Justice and ethics in conservation remote sensing: Current discourses and research needs

Advances in remote sensing are transforming research and practice in biodiversity conservation. But the increasing use of these technologies and data also provokes major ethical and social justice questions. In this scoping review, we examine the extent to and ways in which ethics and justice are discussed in relation to uses of remote sensing in conservation. Our literature search identifies only 31 peer-reviewed English language papers containing substantive discussion of justice and/or ethics and conservation remote sensing. Within these papers, emergent themes and tensions include the use of remote sensing technologies for surveillance (and the extent to which this is framed as positive or negative), the militarised associations of remote sensing technologies, the ways that remote sensing technologies can disrupt or harden power asymmetries, and whether the greatest ethical risks or benefits are seen as being for people or other species. Building on recommendations identified in this review, we reflect on how conservation can learn from work on data ethics in other fields, such as the ethics of artificial intelligence. We also discuss the mechanisms (such as formal laws, journal review procedures, and greater individual reflexivity) which could support the use of remote sensing technologies and data to advance socially just conservation. Finally, we highlight research priorities including the need for more comparative case study analyses, greater research efforts on the political economy and geopolitics of conservation remote sensing, and work which situates novel technologies within longer-standing debates about ethics and philosophies of biodiversity conservation.

Automated summary

Advancements in remote sensing technology have brought significant changes to biodiversity conservation research and practices, but also raise important issues regarding ethics and social justice. A scoping review was conducted to examine the current level and discussions of ethics and justice in the use of remote sensing in conservation. The findings reveal a limited number of peer-reviewed papers addressing justice and ethics in this context. The reviewed literature highlights themes such as the surveillance implications of remote sensing, its militarized associations, power asymmetry disruptions caused by these technologies, and the ethical considerations for different species. Drawing from the recommendations in the review, this article reflects on how conservation can learn from data ethics research in other fields, and discusses potential mechanisms to promote socially just conservation using remote sensing technologies and data. Research priorities are identified, including more comparative case studies, investigations into the political economy and geopolitics of conservation remote sensing, and exploration of ethical and philosophical perspectives in biodiversity conservation.