Between 24-25 February 2026, the CONCERTO consortium gathered in Barcelona, Spain, for its annual project meeting, bringing together around 40 participants in person and 10 colleagues online. Over two dynamic days, partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving carbon cycle representation through multi-scale models and Earth observation for terrestrial ecosystems.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on progress achieved during the past year. All project partners delivered individual presentations outlining their scientific advancements, methodological developments, and key milestones reached within their respective work packages. These sessions highlighted the strong momentum built across the consortium and demonstrated the complementary expertise that underpins CONCERTO’s interdisciplinary approach.

Beyond reporting achievements, the meeting served as a platform for active collaboration. Dedicated working groups were established to address specific project goals, fostering focused discussions on technical challenges, data integration, and model development strategies. These interactive sessions encouraged open dialogue, strengthened synergies between teams, and helped refine the roadmap for the upcoming project phases.

The Barcelona meeting not only reinforced scientific coordination but also strengthened the collaborative spirit of the consortium. The combination of in-person engagement and online participation ensured inclusive and productive exchanges, reflecting CONCERTO’s commitment to effective and transparent cooperation.

As the project moves forward, the outcomes of this meeting will play a key role in shaping the next steps towards reducing uncertainty in carbon cycle modelling and enhancing the reliability of climate projections.

The European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2026 (EGU General Assembly 26) will take place from 3 to 8 May 2026 in Vienna, Austria, with the option to participate online. Among the many scientific sessions, a dedicated session on “Remote Sensing Applications for the Biosphere” will bring together researchers working at the interface of atmosphere, vegetation, soil and water.

The session is convened by Willem Verstraeten, with co-conveners Manuela Balzarolo and Benjamin Dechant. Manuela Balzarolo is also the coordinator of the CONCERTO project, reinforcing the strong link between this session and CONCERTO’s objectives of advancing Earth observation, modelling, and integrated ecosystem understanding.

The session invites contributions that advance strategies, methods and applications of remote sensing for biosphere research. Topics include the integration of remote sensing data across spectral regions and viewing geometries, the combination of satellite observations with in-situ measurements for modelling carbon, water and nutrient cycles, and the use of remote sensing in climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, biodiversity, land and nature conservation, epidemiology and public health. Contributions addressing air pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources, data assimilation in land surface and atmospheric models, and innovative signal extraction and processing techniques are also encouraged.

Abstract submission is open until 15 January 2026, at 13:00 CET, you can apply here. Participation in this session offers an excellent opportunity to share cutting-edge research, engage with the international remote sensing community, and strengthen the visibility of work aligned with CONCERTO and related initiatives.

As 2025 comes to an end, we send our warmest wishes for a festive and happy holiday season! May 2026 be filled with innovation, teamwork, and achievements that make a positive impact for communities and the environment.