Science

11 november 2024

ESA at COP29

ESA is participating in COP29 to highlighting satellites' role in tackling climate change

The latest round of international climate talks are underway in Baku Azerbaijan (11 - 22November). The focus is on getting finance in place to accelerate climate action in line with the UN's "Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C" to limit global temperature rise in line with the 2015 UN Paris Agreement goals.

ESA is involved in the discussions and is highlighting the role satellite data in helping understand and assess the state of climate, provide early warning of change increasingly, informing and monitor progress relating to global and national climate action.

ESA presentations and activities during COP29

11-21 November ESA Booth

Attendees at COP29 can visit Booth 36 where ESA is showcasing examples where satellite data is supporting climate action including coastal sea level rise monitoring, melting of the cryosphere and quantification of forest biomass.

11 November - Earth Information Day

During the UNFCCC/SBSTA organised event, ESA will act as rapporteurs on three plenary sessions:

  • Observations for climate change adaptation
  • Advanced technologies, innovation and digital transformation for Earth observation
  • Observations in averting, minimizing, addressing loss and damage, and strengthening resilience to extreme events including heat stress

Clement albergel rapporteur during Earth Information Day
Clement albergel rapporteur during Earth Information Day

11 November - Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion

ESA will particpate in a panel discussion on ‘The value of blue carbon: from NDCs to cultural co-benefits" to highlight the role of Earth observation for coastal blue carbon monitoring.

ESA's Clement Albergel at the Moana Blue Carbon pavillion COP29
ESA's Clement Albergel at the Moana Blue Carbon pavillion COP29

12 November 8:55 - 17:30 (GMT) – Protecting our Planet 2024

The ESA Climate team and colleagues are taking part in an inspiring live-streamed event from COP29 to present on the role and capabilities of satellites in assessing the state of the climate and informing decision-making and climate action as part of an inspiring live-streamed event Around 180,000 UK school students are participating in the event run by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) at STEM Learning and in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency.

Follow the event live here

Protecting our planet logo 2024
Protecting our Planet live streamed schools event

13 November 12:15- 13:15 (GMT+4) – Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Pavilion

‘Leveraging Data and Technology for Infrastructure Risk Resilience " panel discussion. ESA will highlight the role of Earth observation for risk-informed infrastructure urban planning; emerging technologies including the application of artificial intelligence and the importance of public-private partnerships, government collaboration, and global cooperation. Examples from ESA's Global Development Assistance programme will be highlighted including how EO Data enhances vulnerability of Georgia’s Black Sea coast.

14 November 13:00 (GMT+4) - Use of Earth Observation Satellite Data for Voluntary Credits JAXA Pavilion

ESA will participate in presentations relating to the challenges and future application of Earth observation satellite data for ensuring the transparency and reliability of evidence required for carbon credit trading including the showcasing the potential application of ESA's Climate Change Initiative above ground biomass dataset.

15 November 16:30-18:00 (GMT+4) - Congo Basin Pavilion

Presentation on 'Advances in Space observations for monitoring tropical forest monitoring'

16 November 15:00-18:00 (GMT+4)- WMO-IPCC-MERI Science for Climate Action Pavilion

ESA’s Clement Albergel will deliver a Keynote talk Earth observation in support of climate mitigation and adaptation as part of the WMO Science & Policy integration for Adaptation theme.

18 November 11:00-12:15 (GMT+4) – Climate Action Pavilion

Presentation by ESA’s Frank Martin Seifert on ‘Digitisation and climate change, the Space to conquer’

18 November 13:00-14:40 (GMT+4) – Cryosphere Pavilion

Entitled ‘New Budgets Confirm Permafrost Region is Already Warming the Climate’, this session involving ESA Frank Martin Seifert and ESA CCI Science leader Annet Bartsch alongside the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Global Carbon Project and Woodwell Climate Research Centre presents new research findings on the greenhouse gas budgets of permafrost region ecosystems developed in the RECCAP2 project. Studies show that the region is already warming the global climate. While Boreal forest remains a sink of carbon, large emissions of CO2 and CH4 from inland waters, wetlands, thawing permafrost and fires tip the balance to net warming. The session also provides an overview of new research programs designed to further improve regional greenhouse gas budgets using new satellite technologies.

21 November 09:30-11:00 (GMT+4) Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Pavilion

In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank ESA will deliver a presentation titled ‘Enhancing Coastal Resilience in Asia and the Pacific’ highlighting the role of satellite observation role in both responding to disasters and increasing resilience. We will highlight as part of this presentation how ESA’s Global Development Assistance programme is mainstreaming space data in financial institutions development operations across a range of sectors.

21 November (11:30-13:00 GMT+4) - Side event room 7 with the Japanese Space Agency, JAXA

Joint presentation on ‘ Co-creating action-ready climate monitoring and mitigation solutions using satellite observation’

21 November - (16:30-17:30 GMT+4)- WWF pavillion

Presentation entitled ‘Equity in action: Nature-based financing pathways to protect forests and biodiversity