His appointment reinforces DTU's position as a key contributor to Europe's digital transformation of climate science and policy. It also recognises his scientific expertise in climate modelling and Earth observation, placing DTU at the forefront of one of the EU's most ambitious digital projects.
Destination Earth, launched by the European Commission, aims to create a high-precision digital copy of Earth. This will allow scientists and policymakers to visualise climate change in unprecedented detail and explore potential solutions.
"I am pleased to contribute to a project that can truly make a difference for Europe's climate efforts," says Sebastian Bjerregaard Simonsen, whose research focuses on changes in ice sheets in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Such changes directly affect our oceans, driving sea-level rise.
As a member of the expert panel – which includes representatives from research, industry, and public authorities – he will advise the European Commission on the long-term development of Destination Earth.
"This initiative has the potential to revolutionise our understanding of the climate and give decision-makers a far more accurate basis for tackling climate change. I look forward to contributing knowledge on the role of ice in the global climate system," he adds.
DTU Space already plays a leading role in modelling the behaviour of ice sheets, including how their melting influences sea levels in specific regions such as along the Danish coast.
The European Commission's goal is to have a fully operational digital twin of Earth by 2030 – a tool designed to help both scientists and policymakers make better-informed decisions to safeguard the planet's future.
