Download The Global Observing System for Climate: Implementation

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The Global Observing
System for Climate:
Implementation Needs
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GCOS-198 GOOS-xxx
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©World Meteorological Organization, 2016
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This is a draft copy of this report released for public review. Please do not cite or quote. A final
version, subject to copy edit, will be publically released after any comments on this version
have been addressed and with the approval of the GCOS Steering Committee in October 2016.
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Please follow the instructions at gcos.wmo.int to submit comments.
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NOTE
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The designations employed in WMO publications and the presentation of material in this publication do
not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WMO concerning the legal status of
any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or
boundaries.
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by WMO in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised.
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Table of Contents
PART I: Broad Context - Meeting the needs of the UNFCCC, Adaptation and Climate Services and Climate
Science..................................................................................................................................... 5
1.
2.
3.
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Implementation.....................................................................................................................................................11
Observations for Adaptation, Mitigation and Climate Indicators .....................................................................16
3.1 Adaptation.............................................................................................................................................................. 16
3.2
Mitigation ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
3.3
Climate Indicators ........................................................................................................................................... 22
4.
The Broader relevance of Climate Observations ................................................................................................24
4.1.
4.2.
4.3
4.4
5.
6.
Rio Conventions .............................................................................................................................................. 24
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals ..................................................................................... 25
Ramsar Convention ......................................................................................................................................... 26
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction2015-2030. ............................................................................... 27
Consistent Observations Across the Earth System Cycles..................................................................................29
Capacity Development and Regional and National Support..............................................................................33
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
The GCOS Cooperation Mechanism ................................................................................................................. 33
National Coordination ..................................................................................................................................... 34
Regional Activities........................................................................................................................................... 35
Information and Communication..................................................................................................................... 35
PART II: Detailed Implementation................................................................................................37
1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................38
2. Overarching and Cross-cutting Actions ...............................................................................................................39
2.1.
2.2.
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.
ATMOSPHERIC CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM....................................................................................................56
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.
Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 99
Oceanic Physical ECVs ................................................................................................................................... 108
Oceanic Domain: Biogeochemistry ................................................................................................................ 115
Oceanic Domain: Biology/Ecosystems............................................................................................................ 123
Key elements of the Sustained Ocean observing system for climate. .............................................................. 128
Coordination of observations in the coastal zone ........................................................................................... 141
TERRESTRIAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM.................................................................................................... 143
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
6.
Atmospheric Domain – Near-surface variables................................................................................................. 57
Atmospheric Domain – Upper-Air .................................................................................................................... 70
Atmospheric Domain – Composition................................................................................................................ 85
Atmospheric Domain – Scientific And Technological Challenges ....................................................................... 96
OCEANIC CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM .............................................................................................................99
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
5.
Requirements for Climate Observations........................................................................................................... 39
Planning, Review and Oversight....................................................................................................................... 41
Data management, stewardship and access..................................................................................................... 43
Production of Integrated ECV Products ............................................................................................................ 47
Ancillary and additional observations .............................................................................................................. 53
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 143
General Terrestrial Actions ............................................................................................................................ 152
Hydrosphere ................................................................................................................................................. 156
Cryosphere ................................................................................................................................................... 166
Biosphere ..................................................................................................................................................... 175
Human Use of Natural Resources .................................................................................................................. 194
Potential for Latent and Sensible Heat Flux from Land to be an ECV ............................................................... 198
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS..................................................................................................................................... 200
6.1 General, Cross-cutting, Actions.............................................................................................................................. 202
6.2 Atmospheric Actions ............................................................................................................................................. 208
6.3 Oceanic Actions .................................................................................................................................................... 216
6.4 Terrestrial Actions ................................................................................................................................................. 230
Annexes ................................................................................................................................ 248
ANNEX A:
ANNEX B:
ECV Product Requirements Tables...................................................................................................... 249
Basic Terminology for Data Records Related to Climate................................................................... 263
Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 265
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
APPENDIX 3
APPENDIX 4:
APPENDIX 5:
UNFCCC SBSTA Conclusions on Research and Systematic Observation Up to SBSTA 44 ........... 266
Decisions of the COP - Systematic Climate Observations ............................................................. 311
Resolutions of the WMO Congress and Executive Council ........................................................... 324
Contributors ..................................................................................................................................... 334
Glossary of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................... 335
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PART I: Broad Context - Meeting the needs of the
UNFCCC, Adaptation and Climate Services and
Climate Science
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1.
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INTRODUCTION
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The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2016 cites the failure of climate change mitigation and
adaptation as the risk with greatest potential impact on humanity, the first time that any environmental
risk has topped this ranking since its inception in 2006. The human population has already passed 7.3
billion and continues to increase by well over a hundred individuals every minute of every day. Our
growing and shifting population is testing the resilience of the Earth System as never before. The
impacts of climate change on food security, water resource, and extreme weather events pose
immediate threats to humanity.
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report1 states that human
influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the
highest in history. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and since the 1950s, many of the
observed changes are unprecedented. Recent climate changes have had widespread impacts on human
and natural systems: The atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have
diminished, and sea level has risen. Today more than half the land used for agriculture is moderately or
severely affected by land degradation while demand for food is increasing. Protecting the planet from
degradation, through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural
resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that the needs of present and future
generations can be supported, are among the primary aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development (Agenda 2030).
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Observations remain crucial for monitoring, understanding and predicting the variations and changes of
the climate system. They need to be collected over substantial timescales with a high degree of accuracy
and consistency to observe directly long term trends in climate. Informed decisions can only be made on
prevention, mitigation, and adaptation strategies based on sustained, local and comparable
observations. Language on research and systematic observations was in the original 1991 report of the
International Negotiating Committee for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and was included in the text of the Convention in 1992 in Articles 4 and 5 (Box 1) where
Parties to the Convention agree to support and develop mechanisms for the collection and sharing of
climate data.
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GCOS has been recognised by the UNFCC since 1997 as the programme that leads the improvement of
systematic observations to meet the needs of the convention (e.g. Decisions 8/CP.3, 14/CP.4, 9/CP.15).
(See also Appendices 1-3).
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We have to distinguish between a system that is the combination and integration of existing global,
regional and national observing systems delivering climate data and products (the Global Observing
System for Climate), and a programme, guided by an implementation plan to build such a system (GCOS,
Figures 1 and 2). GCOS supports an internationally coordinated network of observing systems with a
programme of activities that guide, coordinate and improve the network. It is designed to meet evolving
requirements for climate observations. The Global Observing System for Climate, serves as the climateobservation component of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, which spans its umbrella
over many themes and societal areas including climate.
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IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Repor t
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva.
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Box 1 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
ARTICLE 4
COMMITMENTS
1. All Parties … shall:
…
(g) Promote and cooperate in scientific, technological, technical, socio-economic and other research,
systematic observation and development of data archives related to the climate system …
ARTICLE 5
RESEARCH AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION
In carrying out their commitments under Article 4, paragraph 1(g), the Parties shall:
(a)
Support and further develop, as appropriate, international and intergovernmental
programmes and networks or organizations aimed at defining, conducting, assessing
and financing research, data collection and systematic observation, taking into account
the need to minimize duplication of effort;
(b)
Support international and intergovernmental efforts to strengthen systematic
observation and national scientific and technical research capacities and capabilities,
particularly in developing countries, and to promote access to, and the exchange of,
data and analyses thereof obtained from areas beyond national jurisdiction; and
(c)
Take into account the particular concerns and needs of developing countries and
cooperate in improving their endogenous capacities and capabilities to participate in
the efforts referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above.
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The new implementation plan described in the present publication sets out what is needed to enhance
the system so that it meets increasing and more varied needs for data and information, including for
improved management of the impacts and consequences of climate variability and current and future
climate change.
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The Paris Agreement concluded at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC in
2015 calls for strengthening scientific knowledge on climate, including research, systematic observation
of the climate system and early warning systems, in a manner that informs climate services and supports
decision-making (Paris Agreement, Article 7.7c, Adaptation). Based on this agreement, GCOS has now to
consider observational requirements to monitor emissions and emission reductions (Global Stocktaking,
and Transparency), information needs for assessing adaptation to climate change and climate resilience
(Adaptation, Mitigation and Loss and Damage), data needs for public awareness (for example, Indicators)
and capacity development (for example, GCOS Cooperation Mechanism (GCM)).
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GCOS now needs to address not only the science of climate change, and how climate change can be
understood, modelled and predicted, but also the observational needs for mitigating and adapting to
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climate change. Future adaptation and response to climate change will also require better
understanding of the evolution of the direct and systemic risks associated with future climate change,
and their management through appropriate risk reduction and resilience. This is also fundamentally
related to the structure of insurance of future risk.
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Climate observations are also useful for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA),
and the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The broader relation of climate
observations to these agreements is set out in Part I, Chapter 4. The inter-related water, energy and
agricultural sectors are central to sustaining humanity and are significantly impacted by climate change
and are significant contributors to climate change. Consideration of these sectors is thus central to
successful adaptation and mitigation.
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Figure 1
missions.
The observing system ranges from individual observers to multi-billion dollar satellite
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Sources: NASA's Goddard Space, www.carboafrica.net, B. Longworth, , CoCoRaHS, GFOI
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Figure 2
The improved observations GCOS supports lead to significant benefits.
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While concerned with largely the same suite of observations as earlier GCOS plans, this new
implementation plan more clearly addresses the global earth-life cycles, in particular those of energy,
carbon and water.
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Observations need to be recognised as essential public goods, where the benefits of open global
availability exceed any economic or strategic value to individual countries from that might otherwise
lead them to withhold national data. GCOS aims to ensure that these observations are made and are
readily available to users.
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GCOS provides requirements for climate observations. It also has established Global Climate Monitoring
Principles (GCMP, see Part II) to ensure that climate observations are fit for purpose. The “one system –
many uses” model is fundamental to the efficient and effective operations of the climate observing
system. In addition, the plan discusses the need for potential climate indicators. These serve two distinct
purposes: to provide a broader description of the progress of climate change to date and to monitor the
progress of mitigation and adaptation.
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The GCOS report Status of the Global Observing System for Climate2 has reviewed the current status of
the observing system and identified gaps and areas for improvement that are addressed in this plan.
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Box 2 The Global Climate Observing System GCOS
GCOS is jointly sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC of UNESCO) of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International
Council for Science (ICSU).
GCOS is directed by a Steering Committee that provides guidance, coordination and oversight to the
programme. Three science panels, reporting to the Steering Committee, have been established to define
the observations needed in each of the main global domains (atmosphere, oceans, and land), prepare
specific programme elements and to make recommendations for implementation:
●
Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC)
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Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC)
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Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC).
The three panels gather scientific experts in the respective areas to generate inputs from these fields to
the climate observing community. Each panel:
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Liaises with relevant research and operational communities to identify measurable variables,
properties and attributes that control the physical, biological and chemical processes affecting climate,
are themselves affected by climate change, or are indicators of climate change and provide information
on the impacts of climate change;
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Defines the requirements for long-term monitoring of Essential Climate Variables (ECV) for
climate and climate change, maintains a set of monitoring requirements for the variables in their
domain and routinely reviews and updates these requirements;
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Assesses and monitors the adequacy of current observing networks (in-situ, satellite-based),
identifies gaps, promotes and periodically revises plans for a long-term systematic observing system that
fills these gaps and makes the data openly available;
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Coordinates activities with other global observing system panels and task groups to ensure
consistency of requirements with the overall programmes.
An important feature of this implementation plan, compared to earlier ones, is the greater emphasis
placed on the monitoring, by the panels, of the performance of the observing systems and responding
to any problems identified.
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GCOS (2015) Status of the Global Observing System for Climate, GCOS-195, Pub WMO, Switzerland October 2015
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IMPLEMENTATION
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2.
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This new implementation identifies those actions needed to maintain and improve the global observing
system for climate to meet the increasing requirements of science, the UNFCCC and other MEAs,
adaptation and mitigation, and the provision of climate services in general.
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Since its establishment in 1992, GCOS has adopted a three-phase approach to assuring the availability of
systematic climate observations underlying the needs of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the IPCC:

