REVEALING THE ROLE OF GEOSS AS THE DEFAULT DIGITAL PORTAL FOR BUILDING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION & MITIGATION APPLICATIONS

Project Information

EIFFEL

Grant agreement ID: 101003518

DOI

10.3030/101003518

Project closed

EC signature date 18 May 2021

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 31 May 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 4 999 466,25

EU contribution

€ 4 999 466,25

Coordinated by

EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTON
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EIFFEL (REVEALING THE ROLE OF GEOSS AS THE DEFAULT DIGITAL PORTAL FOR BUILDING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION & MITIGATION APPLICATIONS)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Problem/Issue Being Addressed
The EIFFEL project addresses the challenge of effectively utilizing the vast amounts of Earth Observation (EO) data from the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Despite the wealth of data, its potential is underutilized due to difficulties in discovery, accessibility, and usability. Traditional data collection is labor-intensive and costly, limiting the application of EO data in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Why It Is Important for Society
Climate change is a critical threat to the environment, economies, and societies. Efficiently addressing it requires actionable insights from comprehensive data. GEOSS datasets are crucial for developing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Improving access and usability of these datasets supports informed decision-making, sustainable development, and helps mitigate climate impacts across sectors like agriculture, urban development, disaster resilience, and water management.

Overall Objectives
The EIFFEL project aims to:

- Develop advanced AI-based cognitive search tools to enhance data discovery and usability of GEOSS and external datasets.
- Implement novel methods to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of EO data.
- Use explainable AI techniques to provide transparent and actionable insights for decision-makers.
- Foster the co-design of climate applications with stakeholders to ensure relevance and adoption.
- Develop and demonstrate diverse climate applications in areas such as water and land use management, sustainable agriculture, transport management, urban development, and disaster resilience.
- Contribute to the GEO Knowledge Hub by making EIFFEL tools and methodologies reproducible and accessible.
- Promote stakeholder engagement through local multi-stakeholder Communities of Practice (CoPs).

Conclusions of the Action (For the Final Period)
EIFFEL has successfully demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of using AI-based tools to enhance GEOSS data usability. The developed applications provide actionable insights for climate change adaptation and mitigation across various sectors. Stakeholder engagement and co-design ensured the solutions were relevant and ready for adoption. The project’s contributions to the GEO Knowledge Hub support the wider adoption and interoperability of GEOSS data and tools. EIFFEL has significantly improved the exploitation of EO data for societal benefit, particularly in addressing climate change challenges.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Since the start of the EIFFEL project, significant progress has been made across various work packages to enhance the utilization of Earth Observation (EO) data for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Key activities included developing AI-based cognitive search tools, improving data resolution, and fostering stakeholder engagement.

The project established robust management structures and developed comprehensive risk and quality management plans. It engaged stakeholders through co-design workshops to gather requirements and shape the development of EO-based applications. Advanced cognitive search tools leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and metadata augmentation were created to enhance data discoverability and usability.

Novel methods for super-resolution data fusion and stochastic modeling were implemented to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of EO data. Five pilot applications were developed, addressing diverse areas such as water and land use management, sustainable agriculture, transport management, sustainable urban development, and disaster resilience. These applications have reached alpha versions, demonstrating significant potential for providing actionable insights.

Stakeholder engagement was a priority, with regular workshops and training sessions ensuring the tools met user needs and were ready for adoption. Contributions to the GEO Knowledge Hub ensured that EIFFEL’s tools and methodologies were reproducible and accessible, enhancing the exploitation of GEOSS data.

The project disseminated its results through scientific publications, conferences, workshops, and online platforms, increasing visibility and promoting adoption. EIFFEL’s work has established a foundation for the sustained use and further development of its tools and applications, ensuring long-term impact and relevance.

Overall, EIFFEL has made substantial progress in advancing the state of the art in EO data utilization, achieving its objectives and setting the stage for continued contributions to climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The EIFFEL project has significantly advanced the use of Earth Observation (EO) data for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Traditional EO data use has been hindered by fragmented datasets and usability issues. EIFFEL addressed these challenges with advanced AI-based cognitive search tools, dynamic metadata augmentation, and novel methods for super-resolution data fusion and stochastic modeling, improving the discoverability, usability, and quality of GEOSS datasets.

Key achievements include developing cognitive search tools leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and metadata augmentation for context-aware data exploration. Integrating satellite, in-situ, and crowd-sourced data ensured interoperability and reusability. Explainable AI techniques enhanced the credibility of the climate change applications developed.

By project end, EIFFEL aims to deliver fully functional cognitive search tools and mature pilot applications in five areas: Water and Land Use Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Transport Management, Sustainable Urban Development, and Disaster Resilience. These applications will offer actionable insights and decision support for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Stakeholder engagement has been central to the project, with ongoing workshops, training sessions, and webinars ensuring user needs are met and tools are widely adopted. Contributions to the GEO Knowledge Hub will provide reproducible and accessible methodologies, enhancing GEOSS data exploitation. Frameworks for sustained use and development of EIFFEL tools beyond the project’s duration are also being established.

EIFFEL’s socio-economic and wider societal impacts are substantial. Enhanced data usability supports informed policy-making and efficient resource management, leading to cost savings and improved climate resilience. The tools enable better natural resource management, supporting environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Involving diverse stakeholders in the co-design process promotes social equity and inclusion in climate efforts. Dissemination activities build capacity and knowledge among stakeholders, researchers, and the broader EO community.

In summary, EIFFEL advances EO data utilization, delivering innovative tools and applications that enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation. The project’s results highlight its strategic importance in supporting climate resilience, informing policy, and promoting sustainable development.

EIFFEL Suite UI

Components of the EIFFEL Suite & Identified interaction between EIFFEL tools

EIFFEL in a nutshell

EIFFEL Climate Change mitigation applications – Pilots