Backed by the Toulouse-based start-up MEOSS, MEO Climate was one of the first projects to be awarded the Space Climate Observatory (SCO) label in March 2020. The objective is to implement a mapping platform that will provide local and regional authorities with local spatial and temporal indicators that are up-to-date and validated. The tool, which is being tested in the Gers region of south-west France, will enable close monitoring of the initiatives undertaken in the areas of renewable energies, management of water reserves and farming practices. We talked to Thomas Ferrero, founder of MEOSS, and Hervé Lefebvre, Chair of the collective association of municipalities managing the plan for coherent territorial development (SCoT) in Gascony, south-west France).

To curb the ever-increasing effects of climate change, the Mexican space agency, AEM, would like to launch the creation of a Latin American SCO. In particular, this joining of forces and means will enable non-signatory countries of the SCO to benefit from its projects. In partnership with the French SCO, on Friday 6 November 2020, it organised a webinar of presentations and discussions.

With the first 15 labeled projects in 2020, the Space Climate Observatory has launched the 2021 call for proposals. How to apply? Is your project suitable for accreditation? To answer all the questions of potential project leaders, several SCO members are organizing virtual classes. Result: 4 webinars on 3 continents in early November 2020.

When we talk about climate change, we firstly think about the Earth system, and the CNRS covers all of its themes. Already a user of space data in association with field data, the CNRS is among the very first players in SCO France, which was created barely five months after the official launch of the SCO International initiative. Interview with Nicolas Arnaud, Director of the National Institute of Universal Science (CNRS-INSU), who shares his vision and his motivation to give shape to SCO.

SCO France is hoping to receive many proposals for its 2021 call for projects, open until 30 November. But what is the SCO label? Is a certain project eligible? How to apply With what funding? These are some of the questions that potential project leaders asked SCO France directly during two virtual classes held on 15 October and 5 November 2020, attended by more than 40 participants. Let's take another look at these dynamic and informative discussions, from which we can already see some great projects emerging!

Submit your project to the SCO now, receive the SCO label and more in 2021

Nothing beats a round-table discussion for encouraging ideas and motivation: SCO France came together for a webinar on 1 July 2020. No fewer than 93 participants logged in to listen closely to the presentations on projects in progress before dividing into four workshops to exchange ideas and plan future projects.

The plan was to meet in Vienna at the same time as COPUOS, but due to the health crisis, they went for a virtual discussion instead. With 34 representatives connecting simultaneously, SCO International members held their third steering committee meeting under the aegis of UNOOSA, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Its Director, Simonetta di Pippo, opened the session by paying tribute to the high level of engagement of this new global community. An insider's view of 18 and 19 June 2020 when, for 90 minutes each day across all continents, the partners analysed progress and planned the next steps