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First, GCOS establishes through its science panels the variables to be monitored (the Essential
Climate Variables, ECVs) and the user requirements for measuring them.
Second, GCOS undertakes regular periodic reviews that monitor how these ECVs are observed in
practice, these have included two reports on the Adequacy of Global Observing Systems for
Climate in Support of the UNFCCC and the in 2015 published report on the Status of the Global
Observing System for Climate 3 .
Third, GCOS prepares concrete plans to ensure continuity of the observational record while
improving it where needed. These are then submitted to key stakeholders for adoption and
implementation – this present document is the third such plan.
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This new implementation plan assures continuity of the overall observing system for climate and builds
on past achievements to ensure the system evolves as long-standing users’ needs change and new users
are established. The new plan responds to the growing need for systematic observations and climate
information expanding from science based assessments to include adaptation and mitigation needs
(Figure 3). The plan also acknowledges that these observations are not just relevant to the UNFCCC, but
also to a broader community.
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An ECV is a physical, chemical, or biological variable or a group of linked variables that critically
contributes to the characterization of Earth’s climate4 . Variables can only be ECVs, if they are both
currently feasible for global implementation and contribute significantly to meeting UNFCCC and other
climate requirements. This plan discusses ECVs according to their measurement domain, sets out actions
to support cross-domain use (for example, to close the carbon budget) and assure relevance to the
growing community of users. ECVs are listed in Table 1.
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New ECVs have been agreed (lightning, land surface temperature, ocean surface stress, ocean surface
heat flux, marine habitat properties, oceanic nitrous oxide, and anthropogenic GHG fluxes). Others have
been stated with more precise terminology, but are not new. Additional products associated within
some ECVs are identified. Details are given in the domain sections. For the first time this plan also
highlights the importance of ancillary data such as gravity, geoid, digital elevation models (DEM),
bathymetry and orbital restitution that are required but are not climate observations themselves.
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While, for practicality, the ECVs are assigned to measurement domains, the phenomena and issues they
can address cut across such domains. Table 2 shows this for an illustrative list of phenomena,
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GCOS 2015 Status of the Global Observing System for Climate. GCOS-195, pub WMO, Geneva, October 2015
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Bojinski et al., 2014 The concept of essential climate variables in support of climate research, applications, and policy BAMS
September 2014 pp 1432-1443
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demonstrating, for example, how hydrological measurements are needed in all domains to understa nd
the full hydrological cycle.
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Table 1: Essential Climate Variables for which global observation is currently feasible and that satisfy
the requirements of the UNFCCC and broader user communities. Technical details on ECV
requirements can be found in Part II and Annex A.
Measurement
Domain
Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
Atmospheric
Surface: Air temperature, Wind speed and direction, Water vapour, Pressure,
Precipitation, Surface radiation budget.
Upper-air: Temperature, Wind speed and direction, Water vapour, Cloud
properties, Earth radiation budget, Lightning.
Composition: Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ), Methane (CH4 ), Other long-lived greenhouse
gases (GHGs), Ozone, Aerosol, Precursors for aerosol and ozone.
Oceanic
Physics: Temperature, Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity, Sea Surface Salinity,
Currents, Surface Currents, Sea Level, Sea State, Sea Ice, Ocean Surface Stress ,
Ocean Surface heat Flux
Biogeochemistry: Inorganic Carbon, Oxygen, Nutrients, Transient Tracers,
Nitrous Oxide (N2 O), Ocean Colour
Biology/ecosystems: Plankton, Marine habitat properties
Terrestrial
Hydrology: River discharge, Groundwater, Lakes, Soil Moisture
Cryosphere: Snow, Glaciers, Ice sheets and Ice shelves, Permafrost
Biosphere: Albedo, Land cover, Fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active
radiation, Leaf area index, Above-ground biomass, Soil carbon, Fire, Land Surface
Temperature
Human use of natural resources: Water use, GHG fluxes
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This plan supports strategies for science and technological innovations for the major earth observation
programmes of space agencies, and plans for national implementation of climate observing systems and
networks.
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Part I of this implementation plan describes its broader context showing the new and wider
considerations of climate services and its relationships with adaptation and mitigation issues. Part I also
sets out more clearly the relationship of ECVs to the three climate cycles of water, carbon and energy, to
the Rio Conventions, other biodiversity-related conventions, Agenda 2030 and the Sendai Framework
for Disaster Reduction 2015-2030.
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Part II provides the details for the observing systems, from the general requirements for climate
observations to individual actions for each ECV.
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Figure 3
This implementation plan addresses the climate monitoring needs that come from a wide range of
related sources. While this plan is primarily aimed at the needs of the UNFCCC and the scientific assessments
that underpin it, other needs are considered where relevant.
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The three GCOS science panels have agreed specific actions (Figure 5) which are highlighted in boxes in
this plan. They are numbered and the labels are indicating if they relate to the Atmosphere (A), Ocean
(O), Terrestrial Domain (T) or to the general part (G) of the plan. The boxes describe what “action” is
needed, and what is the benefit of implementing it. The box also informs about “who” is supposed to
act, when the action should be implemented, and how progress on implementation could possibly be
measured. The annual costs are based on estimates, for example for required expert time, standard
meeting costs or cash investments for hardware or software and are presented as broad ranges (Figure
4). For many of the cost estimates reference can be made back to the former GCOS Implementation
Plan.
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The present plan is not merely an update of
earlier GCOS implementation plans but
addresses new and broader activities (Figure
3). The GCOS Report Status of the Global
Observing System for Climate described the
status and gaps in the existing systems and
reported on progress against the 2010
Implementation Plan. From these foundations
this new implementation plan has been
written by a team appointed by the GCOS
Steering Committee. The three GCOS science
panels provided the atmospheric, ocean and
terrestrial chapters. The first GCOS Science
conference introduced the draft of the plan to
the broader scientific and user communities
and allowed a discussion about the way
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Number of Actions
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0
Estimated Cost
Figure 4
Ranges of estimated cost associated with
action in this plan
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forward including a discussion about the state of the observing system (extensively reviewed in the
GCOS Status Report) current developments and future needs.
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Following a peer-review by experts and relevant organizations the draft plan was publicly reviewed in
summer 2016 to allow the widest possible range of ideas and perspectives to be accommodated.
Following its approval by the GCOS Steering Committee, the plan, was submitted to the UNFCCC COP22.
GCOS would like to thank all those who have contributed to this plan as authors, experts or reviewers.
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Table 2:
GCOS ECVs grouped by measurement domain and area covered. The groups show how
observations across all the measurement domains are needed to capture specific phenomena or
issues. (NOTE: Terrestrial Latent and Sensible Heat fluxes are not currently and ECV being considered
as a potential future ECVs)
Atmosphere
Terrestrial
Ocean
Energy &
Temperature
Surface Radiation Budget
Earth Radiation Budget, Surface
Temperature,
Upper Air Temperature
Albedo,
Latent and Sensible Heat
fluxes, Land Surface
Temperature
Ocean Surface Heat Flux,
Sea Surface Temperature,
Temperature (sub-surface),
Other Physical
Properties
Surface Wind, Upper Air Wind
,
Pressure, Lightning, Aerosol
Properties
Carbon Cycle and
other GHGs
Carbon Dioxide,
Methane, Other long-lived
GHG, Ozone, Precursors for
Aerosol and Ozone
Soil Carbon,
Above-ground Biomass
Inorganic Carbon, Nitrous Oxide
Hydrosphere
Precipitation,
Cloud Properties,
Water Vapour (Surface)
Water Vapour (Upper Air)
Soil Moisture,
River Discharge,
Lakes, Groundwater,
Sea Surface Salinity, Salinity, Sea
Level
Snow & Ice
Glaciers,
Ice Sheets and ice shelves,
Permafrost, Snow
Sea Ice
Biosphere
Land Cover, Leaf Area Index
Plankton, Oxygen,
(LAI), Fraction of Absorbed
Nutrients, Ocean Colour, Marine
Photosynthetically Active
Habitat Properties
Radiation (FAPAR), Fire
Human Use of
Natural Resources
Currents, Surface Currents,
Ocean Surface Stress,
, Sea State, Transient Tracers,
Water Use, Greenhouse
Gases (GHG) Fluxes
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Following the completion and publication of this plan, its implementation will rely on a broad range of
actors. GCOS itself cannot implement a global observing system. Rather, GCOS coordinates many
activities that each contribute to the overall system. GCOS is the cumulative result of the contributions
of many stakeholders, including international organizations such as WMO and IOC of UNESCO, space
agencies, funding bodies supporting developing countries, national research organizations and National
Meteorological or Hydrological Services, scientists and individuals (for example, by reporting
measurements from simple rain gauges).
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The success of this implementation plan relies on all these parties.
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Figure 5
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The plan identifies a wide range of actions including those:
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The actions identified in this plan can be grouped into several main areas.
a) By GCOS to address the identification and specification of the current ECVs, the evolution of the
list of ECVs, monitoring of observation systems, production of improvement plans, promotion of
open access to data for all users and coordination of technical development and capacity
building;
b) By those owning the networks and making the measurements to maintain and improve the
observations and to meet the requirements for climate observation;
c) By those that host and make available data to make the data easily discoverable and openly
available to all users;
d) By those that generate and make available integrated products from these data;
e) By those using the observations and products, including feedback on ‘fitness for purpose’,
evolution and provision of new users’ requirements;
f) By those funding observation/user/data archive, storage, dissemination to maintain and
improve their support, particularly in vulnerable areas;
g) To improve coordination among those making or supporting observations and user communities
h) By GCOS, its funding organizations and parties to the UNFCCC to support capacity building and
outreach.
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OBSERVATIONS FOR ADAPTATION, MITIGATION AND CLIMATE
INDICATORS
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3.1 Adaptation
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Adaptation and mitigation are key parts of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. GCOS considers adaptation in
many parts of this plan and this section gives an overview of how GCOS can support adaptation.
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The last decade has seen an increasing demand for reliable climate information and services from key
sectors, including insurance, agriculture, health, water management, energy and transportation. This
demand is expected to grow further against the backdrop of a changing climate.
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At the international level, the importance of high-quality, reliable and timely climate services has been
recognized in the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), a UN-led initiative instigated at the
World Climate Conference-3 5 . In the GFCS high-level plan6 , a climate service is defined as “climate
information prepared and delivered to meet a user’s needs”. A climate service includes the timely
production and delivery of science-based trustworthy climate data, information and knowledge to
support policy and other decision making processes.
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To be effective, climate services should be designed in collaboration with customers and stakeholders,
be based on free and open access to essential data, and include user feedback mechanisms. Climate
research innovates and stimulates new areas of service development by exploiting the full potential of
the climate observing system, combined with improved climate modelling,. Thus GFCS has five
components (“pillars”): User Interface Platform; Climate Services Information System; Observations and
Monitoring; Research, Modelling and Prediction; and Capacity Development.
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The value of GCOS contributing to this framework is clear, and was confirmed in Resolution 39 at WMO
Congress 17 which recognised the “fundamental importance of GCOS to the Global Framework for
Climate Services.“
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There are already initiatives at different scales whose observation and monitoring protocol and
standards are often determined by GCOS requirements. One example of this is the Climate Change
Service of the European Union’s Copernicus programme. This service will give access to information for
monitoring and predicting climate change and will, therefore, help to support adaptation and mitigation.
It benefits from a sustained network of in situ7 and satellite-based observations, re-analysis of the Earth
climate and modelling scenarios based on a variety of climate projections. The service will provide
access to several climate indicators (e.g., temperature increase, sea level rise, ice sheet melting,
warming up of the ocean) and climate indices (e.g., based on records of temperature, precipitation,
drought event) for both the identified climate drivers and the expected climate impacts.
5
http://www.wmo.int/gfcs/wwc_3
6
WMO 2011 Climate knowledge for action: a global framework for clima te services – empowering the most vulnerable WMONo. 1065, pub WMO, Geneva, 2011
7
For convenience, in this document in situ refers to non-satellite observations, although this may include airborne and remote
ground based observations.
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Additionally, at the national level there have been many successful developments in the last 5 years
Notable examples include the UK Climate Service, Deutscher Klimadienst (DKD) and the Swiss National
Centre for Climate Services.
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To develop this implementation plan, at recent workshops 8 a range of participants from governments,
international organizations, the private sector and academia have discussed observational needs. These
workshops noted that there is a flow of information from observations that produce data and then
information which informs adaptation planning and better defines observational needs. GCOS’s role in
this chain was identified as facilitating and enhancing systematic observations.
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The conclusions9 also included:
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
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






The need to clearly describe the role of GCOS and other partners in enabling this flow of
information.
Good, publicly available and standardized data, in particular at regional, national and local levels
on the vulnerability of key sectors to the impacts of climate change is essential. Terrestrial and
ocean observations, in particular in coastal zones, need improvement.
Adaptation planning and assessment requires a combination of baseline climate data and
information, coupled with national data relevant to the specific aspects of adaptation (including
different sectors) in question.
The value of observations to adaptation should be clearly articulated.
One or more well-described case studies in Non-Annex I Parties could be used to demonstrate
the value of observations to adaptation;
Guidance and guidelines (or references to other sources of advice) on data and sources of
products, as well as their limitations, are needed. A key role for GCOS would be to establish and
maintain requirements for the collection and dissemination of national observations. This
material will cover specified quality standards (including latency, resolution and uncertainties),
documentation required to accompany the data (including metadata), and the identification of
where and how internationally available data can be accessed.
Coordination among observation systems at different scales from subnational to global to
inform adaptation should be promoted through relevant focal points and national coordinators,
as well as Reginal Climate Coordinators and alliances;
The research and development community needed to support the development of indicators
linking physical and social drivers relating to exposure, vulnerability and improved resilience in
line with national requirements.
8
The First GCOS Science Conference: Global Climate Observation: the Road to the Future, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March
2016 (http://www.gcos-science.org).
GCOS Workshop on Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change, Offenbach, Germany, 26 –28 February 2013,
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos -185.pdf
Joint GCOS/GOFC-GOLD Workshop on Observations for Climate Change Mitigation, Geneva, Switzerland, 5 -7 May 2014 ,
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/documents/GCOS-191.pdf
GCOS Workshop on Enhancing Observation to Support Preparedness and Adaptation in a Changing Climate - Learning from the
IPCC 5th Assessment Report. Bonn, Germany, 10-12 February 2015,
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos -166.pdf
9
See GCOS Workshop on Enhancing Observation to Support Preparedness and Adaptation in a Changing Climate – footnote 7
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These workshops also noted that currently, the global climate models and satellite-based observing
systems are useful in supporting decisions from the national to global scales, but are inadequate for subnational to local decision-making as the spatial resolution of their products are too coarse. While in
some cases such products can be downscaled with reference to ground based in situ stations, there
tends to be only a few, widely dispersed stations which often lack sufficiently long time-series of data.
Therefore, satellite-based observation systems, reanalyses and global circulation models need to move
towards generating higher spatial resolution products. Further investments are needed to improve the
ground-based network in situ observations made by a range of parties: NHMSs, non-NHMS agencies
such as agricultural departments, and even the general public (citizen scientists). The focus should be
on efforts in regions where change is most rapid or variability is more pronounced, and where the
impact of climate on a sector is the largest and vulnerability is the highest.
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3.1.1 Supporting Adaptation
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In order to improve the availability of observations for observations it is recommended that relevant
organisations and parties:
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify priority observational needs; focus on regions where climate change will have
significant sector effects and where there are vulnerable populations. Consider baseline climate
data and information, coupled with sector-specific and other economic demographic data at
regional, national and local scales.
Provide sustainable resources to implement networks to meet the identified observational
needs.
Provide public access to high quality and standardized data on the vulnerability of key sectors
to climate change impact that meets the GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles and any relevant
GCOS Guidelines or product requirements;
Develop infrastructure and governance to support sustained data rescue (historical data is
highly valuable, but data rescue is and distribution in accessible digital forms can potentially be
very resource intensive);
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3.1.2 How GCOS will support adaptation
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Addressing adaptation cuts across much of this work plan and many of the actions described in this
document are just as appropriate for local adaptation issues as for global understanding of the climate
(e.g. data stewardship, metadata and refinement of requirements). In implementing this plan all parties
should consider any additional adaptation needs. There are, in addition, two specific additional actions
(Actions G1 and G2) targeted particularly at adaptation; the production of high resolution data and
provision of guidance and best practice. The definition of requirements (Action G13) will need a specific
focus on adaptation and how this will be done is described below. Table 3 lists the main areas in which
GCOS will support adaptation.
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An important step will be defining the requirements for adaptation. Requirements are needed for local
observations, high resolution global datasets and data produced by modelling, downscaling and
reanalysis. GCOS will adopt a staged approach to define these actions (Action G13):
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1. A survey by the GCOS secretariat will compile readily available information on observational
needs from adaptation projects and experts. GFCS should be a major contributor to this exercise.
The GCOS secretariat will compile this information identifying each variable needed, its
application area and the required accuracy. This understanding of users’ needs could also lead
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into the development of guidance and best practice. This draft is intended to stimulate
discussion and not to be a final product itself.
2. A workshop will consider this draft document. Participants will be mainly from the adaptation
community with some experts from the GCOS science panels to give advice on the practicality of
the demands. The output from this meeting will be a draft document giving a first overview of
observational needs for adaptation. This workshop should be joint exercise, perhaps with GFCS
and UNFCCC.
3. The draft will be reviewed and the panels will consider it before it is accepted by the GCOS
Steering Committee. This should be in late 2017.
This should be a living document that will be developed over time as the understanding and
needs of users develop and observational experience and expertise increase.
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Two particular areas of the GCOS work plan that have a considerable overlap with the adaptation needs
are :
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•
Regional workshops and plans. The regional work programme envisaged would be an idea
forum to discuss adaption needs, promote guidance and best practice and design projects to improve
observational networks.
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•
Communication Plan. Promoting the importance of observations, the guidance and best
practice, the role of GCOS, the needs of countries and working with other partners are all essential parts
of this plan. Communicating and encouraging the use of standardised metadata, and the need of open
access to data is an import role for GCOS.
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and
Provide Guidance Produce and disseminate advice on using the global and regional requirements at a national and local level, and guidance and GCOS
best practice on prioritisation of observations, implementation, data stewardship and reporting. Promote the use of this
guidance by parties and donors. Review the use of this guidance and requirements and revise as needed.
Climate Services Data
Acquiring data
Action
Define
Needs
Requirements
Guidance
Table 3 Actions for Adaptation
Coordination
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Description
WHO
User GCOS and the observation community identify and understand the needs of user communities and issues they aim to serve. GCOS
GCOS should work with the user communities to define regional requirements.
Produce
High Encourage satellite-based observation systems, reanalyses and global circulation models to move towards generating spatially
Resolution data
higher resolution products
Data Rescue
Communicate the value of historical data as a public good and promote data rescue as an essential task. (See Part II, Section
1.4.2)
Invest
in Investments are needed to improve the ground-based network of stations for climate, water, greenhouse gas fluxes,
observations
biodiversity and others (Parties should invest in their own observations: support is also needed in countries with fewer
resources Part I Chapter 6)
Improve
Data Improve information on data availability, quality, uncertainty, and limits of applicability, and establish and improve
Stewardship
mechanisms to provide both access to data and information regarding data contents
Improve data management (see Part II Section 1.3)
Climate services Present the information derived from the observations in a form that is relevant to the purposes of the diverse range of
decision makers and users addressing issues such as, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, monitoring and evaluation,
risk assessment and mitigation, development of early warning systems, adaptation and development planning and climate
proofing strategies within and across sectors
GFCS
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) has a leading role in improving feedback mechanisms between data providers
and users through the User Interface Platform, to inform GCOS in supporting the GFCS observations and monitoring pillar
Coordination
There is need to clarify responsibilities, define focal points for specific topics, build synergi es, and generally strengthen
cooperation among UN programmes, as well as to consider how GCOS can use its reporting systems through the WMO, the
UNFCCC, the IOC and others, to reach out to different communities and to be recognised as an authoritative sour ce of
validated information that is relevant to users’ needs
GFCS
Related GCOS Actions
Regional Workshops (G11)
Development of requirements
(G13)
Communication plan (G12)
Provide advice and guidance
(G13-16, Part II chs2-4)
Communication Plan (G12)
Regional Workshops (G11)
Development of requirements
(G13)
Data Rescue (G29-34)
Communications Plan (G12)
GCOS Cooperation mechanism
(G9)
Communications Plan (G12)
Define and use metadata
Mechanism to discover data,
Open Data (Part II Ch. 1.3)
Indicators (Par 1 Ch 3.3)
GFCS
Refine requirements (G13)
GCOS
Parties
GCOS
GCOS,
GFCS,
IOC,
WMO,
UNFCCC,
Parties
Long
term Support research initiatives such as UNEP’s PROVIA and the ICSU’s Future Earth as well as global and regional investments in GCOS,
research
and observations likely to meet future needs for long-term data, such as the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa ICSU,
observations
programme (MESA).
UNEP
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Coordination actions (role of
GCOS and its science panels)
Research Actions (several
actions in Part II Chs 2-4)
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431
Action G1: Guidance and best practice for adaptation observations
Action
Produce guidance and best practice on for observations for adaptation. This would .include advice on using
the global and regional requirements at a national and loca l level, and guidance and best practice on
prioritisation of observations, implementation, data stewardship and reporting. Promote the use of this
guidance by parties and donors. Review the use of this guidance and requirements and revise as needed
Benefit
Encourage high quality, consistent and comparable observations
Timeframe
Version one available in 2018, thereafter review and refine as needed
Who
GCOS in association with users and other stakeholders
Performance
Indicator
Availability and use of specifications
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
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Action G2: Specification of high-resolution data
Action
Specify the high resolution data requirements

In response to user needs for adaptation planning, develop high -resolution observational
requirements and guidance and distribute this widely;

Promote coordination among observation systems at different scales from subnational to global,
particular through relevant focal points, national coordinators and regional climate centres and
alliances;

Ensure that this work responds to other work streams under the UNFCCC’s Research and
Systematic Observation agenda item and the SDGs;

Ensure this data is openly accessible to all users.
Benefit
Develop a broad understanding of observational need. Ensure consistency of observations and th us enable
their wide use.
Timeframe
2018 an on-going thereafter
Who
GCOS in association with users and other stakeholders
Performance
Indicator
Availability and use of specifications
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
433
3.2
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435
436
437
438
439
The aim of climate change mitigation is to limit, and ultimately reduce, the atmospheric concentrations
of GHGs greenhouse gases. However, these concentrations are also affected by uptake by the oceans
and land sinks. Thus, observations of the atmospheric composition ECVs (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and other long-lived GHGs) only provides part of the story. Observations of
other ECVs monitoring other parts of the carbon cycle are also needed, such as: the ocean carbonate
system, land -use and land -cover, and fires.
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The estimates of national emissions and removals used by parties to the UNFCCC in designing and
monitoring mitigation actions are produced using the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories and its supplements” and its supplements. Observations can support this process in a
number of ways:
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Mitigation


