Bringing Copernicus climate science into public debate worldwide

Sector and focus area

Climate science, atmospheric data, public policy, reputation and media engagement

Context and challenge

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provide authoritative climate and atmospheric data in a communications environment that is increasingly complex and polarised. The challenge was to raise awareness of both services, strengthen their credibility and reputation, and increase their use as trusted sources of environmental information.

This required more than episodic media attention. Climate and atmospheric science needed to become part of the public and policy narrative, with technical findings translated into timely stories that could connect with journalists and audiences well beyond the established climate community.

Approach and strategy

The work began with a comprehensive reputation study to benchmark perceptions of C3S and CAMS and identify opportunities to strengthen their standing outside of the climate community. Those insights informed a three-year strategic communications programme built around timely, audience-first media content.

The strategy focused on humanising the science and increasing its visibility, engagement and discoverability. Proactive, theme-based communications connected Copernicus data with issues relevant to sectors including sport, insurance, finance and health, helping the services move beyond the climate bubble.

An agile press office responded to the media cycle and managed hundreds of enquiries each month, while regular bulletins and internationally recognised flagship reports created authoritative media moments throughout the year.

Work delivered

• A comprehensive reputation study to benchmark C3S and CAMS and identify opportunities to strengthen their positioning.
• A three-year strategic communications programme centred on timely, audience-first media content.
• A responsive press office managing the live media cycle and hundreds of enquiries each month.
• Proactive theme-based communications designed to reach audiences beyond the climate sector.
• High-impact media moments around regular bulletins and the flagship Global Climate Highlights and European State of the Climate reports.

Outcomes and impact

The programme embedded Copernicus science in media narratives at global scale. Coverage extended across podcasts, YouTube and other digital formats, while reporting in sectors such as sport, insurance, finance and health showed that the work was reaching audiences outside specialist climate media.

The annual Global Climate Highlights and European State of the Climate reports achieved record-breaking media coverage and press conference attendance. The breadth and volume of coverage helped reinforce C3S and CAMS as trusted, responsive sources of climate and atmospheric expertise.

Why this work matters

Environmental data has greatest public value when it can inform decisions and shape understanding beyond specialist audiences. By combining long-term reputation strategy with a highly impactful media operation, the programme turned complex science into relevant public knowledge.

The work helped establish a durable platform for Copernicus science in public discourse, strengthening the visibility and authority of C3S and CAMS across media, policy and wider society.