Global Monitoring for Environment, Security in Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium, February 5, 2004 (ENS) - Europe is pulling together a multi-million euro system that will harness, coordinate and enhance Earth observation and monitoring information from satellites in orbit and from sensors on the ground. The new system - developed in cooperation with the European Space Agency - will be used to support decisionmakers who must deal with security issues and environmental crises such as forest fires or floods.

The European Commission Monday adopted an action plan for the system, called Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES), that details how to establish a working capacity by 2008, including a structure for GMES management and funding.

It is estimated that €80 million will be required in 2007, with an increase to €150 million in subsequent years for service provision alone.

The system will take raw data pouring in through the satellites and sensors and deliver it to service providers through an information management system.

These providers will create and offer targeted services to groups of specific users, such as public authorities, aid agencies and private enterprises to better manage and anticipate potentially dangerous and costly situations, from environmental crises to security issues.

"The greater the accuracy and timeliness of the information available, the greater the ability for decisionmakers to act effectively," said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin.

A virtually cloud free Europe is shown in this enhanced composite image taken on August 10, 2003, by Europe’s Meteosat Second Generation satellite (MSG-1). (Photo courtesy ESA)

Scientists estimate the annual economic impact of air pollution in Europe at €360 billion, with hundreds of thousands of people dying each year because of pollution related illnesses. GMES can improve prediction, monitoring and assessment to better cope with natural and human-made hazards, including reducing the loss of life and property.

When GMES is functioning it will be put to work to help Europe meet its environmental commitments, within EU territory and globally, by formulating, implementing and verifying the Community environmental policies, national regulations and international conventions.

The monitoring data will be used to fill security and defense functions such as border surveillance.

Beyond Europe, mapping information still is lacking to support the efficiency of operations that support delivery of humanitarian aid, food security, crisis management and conflict prevention.

Worldwide, GMES will help Europe develop a leadership role in global environmental monitoring.

Since the first Earth Observation Summit in July 2003, GMES was considered as the European contribution to the establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated global Earth Observation System.

The European Commission has a leading role in the ad hoc Group on Earth Observation as co-chair, alongside the United States, Japan and South Africa.

At a meeting of the European Space Agency (ESA) Council in Paris yesterday governments agreed to release the funds needed to put the Ariane 5 launcher back on track. Europe and Russia have agreed to cooperate in the field of launchers at the European spaceport in French Guiana. The goal is to have Russian Soyuz launchers operated by Europe’s commercial launch operator, Arianespace, as of 2006 - and joint activities in the field of future launchers.

"Europe can today fly high: we have a launcher which is highly appreciated worldwide and the preparation of future developments is now a reality," said ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain. "And when, in 2006, Soyuz lifts off from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou [French Guiana] we will have reached with our Russian partner another important milestone for Europe in space."