News

Image showing satellite in space

Partnership project develops technology of interest to Norwegian Space Agency for use on satellite

Newly developed self-calibrating photodiode standards have a broad range of applications
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EMPIR project improves reference gas standards for climate relevant volatile organic compounds

New methodology enables better tracking of atmospheric trends
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On a rocky ground in the mountains and framed by a blue sky sits a meteorological station. It is composed of a small monitor with a solar panel on the left and on the right a weathervane

One of the first European Metrology Networks successfully established by support from EMPIR project

An EMPIR project supported the European Metrology Network for Climate and Ocean Observation – focusing on reliable metrology in this important area
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Partnership project develops metrology basis for soil moisture measurements on multiple scales

Soil moisture affects agriculture, weather and climate trends. To understand relationships measurements over multiple scales and times are needed
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Against a dark background are an artist’s illustration of atomic structures with an atom with a large number of neutrons and protons in the foreground with other atoms in the distance

Partnership project delivering first reference materials for stable isotope ratios in seawater

Developing certified reference materials for mass spectroscopy to monitor radioactive pollution in the environment
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EURAMET project performs a comparison of thermometer radiation shields in the Arctic

Polar regions are very sensitive to climate change – and monitoring these regions provides early indications of potential climate trends
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An image showing dawn over the Arctic research station in Norway. In the foreground measuring instruments stand out from the snow and in the background are a range of snow-covered mountains
Courtesy of BIPM

BIPM-WMO report recommends integrating metrology into the practice of climate and ocean observation

Metrology for climate action workshop report aligns closely with strategic research agenda of the EMN for Climate and Ocean Observation
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EMPIR project develops calibration methods for non-catching precipitation gauges

The project’s work ensures traceability for precipitation gauges which cannot be calibrated using established methods
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Image showing mercury metal being poured into a test tube

EMPIR project conducts calibration intercomparison for mercury concentrations in the atmosphere

Accurate measurement of mercury concentrations in the atmosphere is vital to protecting people and the environment from the most toxic heavy metal  
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Guide for the calibration of sensors for seismic, infrasound and hydroacoustic monitoring published

An EMPIR project that demonstrated first traceability for extremely low-frequency sound and vibration measurements has published a good practice guide
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On the side of a smoking volcano a seismograph powered by solar cells is transmitting vibration data to headquarters
Aurora Borealis in Norway

New videos introduce work of Biosphere project: Cosmic rays, UV radiation and the ozone shield

Developing the first metrological framework to assess the impact of cosmic rays and human activity on the ozone layer
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World Metrology Day spotlight: the European Metrology Network for Advanced Manufacturing

Working to address the metrology needs for sustainability in manufacturing across Europe
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Call for abstracts: First CIPM Sectoral Task Group – Climate Change and Environment meeting

Abstracts are invited for this stakeholder event which will be held on 16 – 18 September 2024, at BIPM in Paris and also online
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New Climatological Reference Station transmitting high quality data set up by EMPIR project

Developing reference stations to determine the extent of environmental bias in climate monitoring data
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Stylistic image showing bubbles with CO2 written inside being drawn down to the ocean

EMPIR project contributes to more accurate observations of ocean acidification

Carbon dioxide, released from man-made activities, is lowering the pH of the Earth’s oceans, and impacting the health of marine organisms worldwide
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Partnership project makes progress towards protecting the Earth’s fragile ozone shield

Developing the first metrological framework to assess the impact of cosmic rays and human activity on the ozone layer
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Image of a seismograph showing earthquake activity

EMPIR project on low-frequency sound and vibration raises awareness at major conference

Project increases understanding of the importance of metrology in this field, and how this can help detect natural disasters and nuclear explosions
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SHIPAS satellite-based climate sensor approved for in-orbit testing

Novel sensor developed with support of EMPIR projects to provide accurate temperature measurements of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
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3D rendering of the Earth with moon and sun
Smoking chimneys

Isotope metrology to enable climate action and regulation

New reference materials to help fingerprint the source of greenhouse gas emissions
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EMPIR climate project holds successful workshops and prepares for future report

Helping to reliably monitor volatile organic compounds in our atmosphere
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Workshop and training course on new transfer standards for spectral irradiance

10 – 11 September 2025, VSL, Delft
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Standardising long-term remote sensing and in situ measurements of atmospheric halogenated VOCs

The Swiss funded project 'SI-haloVOCs' aims at standardising remote sensing and in situ measurements of atmospheric halogenated volatile organic compounds based on SI-traceability
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Two cylinders filled with primary reference gas mixtures for halogenated VOCs in front of a white background
Image of an aurora borealis

Researching effects of cosmic radiation on the Earth’s biosphere

BIOSPHERE project investigating ways to reliably measure mutual effects of cosmic rays on the Earth’s protective ozone layer and ecological health
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Stakeholders help NEWSTAND team refine options for new spectral irradiance measurement standards

For decades, incandescent lamps served a crucial role in lighting applications — and as transfer and working standards for ensuring accurate measurements of spectral irradiance. However, recent European regulations led to a gradual phase-out of these inefficient lighting products from mainstream markets. While this shift helped limit energy demand,...
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Image showing Project meeting with all consortium members on 21-22 February 2024 at the IO-CSIC member site in Madrid, Spain (Credit: PTB)

Unleashing the power of satellite remote sensing for climate action

Live on YouTube from the Royal Institution’s historic main lecture hall in central London – on 16 January 2024, Climate and Ocean Observation EMN Chair Emma Woolliams and Vice-chair Nigel Fox shared a detailed overview of how satellite observations are applied to understanding climate change.
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Analysis of ocean variable measurement practice finds measurement uncertainty often misunderstood

Snapshot survey of oceanographers highlights barriers of time and cost impeding efforts to improve observation data quality and equivalence
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Image showing Air pollution from industrial stacks

Measures to clear the air

Partnership project contributes to improved accuracy of black carbon emissions monitoring and radiative transfer model input data
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Contribution of the MetClimVOC Project to the Strategic Research Agenda of the EMN

The European Metrology Network (EMN) for Climate and Ocean Observation has defined in its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) several roadmaps intended to answer the metrological needs of the climate and ocean monitoring communities EMN Strategy. In this post, we look more closely at the roadmaps for atmospheric stakeholder needs, particularly for st...
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Image showing An LED bulb amongst old-style filament bulbs

Online stakeholder workshop for the Partnership project NEWSTAND on 22 November 2023

European regulations have resulted in a gradual phase-out of inefficient lighting products in mainstream markets, which has proved successful in terms of limiting energy demand but caused headaches for metrology communities. That’s because, having ceased mass production, it became uneconomic for manufacturers to serve the specialist market for the ...
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MINKE call offers researchers free high-quality oceanographic metrological support facilities

Second MINKE call accepting applications until 15 November 2023
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Large research ship 'Sonne', as it sailed across the Pacific under a cloudy sky

A metrologist at sea

Metrological research comprises not just experimental work in metrology laboratories but also the development of measuring  instruments and of methods for primary measurement standards. Sometimes, metrology offers great opportunities for young researchers, even adventurous ones far beyond the day-to-day environment of typical lab metrology. A fine...
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Metrology: the foundation of trustworthy climate data

On 20 May 1875, representatives of 17 countries signed the Metre Convention in Paris, establishing a consistent, international system of weights and measures by defining the metre and the kilogram. For nearly 150 years, those measures, and the coherent system of other SI units that followed, have remained internationally equivalent, stable, and int...
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