Satellite observations of the changes in land cover are an important input into estimates of
emissions from the “land use, land-use change and forestry” LULUCF sector;
Forest mitigation efforts, such as REDD+, depend on forest monitoring that combines satellite
observations with ground-based measurements (for example. see the Global Forest
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Observations Initiative, and the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions
from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD);
 While atmospheric concentration measurements cannot replace inventory-based estimates of
emissions and removals, they can be used to support the improvement of inventory estimates
by providing independent evidence of the completeness of the estimates.
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456
This new implementation plan describes a new ECV – anthropogenic greenhouse gas fluxes. Actions
related to this ECV will promote better use of the IPCC guidelines to improve global estimates, promote
better understanding of the land sink, and support national emission inventories through the use of
atmospheric composition observations.
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463
Specific mention is also made of the need for measurement of point source fluxes from emissions
sources such as fossil fuel power plants. These measurements, made from space-borne platforms under
development at the time of publication, will augment the bottom-up approaches of the IPCC guidelines
and allow improved integrated estimates of emissions, in line with the requirements of the Paris
agreement for a global stocktake with a five- year repeat. The first global stocktake in 2023 will be able
to benefit from prototype systems that are expected to develop into a more operational system
thereafter.
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467
The use of multiple ECVs may also support the planning and monitoring of mitigation. These include soil
carbon, above-ground biomass, land cover and fire disturbance. One action for which GCOS is
responsible is to better understand the relationship between the terrestrial ECVs and to improve their
consistency.
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3.3
Climate Indicators
469
3.3.1
Indicators of ongoing climate change
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The Paris Agreement aims to hold global warming to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to
pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. It also recognizes
the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse
effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events, and the role of
sustainable development in reducing the risk of loss and damage. This leads to a need for a new
comprehensive set of climate indicators. While surface temperature is the indicator fundamental to the
aim of the Paris Agreement, it has proved problematic when used alone for communicating the impacts
and evolution of climate change and does not cover the range of impacts of concern. Describing climate
change in a more holistic way demands additional indicators of ongoing change such as heating of the
ocean, sea level rise, increasing ocean acidity, melting glaciers, decreasing snow cover and changes in
arctic sea ice. Such a set of indicators should be able to convey a broader understanding of the state and
rate of climate change to date and highlight its likely physical consequences. It will be equally important
to develop indicators related to future climate change: following COP21 policy makers will need reliable
evidence of the impacts of climate change on society, including on the increasing risks to infrastructure,
food security, to water resources and other threats to humankind. These are discussed below.
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Many different agencies already produce lists of climate indicators or vital signs. However, they are all
different, often biased towards one geographical or thematic community and have different sources or
provenance. GCOS will identify a single defined list of a limited number (perhaps six) indicators of global
applicability and general interest, together with the primary reference sources for the basic data,
without setting priorities or preferences among the sources.
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Action G3: Development of indicators of climate change
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Action
Devise a list of climate indicators that describe the ongoing impacts of climate change in a more holistic
way than temperature alone. Additional indicators may include: heating of the ocean, rising sea level,
increasing ocean acidity, melting glaciers and decreasing snow cover and changes in arctic sea ice.
Benefit
Communicate better the full range of ongoing climate change in the Earth system
Timeframe
2017
Who
GCOS in association with other relevant parties.
Performance
Indicator
Agreed list of indicators (for example, 6 in number)
Annual Cost
10-100k
490
3.3.2 Indicators for future policy support and assessment of climate risk
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495
496
Following the success of the Paris Agreement policy makers will need more comprehensive and
informative indicators to understand and manage the consequences of climate change. These need to
go beyond the indicators of change to date described above. They will be based primarily on information
provided through the ECVs but will require integration with further relevant information deriving from
socio-economic, demographic and other data. They will be a measure of progress of adaptation and will
allow policy makers to understand the consequences of the decisions taken in Paris.
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Better information of this type will form the basis for improved decisions support tools. These will
provide policymakers with the means to assess the outcomes of the implementation of climate policies
to date and inform future decisions.
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507
A better assessment of the evolution of climate risk will also be needed as an essential complement to
historical descriptors of changing climate. Return periods of risk events related to climate change will
change more rapidly than the climate itself; the return risk for major events evolves very rapidly. For
example, in Europe the return period of a heat wave (>1.6K) has reduced from 52 (14–444) years in
1990-1999 to 5 (2.7–11) years in 2003-2012 10 . Such events are of major practical importance and
relevance to policy makers, and it will become increasingly necessary to be able to understand their
likelihood given the prior probabilities of evolving climate scenarios. This will be particularly important in
the case of systemic risk as defined by King et al. by comparison with the direct risks of climate change11 .
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Action G4: Indicators for Adaptation and Risk
Action
Promote definition of and research supporting the development of indicators linking physical and soc ial
drivers relating to exposure, vulnerability and improved resilience, in line with national requirements.
Benefit
Tracking of progress of climate change and adaptation, improved capacity to respond and avoid loss.
Timeframe
2017
Who
GCOS with relevant agencies and national bodies
Performance
Indicator
Definition and development of relevant risk assessments
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
10
Christidis, N., Jones G.S., Stott P.A., (2014) Dramatically increasing chance of extrem ely hot summers since the 2003 European
heatwave Nature Climate Change 5 pp 46-50 DOI:10.1038/NCLIMATE2468
11
King, D., Schrag, D., Zhou, D., Qi, Y., Ghosh, A., Climate Change - A Risk Assessm ent, Centre for Science and Policy, Cambridge,
2015.
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4.
THE BROADER RELEVANCE OF CLIMATE OBSERVATIONS
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Loss of biodiversity and land degradation, two major environmental issues addressed by the other two
Rio Conventions (CBD and UNCCD), share a number of observational requirements with UNFCCC: both
these issues are affected by climate change and climate variability. Similar shared observational needs
also arise with the 1971 Convention on Wetlands on International Importance (Ramsar Convention)
dealing with the conservation and use of wetlands. This shares the same global scope as the three Rio
Conventions and acknowledges the importance of wetlands for climate change mitigation and
adaptation. The more recent (2015) international adoption of Agenda 2030 and its seventeen
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) includes Climate Action while the 2015 - 2030 Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction recognises the importance of addressing climate related risks. In the spirit of
the Paris Agreement this stage of GCOS’ Implementation aims to strengthen systematic observation of
the climate system in a manner that informs climate services and supports decision- making across a
broad spectrum of users including those working in related areas of the three Rio Conventions, Agenda
2030, Ramsar and the Sendai Framework. Global scale systematic observations are undoubtedly a
feature of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements and International actions (e.g. the Washington
Convention (CITES), the Antarctic Treaty, Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer ), and
coordination with a broader constituency of partners will be addressed in the future.
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4.1.
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531
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The three Rio Conventions have distinct mandates, varied membership and follow different processes
and procedures. A Joint Liaison Group between the secretariats of the CBD, the UNFCCC and the UNCCD
was established in 2001 with the aim of enhancing coordination between the three conventions and to
explore options for further cooperation. The Joint Liaison Group subsequently developed a paper setting
out options for enhanced cooperation that identifies research and systematic observation as one
element where such cooperation is desirable.
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The conventions’ requirements for systematic observations differ, whether these are used to strengthen
scientific understanding underpinning the conventions’ goals, for reporting or for monitoring and
guiding implementation. However, a common set of variables would improve information exchange
between them, deliver savings (or as a minimum incur no additional costs), allow shared capacity
building and outreach, and would focus the demands made on core ‘providers’ such as the space
agencies. But under no circumstances should the observation requirements of any convention be
diluted just to reach commonality.
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All three of the Rio Conventions have made formal decisions promoting/supporting systematic
observations, and all three have developed lists endorsed by their respective scientific advisory bodies
and associated processes. As set out in this plan UNFCCC has 52 ECVs, a number of which contain a
further level of detail, often leading to more than one product. CBD has developed six classes of
Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), including a subset with strong potential for measurement using
satellite remote sensing. These in particular offer potential for synergy with satellite derived ECVs. CBD
is also developing a list of Indicators linked to the Convention’s targets. UNCCD has 6 Progress Indicators
addressing the convention’s strategic objectives for the UNCCD 2008 - 2018 Ten-Year Strategy .
Rio Conventions
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A subset of at least 16 ECVs map to one or more of the EBVs, trends to monitor the strategic plan for
biodiversity 2011 – 2020 and / or a UNCCD progress indicator. Furthermore many of the agents for
implementation engaged by the three Rio Conventions are common to all. The Committee for Earth
Observing Satellites (CEOS) and the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) both having facilitative and
implementation roles.
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Recognition of the above mechanisms for stronger collaboration should be established while respecting
the individual mandates and independent legal status of each convention.
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4.2.
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The Agenda 2030 sets out a plan of action for Table 4:
The Sustainable Development Goals
as categorized
people, planet and prosperity. This plan is linked to the climate observations,
accompanied by a set of Goals (see Box 2), that in table 2.
if reached will see significant shifts towards the
eradication of poverty and the creation of a
more equal, sustainable and resilient world.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and 169 targets adopted by the United Nation
Member States in September 2015 will frame
many global policy agendas and stimulate
action over the next 15 years. Acknowledging
1: No poverty
that the UNFCCC is the primary international,
intergovernmental forum for negotiating the 2: Zero hunger
1
1
1
1
3:
Good
health
and
well-being
global response to climate change, SDG Goal 13
1
1
1
1
1
1
unequivocally states the need to take urgent 4: Quality Education
action to combat climate change and its 5: Gender equality
impacts in the overall sustainable development 6: Clean water and sanitation
1
1
1
context. Obviously systematic observations
7: Affordable and clean energy
1
1
occupy a vital part of Goal 13, but just as ECVs 8: Decent work and economic
1
are relevant to the other Rio Conventions, so growth
9: Resiliant and sustainable industry
too are they relevant to SDGs in addition to and infrastructure
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10:
Reduced
inequalities
climate. SDG Goals 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15 are all of
11: Sustainable cities and
immediate relevance.
13: Climate action
14: Life below water
15: Life on land
!6: Peace, justice and strong
institutions
17: Partnerships for the goals
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1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Human Resource Use
Biosphere
Snow & Ice
Hydrosphere
Other Physical Properties
Energy & Temperature
communities
12: Responsible consumption and
production
Carbon Cycle and other GHGs
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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Box 3 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities
for all
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and
decent work for all
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster
innovation
Goal 10.
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11.
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14.
development
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
Goal 15.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt
biodiversity loss
Goal 16.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access
to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17.
sustainable
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
development
580
4.3
Ramsar Convention
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589
Wetlands are the largest terrestrial reservoir of carbon and understanding them is crucial for
understanding and predicting changes to the carbon cycle. The Ramsar Convention is an
intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation
for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention includes all lakes and
rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas
and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish
ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans. The hydrology ECVs and those relating to human use of
resources are of immediate relevance to the Ramsar 2016 - 2024 strategic plan, especially concerning
trends in wetlands, its work on building inventories of wetlands, the goals of increasing the scientific
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basis for advice and noting that “the critical importance of wetlands for climate change mitigation and
adaptation is understood’. Identification of synergies is again highly desirable and GCOS should establish
appropriate links with the Convention to this end.
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4.4
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The Sendai Framework is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement. It recognizes that nation states
have the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with ot her
stakeholders. It aims at “The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and
health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses,
communities and countries”.
599
600
While 49% of disasters are climate related they are responsible for 96% of the people affected and 76%
of the value of the damage (EMdat database 12 , average 1980-2015).
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The Framework recognises the important role of climate related risks and specifically targets
“Coherence and mutual reinforcement between the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-2030 and international agreements for development and climate action.” This seeks explicit
reference to the framework in international instruments. GCOS recognises the valuable role climate
services can play in understanding and managing climate related disaster risk, as well as in enhancing
disaster preparedness. This present plan recognises that maximising these benefits will require linked
mechanisms for monitoring and reporting and to promote cooperation in implementation. First steps
towards this need to be taken by GCOS reaching out to counterparts in the United Nations Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction2015-2030.
12
EM-DAT: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED)/ Office of Foreig n Disaster
Assistance (OFDA) International Disaster Database, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
– www.emdat.be
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Action G5: Identification of synergies with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA)
Action
Ensure a scientifically rigorous assessment of the exact requirements of common variables and identify a
common set of specifications between GCOS and CBD and UNCCD
Ensure that maximum benefit be taken from GCOS ECVs in imp lementing the SDG process, including
addressing multiple-benefits across SDG goals, fulfilling the climate specific goal (SDG-13) and providing
support to transparent global development and climate finance prioritization (SDG -17)
Explore how ECV data can contribute to
The Ramsar Convention
the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
other MEAs
Benefit
Improved information exchange between conventions, cost savings, shared capacity building and
outreach, and coordinated approaches to observation providers
Timeframe
Ongoing (2017 for Rio conventions, 2018 for Ramsar and Sendai)
Who
GCOS, CBD Secretariat, UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism, GEO Secretariat and GEO
Biodiversity Observation Network
GCOS and Sponsors + Parties (through national statistics offices) and GEO (GEO initiative on the SDGs (GI18))
GCOS, Ramsar Convention, Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Indicators and
Terminology Relating to Disaster Risk Reduction, ICSU-ISSC-UNISDR programme IRDR, Secretariats of other
MEAs.
Performance
Indicator
Climate service components optimised for disaster risk reduction
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
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612
CONSISTENT OBSERVATIONS ACROSS THE EARTH SYSTEM
CYCLES
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The Earth’s energy, water and biogeochemical cycles play a fundamental role in the Earth’s climate.
Indeed, current climate change is driven by the interaction of the gaseous phases of the carbon and
nitrogen cycles and radiative properties of the atmosphere. While the original ECVs in previous
implementation plans were designed largely on the basis of individual usefulness, and maturity, in
recent years many people have started to use the climate records based on ECVs to close budgets of
energy, carbon and water, and to study changes in growth rates of atmospheric composition or
interaction between land and atmosphere in a more integrated way. This new perspective on the
importance of the Earth cycles in the selection of ECVs allows us to identify gaps and where ECV’s
contribute to fundamental understanding of the cycle (Figure 6). In particular closing the Earth’s energy
balance and the carbon and water cycles through observations is still an outstanding scientific issue that
requires high quality climate records of key ECVs. If key pools or state variables are missing, one cannot
draw up a closed budget. Importantly, closing the budget of a cycle requires attention to the exchange
fluxes between the domains of atmosphere, land, ocean and ice. Traditionally GCOS has focused more
on state variables of the system, and less on fluxes.
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631
The fluxes in the water and energy cycle are linked through the latent heat flux exchange between
ocean and atmosphere and land and atmosphere. In this implementation plan latent and sensible heat
fluxes over the ocean are a new ECV with actions on similar fluxes over land to demonstrate the
feasibility of their observation on a global scale. Key state variables that were missing in previous plans
can now also be identified, such as surface temperature over land.
632
633
634
635
636
637
For carbon fluxes, exchanges between the ocean and atmosphere need to be estimated as well as those
between land and atmosphere, and between land and ocean through transport of organic material by
rivers. The inclusion of a new ECV on anthropogenic fluxes of GHGs provides the key perturbation of the
carbon cycle in the form of fossil fuel combustion and cement production. Emissions of GHGs from land
use change also belong under this ECV, while there is a clear link to the fire disturbance, soil carbon,
land use and above-ground biomass ECVs.
638
639
640
641
This plan presents four targets for overall closing of the cycles and budgets based on observations. GCOS
realizes that these targets may not be met immediately but they provide an assessment of how good
the overall observations should be and should lead to improvements in individual ECV observations.
These targets will be eventually met by the individual ECV requirements.
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Figure 6
Observations in each measurement domain are needed to characterise each of the three
key cycles, carbon, water and energy. Arrows show exchanges between domains.
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The targets for the carbon cycle are given in Target 1 below. Parts of the carbon cycle that are not
covered by ECVs include:
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655


Below ground biomass is not yet an ECV – it is currently estimated from above-ground biomass
following IPCC methods. It needs to be identified as a separate term and may become an ECV at
some stage. Another missing flux is the land-sea flux of carbon that is not currently observed
globally and is not well understood. A joint action by TOPC and OOPC may be needed to
consider this need.
Accumulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide,
in the atmosphere is monitored by the atmospheric composition ECVs and in the oceans as part
of the carbonate system. Anthropogenic GHG fluxes is a new ECV in this new Implementation
Plan.
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656
Target 1:
Targets
Closing the Carbon Budget
●
Quantify fluxes of carbon related greenhouse gases to +/- 10% on annual
time-scales
●
Quantify changes of in carbon stocks to +/- 10% on decadal time-scales in the
ocean and on land, and to +/- X% in the atmosphere on annual time-scales
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of uncertainties in estimated fluxes and inventories
657
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659
660
661
To close the water cycle the main need is the turbulent flux of latent heat (evaporation) from ocean and
land to the atmosphere. Though fluxes from land are more difficult to observe on a global basis, given
their heterogeneity the current set of ECVs, including precipitation, river discharge, water vapour, soil
moisture and groundwater should be sufficient to close the global water cycle (Target 2).
662
Target 2:
Targets
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Closing the Global Water Cycle
Close water cycle globally within 5%
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of the uncertainties in estimated turbulent flux of latent heat
663
664
665
666
667
668
The main impact of GHGs on the Earth’s system is a shift in energy storage to the troposphere and
ocean away from radiating long wave radiation to space. Thus the ability of observations to close the
energy budget of the Earth is important. Over recent years the budget imbalance has amount de to 0.5-1
Wm-2 globally. Improving quantification of ocean heat content, land surface temperature, latent and
sensible heat from ocean and land to the atmosphere should reduce the budget imbalance (Target 3)
669
Target 3:
Targets
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Closing the Global Energy Balance
Balance energy budget to within 0.1 Wm-2
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of imbalance in estimated global energy budget
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671
672
673
674
675
676
Climate change affects the biosphere of the planet by, for example, changing oxygen, water and nutrient
supplies. An overarching aim is to quantify change in environmental condition s that directly influence
the biosphere (Target 4). Climate impacts significantly affect a wide range of factors in the biosphere,
such as

increasing areas with oceanic oxygen concentration low enough to seriously affect animal
survival and movement;
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 changes in the supply of nutrients from the interior ocean or the land to the surface layer where
the nutrients are available for primary production;
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681
682

