3-6 September 2024 | The Black Diamond | Copenhagen, Denmark
Polar regions are sentinels of climate change, biodiversity, and human resilience. They have experienced the most rapid rates of warming in recent years. Its expected impacts will exceed those forecasted for many other regions, resulting in significant consequences affecting natural ecosystems and human activities.
Improving our observational capacity and enhancing the basic understanding of the drivers and processes governing those changes, and translating knowledge into solutions for society, are major challenges for the future.
Earth observation from space and Earth system science will represent an essential element in this process. Addressing the major challenge in polar research will require a significant and sustained collaborative effort and an integrated approach to science where the synergistic use of satellite data, in-situ and citizen observations, advanced modelling capabilities, interdisciplinary research and innovative technologies will be essential elements.
This is why the European Commission (Directorate General for Research and Innovation) and the European Space Agency are working together to improve cooperation and to identify and address the grand science challenges in polar research that may drive joint EC-ESA scientific activities in the coming years.
The 2nd European Polar Science Week is an important milestone in the cooperation between the European Commission and the European Space Agency. The event will take place from 3 to 6 September, 2024, in Copenhagen.
The overall objective of the European Polar Science Week is to bring together the European polar science community and reinforce European cooperation for polar science.
More specifically, the 2nd Polar Science Week will aim to:
- Share latest results in polar science with a focus on Earth observation, and promote networking and collaborative research in polar sciences, bringing together different expertise, data, and resources in a systemic manner
- Discuss progress in addressing recommendations from the 1st European Polar Science Week
- Identify major polar scientific challenges, observation gaps and research needs for the coming years
- Formulate recommendations for a Polar Science Agenda, in particular with regard to maximising synergies between the ESA and Horizon Europe Programme
- Develop and provide policy relevant recommendations
During this week, key scientists and stakeholders of polar science will have the opportunity to discuss the major challenges and opportunities in front of us, promote networking and collaboration across projects and activities advancing the EC-ESA Polar research cooperation.
Two key initiatives shaping the future of polar research emerged:
- The European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO), set to open in 2025, will strengthen the EU’s polar science collaboration;
- The Copernicus Polar Roadmap is expanding satellite capabilities to monitor the Arctic and Antarctic, delivering critical data to address emerging challenges.
