GMES – Global Monitoring for Environment & Security
GMES is a European programme which aims to develop an independent European Earth observation capacity for the purpose of environmental monitoring, crisis prevention and mitigation as well as security surveillance. GMES is a joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and European Space Agency (ESA).
The services developed within GMES are based on remote sensing and in situ observations as well as numerical models and will operationally provide specific geo-information products from 2008 onwards. They are designed to support public authorities and decision makers in Europe and around the globe and to facilitate their reporting obligations from the new EU environmental directives.
Infoterra has gained a leading role within GMES and has been engaged in developing and demonstrating a range of reliable, affordable and cost-effective services that support – among others – urban planning, water management, risk management, the protection of the environment, biodiversity and soils.
Infoterra GmbH currently leads the following GMES projects:
The ESA GMES Service element GSE Land, aiming at a consolidated development of existing intermediate products from three previous projects into marketable products.
The EC FP-7 Integrated Project geoland-2, follow-up to the successfully concluded geoland, in which 56 partners and an extensive user community have developed geo-information services that support the implementation of European directives as well as European and International policies.
The European Environment Agencies' GMES Fast Track Service Precursor on Land Monitoring: a European service provider network led by Infoterra GmbH maps built-up areas and soil sealing for Europe. By 2008, the consortium will cover 5.8 mio square kilometres at 20 m resolution for the reference year of 2006.
Further, Infoterra GmbH's experts contribute to:
The risk management related projects RiskEOS and PREVIEW, comprising the development of enhanced information services and tools that help to monitor and manage all types of risk and manage crises situations.
BOSS4GMES (Building Operational Sustainable Services for GMES), which develops an operational foundation for the long-term sustainability of GMES services, focusing on technology, business and communications.
In BOSS4GMES, Infoterra leads the Fast Track Service Land, coordinating activities on urban mapping, forestry, water quality, soil protection and nature protection. Furthermore, Infoterra contributes to the Fast Track Service “Emergency” with plain flood related assessments.
Respond, an alliance of European and International organisations working with the humanitarian community to improve access to maps, satellite imagery and geographic information.
