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Nonprofits operate in a dynamic environment where managing memberships effectively is more than just a necessity—it’s a foundation for growth and impact.

With the right membership management software, organizations can simplify operations, foster meaningful relationships, and create memorable experiences for their members. But with so many tools available, how do you choose the one that aligns best with your nonprofit’s goals?

This guide dives deep into what membership management software can do for your nonproft organization, explores its essential features and benefits, and highlights top solutions.

What is Membership Management Software for Nonprofits?

Definition and Core Functions

At its core, membership management software is a digital hub that allows nonprofits to organize, track, and engage their members seamlessly. It consolidates data, automates routine processes, and provides tools to foster deeper connections with members. This combination enables organizations to focus on their mission while leaving tedious administrative tasks to technology.

For nonprofits, this means more time for impactful initiatives, whether it’s fundraising, community engagement, or advocacy. The software becomes the backbone of an efficient and member-focused operation, from tracking memberships to automating renewals.

Evolution of Membership Tools in the Digital Era

Membership management tools have come a long way. Decades ago, spreadsheets and paper records were the norm. As digital technology advanced, tools became more sophisticated, evolving into cloud-based platforms equipped with artificial intelligence, robust analytics, and user-friendly interfaces.

Today, these tools do more than just manage memberships. They enable nonprofits to deliver personalized experiences, anticipate member needs, and measure success through data-driven insights—all in real time. This evolution reflects a shift in priorities: nonprofits are no longer just managing members; they’re building communities.

Key Features of Effective Membership Management Software for Nonprofits

Not all membership tools are created equal. The best solutions provide features that go beyond basic functionality, empowering nonprofits to achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.

Data Centralization and Accessibility

Imagine having all your member data—contact information, preferences, activity history—in one secure, easy-to-access place. Data centralization eliminates redundancies and ensures consistency, giving every team member a clear picture of who your members are and how they engage with your organization.

With centralized data, nonprofits can identify trends, segment their audience, and make decisions backed by insights rather than guesswork.

Automation of Routine Tasks

Repetitive administrative tasks like processing renewals, sending invoices, or managing event registrations can eat into valuable time. Membership management software automates these processes, freeing up staff to focus on high-value activities like building relationships and planning impactful programs.

By automating workflows, nonprofits can ensure consistency, reduce human errors, and maintain a professional image, all while saving time.

Member Engagement and Personalization

Today, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s an expectation. Membership software allows nonprofits to deliver tailored experiences to their members through targeted email campaigns, personalized event recommendations, and curated content.

Other Must-Have Features

In addition to the essentials, effective software might include:

Advanced Reporting: Real-time analytics to measure engagement and campaign performance.

Event Management: Tools for planning, promoting, and managing events seamlessly.

Mobile Accessibility: Allowing members and staff to connect on the go.

Benefits of Membership Management Software for Nonprofits

The advantages of adopting membership management software extend beyond saving time. Here’s how nonprofits can thrive with these tools:

Streamlining Member Onboarding and Engagement

First impressions matter, especially when welcoming new members. A good membership management system ensures a smooth onboarding process by automating registrations and providing personalized welcome messages.

Beyond onboarding, engagement tools help nonprofits stay connected with members through regular updates, event invitations, and opportunities to contribute to the cause.

Enhancing Member Communication

Effective communication is key to member retention and satisfaction. With built-in email marketing tools, nonprofits can create campaigns tailored to specific member segments.

Real-time notifications keep members informed about important updates, from upcoming events to membership renewals, ensuring no opportunity for connection is missed.

Optimizing Data Management

Managing data effectively is a game-changer for nonprofits. A centralized dashboard provides a bird’s-eye view of key metrics like membership growth, engagement rates, and revenue streams.

With robust analytics, organizations can identify what’s working, address gaps, and plan for the future with confidence.

Facilitating Revenue Generation

Membership management software often integrates with payment gateways, streamlining donation processes and enabling alternative revenue streams like selling e-books, organizing webinars, or hosting exclusive member-only events.

For nonprofits looking to diversify their income sources, these tools are invaluable.

