For almost half a century, satellites have delivered the global view, revolutionizing Earth system science and spearheading European environmental protection efforts. In the face of growing societal impacts resulting from a changing climate, how is the space sector responding?

Following a contemporary performance to showcase new and novel Earth observations, a panel drawn from the European Space Agency and its partners - UNFCCC, GCOS, WCRP, EUMETSAT and ECMWF - will discuss the role that candidate Earth Explorers research missions and the Copernicus Sentinel extension satellites can play in strengthening Earth system science. The panel will address the causes, and build resilience to, the negative consequences of environmental change.

The Agency will also unveil and highlight opportunities for community engagement with its new climate initiative, CLIMATE-SPACE. Harnessing European expertise, this major R&D effort aims to expand and improve the suite of satellite derived-climate data records used to characterize the Earth system and support ESA Member States’ progress towards delivering national and regional commitments towards the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.