PwC Net Zero Future 50
🏆 Jane Glaven, recently named one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in the Middle East 2025, is a globally recognized thought leader, regularly speaking at top climate and sustainability events worldwide.
Stay Tuned
With Distant Imagery Solutions scaling faster than ever, this is just the beginning. Follow their journey…