Top Membership Management Software Solutions

The right software can make all the difference. It can transform how nonprofits operate, enabling them to connect with their members more effectively and achieve their goals with greater impact. From automating repetitive tasks to providing insights that inform strategic decisions, the right tool is an investment in both efficiency and growth. Below, we explore some of the top options that nonprofits can leverage to enhance their membership management efforts:

AC MemberSmart by Advanced Communities

One of the best membership management software for nonprofits is AC MemberSmart by Advanced Communities. AC MemberSmart is a trailblazing solution designed specifically for organizations looking to grow and engage their memberships. Being native to Salesforce and fully built on Force.com, this tool is as versatile as it is user-friendly, making it ideal for nonprofits, associations, and member-based organizations of all sizes.

Key Features

Comprehensive Member Directories: allow members to connect and collaborate through searchable profiles.

Fundraising: you can create customizable fundraising campaigns, set specific fundraising goals, track campaign performance on your Experience Cloud site without accessing Salesforce internally, and get a deep overview of all campaign data, including statuses, goals, and the amount of money raised – all inside Salesforce.

Event Management Tools: AC MemberSmart lets you organize online, offline, and hybrid events, track registrations and attendance within the Salesforce platform, customize separate event microsites, and do so much more.

Industry-Specific Benefits

Nonprofits: Strengthen relationships with donors and members while streamlining administrative processes.

Local and National Associations: Enhance coordination between chapters and provide a unified member experience.

Neon One

Neon One offers an all-in-one platform designed to help nonprofits manage memberships, fundraising, and events. With its intuitive interface and robust feature set, Neon One is ideal for organizations of various sizes.

It excels in donor management and campaign tracking, providing nonprofits with actionable insights to enhance engagement and optimize fundraising efforts. The platform also integrates with popular tools, making it a flexible choice for organizations with diverse operational needs.

GrowthZone

GrowthZone focuses on simplifying association management with tools for member engagement, financial tracking, and event planning. It’s especially popular among smaller organizations looking for an intuitive interface.

The platform offers a mobile app that enables members and staff to stay connected. It helps associations maintain strong relationships while streamlining administrative processes with features like custom member portals and automated renewals.

Conclusion

Membership management software has become a cornerstone for nonprofits striving to enhance their impact. These tools not only streamline operations but also foster deeper connections with members, paving the way for long-term success.

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Top Membership Management Software for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide

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Apple’s UK tax bill surged last year as the American tech giant’s operating profits in Britain soared past £1 billion, fuelled by rising sales and the continued expansion of its local operations.

Newly filed accounts at Companies House show that Apple’s corporation tax contribution rose by nearly 62 per cent to £304 million for the year ending September 28, 2024, up from £188 million the previous year. This came as the company’s UK operating profit jumped from £822 million to £1.2 billion, while revenues increased by 35 per cent to £4.7 billion.

The strong performance was driven in part by the release of the iPhone 16 range, marketed for its improved battery life, as well as growth in services such as Apple Music and Apple TV, despite increasing competitive pressure and questions over Apple’s pace in artificial intelligence.

The iPhone maker’s tax affairs have long been a flashpoint in Europe. Last year, Apple lost a high-profile case with the European Union over €13 billion in unpaid taxes, which the EU claimed were owed to Ireland following what it described as illegal state aid. Apple, which has denied any wrongdoing, said it had “always paid all the taxes we owe wherever we operate” and accused the EU of retroactively changing the rules.

In the UK, Apple operates 40 retail stores and employs more than 7,700 people, with a significant footprint in London’s Battersea Power Station, as well as offices in Cambridge, Swindon and St Albans. Its UK operations also include television and film production facilities in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Globally, Apple reported second-quarter revenue of $95.4 billion, exceeding analysts’ expectations despite rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges. Chief executive Tim Cook has warned about the risks of relying too heavily on China for manufacturing, especially amid the US trade war, which Apple said could cost it up to $900 million.

Despite mounting competition and delays in AI deployment, Apple says it is doubling down on artificial intelligence. At its recent developer conference, senior executive Craig Federighi said the company was investing heavily in AI, with new features such as live call translation and enhanced spam call detection in the pipeline. Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, is also set for a significant upgrade after what Federighi described as a longer-than-expected development cycle.

While Apple’s AI efforts are still taking shape, its services division — which includes the App Store, Apple Music and Apple TV — continues to generate strong revenue, bringing in $23.9 billion globally in the second quarter. iPhones remained the backbone of the business with $45.96 billion in sales, alongside $7.91 billion from wearables and $7.45 billion from Mac laptops.

