By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The European Space Agency
(ESA) is calling for greater use of Earth Observation data to strengthen
climate resilience and support decision-making, with its Director of Earth
Observation Programmes and Head of ESRIN, Simonetta Cheli, highlighting the
role of satellite observations, advanced modelling and artificial intelligence
in turning scientific knowledge into practical information.
Cheli made the remarks
during the Friends of Europe Energy and Climate Summit in Brussels, where she
participated in a session titled “Strengthening the European framework for
climate resilience”.
She said ESA, the European
Commission, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological
Satellites (EUMETSAT) and their Member States had built one of the world’s most
advanced Earth Observation ecosystems over the past decades.
“The challenge now is to
make the most of it,” Cheli said, stressing that observation alone is not
enough and that data and scientific knowledge increasingly need to be
translated into information that can support decisions on the ground.
She highlighted the need for
continued investment in the long-term continuity and evolution of Copernicus,
alongside the development of initiatives such as Digital Twin Earth. The
initiative combines satellite observations, advanced modelling and artificial
intelligence to help turn Earth Observation data into practical information for
decision-makers.
Cheli said Europe was
already a world leader in observing the planet, adding that the next ambition
should be to use those observations to drive climate action, strengthen
resilience and support sustainable economic growth.
The discussion was moderated
by Ulrike Sapiro and included panellists Jan Dusík, Pierfrancesco Maran MEP and
Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
