Addressing the unique set of global challenges that society is facing in the onset of the 21st century requires more than ever that Earth scientists advance their understanding of our planet, its processes and its interactions with human activities and translate that knowledge into solutions for society, policy advice and new digital services for the benefit of citizens. In the next decade Europe will rely on the most comprehensive and sophisticated space-based observation infrastructure in the world (involving the Copernicus Sentinels, the ESA’s Earth Explorers and the meteorological, national and commercial missions) providing an extraordinary potential to observe the different components of the Earth system and its dynamics with unprecedented levels of detail and accuracy from space. However, ensuring that the scientific community takes full advantage from this unprecedented capacity and maximise its impact will require a significant collaborative effort and an integrated approach to science where the synergistic use of EO satellite data, in-situ and citizen observations and advanced modelling capabilities together with interdisciplinary research and new technologies will be essential elements. The alignment of scientific actions funded under both EC and ESA programmes represents an unique opportunity to ensure that the complementary roles, expertise and funding of both institutions may serve a common purpose: provide a coordinated response to the grand science challenges of the next decade. This Town-Hall meeting aims at presenting and discussing with the scientific community the preliminary concepts, status and plans for the preparation of a new joint EC-ESA initiative to jointly advance Earth system science as a tool to respond to the global societal challenges.