Rapid Action for Citizens with Earth Observation
Launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission in response to the COVID-19 crisis, RACE (Rapid Action for Citizens with Earth Observation) is a flagship initiative that showcases the potential of Earth Observation (EO) to address pressing societal challenges.
35% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa still lacks access to basic drinking water services. The TIGER Initiative aims to enhance water management in Africa by leveraging Earth Observation (EO) technologies.
According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2023/2024, environmental degradation—including water scarcity and coastal erosion—significantly undermines food and water security, particularly in fragile regions.
Urban areas are responsible for nearly 70% of global CO2 emissions and consume around 75% of the world’s energy. The UNITE project tackles the high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of urban areas by providing data-driven tools and strategies to improve energy efficiency, enhance climate resilience, and support the transition to carbon-neutral cities.
Extreme heat events are increasing in Europe, with urban areas experiencing up to 10°C higher surface temperatures due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. In Austria, this is a growing concern, especially in densely built-up regions. The HeatAdapt project addresses rising urban temperatures and heat-related risks by providing AI-enhanced satellite tools that help urban planners simulate land use impacts and implement effective strategies to reduce the Urban Heat Island effect.
The Baltic Sea region is warming twice as fast as the global average, placing increasing pressure on cities, agriculture, and forests to adapt to climate impacts. The Baltic GTIF project supports climate adaptation by delivering tailored Earth Observation services that help monitor environmental changes, improve resilience, and guide green transition strategies.
Arctic sea ice is shrinking at a rate of about 13% per decade, and the region has warmed nearly four times faster than the global average over the past 40 years.
According to the UN, over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources, with nutrient runoff being one of the primary contributors to coastal eutrophication.EU-Mon helps countries monitor coastal eutrophication by using Earth Observation data to improve reporting systems and support sustainable coastal management.
According to the UN, only 60% of domestic wastewater is safely treated worldwide. Orbit Guardian helps countries improve water quality monitoring by integrating satellite data into national systems, strengthening capacities to protect freshwater resources.