Temperature changes leading to a redistribution of biomes and ecosystem niches, which will
affect the opportunity of plant and animal species to survive; for example, the displacement of
isotherms towards higher altitudes in mountain environments, forcing living organisms to move
to higher altitudes.
683
684

Climatic changes leading to disappearance of specific ecosystems such as forests, grasslands,
permafrost and mangroves and the consequent loss of habitat and biodiversity.
685
Target 4:
Targets
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Explain Changing Conditions to the Biosphere
Measured ECVs that are accurate enough to explain changes to the biosphere (for
example, species composition, biodiversity etc.)
Operators of GCOS-related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of the uncertainty of estimates of changing conditions as listed
above
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688
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL AND NATIONAL
SUPPORT
689
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699
Many countries have gaps in their capacity to implement systematic, sustained climate observations.
The GCOS report Status of the Global Observing System for Climate identified significant gaps in the
global observing system in Africa, Asia, small island States and South America. Despite the need for local
information to support adaptation planning, early warning systems and reporting requirements, there is
often a lack of equipment, funding and skills. Developed countries and international organisations can
assist through the donation of equipment, equipment maintenance, the training of personnel, and
awareness raising of the importance of systematic climate observation among governments and policy
makers. In particular, filling gaps in the global climate observation in the long run and in a sustainable
way will require significant education and training. Either through so-called twinning models with
international partners, or on-site and remote maintenance and training, increasingly conducted also
through e-learning methods.
700
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702
703
704
705
GCOS has been helping through the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism (see section 6.1) but the amount of
support it can provide is limited by the available funds. Donors are also assisting countries but these
efforts are often not well coordinated. Use of observations is often more effective when they are
combined with other data, including climate observations and socio-economic data. For observations to
be usefully combined with other data the data observations should comply with the GCOS monitoring
requirements described in Part II that aim to ensure their accuracy, consistency and long-term stability.
706
6.1
707
708
709
710
The GCOS Cooperation Mechanism (GCM) resulted from deliberations at seventeenth session of the
UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Science and technology (New Delhi, 2002), and was formulized in a decision
of COP 9 (Appendix 2). It was established to address the high-priority needs for stable long-term funding
for key elements of global climate observations. The Mechanism consists of a:
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The GCOS Cooperation Mechanism


The GCOS Cooperation Board as the primary means to facilitate cooperation amongst donor
countries, recipient countries, and existing funding and implementation mechanisms in
addressing high-priority needs for improving climate observing systems in developing countries;
and a
The GCOS Cooperation Fund as a means to aggregate commitments and voluntary contributions
from multiple donors (both in-kind and financial) into a common trust fund.
The GCM is intended to address priority needs in atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial observing
systems for climate, including data rescue, analysis, and archiving activities. However, the activities that
it has funded to date have been mainly in the atmospheric domain. It is intended to complement, and
work in cooperation with, existing funding and implementation mechanisms (for example, the WMO
Voluntary Cooperation Programme, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), and the many national aid agencies), many of which deal with GCOSrelated activities and, in particular, support capacity-building. Support needs to be focussed on those in
most need and where priority adaptation needs are identified. The success of the mechanism will
depend critically upon donors providing adequate resources for both technical programme management
and specific network needs.
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Currently, there are more proposals for projects than can be supported by the available funds. If the
GCOS Cooperation Mechanism is to meet these needs as well as expanding to fill the gaps identified in
the GCOS Status Report in both the atmospheric and terrestrial domains additional funding will be
needed.
731
732
733
734
735
The GCOS Cooperation Mechanism supports equipping, management, operation and maintenance of
observing networks; a range of data management activities, such as data quality assurance, analysis, and
archiving; and a variety of applications of the data and products to societal issues. It also addresses
underlying education and training needs. Cooperation is vital, both intra-nationally (among agencies
within governments) and among nations regionally and globally.
736
Action G6: Assisting Developing Countries to maintain or renovate climate observation
systems and to improve climate observations networks
Action
Provide financial support to the GCM through its trust fund; Cooperate between donors to provide
targeted support to countries to improve their observational systems; propose suitable projects for
support.
Benefit
Targeted expert assistance to improve key monitoring networks
Timeframe
Annual
Who
Developed Countries, Developing Country Aid Banks, WMO Voluntary Cooperation Programme, the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other funds for the UNFCCC, the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), and the many national aid agencies ; project proposals coordinated by GCOS
panels, GCM Board and its potential donor countries.
Performance
Indicator
Funds received by the Trust Fund; Increasing number of projects s upporting countries.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
737
6.2
National Coordination
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
The scope of climate impacts and risks in most countries is not limited to a single agency: the risks cover
a wide range from meteorological events and extremes such as fl ooding and drought to disruption of
food supply, damage to infrastructure and health issues. Thus GCOS activities and interests in any nation
normally cut across many departments and agencies, rather than being limited to any one agency such
as a National Meteorological and Hydrological Service. It is therefore desirable and efficient for GCOS to
have, if possible, a single contact in each nation who can coordinate amongst the relevant agencies and
represent the views of all, or at least most, of them on a regular basis. This is the role envisaged for a
‘GCOS National Coordinator’.
746
The GCOS National Coordinator should:
747
748
749
750

751
752
753
754
755
756




Provide a central contact point for GCOS, disseminating GCOS monitoring requirements and
information throughout the country;
Provide feedback to GCOS on local and regional climate monitoring needs, and, where
appropriate, assist in submitting plans for the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism;
Encourage the use of appropriate standards in all monitoring in the country. These include the
GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles, GCOS Requirements, WMO and other standards;
Encourage open access to climate data for climate impact and risk assessment, adaptation to
climate change and variability and reporting to the UNFCCC.
Establish a national climate observations inventory as a source of coordinated and qualitycontrolled information. Standardised, long-term systematic national data and products from all
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climate relevant observations are needed for national decision makers in politics and the
economy.
Action G7: GCOS Coordinator
Action
Activate National Coordinators
Benefit
Coordinated planning and implementation of systematic climate observing systems across the many
national departments and agencies involved with their provision.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Who
Responsible division for the coordination of climate observation
Performance
Indicator
Annual reports describing and assessing progress made in national coordination in compliance with
the coordinator’s responsibilities ; Establishing a national climate observations inventory and
publication of annual reports.
Annual Cost
10-100 K US$ / year / National Government
760
6.3
Regional Activities
761
762
763
764
765
766
To improve the global climate observations, particularly in light of the importance of adaptation, there
should be a focus on those areas identified as most in need: Africa, Asia, South America and Small Island
States. GCOS will hold regional workshops to identify needs and potential regional cooperation. These
workshops will result in regional plans that will highlight the greatest needs and benefits of the
proposed observational improvements. Donors would be encouraged to address these needs, either
through the GCM, other actors or directly.
767
768
These regional workshops will include representatives of countries in the region, potential donors and
technical experts.
769
Action G8: Regional Workshops
Action
Hold regional workshops to identify needs and regional cooperation, starting with Africa.
Benefit
Improve key monitoring networks to fill gaps in regions
Timeframe
2018-2020
Who
GCOS Secretariat in coordination with National Coordinators
Performance
Indicator
Workshop outputs describing regional plans and priority national needs.
Annual Cost
1-10 M US$ (total for six workshops)
770
6.4
Information and Communication
771
772
GCOS needs to improve its communications with various international and national stakeholders
especially on needs in regions and specific developing countries. This would:
773
774
775
776

Increase the awareness of the Implementation Plan with the aim of encouraging more partner
countries to improve their monitoring following GCOS recommendations and the GCOS Climate
Monitoring Principles. The benefits, both locally and globally, of improving observational
capacity should be highlighted;
777
778
779

Improve the donations to, and support for, the GCM. Implementation of projects currently
identified is limited by the available resources, Current activities do not meet the current needs
and are limited by available funds. Adaptation needs will only increase demand;
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 Encourage other donors and implementing agencies to follow the GCOS Climate Monitoring
Principles and ensure that observations made in their projects follow GCOS recommendations
and that their results are made openly available to all potential users;
 Publicise the need for sustainable climate observations, to develop an understanding of their
importance and increase awareness at all levels in governments and relevant organizations. A
factor limiting the implementation of climate observations in some countries, is a lack of
understanding of the importance of the observations.
787
Action G9: Communications strategy
Action
Develop and implement a GCOS communications strategy.
Benefit
Targeted expert assistance to improve key monitoring networks
Timeframe
Develop strategy/plan in 2017 - Implement in subsequent years
Who
GCOS Secretariat
Performance
Indicator
Increased monitoring and used of GC MP and monitoring of EC V. Increased donations to the GCM.
Climate monitoring included in national plans and/or reporting to UNFCCC. Production of material
and improved website. Participation in international meetings.
Annual Cost
100k - 1MUS$
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PART II: Detailed Implementation
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790
1 INTRODUCTION
791
792
793
794
In order to deliver the data products required by users, observations by themselves are not enough. For
example, users often need maps, gridded data sets, that can only be produced by processing
observations. Thus any global observing system that delivers useful products must comprise the
following parts:
795
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799
800
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802

Original observations. These may comprise in situ observations such as precipitation or
temperature or satellite observations: these are usually (digitised) optical images, infrared,
microwave or radar, and LiDAR. These observations should be archived so they can be
reprocessed if needed in the future as methods and understanding improve and they are called
Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR). Section 2.1 below, describes the requirements these
observations must meet to be suitable for climate monitoring. Some additional observations are
needed that are not climate data themselves but are needed to process and interpret the data.
Section 2.5 below discusses these needs;
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805
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810
811
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813
814
815
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817

There is considerable amount of historic observation data that is not currently easily available
that could be extremely useful for developing long time series. Satellite data from the 1970s is
often stored in out-of-date formats and media and needs to be recovered. In situ data may be
stored on paper records that need to be scanned and digitised. This is discussed in section 2.4
below;
Observations need often be processed to give the variables of interest. Satellite data needs to
be processed to remove atmospheric, geometric and topographic artefacts. It then needs
further processing to derive the information required, e.g. soil moisture from microwave data or
land cover from optical data. Ground observations may also need to be processed although the
methods needed are often simpler: examples include river discharge form river height
measurements and changes in glacier mass from glacier height observations. These are
described as Climate Data Records (CDR). The requirements for these data products (i.e.
accuracy, resolution and frequency of data) are specified in Annex A and will be reviewed and
updated by GCOS. Chapters 3,4 and 5, below, discus the requirements and actions needed in the
atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial measurement domains for each ECV;
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821

Sometimes further processing is needed to integrate disparate datasets to make available long time series of data and to fill gaps in existing observations. Model-data assimilation or reanalysis
combines data, sometimes of several variables, and models to produce more reliable results.
This is further discussed in section 2.4;
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824
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
The data, both the original observations and the processed data, need to be archived. Often this
is done at international data centres or the satellite agencies that make the observations.
However this data is stored, it needs to be openly accessible to users so that it can be widely
and efficiently used. Data centres can also have a role in quality control and integrating regional
data into global datasets. Details are given below in section 2.3.

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828
2.
OVERARCHING AND CROSS-CUTTING ACTIONS
829
2.1.
Requirements for Climate Observations
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837
As the Earth’s climate enters a new era in which it is forced by human activities as well as natural
processes, it is critically important to sustain an observing system capable of detecting and documenting
global climate variability and change over long time periods. The research community, policy makers
and the general public require high quality climate observations to assess the present state of the ocean,
cryosphere, atmosphere, and land and place them in context with the past. To be of large-scale societal
and scientific value, these observations must capture changes in the pattern and mag nitude on both
regional and global scales. This section describes how ECV observations and products can meet these
expectations.
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839
In general, the ECVs will be provided in the form of Climate Data Records that are created by the
processing and archiving of time-series of satellite and in situ measurements.
840
841
To ensure that these Climate Data Records are sufficiently homogeneous, stable and accurate for
climate purposes, they should fulfil two types of requirement defined by GCOS:

842
843
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847
848
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851
852
853
854
855
856
857

Generic requirements that are applicable to all ECVs. These are contained in the GCOS Climate
Monitoring Principles (GCMP) listed in Box 4 and the GCOS Guidelines13 ;
ECV-specific requirements. These are listed in annex A and in chapters 2-4. Requirements for
many ECVs were specified in the Satellite Supplement (GCOS-154) and have been reviewed for
this plan. However, for many of the remaining ECVs, requirements have not previously been
formally specified by GCOS. As part of the formulation of thi s plan some of these gaps have been
filled. An immediate action on the GCOS Panels will be to complete the requirements for all
ECVs. These may vary according to the particular application and may vary over space and time.
It is expected that this would be complete by the end of 2017 (see chapters 2,3 and 4).
Providers of ECV datasets should also consider institutional support. For some of the ECVs (e.g., the
Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G)), the collection, archiving and distribution of products
are effectively organized and implemented through global networks with a clear (if not necessarily
permanent) institutional support. In a number of cases, however, such support is entirely lacking. Thus it
is vital to maintain existing global networks where they exist and have demonstrated efficiency and
effectiveness, and to enable similar support for those ECVs that do not enjoy such a privileged
institutional environment.
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13
Guideline for the Generation of Datasets and Products Meeting GCOS Requirements 2010 GCOS -143
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860
Box 4 Global Climate Observing System climate monitoring principles
(Revised Reporting Guidelines as agreed by the UNFCCC at Bali, December 2007, decision 11/CP.13)
Effective monitoring systems for climate should adhere to the following principles:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
The impact of new systems or changes to existing sys tems should be assessed prior to implementation;
A suitable period of overlap for new and old observing systems is required;
The details and history of local conditions, instruments, operating procedures, data processing algorithms and other
factors pertinent to interpreting data (i.e. metadata) should be documented and treated with the same care as the data
themselves;
The quality and homogeneity of data should be regularly assessed as a part of routine operations;
Consideration of the needs for environmental and climate-monitoring products and assessments, such as
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, should be integrated into national, regional and global
observing priorities;
Operation of historically-uninterrupted stations and observing systems should be maintained;
High priority for additional observations should be focused on data -poor regions, poorly-observed parameters, regions
sensitive to change, and key measurements with inadequate temporal resolution;
Long-term requirements, including appropriate sampling frequencies, should be specified to network designers,
operators and instrument engineers at the outset of system design and implementation;
The conversion of research observing systems to long-term operations in a carefully-planned manner should be
promoted;
Data management systems that facilitate access, use and interpretation of data and products should be included as
essential elements of climate monitoring systems.
Furthermore, operators of satellite systems for monitoring c limate need to:
a)
b)
Take steps to make radiance calibration, calibration-monitoring and satellite-to-satellite cross-calibration of the full
operational constellation a part of the operational satellite system;
Take steps to sample the Earth system in such a way that climate-relevant (diurnal, seasonal, and long-term interannual)
changes can be resolved.
Thus satellite systems for climate monitoring should adhere to the following specific principles:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
Constant sampling within the diurnal cycle (minimizing the e ffects of orbital decay and orbit drift) should be maintained;
A suitable period of overlap for new and old satellite systems should be ensured for a period adequate to determine
inter-satellite biases and maintain the homogeneity and consistency of time -series observations;
Continuity of satellite measurements (i.e. elimination of gaps in the long-term record) through appropriate launch and
orbital strategies should be ensured;
Rigorous pre-launch instrument characterization and calibration, including radi ance confirmation against an
international radiance scale provided by a national metrology institute, should be ensured;
On-board calibration adequate for climate system observations should be ensured and associated instrument
characteristics monitored;
Operational production of priority climate products should be sustained and peer -reviewed new products should be
introduced as appropriate;
Data systems needed to facilitate user access to climate products, metadata and raw data, including key data for
delayed-mode analysis, should be established and maintained;
Use of functioning baseline instruments that meet the calibration and stability requirements stated above should be
maintained for as long as possible, even when these exist on decommissioned satellites;
Complementary in situ baseline observations for satellite measurements should be maintained through appropriate
activities and cooperation;
Random errors and time-dependent biases in satellite observations and derived products should be identified.
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861
2.2.
Planning, Review and Oversight
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
The ECV requirements, described in the previous section, have been established for satellite
observations and are being extended to all ECV observations, both satellite and in situ (see annex A).
These requirements depend on the user needs and practicality. Technology improves over time,
becomes more affordable, and user's understanding of their needs will change as climate services
develop. Thus, the ECV requirements can change over time and so the GCOS Science Panels in a ddition
to completing the specification of requirements for all ECVs, should regularly review and update these
requirements as needed. This can be done together with the review of monitoring with all ECV reviewed
over 4 years. Once this process is established, the relevant requirements will be included in the Rolling
Review of Requirements (RRR) of WMO.
871
Action G10: Maintain ECV Requirements
Action
Complete and then maintain list of ECV requirements. GCOS should adopt a systematic approach to
defining ECV requirements across all the science panels. These requirements should be consistent
between panels.
Priority should be given to filling any gaps in the requirements tables (annex A).
Routinely, maintain, review and revise list of ECV requirements.
Benefit
Clear, consistent and complete list of ECV requirements as a basis for national and international climate
observations ensures consistency between observations.
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop a systematic approach in 2017. Complete requirements by June 20 17 and review every 5 years.
Performance
Indicator
Annually updated list of ECV requirements
Annual Cost
1-10K US$ for experts
872
873
874
As the implementation of these requirements greatly enhances the utility of the Climate Data Records
and benefit the climate record, these generic and ECV-specific requirements are the reference points
against which the Climate Data Records should be assessed.
875
876
877
878
To comply with these requirements, principles and guidelines is a substantial challenge and the satellite
community has already taken steps to address this challenge through the creation of a joint CEOS/CGMS
Working Group on Climate14 which has the overarching objective of aligning the Climate Data Record
activities of Space Agencies with the needs of GCOS.
879
Meeting the GCOS requirements implies:

