The way for institutions, the private sector and civil society to be benefited from the development of a “Digital Twin Earth” was addressed by Dr. Dionysia – Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Chair of the Environment Committee of the Hellenic Parliament, Executive Director of the European Institute of Law, Science and Technology and 2012 European Young Leader, during her address at the meeting “A digital twin earth: Data, evidence and foresight tool”.

The event was organized by Friends of Europe to share ideas on EU’s attempt to create a “Digital Twin Earth”, building on the EU space programme, the Digital Europe Programme, the Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon Europe. The event was held at a high-level of institutional and government representatives, environmental experts and thought leaders, among which, Mr. Josef Aschbacher, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at the European Space Agency (ESA), and Mr. Laurent Bontoux, Member of the Cabinet of European Commission Vice- President Maroš Šefčovič.

During the lively and interactive debate, Dr. Avgerinopoulou stressed the need for further insight on our planet’s physical changes via the utilization of European satellite data with a view to protect our natural environment more efficiently. This insight will shed light on decarbonization, biodiversity and protecting the oceans through better political decision – making. The “Digital Twin Earth” could serve as a vital tool for a deeper understanding of the Earth ecosystems’ processes and better coordination of the institutions. It could provide solutions on a wide range of environmental and social challenges and most prominently regarding food security and water security, while it could benefit the private sector from the better information flows and consequently better management of their businesses and mainly technology companies that will be able to develop new applications. Concerning the civil society, science will be undoubtedly advanced taking into account the unparallel information that will be produced and accessed, and everyone is going to be benefited.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou concluded that: “The “Digital Twin Earth” is one of the most important projects of our times. It deserves the cooperation and support by all segments of society”.

The event is available at: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/events/a-digital-twin-earth-data-evidence-and-foresight-tool/