The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) has organized a seminar on Global Change, one of the key issues for our times, and on the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) proposed to be built over the next 10 years. The seminar will be held at UNESCO Headquarters, 7 place de Fontenoy in Paris on Sunday

The Heads of State and Government agreed at Heiligendamm to achieve the goal of cutting global CO2 emissions by half by 2050 as part of a UN process. Resolutions adopted by the EU, Japan and Canada form the basis of the agreement reached on climate protection, adding the approach suggested by the United States by

Bournemouth University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Curran, is this yearís recipient of the Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) Patronís Medal. Professor Curran is awarded the honour for his international contributions to Earth observation (EO), an important field in contemporary geographical science and discovery. A former NASA research scientist and advisor to the European

To Discuss Space Exploration, International Cooperation in Space-Based Disaster Management, and Use of Satellite Technology for Sustainable Development The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) will hold its 50th session in Vienna, Austria, from 6 to 15 June. Celebrating its 50th anniversary and 50 years of space achievements, the Committee

The GMES and GEOSS initiatives, in concert with other activities, are creating a paradigm change in geo-spatial and environmental information sharing and recognise that geo-spatial products and services are key to both economic return and management of global issues. Programme ìIntegrating in-situ monitoring and Earth Observation in the framework of GMES and GEOSSî Open cluster

The GMES and GEOSS initiatives, in concert with other activities, are creating a paradigm change in geo-spatial and environmental information sharing and recognise that geo-spatial products and services are a key to both economic return and management of global issues. The European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, EARSC in collaboration with the European Commission, Information Society Directorate General (DG INFSO) are organising the workshop entitled ?¨Integration in-situ monitoring and remote sensing in the framework of GMES and GEOSS?Æ on Thursday, May 31st 2007 in Brussels.

After joining the Space Council as an official permanent observer, EUMETSAT will be able to express its views in this European forum, where space issues are coordinated by EU and ESA Ministers in charge of space matters. In particular, its activities as an operator of GMES ñ related satellites and its provision of data and

Ministers in charge of space activities in ESA’s Member States, and those tasked with internal market, industry and research within the European Unionís Competitiveness Council, met in Brussels today to adopt a Resolution on the European Space Policy. Jointly drafted by the European Commission and ESA’s Director General, the European Space Policy outlines the strategic

After being published in the official Journal on the 25th April 2007, the directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) entered into force on 15 May 2007. At the same time, the INSPIRE Works Programme for the development of the Implementing

The first science data were received as early as two days after the end of the Launch and Early-Orbit Phase; now the full data flow from the 11 instruments is available to users on an operational basis, offering unprecedented accuracy and resolution of different variables such as temperature and humidity, wind speed, ozone and measurements

The most detailed portraits ever of the Earth’s land surface have been created with ESA’s Envisat environmental satellite. The portraits are the first products produced as part of the ESA-initiated GlobCover project and are available online. Bimonthly global composites for May to June 2005 and March to April 2006 can be accessed through a newly

European civil protection and humanitarian aid units could soon have access to a rapid mapping service available at any time and in any place in the world. This service óto be delivered as part of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiativeó would consist of two types of maps: reference maps, to be

For your information please note that the reports from the three Fast-Track Services implementation groups are now available on the web as well as guidelines for development and validation of pre-operational GMES Fast-Track Services and a working document on correspondence between services developed under ESA GSE and GMES Fast-Track/Core Services. These documents can be downloaded

The European Commission has adopted the European Space Policy, which reflects the key strategic importance that space systems and space applications have for Europe, in order to live up to its global leadership aspirations in selected areas. This Communication marks a milestone for the development of space policy in Europe providing a European identity to

Emergency services and communications, navigation systems, live sports, news and weather coverage and financial transactions: day-to-day life in Europe depends more and more on space applications. A comprehensive political framework for the development of a viable and strong space sector has been tabled jointly today by the Commission and the Director General of the European

The INSPIRE Directive was published in the Official Journal, yesterday, the 25th April 2007. This means that the INSPIRE directive will enter into force on the 15th May 2007. Full text of the directive (EN). The directive is available in the official languages in the Official Journal of the European Union.