SCO Initiative

The Space for Climate Observatory is an international initiative launched in 2019 which aims to gather public and private entities involved in the Earth Observation (EO) sector. In order to make the best use of satellite data and digital technologies for climate action, the SCO aims at coordinating international efforts to support the emergence of operational tools for climate monitoring, mitigation and adaptation addressed to decision-makers and the wide public.

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1 Overview

The creation of the Space for Climate Observatory dates back to 2017 within the framework of the One Planet Summit, but it was not officially launched until June 2019 when twenty-three space agencies and international organisations signed a declaration of interest. Their idea was to make up for a series of shortcomings in the EO ecosystem, namely:

Whereas space data are instrumental in our understanding of Earth’s climate, they are hardly taken into account when it comes to design public policies;
Despite the worldwide emergence of satellite-based climate applications, it is difficult to have a clear overview of what has already been achieved;
Finally, if it is true that international coordination on EO data sharing and scientific use is well established, cooperation on operational applications and private sector involvement remains less mature.

To answer these needs, the SCO was set up as an international network to support the emergence of operational applications for climate change monitoring, mitigation and adaptation, to gather together existing initiatives and to feature these projects in various events and partnerships.

During its first three years of existence, the SCO progressively expanded: new space agencies joined the initiative, and the organisation of multiple calls for projects resulted in the emergence of about sixty SCO Projects. SCO members also worked together under the coordination of UNOOSA to clearly define the nature of SCO and formalise its governance through the Charter on the establishment of the Space for Climate Observatory, which will enter into force on 1^st September 2022.

2 Objectives

The SCO supports the development of operational tools addressed to decision-makers and the wider audience, to fully leverage the potential of satellite data together with socio-economic data in helping towards climate monitoring, mitigation and adaptation at the local scale. These tools must be co-designed with their end-users to answer specific needs, and should be easily modified to be adapted to other geographic areas facing similar climate stakes.

In addition to these projects, the SCO also aims at enhancing international coordination around operational applications based on space technologies for climate, highlighting such tools and acting as an international forum to discuss and advocate for these solutions.

3 Governance

As a best-effort-based international initiative, the SCO works in a fully multilateral way. In every country, a Focal Point is designated to take part to Steering Committee meetings scheduled at least twice a year to make decisions on SCO programmes and functioning. Among these Focal Points, a subgroup forms the Programme Committee on a rotating basis to oversee SCO activities – Projects and Working Groups – carried out by all members. These committees as well as all activities are supported by the SCO Secretariat, provided by one SCO member.

4 SCO Projects

SCO Projects designate satellite-based applications for climate change monitoring, mitigation and adaptation supported by SCO Signatories and meeting the following criteria:

C1. Addressing the needs of end users within a specific geographic area;
C2. Proposing operational and practical software(s);
C3. Making the best use of available satellite, environmental, climate, in situ and socio-economic data, at a resolution adapted to the problem;
C4. Building on (pre-)operational and research infrastructures, services and local data provision;
C5. Having a built-in potential for extending to several geographic areas.

SCO Projects are also encouraged to meet the following optional criteria:

OC1. Federating a consortium of scientists, companies and/or public authorities able to generate new knowledge, innovative and effective core methodologies and practical tools for decision support;
OC2. Promoting a methodology based on the state of the art including the latest developments in artificial intelligence and related computing infrastructures;
OC3. Promoting the use of open-source tools and move towards an open final tool;
OC4. Proposing funding schemes for Projects involving communities in their initial phase, and defining the scope of recourse to the private sector for future developments;
OC5. Including an analysis of the associated business model;
OC6. Considering international cooperation towards Least Developed Countries, as defined by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, benefiting from development aid.

5 SCO members

SCO members are the Signatories of the Charter on the establishment of the Space for Climate Observatory. Furthermore, in every country, a single public entity assumes the role of Focal Point, responsible for the organisation of SCO activities at the national level.

See the signatory members

7 FAQ

What is the legal nature of the SCO?

The SCO is an international initiative defined by the Charter on the establishment of the Space for Climate Observatory. It is a collective effort devoid of legal personality, based on the best-efforts of its Signatories.

Who can join the SCO?

Any public or private entity involved in the Earth Observation sector and willing to contribute to SCO activities, be it the emergence of SCO Projects to the Working Groups, can join the SCO by signing the Charter.

What does it mean to be a SCO member?

Being a SCO member grants access to all SCO activities, on a best-effort basis. It is possible to get more deeply involved within the governance of the initiative by becoming Focal Point – but only one public entity by country can assume this role in a given country.

How to join the SCO?

To join the SCO, any public or private entity can sign the Charter on the establishment of the Space for Climate Observatory. Requests to join the Charter are assessed against the possibility to contribute to SCO activities and the willingness to act in favour of SCO objectives.

Can the SCO provide funding to projects?

The SCO is not a funding agency per se. However, since it is a network open to a wide array of public and private entities and that its role is to highlight the tools developed under its umbrella, the SCO aims at making it easier to find funding for such applications.