As world leaders and climate experts gather in Belém for COP30, EPOS ERIC joins the global conversation with an open letter calling for stronger international collaboration in Earth observation and research infrastructures. The message underscores the vital role of open science, data interoperability, and federated research systems in addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, natural hazards, and sustainable development.
Dear COP30 Delegates,
EPOS (European Plate Observing System), the pan-European Research Infrastructure for solid Earth science, would like to share our perspective on the discussions taking place at COP30 in Belém. As a community dedicated to advancing open science and providing democratic, interoperable access to geoscientific data, we recognize the critical role that Earth Observations (EO) and Research Infrastructures (RIs) play in addressing the interconnected global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and disaster risk reduction.
Earth Observation data and technologies, from satellite imagery to in-situ measurements, are essential for monitoring environmental change, informing adaptation measures, and supporting National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015). However, their true potential can only be realized when access is free, open, and ubiquitous, and when data are interoperable across disciplines and borders.
At EPOS, together with our global partners AuScope (Australia), EarthScope (USA), and Earth Sciences New Zealand, we are working towards a federated global infrastructure for solid Earth sciences. This collaboration, grounded in the principles of FAIR data, Open Science, and Global Equity, demonstrates how international research infrastructures can link regional platforms into a cohesive, interoperable system that accelerates discovery and delivers actionable knowledge for societal resilience.
We urge COP30 delegates, particularly from the European Union, to:
- Promote global collaboration and interoperability among infrastructures, ensuring harmonized standards, shared vocabularies, and inclusive participation;
- Facilitate collaboration through the simplification and harmonisation of legal and regulatory frameworks, especially those related to sharing of Earth Observation data, to remove barriers and enable seamless international exchange of knowledge and collaborative innovation;
- Support initiatives such as the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), which exemplify the spirit of open, cooperative science that benefits all;
- Recognize the value of integrated EO data in supporting adaptation, responsible stewardship of georesources, and prevention of natural and anthropogenic disasters.
- Sustain and expand funding for the operation and evolution of Earth science and observation research infrastructures;
Investing in these capabilities means moving from a culture of reaction to one of prevention, enabling decision makers at all levels, including local and Indigenous communities, to act on reliable, science-based evidence. The sustainability, interoperability, and regulatory alignment of EO and geoscience infrastructures are indispensable for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that our planet remains resilient for future generations.
Together, through open access, shared infrastructure, and coherent policy frameworks, we can build the scientific foundation for a more equitable and sustainable world.
