Observations & Modelling
Satellite observations of the climate provide the evidence from which to validate and improve the quality, credibility and value of model predictions. The ESA Climate Change Initiative includes a several projects to strengthen collaboration between Earth Observation and climate modelling communities; facilitate scientific exploitation of satellite climate data records for model assimilation, calibration and parameterisation, leading to better understanding and improved predictions.
ESA also hosts the CMIP International Project Office of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project' which coordinates global modelling, data and observations activities, under the governance of the World Climate Research Programme.
Observations and climate modelling research
These research projects facilitate the development, and utilisation, of satellite-based climate data products (ECVs) to better constrain and validate climate models used to understand past and predict future climate change.
Climate modelling coordination
ESA co-hosts coordinating hubs for two major WCRP climate modelling initiatives that provide major contributions to IPCC assessments and regional adaptation planning.
CMIP forcing dataset projects
These project are developing enhanced observation-driven climate forcing datasets as inputs to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) and improve the accuracy of historical climate simulations and future projections used in IPCC assessments.
