New ETH Zurich Earth observation centre receives multimillion-franc donation

ETH Zurich will receive ten million Swiss francs per year from the Jörg G. Bucherer-Foundation over the next ten years, amounting to a total donation of 100 million francs (approx. €107 million). The university will use this generous funding to establish a globally oriented competence centre for Earth observation, with a physical presence in the Canton of Lucerne. The canton will support the project as an infrastructure partner.

Earth observation using satellites, drones and sensors has become indispensable in many areas, yet its potential is still far from fully realized. While enormous quantities of data are already available, they are often not used in a sufficiently targeted way. The planned centre aims to change this by combining state-of-the-art data collection with advanced analysis.

Under the name ETH Swiss GeoLab, the new centre will harness data from space, the air and the ground, using AI-assisted analysis methods and high-performance computing to better understand our planet and address concrete challenges. The research spectrum will be broad: from early detection of natural disasters, such as the recent landslides in Blatten and Brienz, to predicting agricultural yields and supporting farmers with planning – and much more beyond that.

Uncovering the previously unseen

ETH president Joël Mesot emphasizes the opportunities for Switzerland and Europe: “There are already numerous researchers at ETH who focus on Earth observation. The one-of-a-kind partnership with the Jörg G. Bucherer-Foundation will give us the unique opportunity to bring research and knowledge transfer in this important field to a new level.”

The appointed director, astrophysicist Thomas Zurbuchen – who was recently interviewed by GIM International – explains that the centre’s technological platform will enable researchers to link large volumes of data from satellites, drones, meteorological stations and other sources. This integration “will allow us to detect things that were previously not visible to us,” he says. Zurbuchen previously served as head of science at NASA from 2016 to 2022 and joined ETH Zurich in 2023 as professor of space science and technology. He will lead ETH Swiss GeoLab together with vice director Verena Griess, professor of forest resources management.

Griess highlights the personal importance of Earth observation in her work, noting that her team uses satellite data to study the condition of trees, forests and terrestrial ecosystems. “Earth observation is therefore particularly close to my heart and I’m excited to help establish ETH Swiss GeoLab together with Thomas Zurbuchen,” she explains.

Scaling up for impact

Over the first two years, the organizational foundations of the centre will be laid and focus areas defined in detail. Suitable premises in the Canton of Lucerne are to be identified and prepared for occupancy from 2027.

In addition to research, ETH Swiss GeoLab will serve as a hub for developing new Earth observation technologies, as well as products and services based on them. From the outset, startups and industry partners will be integrated to enable scaling and ensure knowledge transfer into business and society.

ETH Swiss GeoLab is expected to reach its full size by 2030, employing around 100 people. It will also launch training and continuing education programmes, further strengthening Switzerland’s role in this crucial field.