GMES, which stands for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, is a European programme for the implementation a European capacity for Earth observation.
The main objective of GMES is to monitor and better understand our environment (How our planet is changing? Why is it changing? How this might influence our daily lives?) and to contribute to the security of every citizen.
GMES will provide decision-makers who rely on strategic information with regard to environmental and security issues with an independent and permanent access to reliable data.
In 2008, GMES pre-operational services were launched, with the objective to move into the operational phase in 2011. The definition and setting up of these pre-operational services have been assigned to projects financed through the Research and Development Framework Programmes of the European Union.
For more information on the GMES Programme, please visit the GMES institutional portal.