The UK and French space agencies have reached an agreement to jointly tackle climate change.

The UK agency’s director of growth, Catherine Mealing-Jones, and CNES president Jean-Yves Le Gal signed the MicroCarb co-operation agreement on 19 April at the French Ambassador’s Residence in London.

MicroCarb is a satellite mission that will measure carbon sources and carbon sinks. It is the first European mission intended to “characterise” green-house gas fluxes on Earth’s surface and gauge how much carbon is being absorbed by the oceans and forests, which are the main sinks on the planet.

The mission, scheduled to launch in 2020, will also contribute to international efforts to measure how much carbon gas is being emitted by natural processes and by human activities.

Science, Research and Innovation Minister Jo Johnson said: “UK collaboration with France on MicroCarb provides an excellent platform to demonstrate cutting-edge British science, our commitment to climate policy, and a productive relationship with a key European partner.

The UK space sector is alive with talent and opportunity; through our Industrial Strategy, we are ensuring that the UK remains a vital contributor to international space research.”

Mr Le Gall said: “CNES is working with the UK Space Agency to curb climate change. MicroCarb is a fine example of space-faring Europe’s commitment to this global effort, and a further illustration of our ability to ‘invent the future of space’.”