EEA collaborates with ESA for air, ground and water monitoring

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has announced that it will work alongside the European Space Agency (ESA) to coordinate data from environmental monitoring.

Under the scheme, space observation, localised monitoring and analysis will be used within the project, called the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) services.

The aim is to provide "timely information on the state of the environment and security issues, such as natural and man-made crises".

A contract for €3 million (£2.6 million) has been signed between the EEA and the European Commission for the project, which will see the former organisation working within the existing framework.

Its role in GMES will largely relate to data use and requirements, as well as ensuring that there is adequate cooperation between relevant environmental networks.

Pilot services for the marine, land, atmosphere and emergency response sectors have already entered their pre-operational phase.

GMES was established by the ESA amid growing demand from European policy makers for a system that could provide information to assist in the management and understanding of environmental factors, in addition to allowing governments to tackle climate change more effectively.

Posted by Lauren Steadman