💻Join our webinar 'Satellite retrievals of carbon dioxide and methane & related applications' with Michael Buchwitz on 18 Feb and learn about past, present and ongoing activities of ESA's Greenhouse Gas Climate Change Initiative project from retrieval algorithms to applications: tally.so/r/RGPlvQ

Meet Michael Buchwitz! Since 1993, he has been pioneering satellite retrievals of greenhouse gases (GHG) at Bremen University. As former Science Lead of ESA's GHG Climate Change Initiative project, he developed algorithms that transform satellite data into climate intelligence.

Why did methane spike during COVID? The atmosphere lost its ability to break down methane while wetlands released more due to wetter La Niña conditions. New study exposes gaps in climate models. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

How do satellites measure invisible greenhouse gases from space? Join our webinar ‘Satellite retrievals of carbon dioxide and methane & related applications’ on 18 February to discover two decades of CO₂ and methane observations and what they reveal about our climate. Registration is now open:

As fires contribute up to 35% of GHG emissions, tracking burned areas is essential for climate research. An extended version of Sentinel-3 SYN Burned Area products is available through the ESA Climate Change Initiative Open Data Portal. Grid product: t1p.de/7lwut Pixel product: t1p.de/sbc1g

Congrats to Philippe Ciais – named world's best environmental scientist 2025/26 by Research.com! 🎉 He leads a research project investigating global greenhouse gas budgets using satellite and atmospheric data as part of the ESA Climate Change Initiative: climate.esa.int/en/supportin...

Global sea level rise is not steady – it jumps🌊 A study in @natcomms.nature.com reveals an abrupt leap in sea level rise rates between 2010–2012, challenging assumptions of gradual trends & linking the shift to natural climate cycles and human activity. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

27 years of data to help us understand Permafrost warming! @esa.int's Climate Change Initiative has released version 5.0 of their Permafrost datasets - the most comprehensive collection so far, spanning from 1997 to 2023. Find the data here: t1p.de/ybdh8

Insight from '10 New Insights in Climate Science 2025': our climate system is under increasing strain, with accelerating ocean warming and the warmest sea surface temperatures. @sophiehebden.bsky.social & Chris Merchant contributed as co-authors with ESA Climate Change Initiative data expertise.

How are satellite data and AI reshaping climate intelligence, sustainability, and business resilience? @calbergel.bsky.social, Head of ESA's Actionable Climate Information Programm, will join a discussion on the issue, hosted by the French Chamber of Great Britain: 📅21 January 📍London

🔥 Scientists significantly improved estimates of fire emissions and carbon stocks by entering satellite-based burned area data from the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative into Dynamic Global Vegetation Models. ➡️ link.springer.com/article/10.1...

📢The @wcrpclimate.bsky.social seeks a Director for the CORDEX International Project Office – based at @esa.int UK centre. Key tasks: manage a global team, engage scientists worldwide, and shape the future of regional climate model projections. 📅 Closes: 13 Feb 2026 🔗 www.hespace.com/vacancies/di...

How do we track ice flow movements?🧊 The Antarctic Ice Sheet Climate Change Initiative project is advancing ice velocity algorithms – improving data coverage & preparing for upcoming missions like ROSE-L. Essential work for understanding change in sea-level. 👉 climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

🌳 Small patches, big consequences New study analysing 30 years of satellite data has revealed that tiny forest clearings, accounting for just 5% of the disturbed area, are responsible for 56% of tropical carbon losses - underscoring that smallest clearings matter. 🔗 Read more: tinyurl.com/mwu9m9z4

How fast is polar ice moving into the sea? 🛰️ 10 years of @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social Sentinel-1 data provide the answer – crucial for understanding future sea-level rise 👉 climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

📢 New data release! The ESA Climate Change Initiative Soil Moisture project now offers over 40 years of global observations – key data for understanding drought, agriculture and climate. Links below 👇

What happens when ocean ecosystems reach critical tipping points? 🌊 Researchers use satellite, in-situ, and model data to track changes in key ocean ecosystems. The project helps protect marine life and supports climate resilience efforts. 🛰️ Discover more: climate.esa.int/en/tipping-p...

