OBSERVER: EU Space at Living Planet Symposium 2025
evan
Fri, 04/07/2025 – 11:20
The European Commission had a strong presence at the Living Planet Symposium 2025 in Vienna (23 – 27 June) with a dedicated booth, updates on upcoming Copernicus satellite missions, and insights into the European Union’s priorities for the development of the European Earth Observation (EO) sector. In this Observer, we look at how the EU Space Programme contributed to Europe’s largest EO event, which brought together scientists, policymakers, and institutional partners to explore how EO space data supports climate action, resilience, and sustainability.
Held every three years, the Living Planet Symposium (LPS) is organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is arguably the largest Earth Observation event in Europe. It serves as a key forum for showcasing scientific advances, exploring innovative uses of satellite data, and connecting Earth Observation to real-world policy needs.
The 2025 edition, hosted in Vienna, was the biggest in the event’s history. With more than 7,000 participants, it brought together researchers, public authorities, private companies, and institutional stakeholders for five days of sessions, networking, and exhibitions. The programme featured hundreds of presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions, covering topics ranging from climate and biodiversity to crisis management, digital infrastructure, and space-based services.
Amid this wide-ranging agenda, the European Commission contributed with a dedicated booth, a high-level media briefing on upcoming Copernicus missions, and messages highlighting the EU’s strategic priorities for the evolution of Copernicus services.
A shared vision for Europe’s Earth Observation ecosystem
In a high-level opening plenary, Commissioner Andrius Kubilius addressed the audience via video, calling for continued ambition in European Earth Observation activities. “Be bold, be brave, be ambitious. In space, the sky’s the limit,” he said, highlighting the link between Copernicus and the EU Space Programme to the European Green Deal, the Digital Decade, and Europe’s strategic autonomy.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Earth Observation Director Simonetta Cheli underscored the enduring partnership between the European Commission and ESA. Their statements highlighted the value of shared planning and programme delivery, particularly in supporting both scientific objectives and user-driven services in support of EU policies and climate action.
The collaboration between the European Commission, ESA, and the other Copernicus Entrusted Entities underpins much of Europe’s current Earth Observation capacity and featured across multiple sessions throughout the week.
Bringing EU Space into the conversation
At the LPS exhibition, the European Commission’s booth provided an interactive and accessible space for participants to learn more about the role of the European Commission in Copernicus and in the funding of cutting-edge research and innovation in Earth Observation. A large LED video wall displayed stunning data visualisations of our Earth produced with Copernicus data, while surrounding panels and touchscreens introduced users to the Copernicus Services, policy applications, and R&I activities supported by the EU.
The booth was jointly animated by staff from DG DEFIS, DG CONNECT, HADEA, and EUSPA. Experts answered questions about Destination Earth, the Copernicus Services, and funding opportunities in the EO sector, among other topics.
Focus on atmosphere: Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5
At a media briefing held during the event, representatives from the EU Commission shared updates on the upcoming Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions. These satellites will expand Europe’s ability to monitor air quality and atmospheric composition in support of both environmental and health-related policy.
Sentinel-4 is a hyperspectral instrument hosted on a EUMETSAT MTG-S1 satellite in geostationary orbit. It will deliver hourly, 4 km resolution data across Europe and parts of Africa, feeding into the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). Sentinel-5, in low Earth orbit, will provide complementary global-scale coverage.
Both missions respond to specific user needs and align with key policy instruments such as the Ambient Air Quality Directive and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. Their data may also support crisis response and dual-use services which depend on accurate, near-real-time environmental information.
Sentinel-4 was successfully launched aboard EUMETSAT’s MTG-S1 satellite on 1 July 2025. Signal from MTG-S1 was acquired shortly after launch and the satellite is in geostationary orbit. It is currently undergoing its commissioning phase, with the Sentinel-4 instrument expected to enter operational service in early 2026.
From observation to climate action and sustainability
The Living Planet Symposium’s theme, “From Observation to Climate Action and Sustainability for Earth”, reflected the growing emphasis on translating EO data into decisions and meaningful actions. Across the week, Copernicus services featured prominently in sessions covering climate extremes, urban resilience, land and marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and protection of cultural heritage.
Researchers shared case studies and tools built using data and products from Sentinel data, and fromthe Copernicus Services including the Climate Change Service (C3S), Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), Emergency Management Service (CEMS), Marine Service (CMEMS), and the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS). Presentations showed how EO data is being used to track environmental change, support evidence-based decision making, and inform climate action, from international reporting obligations to national adaptation planning and local risk assessments.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the upcoming Copernicus World Heritage Hub, implemented by EUSPA in cooperation with Copernicus Entrusted Entities. The Hub will serve as a single entry point for data and services relevant to the monitoring and protection of both cultural and natural heritage sites, drawing on all relevant Copernicus Services. The session discussed precursor use cases and emphasised the importance of tailored data access and inter-service collaboration to support heritage sites facing risks linked to climate, disasters, and conflict.
A space to reflect on the future of European Earth Observation
While not a policy forum, LPS25 created space to reflect on developments and upcoming priorities for European Earth Observation. The European Commission noted its ongoing investment in the Copernicus Expansion Missions, including CO2M, LSTM, and CHIME. These missions will support key elements of the European Green Deal, from carbon monitoring to sustainable agriculture and land management.
Discussions also touched on ESA’s Strategy 2040 and the Commission’s broader objectives for digital and green transitions. Both the upcoming ESA Ministerial Council and the upcoming new EU Multiannual Financial Framework are expected to shape the next phase of programme cooperation.
Commissioner Kubilius noted: “We are nurturing an ecosystem of European space data providers […] to satisfy the need for high-resolution and well-targeted data.” As new missions are prepared for launch and services evolve, the emphasis will remain on meeting user needs while preserving European capacity and access.
Fri, 04/07/2025 – 12:00