Improving coordination, visibility and impact of European GEOSS contributions by establishing a EUropean GEo NEtwork

Background and Motivation

The inter-governmental Group on Earth Observation (GEO) initiated the establishment of a globally-coordinated earth observation system of systems (GEOSS). The development of GEOSS is supposed to qualitatively improve our understanding of the Earth system, enhancing global policy- and decision-making abilities to promote the environment, human health, safety, and welfare. GEOSS therefore addresses nine societal benefit areas (SBAs): Disasters, Health, Energy, Climate, Water, Weather, Ecosystems, Agriculture and Biodiversity.

Europe as one of the cornerstones of GEO intends to provide a strong GEOSS component. However, abundant relevant European activities are not yet adequately integrated, and Europe's undisputed technical strengths could contribute to a greater extent to the development of GEOSS.

Whereas the EC-lead and well-established frameworks of GMES, INSPIRE and FP7 (7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development) allow for structured and reliable coordination for European GEO contributions between the multiple actors within those frameworks, there are numerous other highly GEO-relevant European activities that lack this level of coordination, both between each other and with GMES, INSPIRE and FP7 activities. There is consensus within the European GEO community that overall impact, visibility and variety of European contributions to GEO at the global level must be improved.

Thus, a more strategic European GEO approach should be established. European contributing organisations and programmes should collaborate to a greater extent and discuss and further specify this European GEO strategy.

More about:   GEO/GEOSS  ::  European Contributions