Destination Earth: What it is and what it can offer for local digital twins

As Europe accelerates toward a digital and climate-resilient future, the European Commission’s Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative takes a pivotal role in shaping how we understand and respond to environmental change. This ambitious programme aims to build a highly accurate digital replica of the Earth, enabling digital twins of the Earth system by 2030.

At present, DestinE features two advanced digital twins—focused on climate change adaptation and extreme weather events. These foundational components will soon be joined by further thematic twins, covering domains such as oceans and biodiversity. Developed by three leading European agencies—ESA, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT—DestinE represents a new frontier in data-driven decision-making.

As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt at the local level, cities and regions are turning to digital innovation to protect communities and plan for the future. Whether for flood protection, land use strategy, or urban resilience, Local Digital Twins are becoming essential tools in managing environmental risk.

Exploring DestinE for Local Governance

This webinar provides a unique opportunity to discover the core aims of Destination Earth and how it can support local-level decision-making. Participants will explore how climate and weather data—made accessible through DestinE—can inform urban planning, and what capacities are needed to make the most of these insights.

Session Highlights

• Welcome (11:30–11:35)
  Gabriela Ruseva, Living-in.EU coordinator, Eurocities

• Introduction to Destination Earth (11:35–12:00)

  • The Digital Twins – Jörn Hoffmann, Applications and Innovation Partnerships Lead for DestinE, ECMWF

  • The Datalake – Danaële Puechmaille, Computer Systems Engineer, EUMETSAT

  • The DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More – Franka Kunz, DestinE Earth Science Model Engineer, ESA

• DestinE in the Urban Context (12:00–12:40)

  • How to use the DestinE Digital Twins in urban policy – Jörn Hoffmann, ECMWF

  • Use cases on the impact of urban development and climate change

• Discussion & Q&A (12:40–12:55)

• Closing Remarks (12:55–13:00)

This session is designed for city leaders, policymakers, and regional stakeholders eager to integrate advanced digital tools into their climate and sustainability strategies. With DestinE as a key enabler of informed local action, attendees will gain both inspiration and practical knowledge for shaping the smart, sustainable cities of tomorrow.