Nexus on Climate, Energy, and Urbanization

Concept

In the context of GEONICE, “nexus” refers to the common space where the three areas—climate, energy, and urbanization—intersect. It represents the interdependencies and synergies among these fields rather than a simple union of separate areas. This nexus is where integrated approaches are most valuable, allowing for coordinated actions that leverage Earth Observation (EO) data to address overlapping challenges, foster commonalities, and drive solutions that benefit all three areas simultaneously, and ultimately, cities.

GEONICE is proposed to be a collaborative partnership within the context of a GEO Convener, bringing together global expertise across climate change, urban sustainability, and energy transformation. Considering rapid urbanization and the increased impacts of climate change on cities, this activity aims to dive deeply into the nexus—scientific and policy complications—where research and innovation partners, together with stakeholders, can jointly develop and deploy solutions that optimize the leveraging of EO data, digital platforms, and interdisciplinary research.

Investing on existing and ongoing projects (initially linked to EuroGEO, e.g., e-shape Eiffel and RethinkAction), as well as developing initiatives like DestinE, and drawing in critical partners, GEONICE will foster discussion and the prioritization of solutions that enable cities to become more climate-resilient and energy-efficient.

Scope

GEONICE will integrate climate, urban, and energy initiatives within the GEO framework, creating a collaborative space for cities to co-design and implement solutions tailored to their needs. By leveraging EO data from various platforms, GEONICE aims to promote value-added products, tools, and services that support urban policies, energy transitions, and climate adaptation and mitigation. This approach will also influence common practices, processing, and EO data requirements for this nexus.

This Convener will prioritize activities that advance specific products through the “Research to Operations (R2O)” pipeline, ensuring scientific insights are transformed into practical tools for cities to manage needs like seasonal climate forecasts, urban climate pressures, mitigation planning, and energy resilience. GEONICE will also collaborate with stakeholders, including city administrations, energy providers, and climate scientists, to create actionable paths from research to implementation.

Potential Topics and Anticipated Results

To support cities facing climate pressures, GEONICE will focus on three priority areas during its initial phase, while exploring, refining, and further conceptualizing its strategic direction:

Seasonal Forecasting for Urban Resilience:

Provide tools that allow cities to anticipate and manage seasonal climate variations, including extreme heat events, which impact urban infrastructure, energy demand, and public health.

Long-Term Support for Urban Policy:

Deliver EO-based insights and tools to support long-term policy planning, helping cities design climate-resilient and energy-efficient growth strategies while confronting urban stresses.

Extreme Heat in Cities:

Enable city-level decision-making to address both short- and long-term impacts of extreme heat on energy consumption and urban populations in a warming climate.

GEONICE’s outputs will include:

A priority list, and initial concept frames and/or mockups of Urban Climate Resilience and Energy Tools.

A portfolio composed of Success Stories and Best Practices to guide effective, sustainable urban planning.

Policy Recommendations and the initiation of R2O products delivery.

Objectives

The GEONICE Convener will play a central role in fostering interdisciplinary connections and driving the integration of EO assets across the GEO Work Programme (GWP), particularly within the Climate, Energy, and Urbanization Focus Area. The key objectives are:

Facilitate Strategic Partnerships:

Establish collaborations with key GEO partners—including DestinE, NASA’s Earth Action Program, DLR, and Copernicus—to strengthen the collective capability of EO-driven solutions for urban climate resilience and energy transitions. These partnerships will integrate diverse EO resources and expertise to serve cities effectively, positioning GEONICE as a central hub for collaborative innovation. Links with the existing GEO activity of GUOI are under inquiry, whereas close links, feedback, and resources will be maintained through the participation of core members in the Urban, Energy, and Climate EuroGEO Action Groups, respectively.

Showcase Success Stories to Drive Uptake:

Capture and share successful applications of GEONICE-proposed tools within cities to demonstrate EO’s transformative potential. These case studies will serve as exemplars, inspiring wider adoption within GEO communities and helping to align the Climate, Energy, and Urbanization Focus Area around tangible, impactful outcomes.

Promote Research to Operations (R2O):

Support cities in transitioning from research outcomes into tools and services that can be operationally integrated into their day-to-day workflows. By working closely with urban stakeholders to co-develop and refine EO applications that meet real-world needs, this approach will streamline the path from scientific insights to practical implementation, enhancing the uptake and usability of EO data through the proposal of specific solutions to be escalated into GEO’s R2O pipeline.