Copernicus Programme 2014-2020

This report highlights the main findings of the mid-term review of the European Earth monitoring program, Copernicus (2014-2020), three years into its implementation. It is based on an external study conducted on behalf of the Commission.

Main findings of the review: just three years after the launch of the first Sentinel satellite, Copernicus is producing tangible results that clearly demonstrate the added value of the EU action.

The programme is well on track and its original objectives have largely been achieved. The data volume, accuracy, reliability and quality are one of the most successful elements of Copernicus implementation. Today, Copernicus is one of the biggest data providers in the world.

The data gathering activity is efficient: high quality satellites have been successfully deployed on time and on budget, supplying high quality imaging. Enabling a vibrant ecosystem capable of transforming Copernicus data and information into innovative products and services will remain a clear priority during the next phase of the programme until 2020.

Outlook: on the basis of the assessment, the Commission reaches the following conclusions:

• the long-term stability of the programme and its free, full and open data policy must be ensured in order to provide predictability and planning certainty for businesses and users;
• Copernicus should remain a user-driven programme and its future evolution must keep up with the evolving requirements of the users;
• the Commission should plan a long-term vision for the programme, in order to give visibility and predictability to all partners in Copernicus, allowing them to invest, benefit and support, especially considering the shifting priorities of the programme;
• Copernicus services should continue to develop, addressing new challenges and new policy priorities related to the challenges of climate change and sustainable development, in order to monitor CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, land use and forestry, or changes in the Arctic;
• enhancing the security dimension of Copernicus is also called for to improve the EU’s capacity to respond to the evolving challenges of border controls and maritime surveillance and to explore how Copernicus could cover further security needs, including defence;
• the principle of partnerships under the coordination of the Commission should continue to drive the future development of the programme.  For the period after 2020, the Commission might, however, explore further opportunities for streamlining and optimisation, and assess the need for involving new actors;
• new business models based on public-public partnerships, public-private partnerships or service-buy schemes could support a robust and sustainable European Earth observation capacity, which in turn is expected to stimulate further investments;
• future developments must strengthen international cooperation to enhance the scope and quality of Copernicus data and services. Efforts should be directed towards the consolidation of Copernicus as global standard in the geo-location data domain.

The next few years will therefore be crucial to consolidate the achievements and prepare the future adapting to the changing reality of the programme.