Policy

15. November 2024

Highlighting Earth Observation data across COP29

ESA participation in plenary sessions, side events and panel discussions

A European Space Agency (ESA) delegation is actively participating in the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November 2024. The team’s mission is to highlight the role Earth observation satellites play in advancing understanding of the climate, informing decision-making, and delivering actionable data to track and accelerate progress toward the Paris Agreement goals.

Earth Information Day - 11 November: Emphasising Data Accessibility and Real-Time Monitoring

Climate experts Clement Albergel and Frank Martin Seifert along with Paul Fisher represented ESA at Earth Information Day which was held on the summit’s opening day. Featuring thematic breakout sessions relating to Earth observation, Seifert provided an expert briefing on [ADD TOPIC]. Drs Albergel and Fisher acted as rapporteurs on discussions focussed on climate change adaptation and loss and damage. Session participants underscored the importance of integrating in-situ and satellite data, ensuring open data access, and the need for advancing both real-time monitoring and early-warning systems. Participants also called for the funding of observation systems to be placed on a sustainable footing while the need for standardised baselines and indicators were agreed to effectively track the implementation of adaptation efforts.

ESA's Clement Albergel - rapporteur on adaptation during Earth Information Day at COP29

Protecting Our Planet (POP) Day - 12 November: Inspiring the next generation

The UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) which hosts an annual streamed-event Protecting Our Planet Day(POP) event aimed to inspired 180,000 on space technology and climate change invited ESA to make a number of presentations. To kick off proceedings Drs Albergel and Fisher broadcast live from the COP29 World Leaders’ Summit, to explain how the summit works and how satellites are used to understand and address climate change. Presentations from ESA’s EarthCARE mission manager Thorsten Fehr, then explained how Earth observation missions monitor various climate processes and help forecasting future change. ESA Research Fellow Anna Jungbluth later engaged students in a career-focused session, discussing how maths and technology careers can contribute to global climate efforts.

Global Carbon Budget 2024 – 13 November: tracking GHG emission trends and nature’s role

ESA-supported scientists, Stephen Sitch and Mike O’Sullivan from the University of Exeter released the 2024 Global Carbon Budget (GCB) report. This latest in a series of annual updates provides a summary of global carbon emissions and sequestration trends. The GCB 2024 highlighted complex signals in global emissions, with global fossil fuel CO₂ emissions set to rise by 0.8% this year. Natural processes continue to absorb around half of all human-made emissions however, record temperatures and extreme weather events, such as Amazonian droughts and Canadian wildfires have recently limited these natural carbon sinks. A related ESA-backed study also points to a weakening of land carbon sequestration.

CCI scientists launch the Global Carbon Budget 2024

Working in partnership ESA’s Participation in Side Events and Ongoing Partnerships

Throughout the summit, reflecting the need for international collaboration to address the climate challenge, ESA representatives are participating in a variety of side events and panel discussions alongside organisations such as the World Meteorological Organization, the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), NASA and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. These sessions provide a platform to highlight how satellite-derived information grasp the magnitude of environmental change, inform nations with timely guidance to progress towards their emission reduction strategies and pledges under the Paris Agreement and build societal resilience to climate change.

Frank Marin Seifert explains how ESA and JAXA satellite data can assess global above ground biomass and the potential for supporting voluntary carbon credits at Japan pavilion

Clement Albergel showcased examples from ESA’s GDA programme where Earth observation is 'Leveraging Data and Technology for Infrastructure Risk Resilience' at the CRDI Pavilion

The value of blue carbon: from NDCs to cultural co-benefits, ESA’s Clement Albergel discusses how Earth Observation helps to monitor whole ecosystems at the Moana Blue carbon pavilion alongside NASA, UCAR and teh Pew Research Institute — The value of blue carbon: from NDCs to cultural co-benefits, ESA’s Clement Albergel discusses how Earth Observation helps to monitor whole ecosystems at the Moana Blue carbon pavilion with NASA, UCAR & the Pew Research Institute

ESA Booth: Engaging the Global Community on Climate Resilience

Throughout COP29 the ESA booth is a location to engage attendees from national and delegates to NGOs, youth leaders and development banks. Attendees particularly interested in how ESA’s Earth observation data can help bolster climate resilience, support forest and ocean monitoring, and inform national and regional climate strategies.

ESA’s presence at COP29 reaffirms its commitment to advancing Earth observation technologies that provide scientists and policymakers with the data and insight to drive informed climate action.

ESA meeting with the UK Space Agency delegation — The UK Space Agency delegation visit the ESA booth