iClimateAction at EuroGEO 2025: Turning Fragmented Climate Data into Earth Intelligence

At the EuroGEO Workshop 2025 held in The Hague, researchers, climate experts, and policy leaders from across Europe converged to address one of the most pressing challenges in climate governance: how to transform fragmented climate data into actionable intelligence that directly informs and improves decisions on the ground.

Hosted at the World Forum and supported by the European Union, the event featured a spotlight on iClimateAction, a pioneering initiative delivered in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and the Group on Earth Observation (GEO). The project's mission is simple but ambitious: make climate data coherent, visible, and useful across science, policy, and society.

"Europe is rich in climate data — from Copernicus satellites to ocean buoys and citizen science — but data scattered in silos is not intelligence," said Pieternel Boogaard of IFAD. "The goal of iClimateAction is to align how climate variables are measured, shared, and used — so we can respond faster, smarter, and together."

From Raw Observations to Earth Intelligence

Over three intensive days, sessions covered priority themes such as agriculture, ecosystems, energy, disaster resilience, and urban adaptation. A common thread ran through them all: the challenge of interoperability. Even as data becomes more abundant, gaps in standardization, access, and usability make it difficult for policymakers and communities to act decisively.

Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) — like temperature, sea level, greenhouse gas concentrations, and soil moisture — form the backbone of climate observation. But these data streams often differ in format, frequency, quality, and terminology across countries and institutions.

"Datasets need to speak the same language," said Caterina Tassone of GCOS. "Only then can they support the climate services, models, and policies that rely on them."

She emphasized that the stakes are high: from remote Antarctic stations to urban planning offices in Paris or Athens, the goal is to ensure seamless translation of observations into decisions.

Building Trust in Climate Infrastructure

For governments, trust and transparency in data systems is crucial. Without it, commitments to international agreements — like the Paris Agreement or EU Green Deal — risk being undermined by inconsistency and gaps.

"Climate data is not a by-product of science," said Paolo Laj of WMO. "It's infrastructure — just like roads or power grids. It enables accountability, fuels trust, and ensures that promises turn into progress."

Urban Resilience and the "First Mile" Challenge

A key focus area at EuroGEO 2025 was urban heat resilience. With European cities experiencing record-breaking heatwaves, participants explored how to deliver climate intelligence at the first mile — directly into the hands of local planners, emergency responders, and civil engineers.

"The real question is whether data can be translated into tools that local authorities actually use," said Martyn Clark of GEO. "Science must travel from satellites to city halls in forms that inform planning and protect lives."

Participants discussed the use of heat risk maps, real-time dashboards, and early-warning systems, emphasizing the need to build not just smarter cities, but also smarter information pathways.

Simplifying the Message, Expanding the Impact

Effective climate communication was another major theme. With 55 recognized Essential Climate Variables, the challenge is not only technical but also narrative.

"Each ECV tells a story," said Alexandre Brecher of iClimateAction. "What matters now is simplifying how we communicate — with clear visuals, simple language, and adaptable formats that spark interest."

He advocated for using digital storytelling, interactive maps, and policy-relevant infographics to ensure that datasets are not only accessible but also compelling and shareable.

From Project to Platform: What Comes Next?

Although still in its early stages, iClimateAction is already being positioned as more than a project. Organizers and participants envision it as a permanent platform — one that can align methodologies, mobilize investment, and connect stakeholders from local communities to international institutions.

By coordinating how climate variables are collected, visualized, and applied, the initiative aims to support:

• Stronger national climate reporting and planning

• More efficient early warning and risk reduction systems

• Smarter adaptation investments in agriculture, energy, and cities

• Improved public engagement and environmental literacy

"If Europe is to lead on climate action, it must also lead on climate intelligence," said one participant. "That means not just having more data — but using it better."

With its new commitments and growing community of practice, EuroGEO 2025 marked a critical turning point in Europe's quest to turn data fragmentation into data integration — and Earth observation into Earth Intelligence for All.