European Atmospheric Research Lidar Cooperation of Science and Technology
01
Atmospheric aerosols are small particles suspended in the air. Most of them have a short lifetime, typically lasting from a few days to a few weeks—especially near the Earth’s surface.
02
Some smaller particles can rise to higher levels of the atmosphere. At these altitudes, they can remain in the air for much longer—even for several years.
03
These short-lived atmospheric constituents originate from a variety of natural sources, but also human activities.
04
Suspended in the atmosphere at different altitudes, aerosol effects on radiation and clouds play a major role in climate-relevant processes and in socio-economic sectors.
05
Nowadays, advanced lidar systems are capable of continuous, unattended operation for regular atmospheric monitoring.
06
Although highly effective, lidar systems still face challenges in calibration, data processing, and harmonised interpretation across networks – challenges that EARLICOST aims to address.
EARLICOST brings together the global aerosol lidar community to advance, harmonise, and transfer state-of-the-art atmospheric profiling technologies, improving our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their impacts on air quality, climate, and society.
News
2nd European Workshop on Atmospheric Dust | 21–23 April 2027, Karlsruhe, Germany
October 27, 2026
Organised by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in the framework of the Dust Doctoral Network (@Dust-DN), the 2nd European Workshop on Atmospheric Dust will take place at KIT in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 21 to 23 April 2027.
The workshop will bring together researchers at all career stages, practitioners and stakeholders working on atmospheric mineral dust. It will provide a forum for exchanging recent scientific advances, methods and perspectives, strengthening links across disciplines, and developing collaborations within and beyond the Dust-DN network.
Key topics:
Dust microphysical properties and atmospheric processes
Dust emissions, source regions and mineralogy
Transport, ageing and atmospheric processing
In-situ, ground-based, airborne and satellite…
We are delighted to welcome Dr Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserová from the Agricultural University of Iceland as a new member of the EARLICOST Management Committee (MC), representing Iceland!
Pavla brings extensive expertise in high-latitude dust, atmospheric aerosols, dust storms, and atmosphere–cryosphere interactions, with research spanning polar and subpolar environments, including Iceland and Antarctica.
Her expertise offers valuable opportunities to strengthen scientific collaboration on aerosol processes, atmospheric observations, and their implications for air quality and climate.
We look forward to expanding our network, fostering knowledge exchange, and building new connections with the Icelandic research community!
Photo credit: Adam Jang on Unsplash
WG3 Highlights: Connecting Lidar Science with Users and Stakeholders
October 12, 2026
Working Group 3 (WG3) has spent its first year tackling one of EARLICOST’s most outward-facing challenges: how to better integrate and interact with industry and end-users. Structured around three subgroups: Satellite Community Engagement (WG3a), Modelling Community Engagement (WG3b), and Industry Engagement (WG3c)
For this year, WG3 has focused on mapping stakeholder needs and laying the groundwork for lasting dialogue between the lidar research community and those who use its data.
Identifying the Core Challenges:
WG3’s activities are framed around a central question: How can the lidar community better integrate and interact with industry and end-users?
The group identified several current limitations standing in the way. There is no common platform for interaction…
As part of its commitment to supporting research, mobility and collaboration across the participating countries, EARLICOST awarded 38 grants in 2026: 9 Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) Conference Grants, 4 Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) Conference Grants, 1 Dissemination Conference (DC) Grant, 1 Virtual Network Support (VNS) Grant, 21 Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants, and 2 Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs). These grants support a wide range of scientific, networking, and knowledge-exchange activities. While some activities are still ongoing, several grantees have already presented their research at major international events, including:
The ACTRIS Science Conference in Oslo (20–23 April 2026)
The EarthCARE 2026 Science and Validation Workshop in Oxford (8–12 June…
WG1 Highlights: Advancing Innovative Lidar Technologies: High Spectral Resolution Lidars (HSRL), Fluorescence Lidars, Thermodynamic Profiling Systems
October 9, 2026
WG1 aims to advance and harmonise innovative lidar sensing technologies, improve data quality and uncertainty characterisation, and move towards common products, procedures and best practices across the EARLICOST community. Its activities focus on three main areas: High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL), Fluorescence Lidar and Thermodynamic Profiling.
During its first year, Working Group 1 (WG1) has focused on creating scientific and technical hubs where expertise on innovative lidar techniques and technologies can be shared across the EARLICOST community. From launching community surveys to coordinating activities with initiatives such as ACTRIS, WG1 has established the basis for more focused and coordinated technical work in Year 2.
WG1 Participation:
WG1 has attracted strong…
WG2 Highlights: Advancing Data Treatment and Synergies Across the Lidar Community
October 9, 2026
Working Group 2 (WG2) has spent its first year building the scientific and organisational foundations needed to pursue the full potential of lidar data, both on its own and in combination with other atmospheric sensors. Focusing on aerosol microphysical retrievals and cross-instrument synergies, WG2’s early activities reflect a clear ambition: to improve how lidar products are exploited, made representative, and harmonised across the network.
A Structure Built for Synergy:
We have organized the WG2 into three complementary subgroups, each addressing a distinct segment of the data treatment puzzle.
WG2a: Focuses on microphysical retrievals and algorithms.
WG2b: Explores the synergy between lidar and Automatic Lidar and Ceilometer (ALC) networks, with an emphasis on 4D…
Connect the LiDAR community to advance and harmonize the most innovative features in lidar technology, and create collaborative hubs with industry and end-users to maximize the scientific and societal impact of atmospheric profiling.
Background
LiDAR systems, while highly effective and capable of continuous, unattended operation for regular atmospheric monitoring, face several operational challenges – including standardized calibration techniques, data processing and interpretation – which will be the main focus of EARLICOST.
Work Plan
The work plan is organized into four focused Working Groups and incorporates collaborative activities, workshops, and short-term scientific missions to maximize knowledge exchange and technical progress.
Vision
Establish a transnational, collaborative network bridging researchers, industry, and end-users to advance lidar-based atmospheric profiling through harmonized technology, standardized practices, and innovative multi-sensor synergies, ultimately transforming scattered expertise into a coordinated, high-impact community.
Working Groups
WG1 | Sensing Technology
Advance innovative lidar techniques (HSRL, fluorescence, thermodynamic profiling) and harmonise measurement methodologies, algorithms, and calibration procedures across Europe.
WG2 | Data Treatment and Synergies
Improve lidar data exploitation by enhancing synergies with complementary sensors and advancing microphysical retrieval algorithms for aerosol and cloud studies.
WG3 | Users’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement
Strengthen collaboration with industry and end users to facilitate technology transfer, define user-driven requirements, and maximise the societal and operational impact of lidar observations.
WG4 | Dissemination and Outreach
Coordinate communication, dissemination, and outreach activities, supporting European and international initiatives and ensuring broad visibility and uptake of EARLICOST results.
Advancing atmospheric lidar science to better understand aerosols, air quality, and climate
