Enhancing Carbon Cycle Modelling and Reducing Climate Uncertainty: the CONCERTO Project is officially launched

Understanding how terrestrial ecosystems absorb carbon is crucial for predicting future climate scenarios and shaping effective mitigation policies. However, Earth System Models continue to produce varying estimates, contributing to persistent uncertainty. To address these challenges, the CONCERTO project has officially launched under the Horizon Europe programme, bringing together leading European experts to advance carbon cycle research.

CONCERTO — Improved CarbOn cycle represeNtation through multi-sCale models and Earth obseRvation for Terrestrial ecOsystems — aims to improve the representation of land cover, leaf area index, and management intensity through the development of high-resolution maps with layers relevant to the carbon cycle.

The project was officially launched with its first consortium meeting on 21–22 January 2025 in Milan, Italy. The event gathered over 35 participants in person and 10 online, representing thirteen international partners from seven European countries.

Over the course of two days, the meeting provided a platform for partners to introduce themselves, discuss project objectives, and establish a shared vision for the next four years. Each partner delivered presentations outlining their specific goals within the project. The meeting also featured an interactive brainstorming session, allowing participants to align strategies, exchange ideas, and define best practices for the project’s successful implementation.

Over its four-year duration, CONCERTO will focus on developing innovative resources to improve multi-scale modelling and Earth observation for terrestrial ecosystems. By fostering collaboration across scientific disciplines and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the project will aim to enhance the predictability of land management impacts on the carbon cycle, ultimately contributing to global carbon neutrality efforts.

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