Landfills account for over 10% of human-made methane emissions. ESA's Climate Change Initiative uses satellites to detect leaks at a Madrid landfill. By collaborating with stakeholders, researchers turned satellite data into repairs and tangible reductions in emissions. tinyurl.com/msfvr2re

📈 Discover connections in climate data! The latest Toolbox release introduces new correlation operations helping climate and remote sensing experts uncover relationships between Essential Climate Variables. Download your Toolbox now: github.com/esa-cci/esa-...

How to predict deadly tropical cyclones when there is not enough satellite data? A recent @esa.int project managed to teach an AI to create 3D maps of tropical cyclones, being the first to ever do this on a global scale. Read about its potential for the Climate Change Initiative tinyurl.com/mpzpec8y

Today is International Mountain Day 🏔️ This year’s focus: glaciers - holding 70% of Earth's freshwater. The ESA Climate Change Initiative tracks from space how these frozen freshwater reserves are changing – essential data for understanding our climate future: climate.esa.int/en/projects/glaciers/

How close are ice sheets to partial collapse? The IPCC report says sea levels could rise between 0.3 and 1.6 metres by the end of this century and more than 15 metres by 2300. ESA-funded experts are taking a combined approach to detect signs of instability. Read more: climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

Climate data just got a major upgrade 📊🌍 With 4 new projects, @esa.int's Climate Change Initiative is now generating long-term global satellite data for land evaporation, phytoplankton, sea ice age and drift, and ocean heat. All datasets will be accessible via the Open Data Portal. t1p.de/td3wm

#COP30 is over, but its insights matter. Policy makers worldwide met to discuss ways to keep the Paris Agreement alive and accelerate climate action. Satellite data can help to turn uncertainty into actionable decisions. Read the full recap: climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

What can we learn from looking at our oceans from space? This is what the International Ocean Colour Science Meeting in Darmstadt will focus on the coming days. In her session, Marie-Hélène Rio, an ESA Ocean Applications Scientist, presented ESA's approach to ocean colour application and research.

The Amazon may be weakening its ability to absorb carbon 🌍 Ground towers, airborne sensors & satellites are tracking the flux of greenhouse gases across primary forests, degraded land and fire zones in order to determine how close we are to reaching the tipping point. tinyurl.com/yv39abx4

Africa's forests - once natural buffers of greenhouse gases - are now a source of carbon A new study shows the continent lost 106 billion kg of forest biomass every year between 2010 & 2017 using methods developed via ESA's Climate Change Initiative Urgent action is needed. #COP30

@esa.int's Ocean Carbon from Space Workshop 2025 continues 2 to 3 Dec during the International Ocean Colour Science Meeting in Darmstadt, Germany. Experts will collaborate on actionable recommendations for the international research community and space agencies. oceancarbonfromspace2025.esa.int

New dataset unlocks 120 years of global fire history 🔥 ESA satellites + machine learning reveal wildfire patterns from 1901-2020. The reconstruction reveals century-long trends in global fire activity, with Africa dominating global fire trends throughout the industrial age.

🗨️Tomorrow, @esa.int member states are gathering in Bremen. Decisions made there will help to ensure satellite data records continue to support and reinforce climate policy and steer effective mitigation and adaptation plans. #CM25

It's time to address challenges & opportunities in ocean carbon research! Join ESA's Ocean Carbon From Space workshop about characterising the ocean carbon cycle using field & satellite observations as well as ecosystem models. 📅24 to 26 Nov, online 📅 2 to 3 Dec, in-person sessions in Darmstadt:

For decades, the Amazon absorbed our carbon emissions, slowing climate change. That buffer may be weakening. With a combination of drones, aircraft, ground sensors and satellite data scientists determine whether the Amazon is shifting from a carbon sink to a carbon source #COP30 tinyurl.com/yv39abx4

Let’s protect the global climate together 🌍: This November, all @esa.int Member States will come together at the Ministerial Council to discuss funding for future projects. Check out Susanne Mecklenburg’s insights into ESA’s plans for the coming years 👇

🏆 The winner of our ‘Forests in a Changing Climate‘ competition is Pinja! Using biomass satellite data, she created a video revealing that Europe's forests are losing their ability to absorb carbon. She discovered that replanted trees cannot instantly restore soil – recovery takes decades🌳

Ecosystems around the world are reaching critical thresholds. 🌳Using AI and satellite data, researchers provide early warning of climate-driven tipping points in rainforests, boreal forests, and drylands. 🛰️ #COP30 Learn more: climate.esa.int/en/tipping-p...