880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888



A consolidated means of describing what records currently exist, together with an
assessment of their degree of compliance with the GCOS requirements;
A review of the gap between GCOS requirements and what is available;
Identification of actions to rectify any detected gaps or shortfalls;
Implementation of the actions.
Not all Climate Data Records are well developed. Those based on satellite observations and reviewed by
the joint CEOS/CGMS Working Group on Climate can be reviewed by a formal approach described in
actions G13 and G14. For the remaining ECV a simpler approach is given in action G15 and the data
stewardship is discussed in section 1.3.
14
http://ceos.org/ourwork/workinggroups/climate
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889
Action G11: Review of Satellite-based CDR availability
Action
Provide a structured, comprehensive and accessible view as to what Climate Data Records are currently
available, and what are planned to exist, together with an assessment of the degree o f compliance of
such records with the GCOS requirements
Benefit
Improve planning of satellite-derived climate data acquisition
Who
CEOS/C GMS Working Group on Climate for records contributing to the EC V Products that are allocated to
satellites.
Time-frame
End-2016 and updated every 2 years thereafter.
Performance
Indicator
On-line availability of an inventory of current and future Climate Data Records, together with an
assessment of compliance with GCOS requirements
Annual Cost
Covered by CEOS and CGMS agencies
890
Action G12: Gap-analysis of Satellite-based CDR
891
892
893
894
Action
Establish a gap analysis process, and a ssociated actions, to: a) address gaps/deficiencies in the current
available set of Climate Data Records, and b) ensure continuity of records, and address gaps, through the
appropriate planning of future satellite missions
Benefit
Increase the utility of the Climate Data Records
Who
CEOS/C GMS Working Group on Climate for records contributing to the EC V Products that are allocated to
satellites
Time-frame
End-2017, and updated every 2 years thereafter.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of Gap Analysis and Associated Action Plan
Annual Cost
Covered by CEOS and CGMS agencies
For “one time” research spacecraft, the principles of continuity obviously do not fully apply, but as many
of the other principles as possible (e.g., those for rigorous pre-launch instrument characterisation and
calibration, on-board calibration, complementary surface-based observations, etc.) should be followed.
Action G13: Review of ECV observation networks
Action
The GCOS science panels will develop and initiate a process to regularly r eview ECV observation
networks, comparing their products with the ECV requirements for all ECV not covered by the
CEOS/C GMS Working Group on Climate. This will identify gaps between the observations and the
requirements, identify any deficiencies and deve lop remediation plans with relevant organizations.
Benefit
Increase quality and availability of climate observations.
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop and demonstrate review process in 2017. Review each ECV’s observing systems at least
every 4 years.
Performance
Indicator
Reports of results of ECV reviews produced by panels each year.
Annual Cost
None – part of work of panels
895
896
897
While GCOS should review user needs of climate observations and incorporate these needs in these
updates, it is not expected that the list of ECVs itself will change much over long time periods, however
there may be changes of definitions and requirements as needed.
898
899
900
901
902
903
Coordination is a vital part of the work of the science panels. Cross -panel coordination is needed to
ensure boundary issues are covered (e.g. coastal monitoring between oceans and terrestrial (see actions
on Terrestrial Chapter)), and that global cycles are covered without gaps. Broader scale coordination is
needed with other global observing systems (such as GOOS), satellite agencies (especially through CGMS
and CEOS) ,those proving climate services (such as GFCS, Copernicus and NMHS climate departments),
Regional Climate Centres and WMO Technical Commissions.
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904
2.3
Data management, stewardship and access
905
906
907
908
909
910
Data management, stewardship and open data access are vital to ensure that fundamental climate data
records and records of derived data products are collected, retained and made accessible for analysis
and application by current and future generations of users. Although data management is a principal
element across most observational programmes this activity needs to be extended throughout the full
spectrum of systems contributing to the global climate observing system, and most existing efforts need
to be strengthened to meet climate requirements.
911
912
913
The GCMP asks that “Data management systems that facilitate access, use and interpretation of data
and products should be included as essential elements of climate monitoring systems." To achieve this
data should be:
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
● Freely and widely accessible;
● Data may be held in a single data centre or may be distributed but mechanisms are needed to
allow users to discover and download the data and associated metadata they need irrespective of where
it is archived;
● Datasets should be given a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in order to identify each version of a
dataset and to correctly credit the producers of each dataset;
● Each dataset should have sufficient metadata to correctly understand its provenance and to
distinguish different observations of the same or related ECVs.
Action G14: Open Data Policies
Action
Ensure that data policies that facilitate the open exchange and archiving of all ECV data are being
followed.
Benefit
Access to data by all users in all countries at minimum cost
Who
Parties and international agencies, appropriate technical commissions, and international programmes
Time-frame
Continuing, of high priority
Performance
Indicator
Number of countries adhering to data policies favouring free and open exchange of ECV data .
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
923
924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
Prompt and regular flow of data from the observing elements to International Data Centres or other
accessible data holdings15 for dissemination to the user community must be ensured. This is currently
inadequate for a number of variables and networks, particularly in the terrestrial domain. Lack of
engagement, restrictive data policies, lack of collaborative communications, prevalence of short-term
research funding or overall lack of resources, and inadequately integrated data system infrastructures
are the primary causes. . A number of specific actions are provided in the following chapters addressing
individual issues. A common and related concern is inadequate support to data centres given their key
role in assembling records and undertaking quality control. The latter are especially problematic in
developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
933
Action G15: Support to National Data Centres
15
Not all data is held in formally identified International Data Centres (e.g. satellite agencies usually hold large repositori es of
data). Wherever the data is stored it should be openly accessible and follow the principles described in this section.
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Action
Ensure national data centres are supported to enable timely, efficient and quality-controlled flow of in
situ ECV data to International Data Centres where they exist. Ensure timely flow of feedback from
monitoring centres to observing network operators.
Benefit
Long-term, sustainable, provision of timely data and improved QA/QC.
Who
Parties with coordination by appropriate technical commissions and international programmes.
Time-frame
Continuing, of high priority.
Performance
Indicator
Data receipt at centres and archives
Annual Cost
10-30M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
A key component of data management includes close monitoring of the data streams. This includes
timely quality assurance of the data received and quality control of the observations. Two-way
communication between the observing system operators and data managers is important so issues with
both random and systematic errors can be shared. An operational system should track and log the
detected irregularities, especially time-dependent biases, as close to real time as possible. Such
monitoring and feedback systems are routine data stewardship best practices. Equally important is the
follow-up required by operators and managers who are responsible for implementing timely corrective
measures. This is especially problematic in developing countries with less-than-adequate resources for
data stewardship. When problems in the observations and reporting of the observations are not
identified and corrected as soon as possible, errors and biases accumulate in the data and the climate
records can be irreparably damaged, or at minimum, costly to repair. Scientific data stewardship,
therefore, is a cost-effective measure that minimizes the need for uncertain corrections at a later date.
946
947
948
949
950
It is important to characterize the differences between alternative data products and to determine the
degree of reliance that can be placed on each product. Product evaluations and inter-comparisons are
undertaken both in individual research studies and in formal projects such as undertaken under the
auspices of the World Climate Research Programme or the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites.
Several web-based services provide information that supports the use of data products.
Action G16: Product intercomparison
Action
Continue to undertake product inter-comparisons and operate websites that provide guidance on data
products
Benefit
Improved accuracy and a better understanding of differences between datasets
Who
Individual scientists, WCRP projects, CEOS WGCV initiatives, other institutions providing product
comparisons or information services
Time-frame
Ongoing
Performance
Indicator
Reports on inter-comparisons; content and access statistics for product-guidance websites
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
Access to very large datasets is an increasing concern. Some satellite datasets and datasets from
observatories with instrumentation sampling at high frequency are becoming so large that it is difficult
for many users to acquire them despite advances in data services. This is especially true in countries
with inadequate information technology infrastructure or technical skills in using complex data.
Improving methods of accessing, processing and distributing these datasets is essential. This may
include innovative cloud-based approaches. Techniques such as data cubes are being developed and
should be more widely available. The development of derived products or product subsets that add
value and reduce data volume reduces processing and network resource needs.
960
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Action G17: Modern distributed data services for large datasets
Action
Develop and implement modern distributed data services for large datasets that enable access,
processing and distribution of data, derived products, and product subsets. To ensure they are widely
used, provide capacity development where needed, both to enable countries to benefit from the large
volumes of data available world-wide and to enable these countries to more readily provide their data to
the rest of the world.
Benefit
Allow all parties to benefit from large datasets and to use them to meet there specific needs.
Who
Parties’ national services and space agencies for implementation in general, and Parties through their
support of multinational and bilateral technical cooperation programmes, and the GCOS Cooperation
Mechanism.
Time-frame
Continuing
Performance
Indicator
Numbers of datasets processed and used by countries and agencies.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
961
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
Data preservation that assures future access and use requires maintained facilities, advanced and
evolving infrastructure, and continuous data stewardship. The rapidly-increasing volume of raw
observations must be saved and stored by having available high bandwidth networks, large capacity
storage facilities, and systems that monitor data flow, detect faults, and alert data management
personnel. Migrating data to new storage media and devices is an ongoing process as is updating
software and metadata to insure the data is accessible and understandable for future generations. This
places a requirement on the national and International Data Centres and the space agencies to follow
best practices in data stewardship. At the present time, even large centres are barely keeping pace with
the influx of new data. This challenge can be partially addressed with better coordinated planning
between observing system data providers and archive data recipients. Matching the metadata
requirements and data formats coming from the observing systems with the capability at the archive
centres minimizes the effort and cost for robust data stewardship. It also follows that nations sponsoring
International Data Centres and space agencies need to give high priority to the use of modern
information and communication technology to ensure effective access and long -term preservation of
rapidly-growing data volumes.
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
. International standards and procedures for the storage and exchange of metadata need to be
extended to all variables and implemented for many climate-observing systems to ensure timely access
to data for all users. Guidelines that address this concern have been developed by the WMO CCl and
cover some climate observations. International agencies, working with and the GCOS secretariat, should
identify the inadequacies and required actions related to scientific data stewardship, including
improvements in near real-time observing system performance monitoring and detection of timedependent biases.
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Action G18: Data Centres and data holdings
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Ensure that data centres and data holdings:
Continue to be supported and resourced;
Follow best practice in data stewardship to ensure the long-term preservation of data;
Match metadata requirements and data formats with observing systems;
Take advantage of modern information and communication technology.
Benefit
Timely access to data for all users. Preservation of data for future generations.
Who
Data centres, data holdings and their funders.
Time-frame
On-going
Performance
Indicator
Data held in compliant data centres an holdings and accessible to users.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
984
Action G19: Metadata
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
Action
Apply standards and procedure for metadata and its storage and exchange. GCOS to identify metadata
repositories for major ECVs and promote the deposit of all relevant metadata.
Benefit
Improved access and discoverability of datasets.
Who
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres
Time-frame
Continuous
Performance
Indicator
Number of ECV related datasets accessible through standard mechanisms.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$ (20 k US$ per data centre) (10% in non-Annex-I Parties).
Generation of data products relies on comprehensive, up-to-date archives of the underlying
observations. These exist for some types of data, but for others the data are held in a number of source
datasets that differ in format and include multiple copies of some observations. There are needs to
extend in time and continue to develop existing unified databases, and to merge databases where
holdings have yet to be unified, or contributing datasets have been further developed since unification
was last carried out. Database refinement may include incorporation of quality-control and inferred
biases derived from use of the data in reanalysis or other forms of product generation.
992
Action G20: Produce comprehensive observational databases
993
994
995
996
Action
Continue production and refine existing comprehensive observational databases that feed product
generation; produce merged databases where data holdings are not unified
Benefit
To facilitate the production of some essential data products
Who
Data centres
Time-frame
Ongoing
Performance
Indicator
Number of additional documented comprehensive databases; improved coverage of data reported as
used by product generators
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
The Global Observing Systems Information Center (GOSIC) serves as a data portal to all aspects of GCOS,
and works to link users to a wide range of GCOS-related datasets that reside at various data centres
around the world, as well as associated metadata. The GOSIC also serves as an entry point to the WIS as
well as to the GEO Data Portal, and as such, gives the GCOS a highly visible presence on the web.
997
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Action G21: Data access and discoverability
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Develop GOSIC into becoming a means of discovering and accessing all relevant climate data records and
other relevant products. Ensure there is access to metadata that clearly distinguishes each data product
and describes its adherence to the GCMP.
Benefit
Increase access to CDRs
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop plans in 2017.
Performance
Indicator
Reports of results of ECV reviews produced by panels each year.
Annual Cost
10-100kUS$
998
2.4
Production of Integrated ECV Products
999
2.4.1
Data Integration and Assimilation
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
Many users require processed data products rather than basic observations. This includes long time
series where there are sufficient underlying observations, for example for documenting surface
temperature change since the 19th century. There is also a requirement for processed datasets to
initialise forecasts or prescribe some of the non-prognostic data used by models. All this holds for
atmospheric, for ocean, or coupled climate applications. Use of products needs to be supported by
provision of ancillary information, including estimates of uncertainty, evaluations against independent
data and comparisons with alternative products. Important also is assessment and reporting of the
maturity of products and production systems.
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
Data products may involve analysis of a single ECV or closely related set of ECVs, or analysis of a more
general set of ECVs using data assimilation, in particular through atmospheric or ocean reanalysis.
Products for specific ECVs are generated from in situ data, satellite data or a combination of the two. In
the case of satellite data, the product may be a “Level-2” retrieved geophysical variable co-located with
the original measurement, , or a gridded “Level-3” set of values suitable for general use. They may be
based on data from a single instrument, or generated by combining data from more than one
instrument, whether flown at the same time or sequentially.
1015
1016
1017
1018
Data integration may be as simple as combining one product over land with another over sea. The
gridded “surface temperature” products used to provide long-term measures of global change typically
combine datasets on the surface air temperature over land and the surface water temperature of the
sea , for example.
1019
1020
1021
Specific requirements for particular ECV products are given in the following domain sections. Aside from
these, there is a common need to ensure continued production and development of improved versions
of established data products.
1022
Action G22: ECV data products
Action
Continue production and develop more refined versions of the established in situ and satellite
observation based ECV data products.
Benefit
Improved ECV data products
Who
National and regional production centres.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Up-to-date versions of ECV data products, with improving results from product evaluations.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
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1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
The requirements of a substantial body of users are being increasingly well met by product s based on
integration of data from a comprehensive mix of in situ networks and satellite systems, achieved largely
through the process known as reanalysis, but also referred to as synthesis. This involves using a fixed
data assimilation system to process observations that extend back in time over multiple decades,
employing a model of the atmosphere, ocean or coupled climate system to spread information in space
and time and between variables, and otherwise to fill gaps in the observational record. The atmospheric
data assimilation systems are usually derived from those used to provide weather or short -term climate
forecasts. Some products are actually also produced through a statistical synthesis approach, such as
SST fields over the ocean, for which observations from different sensors from different satellites are
being merged with in situ observations.
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
Atmospheric and ocean reanalysis provides a complete coverage in space and time within the
constraints of the resolution of the assimilating model and the range of variables whose changes are
represented in the model. It provides datasets for many ECVs, but also makes use of data products for
those variables that are prescribed in the assimilating model. In turn, reanalysis data provide some of
the supplementary input needed to generate several of the ECV products that are based on retrieval of
information from remote sensing.
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
Reanalysis has progressed considerably in recent years. Existing production streams have been
prolonged, new reanalyses have been completed for atmosphere and ocean, more-refined land-surface
products have been developed, and producing centres have planned future activities. Systems that
couple atmosphere and ocean, or include much more comprehensive treatments of trace constituents,
have begun to be used. Atmospheric reanalyses that cover at least the 20th century assimilating surfacepressure and in some cases surface-wind observations have proved skilful in depicting short-term
climate variability, but have been problematic in their representation of multi-annual variability and
climate change. Provision of reliable information on uncertainties is being helped by the development of
ensemble approaches, but remains a challenge. Methodological improvements have made newer
atmospheric reanalyses less prone to issues related to observational errors and limitations in
observational coverage.
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
Joint assimilation of multiple types of observation in a reanalysis provides a basis for estimating biases in
the data from particular instruments, providing an alternative or complement to the calibration
activities of space agencies. Moreover, the closeness of fit of background forecasts and analyses to
observations is an important source of information on other types of observational error, and on the
quality of the assimilating model and of the reanalyses themselves. Such feedback data have been saved
by producing centres and used, for example, to assist radiosonde bias adjustment. Although access to
these data has in general not been straightforward for users, this is beginning to change.
1058
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Action G23: Implementation of new production streams in global reanalysis
Action
Continue comprehensive global reanalyses and implement planned new production streams using
improved data-assimilation systems and better collections of observations; provide information on the
uncertainty of products and feedback on data usage by the assimilation systems.
Benefit
Improved reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number and specifications of global reanalyses in production; improved results from evaluations of
performance; user uptake of uncertainty information; extent to which observational archives are
enhanced with feedback from reanalyses.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
1059
Action G24: Develop coupled reanalysis
Action
Further develop coupled reanalysis and improve the coupled modelling and data assimilation
methodology.
Benefit
Provide coupled reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres and other centres undertaking research in data assimilation.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number, specification and demonstrated benefits of coupled reanalyses
