A WORLD OBSERVATORY
ON THE IMPACTS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
ABOUT SCO
OUR MISSION
As an informal group of space agencies and international organizations,
the Space Climate Observatory (SCO) International Initiative addresses the need to step up
international coordination for accurate assessment and monitoring of the consequences of
climate change from observations and numerical models. By conceiving methodologies that
combine various data sources to provide scenarios for action, the SCO aims to become an
important tool for decision-making on preparedness, adaptation and resilience to the impacts of
climate change at the local level.
THE SCO AIMS TO STUDY, MONITOR AND ADAPT TO
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
especially at local scales, using satellite-based Earth-observation tools in combination with field
data and models. This objective will be grounded on four pillars :
Transparency
of its actions, of data used and provided
local capacity building
Sharing of knowledge
effective applications
for climate change adaptation
For this, the SCO International is structured as an international consortium without legal personality,
with national and regional versions, depending on the good will and capabilities of SCO Partners and
local actors. For the time being, each SCO Partner will contribute to the initiative on a best-effort
basis. This will complement and extend existing initiatives, boosting them at national and local
scales. See the Terms of Reference of SCO.
THE SCO PROGRAMME WILL THUS OPERATE
ALONGSIDE AND DOWNSTREAM OF CLIMATE CHANGE
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
supporting and accelerating work already underway within our space and scientific communities, as
well as actions on the ground led by international organizations like the UN.
GOVERNANCE
SCO Members gather regularly at steering committee meetings. The chair of the steering committee is designated by the SCO Partners on a rotating basis, and should be the representative of the country hosting the corresponding steering committee meeting.
SCO operations and governance will be refined and developed through an International Charter currently being drawn up.
SCO operations and governance will be refined and developed through an International Charter currently being drawn up.
SECRETARIAT
The SCO International is backed by a General Secretariat in charge of leading it and assisting the hosting chairman when preparing and organizing steering committee meetings. It also reports to the steering committee. Members of the General Secretariat are designated on a good will basis by SCO Partners.
