What means participation in GMES for small countries: contributions and applications in Estonia.
- Paper number
IAC-08.B1.1.10
- Author
Dr. Anu Reinart, Tartu Observatory, Estonia
- Coauthor
Dr. Mart Noorma, University of Tartu, Estonia
- Coauthor
Prof. Jüri Elken, Tallinn University of Technology , Estonia
- Coauthor
Mrs. Katrin Väljataga, Estonian Environment Information Centre , Estonia
- Coauthor
Mrs. Tiina Dislis, Estonian Environment Information Centre , Estonia
- Year
2008
- Abstract
European Union and European Space Agency led initiative Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) federates European contributions to the international Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and provides independent access to geo-spatial information for policy- and decision-makers in order to advance European and national agendas related to environment and security policies. Several GMES services which include space and in situ component need to start already in 2008. Although satellite systems provide a unique and globally available data source for operational services, their effectiveness depends critically on close integration with ground systems, to exploit the comparative advantage of each. The unique budgetary restrictions and the specific applications makes role of small countries specific. For Estonia two aspects related to GMES are especially important: (1) long shoreline along Baltic Sea – the one of the most polluted and ecologically sensitive seas of the Europe and (2) location on the border of Schengen area and European Union. In the presentation it will be demonstrated on the bases of Estonian example how Member States have strengthen their internal co-ordination and contribution to the implementation of the necessary infrastructure to fully participate in GMES: (1) Estonian Space strategy is developed in close conjunction with Estonian Research and Development and Innovation strategy 2007-2013 “Knowledge based Estonia” where interests of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education meet; (2) research and development activities shall contribute to the ongoing INSPIRE implementation under led of Ministry of Environment; (3) participation of SMEs in investigations on best methodology to assure continuity between CORINE Land Cover and the GMES Fast Track Service “Land Monitoring”; (4) participation in FP7 Theme Space research project MyOcean, which facilitates the GMES Marine core service; (5) Tartu Observatory successful competition in FP 7 Research Potential call REGPOT-2007-1 with project “Expose capacity of the Estonian Space Research and Technology through High Quality Partnership in Europe” (EstSpacE). EstSpacE activities are seen mainly through GMES which is one of the principal issues for Estonian space policy as well. Extension of the competence of the research staff in cutting edge fields improves awareness on European Space policy and applications in local scales. It also provides multidisciplinary consultancies and public services to SME and therefore opportunities for developing/providing GMES services in local scales.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)