Recommendations from the 4th Carbon from Space Workshop - An update on Activities

While greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase, significant progress has been made in estimating global and regional carbon budgets, especially in reducing carbon budget uncertainties and better quantifying emissions from different sources. Advances have also been made in understanding the interaction between cycles of carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles and the effects of climate change on ecosystems. In the period since the 3^rd Carbon from Space workshop in 2016, satellite observations, including those from ESA, NASA, and commercial operators, have increased in number and quality and there have been coordinated efforts to improve research infrastructure. However, challenges remain in modelling processes, understanding observations, integrating models with data, and addressing gaps in understanding.

The 4^th Carbon from Space Workshop took place in 2022 to review this progress and identify priorities in understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle for the next five year period. A series of recommendations from the workshop was produced to guide research and development activities related to the terrestrial carbon cycle. These activities are crucial for meeting global commitments under the Paris Agreement and advancing our understanding of the carbon cycle. The full report is accessible at https://eo4society.esa.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/4Carbon_Space_Recomm_Report_230623.pdf. This presentation reports on some of the activities undertaken by ESA and NASA in response to the recommendations.