More authoritative geospatial information than ever before is now available to users of the Copernicus Reference Data Access (CORDA) database – including 102 new datasets from official national sources. CORDA provides authorised users with a centralised gateway for accessing geospatial reference data from the European countries participating in the Copernicus Programme.
The increase is made possible by the Copernicus Services Framework agreement between EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, and the European Environment Agency (EEA) – specifically the Copernicus In Situ component. By streamlining the licensing process, it provides a practical solution for overcoming legal barriers to data access for the Copernicus Services for disaster response and recovery, security and land monitoring.
Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “We have worked extensively with our members to overcome any technical barriers in accessing their authoritative national geospatial data. This framework licence therefore not only improves access but also increases its use through the Copernicus In-Situ Component. Currently, 28 National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities have signed the agreement which covers the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service; the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS); and the Copernicus Security Service (CSS). As a result, in addition to the 102 new datasets, users of CORDA also have access to 34 updated datasets.”
“Copernicus Services also have access to harmonised, value-added administrative boundary data through our agreement with Eurostat, as well as pan-European topographic, gazetteer and imagery datasets and services delivered through the Open Maps for Europe interface and the Open Maps For Europe 2 project (OME2).”
Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Copernicus In-Situ Data Expert, EEA added: “Copernicus relies on the availability of a wide variety of in-situ data, including high-quality, authoritative geospatial data which is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Copernicus data, products and services. By facilitating access to geospatial information from official providers, our agreement with EuroGeographics strengthens synergies with its members to help us meet growing user demands for real-time, high-resolution geospatial information. This in turn ensures fit-for-purpose products that also bring valuable benefits back to the Member States.”
“We continue to build on this collaboration to address the evolving needs of the Copernicus component of the EU Space Programme and we ensure that National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities continue to be recognised for their essential contributions to Copernicus.”
EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.
The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency, The Netherlands.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.