Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) is the response to Europe's need for geo-spatial information services. The initiative provides autonomous and independent access to information for policy-makers, particularly in relation to environment and security. ESA, as main partner to the European Union in GMES, is working on multi-mission facilities and ground segment operations and is preparing the Space Component for GMES with a series of studies and preparatory activities for the development of a series of satellites missions, the Sentinels, and the integration of national and European missions to guarantee continuity of data and services.