SCARBOn & EU Workshop on Earth Observation Technologies

Published: March 13 / 2025

February 21st, 2025 was an exciting day for Earth Observation (EO) professionals and enthusiasts. Experts from the field came to Brussels for a Workshop on Earth Observation Technologies hosted by HaDEA and DG DEFIS. The event provided a platform for representatives from eight EU-funded EO projects to present their initiatives. Later on, participants had the chance to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions in space-based environmental monitoring.

SCARBOn’s Insight

At the workshop, SCARBOn was represented by Laure Brooker (Airbus - SCARBOn: Space Carbon Observatory next step) and Laurence Croizé (ONERA - SCARBOn: Space Carbon Observatory next step), who delivered a presentation on SCARBOn’s mission to enhance greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring from space. As part of the Horizon Europe initiative, SCARBOn is developing a next-generation constellation of satellites equipped with NanoCarb and SPEXone sensors, designed to provide precise, systematic, and reliable monitoring of anthropogenic emissions and climate trends. SCARBOn’s approach will complement Copernicus missions, offering high-resolution, frequent, and cost-effective space-based observations to track CO₂ and CH4 emissions, supporting both EU Green Deal policies and global climate goals.

Why Does This Matter?

Anthropogenic/human-caused CO₂ emissions are the largest contributors to climate change, accounting for at least two-thirds of global warming. However, many current monitoring efforts still rely on self-reported data, which may lack transparency and precision. Additionally, existing satellite missions have limitations in terms of temporal resolution and coverage.

SCARBOn aims to address these challenges by providing:
✅ Independent CO2 and CH4 emission data: Reliable, space-based monitoring to complement existing national and industrial reporting.

✅ High-frequency observations: Twice daily revisits for better tracking of emission trends.

✅ Greater accuracy: Advanced sensors minimizing errors caused by aerosols and other atmospheric interferences.

SCARBOn aims to empower policymakers, industries, and scientists to get insights on GHG emission impacts and to make informed decisions for an effective climate policies.

More Information

To explore more about the EU-funded EO projects discussed at the event, check out the latest HaDEA publication (New publication! "An overview of EU Space research projects supporting the development of Earth observation technologies" - European Commission)

Want to see SCARBOn’s full presentation? Click on the link below this article.

Stay updated on SCARBOn’s latest developments by visiting our website and following us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/scarbon-project/).