Sisak, located in central Croatia in the Sisak-Moslavina County, is known for its blend of Roman heritage and industrial legacy. The city, home to one of Croatia’s oldest settlements, has been inhabited since the Iron Age and features ancient ruins, a star-shaped fortress, and 19th-century industrial architecture.  Situated at the confluence of...

As European cities grapple with increasingly frequent and intense climate extremes, the need for data and models to support the design of timely, targeted adaptation has never been clearer. But how can policymakers translate Earth Observation (EO) data into meaningful local climate action? In this Observer, we look at a new report developed by...

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 2 May 2025 shows Três Pontas, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Situated in one of Brazil’s top coffee-producing regions, the city benefits from a combination of high altitudes and a mild climate, ideal conditions for growing coffee. The South of Minas region, where Três Pontas is...

In late April 2025, a rapidly deepening area of low pressure in the Tasman Sea triggered flooding and severe weather across New Zealand, prompting a red warning from the national MetService and a state of emergency to be issued in Christchurch. In some regions, more than 100 mm of rain fell in under 12 hours, leading to burst riverbanks and...

Warmer-than-average temperatures and little rainfall since the beginning of the year are worsening the impacts of drought across Europe, a new “Drought in Europe – April 2025” report from the European Drought Observatory of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service suggests.  The latest data have shown decreased river flows and worsening...

Are you involved in civil protection or emergency response activities? Would you like to improve how your organisation prepares for and manages disasters using EU Space data and services?

4 May is the International Firefighters’ Day, dedicated to recognising the essential work of firefighters in ensuring that their communities and environments are as safe as possible. An example of this important work can be found in Cuba, where firefighters brought a massive wildfire in the province of Pinar del Río under control nine days...

Zeller See is a lake nestled in the Austrian Alps, near the Hohe Tauern National Park—one of the largest protected areas in Central Europe. At 3.8 km in length, 1.5 km in width, and with a depth of up to 68 metres, the lake supports a range of water sports and tourism. Due to the presence of around 100 underground springs, the Zeller See...

Every April, Romania's agricultural landscape undergoes a vibrant transformation as fields burst into bloom. These expanses of bright yellow flowers, characteristic of rapeseed or canola plants, create a stark contrast against the surrounding greenery. Rapeseed, sunflower seeds, and soybeans are significant crops in Romania, contributing to the...

Spring is well underway in Europe, making it the perfect time to prepare for an outdoor adventure! Whether you're gearing up for a hike or a weekend of camping in the mountains, EU Space data and services can help you plan ahead and stay safe. 

Recent studies indicate that between 2022 and 2024, the largest recorded three-year loss of glacier mass occurred, with accelerated ice melt due to rising global temperatures. The Union Glacier, located in the Ellsworth Mountains of West Antarctica, is visible in this image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 11 March...

In March 2025, the presence of sargassum reached record levels in parts of the Atlantic Ocean. The sargassum has been observed stretching across the Caribbean Sea, where it sometimes washes ashore on islands as a result of persistent winds. The seaweed, which flourishes in warm waters, can affect marine biodiversity and coastal environments....

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 13 April 2025, shows Lake Võrtsjärv  – the second-largest lake in Estonia – during the spring thaw. Visible across the lake’s surface are distinct greenish swirls, indicating the presence of suspended sediments in the water. Such patterns are typical at this time of year, as melting snow and ice...

Spanning over 101,000 hectares, the Serra da Estrela Natural Park is the largest natural conservation area in Portugal. The park is located in the country’s largest mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, and contains the highest spot in Portugal. This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 23 April 2025 shows the Estrela Mountain upper Plateau and...

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 11 April 2025 shows the area around Logatec, Slovenia. This region is home to many Natura 2000 sites which are the focus of a European Commission-funded LIFE Project to prevent and manage adverse impacts of invasive alien plant species. In Slovenia, 19 terrestrial habitat types – predominantly meadows in...

Since the beginning of 2025, Mexico has been affected by a series of severe forest fires. According to the National Forestry Commission, over 2,800 forest fires have been recorded since January, across all of the country’s states. The fires have burnt over 215,000 hectares of land, making 2025 the third most severe year on record in terms of...

As Southeast Asia’s largest urban area, Jakarta, Indonesia is a major centre of economic activity and a vibrant melting pot of cultures.  Situated on the north-west coast of Java—Indonesia’s most populous island— Jakarta sits in a low-lying coastal basin with an average elevation of just 8 metres above sea level. The city’s rapid urban growth,...

According to the latest Global Drought Observatory Report published by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, vast parts of southern Africa have been affected by a severe drought, particularly within the Zambezi Basin. Very low discharge has been registered in many rivers in the same area. A comparison of these Copernicus Sentinel-2...

Each year, the European Commission organises a General Assembly to bring together the EU Space Networks—a global community of Ambassadors promoting the uptake of EU space data and services across diverse sectors and regions. In 2025, for the first time, the General Assembly was co-organised with Italian members of the Networks, who selected...

A Commission-led initiative fostering innovation and competitiveness in Europe's space surveillance sector while building autonomous capabilities across all orbital zones.