Implementing digital twin technology of the earth system in Destination Earth

Abstract

The Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative of the European Commission applies digital twin technology to the Earth system, enabling bespoke, high-resolution simulations of extreme weather events and climate scenarios. At its core, DestinE features Digital Twins and a Digital Twin Engine — a software framework that connects computing, Earth system models, data, and applications. DestinE’s Digital Twins combine observations, physics-based high-resolution simulations and emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods, and leverage Europe’s most powerful supercomputers, through a strategic partnership with the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). DestinE enables tailored Earth system simulations to dynamically explore future weather and climate scenarios and to address “what-if” questions. It also establishes an operational framework for multi-decadal, multi-model climate projections, linking them to applications that transform vast climate data into actionable insights for climate sensitive sectors. By offering detailed, customized information on weather and climate extremes, DestinE enhances existing capabilities and supports both immediate and longer-term climate adaptation strategies. 3 Key points of the paper: • Defines the Destination Earth digital twin concept • Demonstrates the implementation of the world’s first two digital twin prototypes for two distinct purposes, anticipating weather-induced extremes and supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation • Discusses the challenges of the first 2 years of Earth system digital twin technology capacity building, highlighting the future potential for supporting public institutions in their effort to respond and adapt to climate change and extreme events.