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
1060
Action G25: Improve capability of long-range reanalysis
1061
1062
1063
1064
Action
Improve the capability of long-scale reanalysis using sparse observations data sets
Benefit
Provide longer reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres and other centres undertaking research in data assimilation.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Demonstrated improvements in the representation of long-term variability and change in century-scale
reanalyses
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
There is a requirement for local data on impacts of climate variability and change. This in turn implies a
requirement for climate data products with high resolution in space and time, and a consequent need
for downscaling approaches. There is a developing level of activity in one way of achieving this, through
regional reanalysis.
1065
Action G26: Implementation of regional reanalysis
Action
Develop and implement regional reanalysis and other approaches to downscaling the information from
global data products.
Benefit
Capability to capture climate variability in a regional scale
Who
Dataset producers.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number and evaluated performance of regional reanalyses and other downscaled datasets.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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1066
2.4.2
Recovery of Instrumental data
1067
Early satellite data
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
Early satellite data records can be very valuable because they provide unique observations in many
regions which were not observed during the 1970s which can be assimilated in atmospheric reanalyses
and so extend back in time the satellite climate data records. A major problem is that archive media and
human expertise related to these early satellite records are now fading. However there are now more
advanced techniques in exploiting satellite data, compared with the limited processing by the small
research community who were involved in the analysis of the early missions. The challenge, is to rescue
these data and exploit them for climate change studies. The priority is to ensure long term preservation
of the raw data and level 1 data for input to FCDR production. The level 2 products can always be
regenerated from the archived FCDRs.
1077
1078
1079
1080
Progress towards preservation of historical satellite data has been made both for geostationary and
polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, but the associated critical metadata is more difficult to preserve.
The latter is mainly in the form of peer review literature or other “grey literature” such as algorithm
theoretical basis documents, and data format definitions although the latter can be difficult to access.
1081
1082
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There are already cases of early satellite data records probably lost forever. For example for ozone there
is a gap from 1976-1978 where data from the Backscatter UV sensor on the Atmosphere Explorer-E
satellite appears to be lost during transition from one mass archive system to another [Status reportGCOS 195]. For infrared sounding, this includes the Special Sensor-H instrument flown on four Defense
Meteorological Satellite Program satellites in the 1970s where all attempts to locate these data have
failed.
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Data from satellites underpin many of the ECVs, and their historic (and contemporary) archives are a key
part of the global climate observing system. Long time series are particularly valuable, though computer
processing has to some extent limited these to the low-spatial resolution classes of satellite
observations, typically in the 1 km pixel range, a scale that also fits with ways in which these ECVs have
been used- for example to improve surface forcing in climate models. However, increasing availability of
computer processing power, and a new suite of climate applications areas, especially related to
adaptation and mitigation, bring increasing attention to bear on the historic archives of data from
satellite-based global land observing programs at higher spatial resolution. At least 24 satellites have
gathered multispectral imagery over the last three decades at resolutions of 20 to 30m from near-polar
orbits, which could be used in the generation of many ECVs, especially those from the terrestrial
domain16 . These are managed by at least 12 different sovereign states, a number of which operate a full,
free and open data policy. Attention is being paid to building inventories of the data held by receiving
stations around the world (both those in operation and those that used to be, but are no longer though
do hold archives). In one instance - the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat program, the
inventory is being followed up by acquisition of the historic data, its ingestion into a centralized archive,
and the application of a standard processing to generate globally consistent, analysis-ready products.
This initiative, the Landsat Global Archive Consolidation (LGAC) began in 2010 and to date has more than
doubled the size of the original USGS archive through the recovery and reprocessing of over 3.2 million
16
Belward, A.S. & Skøien, J. O. Who launched what, when and why; trends in Global Land -Cover Observation capacity from
civilian Earth Observation satellites, ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing,103, 115-128
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images17 . LGAC has also identified a further 2.3 million images, which will also be added. LGAC has had
the equivalent impact on the archive of two additional satellite missions. Landsat is the longest running
uninterrupted Earth Observation program and today the Landsat archive is geographically broader,
temporally deeper and more valuable for characterizing change to the climate, impacts and the
effectiveness of adaptation strategies than at any time, as a consequence. International cooperating
stations that have worked with LGAC in the past should continue to support the initiative, and those
parties also flying global land observing missions with similar spatial resolutions and archives should
consolidate their global archives too.
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Action G27: Preservation of early satellite data
Action
Ensure long term data preservation of early satellite raw and level 1 data including metadata.
Benefit
Extend CDRs back in time
Who
Space Agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data archive statistics at Space Agencies for old satellite data.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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In situ data
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Generation of atmospheric data products based on in situ instrumental data would have been limited to
the past forty to fifty years had observational data originally stored on paper or obsolete media not
been converted to a modern digital format. A considerable amount of instrumental data on air
temperature, precipitation and other variables remains to be recovered from paper or other storage
formats in order to improve the data records that characterize how climate has changed over the
industrial era. The term data rescue is often used for this activity, as deterioration of the original records
may soon cause some data to be lost forever. Scanning paper records is the immediate priority, though
digitization has to follow. Where this is not immediately possible, scans should be supplied to
international data centres and managed by them. Availability of the scanned records is more generally
useful, as it also aids detection and correction of digitization errors revealed by quality-control
procedures applied when using data in product generation. Data recovery (including the scanning,
digitization and making available for use) remains resource-limited and fragmented in nature, despite a
number of efforts being made nationally and through coordinated international activities that are
yielding worthwhile enhancements of databases. Although some National Meteorological and
Hydrological Services (NMHSs) are undertaking significant digitization of their data records, and other
records have at least been scanned, this is not the case in many NMHSs. Relevant records are in any case
often held by other national agencies. Centralised registration of data-recovery projects and
opportunities has been recognised as a need. The WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) has plans for
better coordination of the rescue and preservation of data through its Expert Team on Data Rescue,
whose tasks include arranging the implementation, population and maintenance of an International
Data Rescue web portal, to summarize key information and provide an analysis of gaps in international
data rescue activities 18 It is important for there to be inventories of the scans available in international
17
WULDER, M. A., WHI TE, J. C., LOVELAND, T. R., W OODCOCK, C. E., BELW ARD, A. S., COHEN, W. B., FOSNIGH T, E.A., SHAW, J.,
MASEK, J.G. and ROY, D. P. (2016). The global Landsat archive: Status, consolidation, an d direction. Remote Sensing of
Environment, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2015.11.032
18
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/ccl/opace/opace1/ET-DARE-1-2.php
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data centres, also recording whether the data have been digitized or not. Citizen science data rescue
efforts have proved successful in some areas (e.g. ACRE19 , RECLAIM20 , and IEDRO21 ) so should be actively
encouraged.
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Limited resources often result in only a subset of data being digitized from a collection of records. The
situation can be made worse when projects do not share the digitized series, as this can result in the
same data being digitized more than once. Projects that do not share the digitized series should be
actively discouraged by the Expert Team. There are important ongoing efforts building collections of
ECV-specific data on surface air temperature and surface pressure, but keeping all atmospheric surface
synoptic variables measured at a station together for each observation time is likely to be more useful in
the long run. This was a recommended action item from the most recent Atmospheric Observation
Panel for Climate meeting.
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Related to Data Rescue activities22 , many NMHSs make much or all of their digital data holdings available
for use by scientists (both practising and citizen) around the world. Some introduce restrictions (e.g. by
registration and or restrictions on the volumes that can be downloaded), while others make the data
free for any use. A few provide data with restrictions such as prohibiting commercial use or onward
supply of data to third parties, but these are hard to enforce and prone to cause confusion.
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Data archiving and rescue and quality control activities have been going on in the ocean for many years.
As a result several data centers provide data sets of historic measurements, especially with respect to
temperature and salinity covering the period back to the beginning of the 20 th century. Further QC and
recovery activities continue aiming to provide fully consistent temperature and salinity profile data.
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Yet many early observations remain undigitised and require attention similar to demands in the
atmosphere and on land. To some extent, one also needs to go back to the original data suppliers as it
turned out that, e.g., some tide gauge data sets available in international data centres from developing
countries need revisiting the original data sources.
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Action G28: Recovery of instrumental climate data
Action
Continue the recovery of instrumental climate data that are no t held in a modern digital format and
encourage more imaging and digitisation
Benefit
Improve access to historical observations data sets
Who
Agencies holding significant volumes of unrecovered data; specific projects focussed on data recovery .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data Increases in archive-centre holdings and data used in product generation; register entries recording
data-recovery activities (see following action)
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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19
http://www.met-acre.org
20
http://icoads.noaa.gov/reclaim
21
http://iedro.org
22
http://www.met-acre.org/
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Action
Populate and maintain a register or registers of data recovery activities.
Benefit
Facilitate planning of data rescue
Who
WMO CCl and other international bodies with related responsibilities[AJS5] ; institutions hosting
registers.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Existence and degree of population of register(s).
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
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Action G30: Scanned records
Action
Lodge scans with an appropriate international data centre if digitization does not follow scanning;
assemble classes of scanned record suitable for digitization, for example by crowdsourcing.
Benefit
Facilitate planning of data rescue
Who
Institutions that have scanned data but not undertaken digitization; receiving data centres for assembly
of records
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Statistics on holdings and organisation of scanned records by data centres .
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
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Action G31: Historical data records sharing
Action
Share recovered historical data records.
Benefit
Improved access to historical data sets to all users
Who
Institutions that have recovered data records but not made them widely available .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number of released data records as reported in registers
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
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2.5
Ancillary and additional observations
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This plan also highlights for the first time the importance of ancillary data such as gravity, geoid, digital
elevation models (DEM), bathymetry and orbital restitution. These data are required to derive ECV
products but are not climate observations themselves.
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The results of space gravimetry missions flown in the last two decades have proven the potential of
mass distribution and transport information, which adds to the established uses of gravity data for e.g.
precise orbit restitution of climate-oriented satellites. The cross-cutting nature of mass
distribution/transport information is evident from the specific support to ECVs in the various domains,
particularly for hydrology, oceanography and cryosphere sciences, as noted in chapters 3 and 4.
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Knowledge of an accurate geoid is also a fundamental requirement for the measurement of mean ocean
topography and hence circulation. In order to monitor basin- and regional-scale ocean dynamics and
associated heat content changes, the geoid changes will need to be determined over relevant
time/spatial scales (see ref. 21 for preliminary requirements)
Gravity measurements
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Closure of the water cycle implies mass conservation, but the observability of global mass flow is limited.
Mass transport information from gravimetry fills this gap. For instance, it is needed to separate humaninduced from natural changes in water use or to close the sea level budget (e.g. 23 shows that, over the
past decade, climate-driven groundwater uptake was of opposite sign and of magnitude comparable
with ice losses from glaciers and ice sheets and nearly twice as large as mass losses from human-driven
changes in groundwater).
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Mass transport information at appropriate spatial and temporal resolution enables: (i) t o enhance our
ability to monitor, model and predict changes in the global water cycle, including extreme events; (ii) to
separate mass balance processes on the ice sheets (glacial dynamics and surface mass balance),
ultimately improving predictions of sea level; and (iii) to monitor and better understand climate-related
variations of ocean currents. User needs achievable with present capabilities have been defined for the
fields of hydrology, ocean, sea level, ice mass balance and glacial isostatic adjustment. Some examples
are given in Table 5, where the signal amplitude in terms of the height of a mass-equivalent column of
water per unit area (equivalent water height, EWH), measurable from gravity variations, is indicated as
function of spatial resolution 24 . Mass transport observations, currently provided by GRACE, are expected
to continue with its follow-on mission until around 2023.
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Table 5:
Requirements for gravity measurements for different uses and time scales
signal
time scale
spatial scale
variation in EWH
groundwater
Monthly
Yearly
10 km
100 km
30 cm
5 cm
glacier mass change
Monthly
“
Daily
“
10 km
200 km
10 km
50 km
10 m
1m
1m
10 cm
ocean mass input
long-term
inter-annual
Seasonal
1000+ km
“
“
1 mm
1 mm
10 mm
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In addition to the geoid - the ideal surface of the oceans at rest under the sole effect of the Earth’s
gravity - and its variations due to mass transport, other global models are of foundational value for
climate observations. They include in particular the global topography of the solid Earth, which can be
divided into:
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Global topography models
● terrain models, for the terrestrial part (including polar bedrock models), and
● bathymetry models, for the oceanic part.
23
Reager, J.T. et al, A decade of sea level rise slowed by climate -driven hydrology, Science 351, 699 (2016); DOI:
10.1126/science.aad8386
24
For a complete set see Pail, R. et al, Science and User Needs for Observing Global Mass Transport to Understand Global
Change and to Benefit Society, Surv. Geophysics (2015) 36:743–772, DOI 10.1007/s10712-015-9348-
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Recently, these models have also been combined in global relief models, encompassing land topography,
ocean and lake bathymetry and bedrock information, for instance the ETOPO1 25 and the Earth201426
models. However, applications to climate typically refer to terrain and bathymetry models separately.
For completeness, it is worth mentioning that global gravity models with very high spatial resolution (<1
km) are available from the combination of gravity and topography data, e.g. 27 .
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For digital terrain models (DTM) the elevation is described by approximating the continuous terrain
surface by a set of discrete points with unique height values, expressed with respect to some reference
surface (e.g. geoid, reference ellipsoid) or to a geodetic datum, over 2D points. Similar considerations
apply to the seafloor elevation for bathymetry models. DTM differ from Digital Surface Models (DSM),
where the heights of vegetation and man-made elements (e.g. buildings) are also included. For all these
global models, space techniques are unique in delivering globally uniform resolution within reasonable
time and cost (their description is beyond the scope of this document, but it is worth noting the large
commonality with observing techniques used to derive several ECVs, e.g. altimetry).
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In general, changes in the topography of the solid Earth are of great interest per se for climate studies.
For instance, any change in surface morphology will impact catchment hydrology. In the current
framework, the foundational value of these global models rests on their applications to derive ECVs,
which abound for the three ECV domains (atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial). For instance, virtually all
atmospheric surface ECVs require topographic information to enable meaningful interpretation. D TMs
are also necessary to retrieve the concentration of greenhouse gases. For terrestrial ECVs, the use of
DTMs is equally essential for most ECVs, e.g. it would be impossible to derive soil moisture or biomass
information from space observations in the absence of proper elevation information. For oceanic ECVs,
the impact of bathymetry - where models are still affected by a basic lack of supporting observations - is
fundamental for accurate ocean circulation and mixing and is critical for climate studies 28 since seafloor
topography steers surface currents, while the roughness controls ocean mixing rates. From a
technological standpoint, it can be noted that DTMs have become so essential to be often embedded in
spaceborne sensors for Earth observations, e.g. in order to enable to acquire and track radar signals.
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Requirements for the different models vary vastly according to applications and cannot be easily
summarised. For terrain models, enormous advances are being made thanks to (synthetic aperture)
radar interferometry and lidar techniques, in addition to the traditional photogrammetric methods.
Models with very high spatial resolution (~10 m) and sub-metre precision are expected to be readily
available in the near future. The situation is much less comfortable for bathymetry models, since the
majority of the open ocean, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, remains to be observed at the
required spatial resolution - our knowledge of ocean bathymetry is currently poorer than that of the
topographies of the Moon, Mars, and Venus.
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25
See e.g. https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/global.html
26
Pail, R. et al, Science and User Needs for Observing Global Mass Transport to Understand Global Change and to Benefit
Society, Surv. Geophysics (2015) 36:743–772, DOI 10.1007/s10712-015-9348-9
27
Hirt, C., et al (2013), New ultra-high-resolution picture of Earth’s gravity field, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 4279–4283,
doi:10.1002/grl.50838
28
Jayne, S. R., et al (2004): Connections between ocean bottom topography and Earth’s climate, Oceanography, 17(1), 65–74,
doi:10.5670/ oceanog.2004.68
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The overall atmospheric climate observing system comprises a complementary mix of surface and upper
air based (incl. balloon-borne and aircraft) in situ and surface and satellite based remote sensing
subsystems. To characterise the atmosphere at the land- and ocean-surface, measurements of
temperature, water vapour, wind, pressure, and precipitation are needed. Observations of atmospheric
composition of various constituents, such as carbon dioxide, methane and aerosols, are also required
because of their variability and impact on the radiative forcing of climate. Some ECVs, such as
precipitation, are highly-variable in space and time, and require high-resolution, continuous
observations to create an accurate description. Satellite observations provide global coverage of
virtually all atmospheric variables, with the exception of surface pressure, for which retrieval techniques
are still being tested. However, the satellite data need to be complemented, on a sustained basis, by in
situ measurements, which are also required for bias correction. Due to the radiative heterogeneity of
the land surface, the use of satellite observations of the lower part of the atmospheric column is difficult.
A further limitation of satellite measurements is their limited vertical resolution, especially in the
boundary layer.
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The in situ atmospheric observing systems are largely based on the Global Observing System of the
WMO WWW providing surface and upper-air observations of the atmosphere, and on the WMO GAW
networks for atmospheric composition in particular.
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Based on the system of systems approach, (GCOS Status report 2015), three tiers of observing network
quality can be identified: reference, baseline and comprehensive. The GCOS implementation strategy
has placed an initial emphasis on the creation of baseline networks. These include, as subsets of the
WMO WWW/GOS networks, the GCOS Surface Network (GSN) and the GCOS Upper Air Network (GUAN)
for the surface and upper-air meteorological variables, and the phased establishment of GAW and other
networks for all the composition variables. The latter has made progress but still needs to be completed.