With Apple’s UK business continuing to grow and its tax contributions rising significantly, the company is likely to remain a key player in both the British tech economy and the wider public debate over corporate taxation in the digital age.

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Hiring appetite among UK businesses has slumped to its weakest point in 13 years, as rising taxes, policy uncertainty and cost pressures weigh heavily on employer sentiment.

According to the latest BDO Business Trends barometer, recruitment confidence has dropped to levels last seen in 2012, with companies across the UK adopting a more cautious approach to hiring amid mounting costs — including the April rise in employers’ national insurance contributions, which added an estimated £20 billion a year to payroll expenses.

Despite a modest summer uptick in output, largely driven by consumer-facing services and strong hospitality trade around major events like Royal Ascot, the broader outlook remains subdued. BDO said its findings point to “prolonged caution” among firms, with many choosing to delay hiring decisions.

Scott Knight, head of growth at BDO, said: “We’re seeing early signs of recovery in business output, largely down to the services sector who have buoyed the economy for a second month in a row. But, as we all know, we can’t rely on good weather forever.”

The survey, which captured data from 4,000 companies, also showed that overall business confidence declined in June compared to May. BDO warned that speculation over further tax hikes in the autumn budget is dampening sentiment even further — particularly after the government’s recent reversal on proposed welfare reforms, which has prompted fears of increased business taxation to plug the fiscal gap.

Separate analysis from the CBI revealed a similarly downbeat picture within the financial services sector. Business volumes fell at their fastest pace since late 2023, with profitability and optimism deteriorating. Financial firms are also preparing for a sharp reduction in hiring — the net balance of firms expecting to cut jobs worsened from +2% in March to -7% in June, with projections for September plunging to -52%.

Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist at the CBI, said: “Conditions deteriorated in the financial services sector over the second quarter, with business volumes falling and sentiment dropping sharply. Firms are bracing for tougher times, expecting to cut back on both hiring and investment.”

Concerns are also growing within the banking sector over the possibility of fresh tax rises. With the chancellor under pressure to fund revised welfare commitments and offset weaker-than-expected tax receipts, speculation has mounted that financial services could again be in the Treasury’s crosshairs.

Currently, banks pay both a profits surcharge and the long-standing bank levy, together generating £4.2 billion a year for the Treasury. Senior figures in the sector are reportedly alarmed by a leaked memo from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner earlier this year, which suggested the bank levy could be raised.

Although financial markets were relatively stable during the CBI’s survey period (May 29 to June 16), and fears around President Trump’s tariff threats had receded, the underlying business sentiment remained fragile. With both fiscal and policy uncertainty looming ahead of the autumn budget, UK employers appear increasingly reluctant to take on new staff — a trend that could weigh on broader economic recovery in the months to come.

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Electric parcel delivery startup Hived has raised $42 million in fresh funding to expand its all-electric courier operations beyond London, marking a significant milestone in its mission to disrupt the UK’s legacy logistics sector.

The London-based firm, co-founded in 2021 by former Manchester City women’s youth team captain Murvah Iqbal and Mathias Krieger, plans to use the funding to expand to Bristol, Bath, and Brighton by September, with further rollouts in Birmingham and Manchester set for 2026.

Hived operates a fully electric fleet and has delivered more than 6.5 million parcels across London to date for high-profile clients including John Lewis, Uniqlo, and Zara. It employs a 250-strong courier network and boasts a 99% on-time delivery rate — a metric driven by its proprietary parcel-tracking software that integrates logistics from warehouse to doorstep.

“Parcel delivery should feel seamless, not stressful, but most of the industry is still running on systems that were never designed for ecommerce,” said CEO Iqbal, 29. “We’ve proven our model, and with this funding round, we’re ready to scale across the south of England.”

The latest round was led by NordicNinja, Europe’s largest Japan-backed venture capital firm, and includes six other new investors alongside existing backer Planet A. It brings Hived’s total capital raised to $58 million since launch.

Hived’s tech-first model is positioned as an alternative to traditional delivery firms, which Iqbal claims are hampered by legacy infrastructure. “Many were built for business-to-business deliveries or letters, not ecommerce. Their systems are too entrenched to adapt efficiently — they’d almost have to start from scratch,” she said.

The company operates its own Mercedes eActros 600 trucks, collecting pre-packed orders from clients’ warehouses and sorting them at its London hub before final delivery. It plans to establish additional sorting centres in new cities to support expansion.

