EC-ESA Methane Cluster.

SMART-CH4 operates in close cooperation with the Horizon Europe IM4CA (Investigating Methane for Climate Action) consortium within the EC-ESA Methane Cluster, part of the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative (ESSI). The Methane Cluster brings together leading international experts to improve the understanding of the global methane cycle and to better quantify both natural and anthropogenic methane sources and sinks across scales, from single-facility emissions to global budgets. It connects SMART-CH4 and IM4CA, combining expertise in field observations, satellite remote sensing, atmospheric chemistry, and inverse modelling to advance methane monitoring and emission estimation capabilities. Altogether the Methane Cluster involves more than 100 researchers and more than 30 institutes across Europe, North America and Africa.

By integrating observations, modelling, and emission-quantification frameworks, the EC-ESA Methane Cluster aims to overcome key scientific and operational bottlenecks toward transparent, traceable, and actionable methane flux assessments. These efforts support the European Union and other public and private stakeholders in identifying effective methane mitigation strategies and tracking progress toward climate objectives. For further information, please visit the IM4CA and ESA Atmosphere Science Cluster websites.