Key Messages and Recommendations from the GEO Symposium 2026 Session
The GEO Symposium 2026 session on “EO-enabled MRV for Nature-based Solutions and Carbon Management” explored a central question facing the Earth Observation community today: how can Earth Observation evolve from a source of environmental data into operational Earth Intelligence that supports climate action, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), carbon management and sustainable development? The discussion brought together perspectives from international policy organisations, scientific observation networks, national environmental authorities and the private sector, providing a unique opportunity to examine the full pathway from observation to implementation.
Over the past decades, satellite missions, in-situ monitoring networks and analytical capabilities have expanded dramatically. The challenge is transforming these observations into trusted, operational and decision-ready intelligence that can support governments, investors, land managers and communities in making informed decisions. Earth Observation becomes valuable when it is integrated with other forms of knowledge and embedded within governance and implementation processes.
The discussion began with UNEP-IEMP, which highlighted the concept of Earth Intelligence as a bridge between environmental observations and societal outcomes. While EO provides valuable information about environmental change, effective decision-making requires understanding why changes are occurring, who is affected, and what the implications are for livelihoods, development priorities and public policy. Integrating socio-economic information with environmental observations allows decision-makers to better understand trade-offs, identify vulnerabilities and design interventions that are not only environmentally effective but also socially and economically relevant. This perspective reinforced the need to move from monitoring ecosystems in isolation towards understanding the complex interactions between people, ecosystems and development objectives.
Building on this broader perspective, the Chinese Academy of Sciences demonstrated the importance of robust scientific infrastructures for carbon monitoring. Through the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and ChinaFLUX, China has developed an extensive observation system combining flux towers, ecological monitoring stations, field inventories, atmospheric modelling and satellite observations. These systems provide the scientific evidence needed to improve carbon sink assessments, reduce uncertainty and support carbon neutrality objectives. The presentation highlighted that credible carbon management cannot rely on satellite observations alone. Trustworthy estimates require the integration of multiple sources of evidence and long-term observations capable of capturing ecosystem dynamics across different spatial and temporal scales. Scientific credibility, transparency and uncertainty quantification therefore remain fundamental pillars of any future MRV system.
The session then moved from scientific foundations to practical implementation through the experience of Colombia. IDEAM presented how the country has transformed forest monitoring into a broader Earth Intelligence approach supporting climate governance, greenhouse gas reporting, REDD+ implementation and territorial planning. Colombia’s experience demonstrated that successful monitoring systems are not simply technical platforms but institutional ecosystems. Long-term success depends on governance arrangements, technical standards, interoperability frameworks, capacity building and sustained cooperation between multiple organisations. The Colombian example illustrated how Earth Observation can become part of official decision-making processes and support national climate commitments when supported by strong institutional ownership and political commitment.
The operational perspective was then illustrated through the Gabon case presented by CLS. The National System for the Observation of Natural Resources and Forests (SNORNF) demonstrates how Earth Observation can be deployed as a near-real-time operational service supporting national authorities. Using Sentinel satellite data, automated processing chains and user-oriented information services, the system provides timely information on forest cover change and land-use dynamics. However, the presentation also highlighted that technology alone is not sufficient. Long-term success depends on affordable access to data, continuous capacity building, sustainable funding mechanisms and the active involvement of end users throughout system development and operation. Operational systems must be designed to survive beyond project lifecycles and become part of national infrastructures.
The final presentation, from Planet, connected these examples to the rapidly evolving landscape of carbon markets, Article 6 mechanisms and climate finance. A key message was that the future challenge is no longer obtaining data but ensuring that the resulting information is trusted by governments, investors, certification bodies and financial institutions. Carbon markets and climate finance mechanisms increasingly require information that is transparent, auditable, consistent and interoperable. EO-enabled MRV systems are therefore becoming critical components of broader climate governance and finance architectures. To fulfil this role, they must be able to bridge scientific capability with operational implementation and policy requirements.
Several recommendations emerged from the discussion. UNEP-IEMP emphasised the need for GEO to advance thematic pilot initiatives that combine EO, socio-economic and policy information within decision-support frameworks. The Chinese Academy of Sciences called for stronger coordination between global and national observation networks, common standards and interoperable data systems, harmonised carbon accounting methodologies, expanded regional observation pilots, and greater use of observation data in international climate governance. IDEAM emphasized the importance of precisely defining field needs as an essential condition for systems to respond effectively to local challenges. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional coordination mechanisms so that technical information becomes strategic input for decision-making at the national level. CLS highlighted the importance of affordable access to satellite data, user-driven development processes, investment in capacity building and sustainable operational infrastructures. Planet stressed the need for transparent and standardised MRV approaches that can support emerging carbon markets and climate finance mechanisms. Across all interventions, there was strong agreement that GEO should play a greater role in facilitating interoperability, fostering partnerships, supporting operational uptake and linking Earth Observation more directly to climate governance and implementation processes.
Ultimately, the session concluded that the future of Earth Observation lies in its transformation into operational Earth Intelligence. Success will not be measured by the amount of data collected, but by the extent to which this information supports real-world decisions, enables credible carbon accounting, strengthens Nature-based Solutions, improves climate governance and unlocks investment for sustainable development. The transition from pilot projects to trusted, operational systems will require scientific credibility, institutional ownership, interoperability, long-term financing and strong partnerships across the public, private and scientific communities. When these elements come together, Earth Observation can become a foundational pillar of climate action and sustainable development in the years ahead.
Sesion EO-enabled MRV for Nature-based Solutions and Carbon Management
Participants:
- Moderator: Monica Miguel-Lago European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC)
- Earth Intelligence for Global Goals: Bridging Observation, Action and Impact by Linxiu Zhang, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP)
- Bridge for carbon management with Chinese Ecosystem Research Network by Zhi Chen, Shaoqiang Wang, Shenggong Li, Xinyu Zhang, Qiufeng Wang, Xiaobo Wang et al., Affiliation: Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN)
- From Forest Monitoring to Earth Intelligence: Colombia’s Integrated Approach to Climate Governance by Ghisliane Echeverry Prieto – Director of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM)
- Operational system for near-real-time monitoring of changes in forest cover and land use in Gabonby Sébastien Delbour, Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS)
- From Earth Observation to Action: Bridging Science, Policy and Implementation for Forests and Carbon by Dr. Flávia de Souza Mendes (Planet Labs)