Iqbal says Hived’s core strength lies in eliminating errors in the final mile. “Most of the cost in logistics comes from things going wrong — missed deliveries, customer queries, damaged goods. That’s where we come in.”

The startup’s software provides end-to-end tracking for retailers, couriers, and customers, using real-time data to optimise parcel handling. “We know down to the square foot where every parcel is in our warehouse. Out of 10,000 parcels, we might lose one or two — and that’s exceptional in this industry,” said Iqbal.

Beyond domestic growth, Hived is beginning to license its software to international partners. Iqbal recently returned from Japan, where she met Yamato Transport, which handles over six million deliveries daily. “Our tech is adaptable to different markets. We’re exploring how to embed our software into global logistics operations.”

Despite being loss-making, Hived’s efficiency and reliability are attracting major retailers seeking sustainable, tech-enabled alternatives to carbon-heavy delivery giants.

The funding signals growing investor appetite for logistics innovation and comes as e-commerce giants demand greater sustainability and precision in fulfilment. Iqbal says the company has maintained capital efficiency and resilience through a tough fundraising climate.

“Investors now want proof that every pound moves the needle,” she added. “We’ve built something efficient, scalable and customer-centric. This is just the beginning.”

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Hived raises $42m to roll out electric delivery fleet across southern England

Former BBC Dragon and entrepreneur James Caan CBE has issued a powerful call for urgent reform in the UK’s education system, as he launched the landmark National Education Futures 2025 report at the House of Lords last week.

Hosted by The Rt Hon the Lord Knight of Weymouth, the event brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, and education leaders to address the growing crisis across schools, colleges and training systems.

Describing the moment as “a kite dancing in a hurricane”, Caan said, “Our education system, buffeted by social inequality, workforce pressures, and fragmented structures, is at a tipping point. But if we tether that kite to purpose, to inclusion, and to long-term vision, it can soar.”

The report sets out three critical priorities for transformation:

Inclusion

Caan urged a reimagining of inclusion as foundational, not optional. “Every learner — regardless of postcode, background or ability — deserves to thrive. Diversity must not be bolted on, but built in,” he said.

Workforce

Calling teachers the system’s “greatest asset”, Caan highlighted a crisis in morale and retention: “Too many are leaving, burnt out and unheard. When we invest in those who teach, we invest in the futures of those they teach.”

Collaboration

He emphasised the need for cross-sector partnership and joined-up thinking: “No single school or trust can fix this alone. Progress demands shared responsibility at every level.”

Caan warned of complacency amid global competition, citing Andhra Pradesh in India, which has partnered with NVIDIA to launch the country’s first Artificial Intelligence University. “While others are investing boldly in AI, we must ask — are we?”

He also linked education reform to wider economic concerns, referencing tax policy changes that have prompted talent flight and weakened fiscal revenues. “HMRC receipts fell £7.8 billion short last year, while borrowing rose £14.6 billion. That revenue loss could wipe out more than 10% of the education budget — every year,” he warned.

To address this, Caan said Britain must “invest relentlessly in a modern, inclusive, future-ready education system that builds our next generation of business creators.”

Closing his speech, he challenged government and industry to act on the report: “Let this not be another report that gathers dust — but a blueprint that galvanises real change. When inclusion is foundational, when educators are empowered, and when we plan for decades not headlines, we don’t just fix education. We transform it.”

Caan concluded with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

The National Education Futures 2025 report is now available to policymakers, educators and industry stakeholders as a proposed roadmap for long-term, systemic reform.

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A flagship government initiative to support female entrepreneurs has come under fire from MPs for delays in delivering promised funding, with members of the women and equalities committee accusing ministers of lacking urgency and vision.

The Invest in Women Taskforce, set up under the previous government to improve access to capital for female-led businesses, has raised over £250 million. However, ministers now say the fund will not begin investing until the end of 2025 — a full year after the fundraising was announced.

Speaking during a Commons committee session, Baroness Gustafsson, the investment minister, was questioned over the delay. Liberal Democrat MP Alex Brewer said progress was moving at a “tippy-toe” pace rather than with “great big strides”, accusing the government of a lack of boldness and failing to grasp the scale of opportunity.

Brewer was joined by committee chair Sarah Owen, who voiced the group’s “frustration”, particularly at the omission of female entrepreneurs from the government’s industrial strategy.

