COP27: 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference

World leaders and experts gathered in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) where a session dedicated to Destination Earth (DestinE) was held on 10 November 2022. 

The session was titled, “Destination Earth: Earth’s digital twin to support greener policies for a greener future”. The session featured the three Entrusted Entities implementing DestinE, European Space Agency (ESA), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).  

Panellists included ECMWF Destination Earth Science Lead Irina Sandu, ESA Management & Ground Segment Department Head of the Mission Nicolaus Hanowski and EUMETSAT Destination Earth Programme Manager Lothar Wolf. The session was also moderated by European Commission DG CNECT Open Science and Digital Modelling Deputy Head of Unit Tobias Wiesenthal and European Commission DG DEFIS Earth Observation Deputy Head of Unit Elisabeth Hamdouch. 

Apart from this, during several sessions, ESA emphasized how satellite data enhances scientific understanding of climate change and validates climate models for predicting future changes. ESA also underscored the growing use of satellite information in supporting global climate action and tracking progress towards commitments under the Paris Agreement. Panels discussed climate information for decision making, Earth observations for mitigation and adaptation, CO2 monitoring, and the implementation plan for the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) 2022. 

The conference focused on limiting greenhouse emissions and addressing loss and damage resulting from climate change while taking stock of the latest climate science. Satellites played a crucial role, providing observations that detailed significant changes across the planet, such as glacier shrinkage, polar ice sheet loss, and rising global sea levels.