@esa.int's Member States are the backbone of our Climate Change Initiative! 🛰️🌍 Over 40 years, together they've established the Earth observation infrastructure we rely on today. Now, 500+ experts across Europe help improve our knowledge of climate change as support of the Paris Agreement. #COP30

🔥 State of Wildfires 2024–25 report shows: Climate change made extreme wildfires up to 35× larger and far more likely.📈 🛰️ @esa.int Climate Change Initiative's fire datasets independently verified burned-area patterns and uncertainties. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

How can satellite data support meeting the Paris Agreement goals? ESA's Climate Change Initiative provides independent datasets to monitor carbon sinks and verify emissions as leaders gather for #COP30. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

Greenhouse gases beyond CO2 and CH4 play a key role in climate change. 🌍 A workshop in Bologna today by ESA's Climate Change Initiative LOLIPOP project explores how satellite observations support climate research and atmospheric modelling: climate.esa.int/en/projects/...

A new study is combining two types of measurements to estimate soil carbon storage more accurately and on a global scale. 🌏 Results show largest losses of soil carbon storage occur from agricultural land use in the dry tropics, leading to a small net sink at a global scale: t1p.de/ihh34

🎌ESA-Japan cooperation takes the stage at #COP30! Frank Martin Seifert presents on greenhouse gas observations from space and providing the data to policymakers in Japan, promoting global decarbonization efforts. 📆 Today I 10:00 BRT 📍 Japan Pavilion More about our Greenhouse Gas project:

Have you checked out @esa.int's new tender to exploit a rescued archive of high-resolution satellite data covering a crucial period before modern instrument? Two more weeks to apply! esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderAct...

Let's talk about mapping permafrost thawing at #COP30 Our Permafrost project team is presenting new datasets, including gridded ones of ground temperature and of active layer thickness. 📆 Today, 14 Nov I 15:30 BRT 📍 Cryosphere Pavilion, Belém Explore the data here: climate.esa.int/en/projects/...

At #COP30, ESA showcases the latest advances in Amazon forest monitoring. Discover how space technology and mission results are vital for tackling deforestation & achieving Paris Agreement goals. 🛰️🌎 📅 Sat, 15 Nov | 13:15-14:45 BRT | Side Event Room 3

How is permafrost mapped from space and on the ground? Find out at #COP30! Frank Martin Seifert from the Permafrost project team of ESA's Climate Change Initiative will present new insights on permafrost satellite datasets. 📆 14 Nov I 15:30 BRT 📍Cryosphere Pavilion Read more here: t1p.de/ybdh8

The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites & the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites delivered a statement to @UNFCCC at #COP30 on how satellite observations advance climate knowledge in key areas like sea level rise projections. Full statement: tinyurl.com/38kswy3e

🌳 Let's discuss Biomass at #COP30: Martin Herold features Biomass progress at Global Climate Observing System "Forests, Finance & Fairness" event - using satellite data to track forest regrowth & carbon removals for national climate reporting. 📅Nov 13 | 13:15–14:45 BRT | WMO Pavilion | Belém

What's happening to our northern forests? 🌳 @calbergel.bsky.social explains how satellite data revealed unexpected changes in forest carbon storage and what this means for our climate. Check it out! 👇 #COP30

Evidence suggests the Amazon and northern hemisphere forests are weakening carbon sinks, with some areas now emitting more carbon than they absorb. ESA satellites track these shifts as leaders gather for #COP30. Only 235 gigatonnes left in our carbon budget. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...

How can we tell if climate adaptation efforts work? Study shows how satellites help assess risks and track progress. Satellite data could transform how we track progress on global climate resilience for the Paris Agreement’s framework of the Global Goal on Adaptation. climate.esa.int/en/news-even...