“This omission is devastating,” Brewer said. “It demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the structural barriers women face.”

Figures published earlier this year highlight the disparity: all-women founding teams received just 1.8 per cent of UK venture capital funding in the first half of 2024 — a decline from 2.5 per cent in 2023.

The Rose Review previously found that bridging the gender funding gap could unlock over £250 billion for the UK economy if women scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Owen called this “a massive prize” that should be central to government growth plans.

The committee opened its inquiry into female entrepreneurship in February to examine the barriers women face in starting and growing companies. Key challenges identified include limited access to funding, lack of representation in high-growth sectors, and a shortage of tailored support.

Gareth Thomas MP (Pictured), the minister responsible for entrepreneurship, acknowledged that access to finance remains the “single biggest obstacle” for women-led businesses. He said the government’s upcoming SME strategy would address this, alongside increased funding for the British Business Bank.

Entrepreneur and investor Debbie Wosskow, who co-chairs the Invest in Women Taskforce with Barclays’ head of business banking Hannah Bernard, described the UK as “a pretty terrible place” to be a female entrepreneur, citing entrenched bias in the investment landscape.

Despite the challenges, some female-led firms are breaking through. Earlier this week, ecommerce delivery startup Hived, co-founded by CEO Murvah Iqbal, announced a $42 million funding round to grow its all-electric fleet across southern England.

However, MPs say these successes are the exception, not the rule. The committee is expected to publish recommendations in the coming weeks, urging the government to accelerate the rollout of the fund and prioritise women-led enterprise in its broader economic policy.

“The talent and ambition are already there,” Owen said. “Now government must match it with decisive action.”

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Tesla has posted a modest rebound in UK sales, with 7,700 new vehicles registered in June—up 3.7% on the same month last year, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Despite the improvement, the electric carmaker’s UK performance remains slightly down for the year. Between January and June 2025, Tesla registered 22,700 vehicles, a 1.3% year-on-year decline.

The uptick in June follows a sluggish start to the year, with Tesla blaming delays in the production of its updated Model Y at its Berlin gigafactory and buyer hesitation while awaiting the newer version.

Earlier this week, the company reported a 13% drop in global sales during Q2, citing a range of challenges, including CEO Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in politics, intensifying competition from Chinese rivals such as BYD, and a more crowded EV marketplace as traditional automakers ramp up electric production under regulatory pressure.

Yet Tesla continues to lead the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market, commanding a 10% share of battery electric vehicle sales so far this year, according to data from consultancy New AutoMotive. BMW and Volkswagen trail behind, each with around 8%.

More broadly, the UK’s electric vehicle market recorded strong growth in June, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations up 39% to 47,300 units. That means EVs accounted for 24.8% of the 193,000 new cars registered during the month—a 6.7% year-on-year rise in overall market volume.

However, despite the encouraging figures, the BEV share still falls short of the 28% target set by the government under its zero-emission vehicle mandate. That mandate, introduced this year, requires carmakers to hit rising targets for ZEV sales or face financial penalties. The threshold climbs to 33% in 2026.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes reiterated calls for stronger government support, warning that current EV uptake is being driven by unsustainable levels of manufacturer discounting and sales channel incentives.

“A second consecutive month of growth for the new car market is good news, as is the positive performance of electric vehicles,” Hawes said. “But this growth is still being propped up by industry-backed support. Without government action—through measures like VAT cuts or revising luxury car tax supplements—meeting the ZEV mandate targets remains in jeopardy.”

He also urged the government to address the disparity in VAT rates between public and home EV charging, which he said was a barrier to equitable EV adoption.

The latest figures show a continued decline in internal combustion engine sales. Petrol cars accounted for 46% of new registrations in June, down from 51% a year earlier, while diesel dropped to below 6%.

Plug-in hybrids and standard hybrids now represent nearly 24% of the market, underlining the UK’s ongoing shift toward electrified mobility—even if the path to full electrification remains uneven.

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The United Kingdom has been named the worst country in Europe for commuting, tied with Greece, according to a new report by cross-border e-commerce platform Ubuy. The ranking – based on commuting costs, travel times, paid leave, working hours and national happiness – places the UK bottom of a 34-country index.