Additionally, a GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN29 ) was established. GRUAN provides climate
data of intrinsic higher value and contributes to the calibration of data from both general in situ
networks and the satellite and surface remote sensing subsystems
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A similar development in baseline and sparse high-quality reference networks for atmospheric surface
ECVs and atmospheric composition (ozone, aerosols) is still lacking, although for the latter some
targeted networks for calibration and verification, such as TCCON for satellite column greenhouse gas
observations have been implemented. One possible enhancement to the atmospheric composition
networks would be to extend the GRUAN to include atmospheric composition measurements.
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For most atmospheric ECVs, International Data Centres exist which hold the basic archives [see Table 9];
however, as documented below, there are several gaps and weaknesses that need to be addressed to
make access to the data easier.
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Users of climate information require products that meet their requirements for accuracy and spatial and
temporal coverage. Many of these products are generated through the integration of data from
different sources. Integration of data from the complete mix of in situ networks and satellite subsystems
can be achieved through the process of reanalysis, which by consistently incorporating historical data
29
ATMOSPHERIC CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
www.gruan.org
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provides homogeneous, consistent, multivariate products with either global or more-detailed regional
coverage (see section 1.4). Use of the products of reanalysis to develop links between meteorological
conditions and socio-economic impacts is viewed as one means to develop the relationships needed to
interpret the output of climate projection models for the purpose of assessing needs and options for
adaptation.
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Some products, however, are independent of modelling frameworks and based on single or multiple
source datasets, which have been consistently processed to correct for artefacts and to provide a
continuous observational data record over space and time.
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Recent engagement by the meteorological community with the metrological institutes to improve
traceability of the measurements to standards and improve uncertainty estimates is welcomed and
should be maintained. National Meteorological Services (NMSs) are encouraged to retain and share
parallel measurement programs undertaken to manage changes in measurement technology to help
improve understanding of the impacts of these changes. Comprehensive station metadata such as
accurate station heights and location coordinates are required which will become easier to provide with
the transition to BUFR format.
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This atmospheric domain chapter is divided into three separate sections in this plan: surface ECVs
(typically at around 2m over land); upper air meteorological ECVs (typically above the surface t o the
stratopause); and atmospheric composition ECVs at all levels. There is also a section on the
technological challenges required to enhance the climate observing system for the atmosphere.
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Observations at the surface of the Earth are vitally important as they characterise the climate of the
layer of the atmosphere in which we live, and where many impacts of climate change will be felt and
necessitate adaptation. Climate analysis has traditionally placed emphasis on surface temperature,
precipitation and pressure data. Temperature and precipitation have the greatest impact on natural
systems and human activities, with pressure allowing a perspective on the meteorological systems that
drive the weather. More recently, wind speed, wind direction, humidity and sunshine data have become
increasingly important as Nations consider measures to mitigate or adapt to future climate change. For
example, some CDRs are used for the design of renewable energy systems, which include wind and solar
farms as well as hydroelectric systems. Wind, water vapour, sunshine and surface radiation are also
associated with a range of direct impacts such as on human health and agriculture.
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There is an increasing need for local, high-frequency surface atmospheric data on climate, to
characterise extremes for the purposes of monitoring and more generally to meet needs relating to
impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptive responses. National vulnerability and adaptation to climate change,
especially in the intensity and frequency of extreme events, require city scale, local and regional climate
observing networks at a much finer spatial scale than international networks for surface synoptic
observations. The design and operational details of such fine-scale networks depend on both climate
variability and change, and vulnerability in each specific case (region, province, city) and need to be
determined by appropriate observing system studies. Recent developments in low cost measurement
technology are providing opportunities for mesonets with sub-kilometre scale and sub-hourly sampling
which has obvious applications to monitor the urban environment.
Atmospheric Domain – Near-surface variables
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There are also emerging opportunities to exploit ad-hoc data from non-standard networks set up in
countries (e.g. for transport, air pollution monitoring, crowd sourced observations, etc.), but careful
study is needed to understand how to deal with their variable quality.
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As networks evolve, it is important to note that the usefulness of all the ECVs in the atmospheric domain
is enhanced through collocated measurements of terrestrial and ecosystem properties. Greater efforts
should be made to establish key sites in selected areas where many of the ECVs for both the
atmospheric and terrestrial domains are observed to the highest possible standard and on a sustained
basis. More attention needs to be paid to the measurement of some of the ECVs in the urban
environment where an increasing proportion of the world’s population resides and where specific
impacts and opportunities for adaptation arise.
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This Plan identifies a number of actions to improve the availability of the required observations and data
products. It also identifies actions to enhance the frequency of reporting and general operation of the
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network, so that its data more fully meet climate needs.
1330
The primary land and marine networks contributing to climate observations at the Earth’s surface are:
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i. Over land, the WMO WWW/GOS surface synoptic observing network (~10,000 stations)
provides the major in situ observations of the following ECVs: Temperature, Air Pressure,
Precipitation, Water Vapour, Surface Radiation (e.g., sunshine duration, solar irradiance) and
Wind Speed and Direction. Included in this network is the global baseline GSN. The GSN
comprises about 1000 stations at 5-10 degrees intervals of latitude and longitude that have
been selected from the full network based on past performance and their contribution towards
a global representation of the climate system. The operators of GSN stations, in particular, are
encouraged to fully meet the GCMPs for observation and for data exchange, where possible for
all surface ECVs. The GSN data can be analysed to yield basic indicators of the global climate
system (Alexander et al., 2006)30 , and also provide benchmark locations for higher-density local,
regional and national networks. The AOPC, in cooperation with the WMO CBS, carries out
detailed analysis of the problems in the receipt of GSN observations and works with national
services to resolve them. Important contributions to regional networks are the WMO WWW
Regional Basic Climatological Networks (RBCN, total ~3000 station subset of the WWW/GOS
surface synoptic network), established in all regions of the world including Antarctica to support
regional representations of the climate system. It is important to note that as part of the
regional implementation of WIGOS, a new Regional Basic Observing Network (RBON) concept is
being introduce to replace and expand on the capabilities of the existing Regional Basic Synoptic
Network (RBSN) and RBCN.
ii. Over the oceans, the in situ surface meteorological observations are provided by the
Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS), including the higher-quality VOS Climate Project (VOSClim)
subset, and by moored and drifting buoys. The implementation of these observing systems is
covered in detail in the oceanic domain chapter. Some specific issues on observing the surface
layer marine meteorological fields (temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction, water
vapour, surface radiation and precipitation) are addressed here.
30
Alexander et al.,2006: Global Observed Changes in daily climate extremes of temperature and precipitation . Journal of
Geophysical Research, Vol. 111,D05109,doi:10.1029/2005JD006290,2006
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The observing networks and satellite data required to monitor and analyse the ECVs in the atmospheric
surface domain are listed in Table 6, together with the current status of each observing network and
system.
Table 6 Observing networks and systems contributing to the surface component of the atmospheric
domain.
ATMOSPHERIC DOMAIN – SURFACE ECV
Temperature
Contributing networks
Status
GCOS Surface Network
(subset of full 30% more SYNOP stations in 2014 compared with
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network).
2002 and 80% more reports received. 10% of
Full WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
stations in 2002 no longer report. METAR data has
enhanced the networks. Data receipt from some
countries is still inadequate. Transition of CLIMAT
to BUFR is underway. Many countries continue to
use Traditional Alphanumeric Codes (TAC). A new
BUFR template is currently under validation for
reporting daily climate quality observations
required for monitoring of extremes
Buoys and ships
Ship observations have reduced over ocean basins
from 2002 to 2014 but increased around coasts.
Buoys have increased significantly. Decline in the
VOS has led to a significant lack of air temperature
measurements over the ocean.
Availability of measurements from long-term, highquality moorings is inadequate to evaluate the
stability of SST from satellite measurements,
except in the tropical Pacific.
Additional national networks (see also More in situ air temperature measurements are
Oceanic section, Sea-surface Temperature needed in certain surface regimes (high altitudes,
ECV).
desert, high latitudes, deep forest), in order to
enable the optimum use of LST to help to estimate
air temperature in these places
Contributing Satellite data
Status
Satellites do not directly measure surface air For skin temperature operationally supported
temperature. Surface skin temperature (IR, satellites are in at least 2 polar and >5
microwave) is measured (see ocean and geostationary orbits for IR measurements. Some
terrestrial domains) and has a strong influence uncertainty over future of MW imagers with
on the analysis of air temperature over the channels which can measure SST through cloud to
land/ocean.
Independent
air
surface provide good global coverage.
measurements are needed for surface
Need an effort to derive LST from all geostationary
satellites and/or AVHRR, consistently, as far back as
possible in order to achieve good global daily
coverage.
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Pressure
Contributing networks
GCOS Surface Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network).
Full WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
Additional national networks.
Review Version 25 June 2016
Status
30% more SYNOP stations in 2014 compared with
2002 and 80% more reports received. 10% of
stations in 2002 no longer report. METAR data has
enhanced network. Data receipt from some
countries is still inadequate.
Buoys and VO ships
Manual ship observations have reduced over ocean
basins from 2002-2014 but automatic reports have
increased. Surface pressure sensors are only on a
limited number of drifting buoys.
Contributing Satellite data
Status
The GNSS radio occultation measurements Continuity for GNSS RO constellation needs to be
contribute to inferring the surface pressure secured as current COSMIC satellites beyond
but they are not able to provide absolute expected life. COSMIC-2 is currently only
anchor measurements at present.
guaranteed to cover tropical latitudes but several
other missions provide higher latitude RO
Wind speed and direction
Contributing networks
Status
GCOS Surface Network (subset of full Wind is still not included in GSN.
WWW/GOS surface network).
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
Additional national networks.
Buoys and ships
(see Ocean domain section).
Contributing Satellite data
Scatterometer winds over ocean.
Passive microwave for wind speed
Polarimetric microwave radiometry for wind
vectors
Status
Scatterometers are now only assured in one orbital
plane limiting coverage but other scatterometers
contribute on an ad-hoc basis.
Several microwave imagers now in orbit but
uncertainty over future instruments.
Only one instrument in orbit with limited lifetime.
Helps to fill scatterometer gaps.
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Precipitation
Contributing networks
GCOS Surface Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network).
Full WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
Additional national meteorological and
hydrological gauge networks; island networks.
Surface-based radar networks.
Buoys
Contributing Satellite data
Passive microwave imagers on several polar
satellites contribute. VIS/IR products from
geostationary improve temporal coverage but
are less accurate.
Precipitation radar on research satellites
Water Vapour
Contributing networks
GCOS Surface Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network); Full
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
Ships and moored buoys
Review Version 25 June 2016
Status
Quality of data and quantity of reports are variable
but data are analysed and archived. Limited
coverage in time and space. Transition of CLIMAT
to BUFR is underway.
Most countries operate national high-resolution
precipitation networks, but data are often not
available internationally, or available only with time
delay.
Radar data not globally exchanged but some
regions now have good networks. Homogenisation
of radar precipitation is complex, and blending
radar and gauge precipitation is a long-term
objective still at a very early stage of development.
Very limited observations (e.g. TAO/TRITON buoys)
available used to validate TRMM.
Status
GPM satellite, replacing TRMM, has improved
coverage at high latitudes.
Uncertainty for continuity of precipitation radar,
Temporal and spatial sampling limitations
Status
Water vapour is only partly included in CLIMAT
reports, and not monitored. Requirement is for
synoptic data not averaged. More issues of quality
than for temperature due to wide range of
instruments.
Some
require
careful
operation/maintenance, the more simple/cheaper
resistance type sensors have a tendency to drift
within 6 months to a year – require frequent
calibration. Issues relating to poor ventilation in
low wind speeds and ice bulb/wet bulb around
freezing.
VOSClim stable; VOS fleet declining; no
measurement from drifting buoys and only from a
subset of moored buoys
Contributing Satellite data
Status
Visible, Infrared and Microwave (latter over Only indirect measurement and coverage is clear
ocean) all provide water vapour profile sky only over land.
information but sensitivity to surface layer is
small so measurement is indirect inferred
from deeper layer values.
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Surface Radiation Budget
Contributing networks
GCOS BSRN.
WWW/GOS surface synoptic network.
Additional national networks.
Moored buoys
Contributing Satellite data
Geostationary and polar orbiter visible and
infrared data.
Review Version 25 June 2016
Status
Coverage limited but 10 more stations added since
2009, though 2 Arctic stations closed. Continuity
needs to be secured.
Quality and coverage of routine radiation data
(mainly incoming solar in monthly CLIMAT reports)
is variable.
Limited availability of high-quality data in national
networks.
Solar fluxes available from some buoys and
research vessels.
Status
Incident solar inferred from satellite visible
radiances.
For infrared, satellite data are used to estimate
cloud and near-surface parameters and
thermodynamics fields are typically taken from
reanalyses.
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The number of stations designated to be part of the GSN rose from 987 in 2001 to 1017 in 2014, but
some of the original stations no longer operate. NCEI statistics31 of data held in its Monthly Climatic Data
for the World archive show CLIMAT reports from 2001 onwards for 803 of the stations in the 2014 list as
illustrated in Figure 7. Although completeness of CLIMAT records rose substantially in earlier years, it
has been steady or declined slightly over the past five years, despite an increase in reporting of synoptic
data by these stations over this period. The exception is Antarctica, where reporting of CLIMATs rose to
a completeness level of 90% in 2014. Many stations over Africa and the Tropical Pacific have ceased
reporting.
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Figure 7
Percentage of received CLIMAT reports from May 2014 to April 2016
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Action A1:
Historical GSN availability
Action
Improve the availability of near real-time and historical GSN data especially over Africa and the Tropical
Pacific.
Benefit
Improved access for users to near real time GSN data.
Who
National Meteorological Services, regional centres in coordination/cooperation with WMO CBS, and with
advice from the AOPC.
Time-frame
Continuous for monitoring GSN performance and receipt of data at Archive Cen tre
Performance
Indicator
AOPC review of data archive statistics at WDC Asheville annually and National Communications to
UNFCCC.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
A number of actions reflect the need for historic land surface station data for many atmospheric surface
ECVs. These actions for NMHSs to submit historic land data holdings reflect a more general need to build
and maintain a centralised database for land surface station data similar to the International
Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Dataset (ICOADS). Such a land station database would contain all
land data holdings currently held by the Data Centres (see Table 9) for all time resolutions (monthly,
daily, sub-daily) and for all measured parameters. Following the integration of data currently held by
the Data Centres and the establishment of standard database formats, data held by the reanalysis
centres and NMHSs can then be added over time. Short time delay updates to the database can occur
via the global telecommunications system, but the new comprehensive land database should also take
advantage of other data sharing mechanisms like web services. A land station history database,
consistent with Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool (OSCAR), would provide the
station metadata necessary to support use of the integrated land surface database.
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Action A2:
Land database
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Set up a framework for an integrated land database which includes all the atmospheric
surface ECVs and across reporting timescales.
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Benefit
Centralised archive for all parameters. Facilitates QC among elements, identifying gaps in the data,
efficient gathering and provision of rescued historical data, integrated analysis and monitoring of EC Vs.
Supports climate assessments, extremes, etc. Standardised formats and metadata.
Who
NCEI and contributing centres
Time-frame
Framework agreed by 2018
Performance
Indicator
Report progress annually to AOPC.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
While the WWW/GOS surface synoptic observing networks have been developed primarily to support
weather prediction, their high spatial density and frequent sampling means that they are of value to the
climate community also, especially for studies of extremes and impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation.
The GCOS Steering Committee, through the WMO CBS, WMO CCl and WMO RAs, and WMO WWW
encourages more frequent reporting for the Regional Basic Synoptic Network (RBSN) of the WWW/GOS.
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Action A3:
International exchange of SYNOP and CLIMAT reports
Action
Obtain further progress in the systematic international exchange of both hourly SYNOP reports and daily
and monthly CLIMAT reports from all stations.
Benefit
Enhanced holdings data archives.
Who
National Meteorological Services, regional centres in coordination/cooperation with WMO CBS, and with
advice from the AOPC.
Time-frame
Continuous, with significant improvement in receipt of RBSN synoptic and CLIMAT data by 2019.
Performance
Indicator
Data archive statistics at data centres.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Many observing stations (over both land and ocean) are being transitioned from manual operation to
automatic or quasi-automatic operation. These changes have been demonstrated to insert potential
inconsistencies and inhomogeneities into the climate record, and are addressed as one element of the
GCMPs. Additional guidance on the ways and means to ensure compatible transition has been provided
by the WMO Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO), in cooperation with
WMO CCl and WMO CBS. Implementation of those guidelines, adherence to the GCMPs and further
assessment of the consequences of transition through national and international studies would help to
fully characterise this change in observing practices.
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Action A4:
Surface Observing stations transition to automatic
Action
Follow guidelines and procedures for the transition from manual to automatic surface observing
stations.
Benefit
More stable time series.
Who
Parties operating GSN stations for implementation. WMO CCl, in cooperation with the WMO CIMO,
WMO CBS for review.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Implementation noted in National Communications and relevant information provided.
Annual Cost
30-100 M US$
The migration from Traditional Alphanumeric Codes (TAC) to BUFR for SYNOP and radiosonde TEMP
reports started in 2014 and is still ongoing. This has the potential to introduce breaks in the station
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records where the new data formats were adopted and so timely notification of when changes are made
are needed by the data archiving centres to enable them to compare the data in both formats to ensure
they are consistent. More information is provided with the new BUFR messages (e.g. better vertical
resolution for profiles and station metadata) which should be exploited once archiving of the BUFR data
is assured.
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Figure 8
Different formats of SYNOP messages in Feb 2016.
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Action A5:
Transition to BUFR
Action
Encourage dual transmission of TAC and BUFR for at least 6 months and longer if inconsistencie s are
seen (to compare the two data streams for accuracy)
Benefit
Transition to BUFR does not introduce discontinuities in the datasets. BUFR allows metadata to be stored
with data.
Who
Parties operating GSN stations for implementation.
Time-frame
Ongoing for implementation. Review by 2018.
Performance
Indicator
Proven capability to store BUFR messages giving same quality or better as TAC data.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
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2.1.1
Issues for specific atmosphere-surface ECVs
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ECV – Air Temperature
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In addition to the land-based observations of surface air temperature, the observation of sea-surface
temperature, air temperature over the ocean (from VOS and buoys), and sea ice (from the Arctic and
Antarctic buoy networks) is required. The polar regions only have a very sparse surface temperature
network which should be enhanced. Microwave satellite SSTs are not assured for the future which may
