As the new CEOS Chair, the UK aims to leverage Earth observation (EO) to benefit public services, inspire future leaders, and drive impactful global collaborations. A Youth Summit, scheduled for November 2025 in Bath, UK, is one initiative to engage young people in EO applications and science.
CEOS celebrates its 40th anniversary at the annual plenary in Montreal, marking the occasion with the "Montreal Statement," reinforcing its commitment to address global challenges. CEOS unites space and meteorological agencies worldwide to maximize satellite-based Earth observation benefits, enhancing efforts in climate tracking, biodiversity, urban planning, and emergency response.
Under the theme "Unlocking Earth Observation for Society," the UK Space Agency's leadership will focus on four core priorities over the next year:
1. Utilizing EO to enhance public services.
2. Amplifying the role of space data in the UN's Global Stocktakes for climate action.
3. Developing best practices for methane emissions monitoring.
4. Engaging students with the "CEOS in Schools" initiative.
A priority for Dr. Bate's chairmanship is to represent CEOS internationally, starting with COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and continuing throughout 2025 to promote CEOS objectives.
"For 40 years, CEOS has been uniting the global community to champion the transformative potential of satellites and Earth Observation," said Dr. Bate. "I'm proud to be chairing this globally-valued committee and will use the next year to demonstrate how, by working together across borders, we can harness space technology for the benefit of our societies, our shared environment, and our economies."
Enhancing Public Services through EO
The UK will facilitate exchanges between CEOS agencies on integrating EO into public services, hosting a September 2025 workshop to support data uptake in national and local policies. This leads up to the UK's own CEOS Plenary in November 2025 in Bath, Somerset.
Eric Laliberte, representing the Canadian Space Agency as the 2024 CEOS Chair, extended congratulations to the UK, stating, "We congratulate the UK Space Agency on assuming the chairmanship role and are committed to ensuring that data-driven decisions pave the way for increasingly sustainable practices. Together, we are advancing the role of satellite Earth observation in creating sustainable solutions for the future of our societies and natural environments."
Strengthening the UN Global Stocktake with EO Insights
Working with Japan's JAXA and CEOS Climate Working Group, the UK will contribute to refining EO's role in the UN's Global Stocktake for climate action. This project will build on insights from previous assessments to enhance EO data application in global climate strategies.
Professor John Remedios, Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation, commented: "The National Centre for Earth Observation is very pleased to see the UK taking on leadership on the world stage. The UK is able to contribute world-leading capability and methods in Earth Observation to the global community. Through this role in CEOS, the UK will be able to support the important collaborative efforts that agencies need to achieve to meet the challenges of climate and of resilience with commitment, rigour, and Earth intelligence."
Advancing Methane Monitoring Best Practices
Methane's impact on climate is significant, with its warming potential roughly 80 times that of carbon dioxide over two decades. The CEOS Greenhouse Gas Task Team, co-led by the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is developing global standards for methane reporting, crucial to meeting the Global Methane Pledge. The UK Space Agency aims to promote these standards internationally to support emission reductions.
Ally Barker, Vice-chair of the UKspace Trade Association's EO Committee, emphasized, "This is an opportune time for the UK to demonstrate its leadership in Earth observation on the global stage. UK industry looks forward to working closely with the UK Space Agency as it takes on the Chair of CEOS to maximise the societal and economic benefits of EO for the UK and the world."
Inspiring the Next Generation: CEOS in Schools
In a bid to inspire young people, the UK Space Agency will launch the "CEOS in Schools" program, giving students aged 14-16 insights into how satellites tackle issues like climate change and disaster management. Experts will lead workshops, culminating in a global Youth Summit where students present their insights to top Earth observation experts.
Met Office Services Director Simon Brown shared his enthusiasm: "It's an exciting time for the UK to take up this prestigious role in CEOS. Earth observations are at the heart of us delivering world-leading weather and climate services, and we are proud of the observations we get through the collaboration of European member states at EUMETSAT and underpinned by national and ESA Missions. Access to Earth observations is changing, and I look forward to working closely with UK Space Agency team to grow, influence, and be part of the changing space endeavour to advance Earth observations to protect us from weather extremes."
Related Links
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
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