The UK scored 107 out of a possible 136 points, where a lower score indicates a better commuting experience. The report highlights soaring costs, long travel times, limited paid time off and declining wellbeing as the key factors behind the UK’s poor performance.

UK commuters face the third-highest average monthly commuting cost in Europe at £67.21, only slightly behind Luxembourg and Switzerland. The study suggests that, with train fares and fuel prices rising, many British workers are spending more getting to work than some Europeans do on holidays.

The average UK commute clocks in at 40 minutes – one of the longest in Europe – and full-time workers only receive 20 days of statutory paid annual leave (excluding bank holidays), among the lowest in the ranking.

The UK also fares poorly on overall wellbeing, with a national happiness score of 6.75 out of 10, placing it well behind top-ranking nations like Finland and Estonia. The combination of high commuting costs, long working weeks, and limited rest time is creating a recipe for burnout, the report warns.

Meanwhile, Greece – also scoring 107 points – shares similar problems. With average working hours of 39.8 per week and a lower happiness score of 5.93, Greece joins the UK in the bottom spot.

Cyprus, Italy and France complete the bottom five. While known for their warmer climates, these countries scored poorly due to high parking and commuting costs, and limited flexibility around working hours and breaks.

In contrast, Estonia topped the leaderboard with a score of 64 points, thanks to low commuting costs, cheap lunches, and a solid work-life balance. Finland and Lithuania tied for second place (68 points), followed by Sweden and Romania in third (74 points), praised for their affordability and emphasis on employee wellbeing.

“This ranking should serve as a wake-up call,” said Faizan Khan, spokesperson for Ubuy. “With more people returning to the office post-pandemic, the cost, time and stress of commuting are once again central to how employees feel about work. Countries like Estonia show that affordable transport and balanced working hours are possible – the UK has some catching up to do.”

The study follows renewed discussions around hybrid work, flexible hours and transport reform in the UK. With inflation and interest rates continuing to impact household finances, advocates are urging the government to reassess commuting policies and workplace expectations to ease the burden on workers.

As commuting once again becomes a daily reality for millions of Brits, this ranking underscores the importance of not just where people work – but how they get there.

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A pioneering climate satellite designed to track methane emissions from space has gone missing, dealing a major blow to global efforts to curb one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

The $88 million MethaneSat satellite—developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and backed by Google and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—has lost contact with Earth just one year after launch. The EDF confirmed this week that communication with the spacecraft was lost ten days ago and is “likely not recoverable.”

Launched aboard a SpaceX rocket in 2023, MethaneSat was equipped with some of the world’s most advanced sensors designed to detect even low-level methane emissions. Its primary mission was to collect detailed, transparent data over a five-year period to help track leaks and releases from oil, gas, agriculture and landfill sites—sectors responsible for the bulk of global methane emissions.

Methane is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, making it a critical target for global climate mitigation efforts. Despite international pledges to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, global levels continue to rise year-on-year, with current satellite systems offering only partial or privately controlled visibility.

The loss of MethaneSat—one of the few methane-monitoring satellites with publicly accessible data—represents a significant setback for environmental scientists and regulators. EDF said the satellite had been a key part of efforts to “fill gaps between existing tools,” adding that some of the software used in the project may still be salvageable for future missions.

Google had been applying AI to MethaneSat’s data to build a global methane emissions map. The company hoped to boost transparency by highlighting “super-emitters” and harder-to-detect agricultural emissions, which are more diffuse than oil and gas leaks.

Experts suspect the satellite lost power, making recovery unlikely. EDF said an investigation is ongoing and it is too early to say whether a replacement mission will be launched. “To solve the climate challenge requires bold action and risk-taking,” the NGO said in a statement. “This satellite was at the leading edge of science, technology and advocacy.”

The loss comes at a time when other key methane-tracking tools are also nearing the end of their operational lives. The Sentinel-5P satellite operated by the European Space Agency, which hosts the TROPOMI instrument and supports the CarbonMapper project, was due to conclude its mission in October. While still operational, its future remains uncertain.

With rising emissions and limited means to track them in real time, environmental groups warn that losing access to high-quality data will hinder enforcement efforts and delay global action. Methane monitoring is seen as one of the most immediate and impactful ways to slow global warming.

The fate of MethaneSat now serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of space-based climate tools—and a call to bolster global investments in next-generation environmental monitoring systems.

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$88m methane-tracking satellite lost in space, dealing major blow to climate monitoring