EPB and EPCO at the ESA Polar Science Cluster meeting
Author
Maria Grigoratou
Published On
European Polar Board (EPB) Executive Secretary and Head of European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO) Maria Grigoratou was invited to participate in the ESA Polar Science Cluster Collocation Meeting 2026, held from 15–17 September in Innsbruck, Austria. The meeting brought together the polar and cryosphere research community of ESA projects to exchange scientific results, identify research priorities, strengthen collaboration and explore new opportunities for Earth Observation in polar science.
During the first day, Maria contributed to the session “International activities for Polar science”, where she presented the work of the European Polar Board (EPB) and the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO). Her presentation highlighted the EPB–ESA Memorandum of Understanding and the opportunities it provides for closer cooperation between ESA, EPB and EPCO, as well as between the EU and ESA Polar Clusters. Looking ahead, she emphasised the potential for collaboration around major international initiatives, including IPY-5, Antarctica InSync, the UN Decade of Actions for Cryospheric Sciences and the UN Ocean Decade.
The session brought together presentations on a range of international polar initiatives, including Copernicus polar activities, Antarctica InSync, IPY-5 and the WMO Task Team on Coordinating Space-Based Cryosphere Observations for IPY and Beyond, providing an opportunity to exchange perspectives on international coordination and future priorities for polar science.
The ESA Polar Science Cluster Collocation Meeting 2026 focused broadly on the changing polar regions and the role of Earth Observation in understanding the cryosphere. Its scientific programme covered ice sheets and ice shelves, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, ocean–ice–atmosphere interactions, ecology and biodiversity, as well as methodological advances in Earth Observation and synergies between satellite observations, in-situ measurements, modelling, artificial intelligence and digital twins. Sessions also addressed long-term monitoring, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, Greenland and the Arctic, future satellite missions and campaigns, and emerging research priorities.