Space activities contribute to employment and competitiveness in many sectors of the economy.

45. Stresses that space-based infrastructure constitutes the backbone of many services used by industry and society in everyday life; observes that loss of access to this infrastructure, for example due to collisions between satellites and other space objects or debris, could impair the safety of economic actors and members of the public;

35. Believes that space policy should also include policies on the security of critical European space infrastructure and on the safe recovery of disused equipment; recognises the increasing dependence of the European economy, policies and society on space infrastructure and stresses that space infrastructure as critical infrastructure is essential for strengthening the autonomy of European decision-making; considers that the creation of a European Space Situational Awareness system would help protect critical European space infrast ...[+++]ructure against the risks of collisions between spacecraft or with space debris or near-Earth objects, plus the risks associated with space meteorology; believes that the creation of all new European programmes should be based on existing capacity, skills and infrastructure, which have required investment on the part of each of the Member States, and should develop current capacity where there are gaps;

35. Believes that space policy should also include policies on the security of critical European space infrastructure and on the safe recovery of disused equipment; recognises the increasing dependence of the European economy, policies and society on space infrastructure and stresses that space infrastructure as critical infrastructure is essential for strengthening the autonomy of European decision-making; considers that the creation of a European Space Situational Awareness system would help protect critical European space infrast ...[+++]ructure against the risks of collisions between spacecraft or with space debris or near-Earth objects, plus the risks associated with space meteorology; believes that the creation of all new European programmes should be based on existing capacity, skills and infrastructure, which have required investment on the part of each of the Member States, and should develop current capacity where there are gaps;

29. Considers that GMES is also a European Union flagship programme playing a key role in earth observation; underlines the importance of GMES's contribution to achieving Europe 2020 objectives and to supporting growth and the green economy, as well as long-term investments in technology and infrastructure; reaffirms the importance of GMES as an essential tool in combating climate change and environmental degradation; notes that, through the acquisition and analysis of information at national, regional and global level, GMES will allow the extraction of precise and useful data for: atmospheric, marine and land monitoring, civil protec ...[+++]tion, risk prevention, early warning systems, emergency management and recovery operations following environmental, natural or man-made disasters, maritime and costal surveillance, agricultural development, water and soil management and regional planning, making use of innovative environmental assessment and reporting technology capable of combining spatial and in-situ data;

D. whereas it supports the objectives of a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, by creating highly skilled jobs, providing commercial outlets, stimulating innovation and improving citizens' well-being and security;