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Copernicus imagery and reference data coupled with EGNOS and Galileo positioning data enable the development of new services and applications that can act as a protective shield to the natural habitats of our planet.

Forests together with oceans are the Earth’s lungs. They provide us with fresh oxygen and purify water and air in addition to being home to thousands of species.  Deforestation, illegal activities such as logging or natural disasters such as wildfires pose a threat to forests and the biodiversity of our planet. Earth Observation (EO) images and in situ data from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service are used to generate nearly real time forest change maps, that can be of use to national forest inventories and relevant ministries.

Synergies between EO and navigation are key in the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters. In the unfortunate event of wildfires for instance, it is important to have access to precise and up-to-date information for the delivery of an effective disaster management response. Copernicus can detect active fires and monitored their emissions to be prepare smoke forecasts. The forecasts are used in air quality applications to help people limit their exposure to pollution, and policymakers and local authorities to manage the impact of fires. EGNOS and Galileo support the response and recovery phases of disaster management by providing accurate and reliable positioning when rescue teams need guidance to reach the affected area especially and visibility is reduced due to the fire, smoke, or fog.

At sea, both Copernicus and Galileo are game changers in assisting local authorities enforce existing regulations and measures, such as preventing vessels from remaining at a protected area for a prolonged time. Likewise, Copernicus can track oil spills or maritime incidents such as the recent Suez Canal obstruction and thus contribute to a quicker crisis management. 

Most importantly, data and services deriving from the EU Space Programme are valuable tools at the disposal of Member States and EU policymakers that allow them to develop informed and future-proof environmental policies. By monitoring for example, the increase or decrease in the levels of methane leaks or CO2 emissions we are able to assess if the policies in place are effective and adapt them accordingly if needed. For Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, it is going to be an uphill climb, yet EU Space promises to unlock challenges and help the Union step up its game in the fight against climate change. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

Copernicus imagery and reference data coupled with EGNOS and Galileo positioning data enable the development of new services and applications that can act as a protective shield to the natural habitats of our planet.

Forests together with oceans are the Earth’s lungs. They provide us with fresh oxygen and purify water and air in addition to being home to thousands of species.  Deforestation, illegal activities such as logging or natural disasters such as wildfires pose a threat to forests and the biodiversity of our planet. Earth Observation (EO) images and in situ data from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service are used to generate nearly real time forest change maps, that can be of use to national forest inventories and relevant ministries.

Synergies between EO and navigation are key in the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters. In the unfortunate event of wildfires for instance, it is important to have access to precise and up-to-date information for the delivery of an effective disaster management response. Copernicus can detect active fires, monitor their emissions, and prepare smoke forecasts. The forecasts are used in air quality applications to help people limit their exposure to pollution, and policymakers and local authorities to manage the impact of fires. EGNOS and Galileo support the response and recovery phases of disaster management by providing accurate and reliable positioning when rescue teams need guidance to reach the affected area especially and visibility is reduced due to the fire, smoke, or fog.

At sea, both Copernicus and Galileo are game changers in assisting local authorities enforce existing regulations and measures, such as preventing vessels from remaining at a protected area for a prolonged time. Likewise, Copernicus can track oil spills or maritime incidents such as the recent Suez Canal obstruction and thus contribute to a quicker crisis management. 

Most importantly, data and services deriving from the EU Space Programme are valuable tools at the disposal of Member States and EU policymakers that allow them to develop informed and future-proof environmental policies. By monitoring for example, the increase or decrease in the levels of methane leaks or CO2 emissions we are able to assess if the policies in place are effective and adapt them accordingly if needed. For Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, it is going to be an uphill climb, yet EU Space promises to unlock challenges and help the Union step up its game in the fight against climate change. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

Copernicus, Galileo, and EGNOS, when working in conjunction or -as standalone systems- are key assets to implementing green energy solutions and to making the construction sector more efficient. 

Decoupling economic growth from resource extraction and environmental degradation is in the heart of the EU Green Deal to. Turning into clean forms of energy such as solar, wind and tidal power will enable the Union to curb emissions, transform Europe’s energy mix and thus reverse climate change.

Green infrastructures, such as solar panels or wind turbines are costly installations. They require monitoring to ensure their proper functioning and performance optimization. Often, natural hazards such land subsidence, or landslides can negatively affect the operations of these infrastructures. That’s where EU Space kicks in!

#EUSpace supporting the use of green power 

Satellite-based remote sensing from Copernicus is a cost-effective solution which keeps an eye on clean energy infrastructures, offering precious information on their integrity and targeted maintenance. Geospatial data by the EU’s Earth Observation system can also be used to enable a better planning of these assets by offering greater situational awareness and help mitigate risks such as vegetation encroachment on power grids and turbines. Moreover, Copernicus, can optimize the performance of tidal power generators, by offering data on the rise and fall of tide through tidal currents prediction systems. Likewise, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service uses information from satellites and its models to provide policymakers and solar industry companies, with quality metrics on sunshine or cloud coverage over specific areas. This helps the sector to better plan the installation of panels and thus to maximise their outputs.

The concept of smart power grids is gaining more and more momentum and electric utility companies are investing into them to reduce costs and optimise user experience and more efficiently manage their electric power networks. 

Smart grid systems require precise timing and synchronization down to a nanosecond level and GNSS clocks are used a prime source or as a backup time reference source in case of outages. Ultra-precise clocks on board Galileo satellites can provide accurate time and frequency synchronization to smart grids making them more robust.  

#EUSpace for a cleaner and more efficient construction sector 

Population growth and urbanisation are pushing the boundaries for resource exploitation and are creating a huge demand for civil infrastructure such as buildings, subways and train lines, bridges, dams, highways and airports. According to the EUSPA market report, by 2025 83% of geomatics equipment used for cadastral surveying and construction applications is GNSS-enabled. As of today, more than 80% of newly manufactured geomatics equipment and instruments use Galileo.

Both the construction sector and urban planning are directly benefitting from the EU Space Programme namely from the additional accuracy of Galileo and EGNOS which allows surveyors to accurately pinpoint structures and reference points. Copernicus offers high resolution images to assess the state of civil infrastructure including dams, or pipelines and track water loss. What is more, Galileo and EGNOS-enabled drones can accurately and safely fly across points of interest and assess for example heat loss in buildings and facilities. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).