Press Release: Copernicus: new name for European Earth Observation Programme

Copernicus is the new name of the European Commission’s Earth Observation Programme, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).

The new name was announced by Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani during the Competitiveness Council. In a world facing an increased risk of natural and other disasters Copernicus aims to monitor the state of the environment on land, at sea and in the atmosphere and also to improve citizens' security. At the same time, Copernicus is a driver for economic growth and employment, with the potential to create up to 85 000 new jobs over the period 2015-2030, according to a recent study.

European Commission: Memo/12/966: GMES/Copernicus – monitoring our earth from space, good for jobs, good for the environment http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-966_en.htm

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