The Copernicus Arctic and Coastal Hubs
Launched during the EU Space Week in November 2023, the Copernicus Arctic and Coastal Hubs serve as open entry points that aggregate Copernicus data on the Arctic Region and European coastal areas. Their primary goals are to identify new user needs, promote digital adoption, and support the European Union (EU) in implementing various policies such as the EU Arctic Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. The European Commission has tasked Mercator Ocean with the design and operation of these hubs under the Copernicus Contribution Agreement (2021-2028).
Copernicus Arctic Hub:
Supporting the EU arctic Policy
The Arctic is facing unprecedented human-induced challenges with knock-on effects around the globe. The region plays an important role in the Earth system, particularly in the formation of Ocean currents that impact our climate globally. Particularly vulnerability to climate change, the region has warmed nearly four times faster than the global average since 1979, leading to significant environmental changes that impact both local and global ecosystems. The Arctic region has increasing geopolitical importance due to its changing landscape, opening access to natural resources and ship routing.
The European Union plays an important role in confronting these changes and the EU Arctic Policy is designed to help Europe lead the way in meeting the challenges alongside the international community. As part of the EU Space Programme, Copernicus monitors critical climate variables in the Arctic, such as sea ice melting and permafrost thawing, and provides data supporting shipping, fishing, and maritime safety operations. The updated EU Arctic Policy (2021) emphasizes Copernicus as a crucial tool for addressing climate change effects, safeguarding the Arctic environment, supporting sustainable development, and fostering international cooperation.
The Copernicus Arctic Hub centralises data from Copernicus Marine, Land, Atmosphere, Climate, and Emergency services, offering policymakers and researchers a comprehensive platform to access information on the Arctic region. This initiative is expected to transform the accessibility and usability of Copernicus data for the Arctic.
Copernicus Coastal Hub:
Safeguarding Euroe's Coasts
Coastal zones, characterized by the dynamic interplay between Ocean and land, are constantly evolving. These regions are home to the majority of the global population and are abundant in resources, supporting key industries like tourism, fisheries, and maritime navigation. Coasts are frequently subjected to forces such as waves and wind, making them susceptible to natural hazards. With the changing climate, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, leading to substantial human and economic impacts, particularly in these coastal areas.
Europe’s 68,000 km of coastline is home to around 40% of the EU-27 population, according to 2011 Eurostat data. Coastal areas are crucial to the EU’s blue economy, hosting maritime renewable energy infrastructure, aquaculture, tourism, and trade and transport activities. However, these regions are increasingly threatened by extreme weather events, rising sea levels, pollution, and algal blooms, which endanger human communities and coastal ecosystems. Copernicus provides vital data and intelligence on these issues through its services.
The Copernicus Coastal Hub aims to offer a single access point for data related to climate, marine, land, emergency, and security knowledge and applications focused on Europe’s coastal regions. This centralised access will enhance the ability to respond to and manage coastal challenges effectively.
Contribution to Europe's Digital Transformation and Green Deal
Launched during the EU Space Week in November 2023, the Copernicus Arctic and Coastal Hubs serve as open entry points that aggregate Copernicus data on the Arctic Region and European coastal areas. Their primary goals are to identify new user needs, promote digital adoption, and support the European Union (EU) in implementing various policies such as the EU Arctic Policy, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. The European Commission has tasked Mercator Ocean with the design and operation of these hubs under the Copernicus Contribution Agreement (2021-2028).