Arctic and Space ESA Workshop
The Arctic is a unique location on our planet where the influence of climate change is being felt at a higher degree than elsewhere. Enabling a better understanding of the environment, safeguarding the Arctic's natural resources and ensuring sustainable economic development in the region are of the utmost importance. Space assets are already being employed to this purpose and can do much more in the future.
In response to discussions with several ESA member states on this topic, the European Space Agency has initiated preparatory and programmatic activities and outlined a draft roadmap that would contribute to the necessary infrastructure with activities from all domains (e.g. Earth Observation, Telecommunications, Navigation, Science, Technology…). Both the Arctic priorities and strategies of the States active in the region, together with the current draft roadmap will be presented at a workshop organised by the Finnish Meteorological Institute in Helsinki on 6 September.
The collaborative roundtables will aim at stirring up the discussions around the Arctic needs in order to highlight selected topics for ESA to take into consideration when putting forward a proposal to the Ministerial Council on 1-2 December 2016.
Watch the replay of the Arctic and Space ESA Workshop:
The following sessions were livestreamed:
| 08:00 – 08:15 CEST | Welcome and introduction: Short opening notes by the hosts and workshop moderator Mr. Mikkelä, UrbanMill - Ministry of Economy and Employment, Ms. Lundström, Director General - Finnish Meteorological Institute, Mr. Damski, Director General |
| 08:15 – 10:00 CEST | Arctic priorities and strategies – 1st part “Arctic and Space – ESA Perspective” – Mr. Morel, Director of Industry, Procurement and Legal Services, ESA Speakers from ESA Member States and EU: - Finland: Ms. Lundström, Ministry of Economy and Employment - Sweden: Mr. Jato, Ambassador for Arctic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Norway: Mr. Herland, Norwegian Space Center - Denmark: Ms. Klitgaard, Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation - Canada: Mr. Bergeron, Canadian Space Agency - European Union: Mr. Toumazou, EC DG GROW |
| 10:30 – 12:00 CEST | Arctic priorities and strategies – 2nd part Guest speakers: - “EUMETSAT perspectives on Arctic observations”, Dr. Holmlund, EUMETSAT - “Observing, understanding and predicting impacts of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and their consequences", Prof. Callaghan, UK - “What happens when we warm the Arctic? - Climate change and the arctic cryosphere”, Mr. Olsen, Advisor in Danish Energy Agency - “Impact of climate change on marine/offshore services and economic consequences for Nordic states”, Mr. Vauraste, CEO of Arctia Shipping Ltd, Finland |
| 13:00 – 13:30 CEST | ESA Arctic Task Force and roadmap Mr. Borgeaud, Chair of ESA Arctic Task Force |
| 13:30 – 15:30 CEST | Round tables: these will not be broadcast live |
| 15:30 – 16:00 CEST | Conclusions and the way forward |
Follow the Arctic and Space ESA Workshop on twitter: #ArcticESA on the ESA @spaceforearth account
