A Policy Vision for Earth Observation 30/06/2025
The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), together with the European Space Agency (ESA) have convened a high-level workshop on the Policy Value of Earth Observation, with the participation of Manuel Heitor.
This Vision sets a direction, initiating a dialogue to maximise the policy impact of Earth Observation: bringing new energy to space programmes through stimulating continuous policy demand and guidance. It is addressed to national and European decision-makers in the domains of energy, security, environment, agriculture, digitalisation and beyond.
While this document is not a work plan, the Vision is underpinned with a tangible call for action. It urges the policy community to further integrate Earth Observation, and space at large, into their sectoral policies and calls on the space community to create entry points to receive policy guidance for their programmatic action. ‘It takes a village’, in the spirit of the African proverb.
Doing so is no easy feat and represents a task of a decade. Success depends on timely action, including leveraging upcoming milestones that will shape the future of Earth Observation in Europe. Notably, the ESA Council Meetings at Ministerial Level and the parallel preparation of the new EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the 2028-2034 timeframe, as well as the breadth of national initiatives.
