15 januari 2025
ESA Launches New Call for Proposals
Focus on Climate Change and Health
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a new “Climate Change and Health” call as part of its Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI). The aim is to explore the role of Earth observation data in identifying, monitoring and reducing climate-related health risks. In particular, projects should examine how climate data derived from satellite observations can enhance resilience and support adaptation to climate change. The call is in line with the broader objectives of the ESA CCI which focus on cross-cutting applications of climate data in support of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. While many projects address mitigation, this call emphasises adaptation and resilience building, with a focus on engaging new user communities in the health sector. Projects must be submitted by 14 February 2025.
Climate change is having an increasing impact on human health. Extreme weather events such as heat waves, heavy rainfall and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a threat to health systems worldwide. These include the spread of infectious diseases, heat-related mortality in urban areas, and psychological stress following natural disasters.
Satellite data are an important tool for monitoring these developments. ESA's CCI has developed long-term datasets covering key aspects of climate (ECVs). They provide the observational evidence to understand and monitor change since 2010. Together with in-situ measurements, satellites provide the empirical evidence to support climate science and better predict future change. They can be used to guide mitigation and adaptation measures, assess climate risks, attribute climate events to their underlying causes, and support climate services. They provide a key line of evidence to characterise the climate and form the fundamental basis for decision-making tools, policies and ultimately mitigation and adaptation measures in response to climate change.
Tender Details
The call for proposals is aimed at institutions developing innovative approaches to the use of Earth observation data in the health sector (health system / facilities, e.g. hospitals). The focus is on three types of high-impact climate events
- Heat waves: Urbanisation increases the urban heat island effect, increasing heat-related health risks.
- Heavy rainfall and flooding: These events cause significant disruption to infrastructure and increase the risk of mental health problems and infectious diseases.
- Droughts: Prolonged droughts threaten water supplies and promote the spread of diseases such as malaria.
Projects should focus on assessing the health risks associated with these climate events and propose ways to reduce exposure and vulnerability.
Conditions of Participation
Interested organisations are invited to submit their project proposals by 14 February 2025, 13:00 CET. The use of climate datasets developed under ESA's CCI programme and other Earth observation data is strongly encouraged. The duration of the submitted projects should not exceed 36 months. Selected projects will be supported with > 500,000 Euro.
More information on the call for proposals and the full conditions for participation can be accessed via ESA’s tendering portal.