lead to reduced coverage of SST and inferred air temperatures over the ocean. Not all countries are
sharing their data with global data centres. Note SST and LST are dealt with in the ocean and terrestrial
domain chapters.
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The decline in the VOS has led to a significant lack of air temperature measurements over the oceans,
which are not available from any other component of the observing system. Whilst efforts are underway
including through reanalyses to estimate air temperature over the ocean, these are hampered by the
current level of availability of VOS air temperature measurements. More air temperature measurements
are needed in certain surface regimes (high altitudes, desert, high latitudes, deep forest) where the
networks tend to be sparse or non-existent.
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Action A6:
Air temperature measurements
Action
Enhance air temperature measurements networks in remote or sparse ly populated areas.
Benefit
Improved coverage for better depiction of climate system.
Who
National Parties and International Coordination Structures such as the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Coverage of air temperature measurements.
Annual Cost
10: 30M US$
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ECV – Pressure
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In addition to the land-based observations of pressure, pressure data over the ocean are required from
sensors mounted on drifting buoys (including sea-ice areas of the Arctic and Antarctic), on VOS including
the higher-quality VOSClim subset, on parts of the Tropical Mooring Network, and on the Reference
Buoy Network. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of reports in the
extra-Tropics, but the tropical and sub-tropical Pacific is a data void. The national agencies that deploy
drifting buoys, should endeavour to ensure that surface pressure sensors are included as a standard
component of the suite of instruments on all buoys deployed. See also action O36 in the ocean chapter.
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A significant issue especially for measurements in developing countries is the transition from mercury
based instruments to alternative techniques imposed by the Minamata Convention to take effect in
2020.
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Action A7:
Atmospheric pressure sensors on drifting buoy
Action
Promote the need for drifting buoy programmes to incorporate atmospheric pressure sensors as a
matter of routine particularly at tropical and sub-tropical latitudes.
Benefit
Measurements over oceans of surface pressure will improve coverage.
Who
Parties deploying drifting buoys and buoy-operating organizations, coordinated through JCOMM, with
advice from OOPC and AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage of buoys with sea -level pressure (SLP) sensors in tropics and sub-tropics.
Annual Cost
1 -10 K US$
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ECV – Surface precipitation
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Since precipitation often occurs on small space and time scales, the density of the networks appropriate
for surface temperature and pressure is inadequate for precipitation. Many nations have organized and
operate special rain gauge and radar networks devoted to the observation of precipitation amount, type
(rain, snow etc.) and distribution on fine space and time scales. Hourly or more frequent data are
required for studies of extremes and precipitation characteristics. The GCOS requirement for global and
regional analyses of precipitation can be more nearly met by the incorporation of observations from
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these networks. Meeting this requirement will need all nations to routinely provide all their current rain
gauge observations to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) and the global archives at
WDC Asheville, as promptly as possible. Continuing research and instrument intercomparisons are
required to overcome some outstanding measurement problems, particularly in relation to the
measurements of solid precipitation, such as wind-induced under-catch of snow
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Action A8:
Provide precipitation data to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre
Action
Submit all precipitation data from national networks to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre at
the Deutscher Wetterdienst.
Benefit
Improved estimates of extremes and trends, enhanced spatial and temporal detail that address
mitigation and adaptation requirements.
Who
National Meteorological and Water-resource Services, with coordination through the WMO CCl and the
GFCS
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage of nations providing all precipitation data to the International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
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Even with the efforts of many nations, precipitation observations are still not available with an adequate
density to define the distribution of precipitation in many parts of the globe, including the oceans and
many land areas. Estimates of precipitation derived from satellite observing systems have been used to
map the distribution of precipitation and have proven essential for global analyses when combined with
surface-based precipitation observations. An assured continuation and enhancement of the satellite
systems contributing to precipitation observations (i.e. passive microwave measurements along with
active radars) is required to ensure continued global monitoring.
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The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) has devised and implemented an initial quasioperational strategy, including in situ observations and estimates derived from radar and satellite data,
for providing global analyses of precipitation. This strategy must be periodically reviewed and enhanced
to take advantage of improvements in technology and data availability, to accommodate the full suite of
GCOS requirements. Improved methods for observing precipitation and deriving global precipitation
products using advances in technology should be pursued.
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Some surface observations of precipitation over the oceans are particularly important for the validation
and refinement of satellite-derived precipitation products. The OOPC will work with the Ocean
Reference Mooring Network to ensure such observations can be obtained from moored buoys, including
the necessary technical developments to enable this (see section 3.5 and action O33).
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ECV – Wind Speed and Direction
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Over land the observation of wind speed and direction is accomplished largely through the WWW/GOS
surface synoptic meteorological network. Hourly data can be used for climate studies particularly for the
renewable energy industry although the height of the measurements above ground may vary. There has
been an increase in the exchange of three-hourly or hourly data on the GTS, but there remains scope for
improvement. Action A3 calls for the more frequent reporting of SYNOP data that is required. This is of
particular importance for the characterisation of extreme weather events.
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Over the oceans, the atmospheric observations from the VOS, including the higher-quality VOSClim, the
Tropical Mooring Network, and the Reference Buoy Network provide a sparse but vital data resource
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which must be sent to the international data centres (see section 3.1.3 and action O1). All efforts should
be made to continue this unique source of in situ observations.
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Spaceborne scatterometer and passive microwave radiometer data are invaluable sources for wind field
information over the ocean. A sustained commitment to deployment of a two-scatterometer
constellation or equivalent wind-measuring systems is a key requirement not only for climate but also
for NWP and tropical cyclone forecasting. According to the CGMS Baseline for the operational
contribution to the GOS, the operational Space Agencies have committed to “perform on
operational/sustained basis” {…} “wind scatterometry over sea surfaces (at least two orbital planes)” 32
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ECV – Water Vapour
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Water vapour (humidity) measurements are obtained from the WWW/GOS surface synoptic observing
networks over land. Over the oceans, the observations are obtained from VOS, including the higher quality VOSClim, the Tropical Mooring Network, and the Reference Buoy Network. Homogeneous data
with realistic uncertainties are essential for assessment of the impact of changes of surface water
vapour on natural and human systems. Continued efforts to provide historical data to the GCOS analysis
and archive centres are needed.
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Action A9:
Submit Water Vapour data
Action
Submit water vapour (humidity) data from national networks to the International Data Centres.
Benefit
Improved coverage of surface water vapour measurements
Who
National Meteorological Services, through WMO CBS and International Data Centres, with input from
AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in analysis centres and archive, and scientific reports on the use of these data.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
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ECV – Surface Radiation Budget
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The surface radiation budget is a fundamental component of the surface energy budget that is crucial to
nearly all aspects of climate, and needs to be monitored systematically. The Baseline Surface Radiation
Network (BSRN) of the WCRP has established the relevant measurement techniques and is now
recognised as the GCOS Baseline Network for Surface Radiation. The BSRN provides high-quality
measurements of radiation at the surface, but has limited spatial coverage. A few more stations have
been added in recent years but the network still needs to be expanded beyond its current number of
about 60 stations, and adequately supported into the future.
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WMO-no.1160: Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System, Att. 4.1
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Figure 9
Running, planned and closed BSRN stations.
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The plotting does not distinguish pairs of nearby US stations in Boulder, Colorado (USA), Oklahoma (USA)
and Dawin (Australia). It is based on information from the WRMC, Alfred Wegener Institute,
downloaded from http://bsrn.awi.de in May 2016.
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Adding net radiometer measurements to a greater number of WWW/GOS surface synoptic stations is
also desirable where the surrounding surface is sufficiently homogeneous to make the upwelling
observations representative of the larger area. At BSRN sites downward-looking instruments should be
used instead of net radiometers.
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Efforts should be made to expand downwelling radiative fluxes over the ocean. The use of research
ships and buoys is a key element in attaining global cover in surface radiation observations (see action
O16). Because the spatial coverage of BSRN and buoys and ships are poor compared with satellite
observations, monitoring surface radiation budget needs to be synergistic between radiation
observations at surface stations and estimates from satellites (e.g. GEWEX SRB, CERES SRBAVG, ISCCPFD, CMSAF-SARAH).
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The existing extensive datasets of sunshine duration in most countries could also provide useful
historical information for climate analysis, and their incorporation into GCOS analysis and archive
centres is required.
Action A10:
National sunshine records into Data Centres
Action
National sunshine records should be incorporated into International Data Centres.
Benefit
Better description of surface radiation fields.
Who
National Meteorological Services.
Time-frame
Implement in next 2 years.
Performance
Indicator
Sunshine record archive established in International data centres in analysis centres by 2018.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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Concerning the BSRN data delivery, around a third of the stations provide values within six months of
measurement time, but as of February 2015 twelve stations had delivered no data from 2010 onwards.
The status of some of these stations is unknown. Not all stations follow the recommended BSRN qualitycontrol checks, but an overall increase of data quality is clear from consistency checks of the
measurements provided. An analysis of the BSRN data to estimate global fields is not possible due to
limitations in data coverage. Documenting operating conditions that influence the quality of surface
radiation measurements is performed. This includes the type of radiometers used for the observations,
flow rate of ventilation, frequency of cleaning the instruments, description of the field-of-view,
calibration method, and frequency of calibration taken place. In addition, where major changes in
operating or surrounding conditions have occurred, the changes are documented and distributed with
the data.
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Action A11:
Operation of the BSRN
Action
Ensure continued long-term operation of the BSRN and expand the network to obtain globally more
representative coverage and improve communications between station operators and the archive
centre.
Benefit
Continuing baseline surface radiation climate record at BSRN sites.
Who
Parties’ national services and research programmes operating BSRN sites in cooperation with AOPC and
the WCRP GEWEX Radiation Panel.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
The number of BSRN stations regularly submitting valid data to International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
The World Radiation Data Centre holds archive data for 1590 stations for a period since January 1964, as
of March 2014. This represents a significant increase on the figure of 1118 reported in GCOS (2009).
Some data are held for most countries, with the largest exception occurring for several in South America.
The locations of stations reporting for the period from January 2013 to August 2014 (as of September
2014) are similar to the number of about 400 stations quoted in GCOS (2009).
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Action A12:
Surface Radiation Data into WRDC
Action
Submit surface radiation data with quality indicators from national networks to the World Radiation Data
Centre (WRDC). Expand deployment of surface radiation measurements over ocean.
Benefit
Expand central archive. Data crucial to constrain global radiation budgets and for satellite product
validation. More data over ocean would fill an existing gap.
Who
National Meteorological Services and others, in collaboration with the WRDC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in WRDC.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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3.2
Atmospheric Domain – Upper-Air
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Upper-air meteorological variables characterise the atmosphere above the surface of the earth, where
dynamic, thermodynamic and constituent-transport processes occur. Measurements of temperature,
wind, water vapour and cloud are vital for initialising and verifying climate projections and for detecting,
understanding and attributing variability and change in the climate system. Data on incoming solar
radiation at the top of the atmosphere are fundamental for documenting the external forcing of the
climate system and specifying it in models, while data on the outgoing thermal and reflected radiation
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are important for quantifying the energy budget and evaluating models. Knowledge of the varying
composition of the atmosphere, is discussed separately in section 2.3.
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Observations from satellites have provided an increasingly important source of upper-air data over more
than forty years. Radiosondes and commercial aircraft are also important components of the overall
observing system. Pilot balloons and ground-based profilers provide supplementary wind information,
net water-vapour content is estimated from the delay in receipt of GNSS signals by ground-based
receivers, and other forms of ground-based remote sensing also play a significant and growing role. The
observing networks and their current status, along with the satellite data required for each ECV in the
Atmospheric Domain – Upper-air, are summarised in Table 7.
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Table 7
Observing networks and systems contributing to the upper-air component of the
Atmospheric Domain
ATMOSPHERIC DOMAIN – UPPER AIR ECV
Temperature
Contributing networks
Status
Reference network of high-quality and high- The GRUAN is now well established with 22 stations
altitude radiosondes (GRUAN).
participating and 7 already certified.
GCOS Upper-Air Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS radiosondes network)
A 10% increase in number of 500 hPa reports and
20% increase at 30 hPa from 2002-2014. Also
improvements in data quality seen.
Full WWW/GOS radiosonde network
The move to BUFR has started but more remains to
be done to get all countries reporting. Many
stations do not provide two observations each day.
Commercial aircraft.
Contributing Satellite data
Microwave and infrared sounders
GNSS radio occultation.
Status
Ensured continuity of IASI and AMSU-like radiances
for 3 orthogonal polar orbits. More work needed
on recovery of data from early instruments in the
1970s.
Continuity for GNSS RO constellation needs to be
secured as current COSMIC satellites beyond
expected life. COSMIC-2 is currently only
guaranteed to cover tropical latitudes but several
other missions provide RO data.
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Wind speed and direction
Contributing networks
GCOS Upper-Air Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS radiosondes network).
Status
About 90% of stations are reporting regularly; only
two completely silent
Full WWW/GOS radiosonde network.
Same as for temperature above.
PILOT balloons
Typically 350 sites globally distributed.
Wind profilers.
Profiler sites mainly over Europe, Japan and USA
but latter are being phased out.
Commercial aircraft.
Aircraft observations limited to specific levels
except near airports.
Status
Accuracy of some polar winds at risk due to loss of
water vapour channel when MODIS is retired.
Contributing Satellite data
Atmospheric
motion
vectors
geostationary and polar orbiters.
from
Doppler Wind Lidar
Water Vapour
Contributing networks
GRUAN
GCOS Upper-Air Network (subset of full
WWW/GOS radiosondes network).
Review Version 25 June 2016
Awaiting
ADM/Aeolus
demonstration;
continuity planned after this.
no
Status
GRUAN coverage as above for temperature.
Accurate references measuring upper tropospheric
and lower stratospheric humidity independently
are being made
Accuracy of water vapour measurements is
improving, but is still inadequate for climate
purposes in the upper troposphere and lower
stratosphere.
Full WWW/GOS radiosonde network.
Ground-based GNSS receiver network.
Wider international exchange of data is still
needed.
Commercial aircraft.
Aircraft data over the US (E-AMDAR, TAMDAR)
starting to provide a regular dataset and a few
flights now over Europe. MODE-S is also potentially
a new source of data.
Contributing Satellite data
Status
Microwave imagers and sounders; Infrared For microwave sounders coverage as above. In
sounders
addition satellites at low latitudes provide
improved tropical coverage. MW imagers provide
total column amounts.
Continuity uncertain for microwave imagery in 3
orbital planes
GNSS radio occultation;
Information for water vapour at all levels.
Infrared and micro-wave limb sounders and
solar occultation.
Vis/NIR nadir viewing sounders/imagers
Several satellites now provide this capability of
measuring total column water vapour over land
during daylight hours.
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Cloud Properties
Contributing networks
Surface observations (GSN, WWW/GOS, VOS).
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Status
Surface observations of cloud cover provide an
historical but uncertain record, and continuity is a
concern; Reprocessing of cloud data is needed.
Cloud radar and lidar
Contributing Satellite data
Visible, infrared and microwave radiances
from geostationary and polar orbiting
satellites;
Cloud radar and lidar on research satellites.
Top of Atmosphere Earth Radiation Budget
Contributing Satellite data
Broadband short- and longwave and total
solar irradiance
Research-based networks only.
Status
Cloud top temperature, microphysical properties
and coverage are all operational and have good
continuity.
No continuity assured of these research satellites.
Status
NPP/JPSS provides a CERES-like record from polar
orbit to maintain time series. Some research
satellites also contribute to the record. GERB data
useful for process studies, providing high time
resolution but no continuity.
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For temperature, wind speed and direction, and water vapour, the WWW/GOS radiosonde network
provides the backbone of the in situ global observing system for climate. Some limitations in the
performance of the network occur because observations are not always being taken due to a lack of
resources. The data are unevenly distributed over the globe with relatively high-density coverage over
much of the Northern Hemisphere, but with much poorer coverage over the Tropics and the Southern
Hemisphere. It is also highly desirable to have observations twice per day as this allows radiation biases
to be partly assessed. The move to BUFR format for radiosondes has been rather patchy and is still
underway and potentially could lead to gaps in the records in the same way as for the SYNOP data
described in the previous section.
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The GCOS Steering Committee has designated a subset of the WWW/GOS radiosonde network as the
baseline GUAN. GUAN currently consists of about 170 radiosonde stations fairly evenly distributed over
the globe. The AOPC works with the WMO CBS, the WMO RAs and the NMSs to implement a
programme for the sustained operation of GUAN, together with its associated infrastructure. For some
individual stations, technical cooperation is necessary from other nations or agencies and/or the GCOS
Cooperation Mechanism, to equip the stations, provide training of operators and in some instances to
support continuing operations by Parties in need (e.g., provision of expendables). The AOPC prior to its
2014 meeting in Ispra, Italy undertook an in-depth review of GUAN, informed by expert input and a
submission arising from GRUAN. This meeting foresaw a modified GUAN remit to ensure relevance and
the outcomes need to be implemented.
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Action A13:
Implement vision for future of GUAN operation
Action
Show demonstrable steps towards implementing the vision articulated in the GCOS Networks Meeting in
2014 relating to the future of the GUAN operation.
Benefit
Improved data quality, better integrated with GRUAN and more aligned with WIGOS framework.
Who
Task team of AOPC with GCOS Secretariat in collaboration with relevant WMO commissions and WIGOS.
Time-frame
2019 for adoption at CG-19.
Performance
Indicator
Annual reporting in progress at AOPC of task team.
Annual Cost
100k -1M US$
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The bias between GUAN stations is not well known. This is a problem for the interpretation of GUAN and
needs more research. The GUAN guidelines state that sites shall attain 30hPa and should attain 10hPa,
yet only a third of stations on average regularly do so as shown in Figure 10. The benefit of attaining
these criteria needs to be demonstrated in a quantified manner to assure sites meet these requirements.
If insufficient potential benefits accrue, consideration should be given to relaxing these criteria
accordingly. Many sites are launching once daily and remote sites are under threat. The value of these
observations needs to be robustly demonstrated . The value of regularly attaining set heights, regular
ascents or remote observations can be demonstrated by NWP and reanalysis centres.
Percentage reaching that level
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Reaching 50hPa
60
Reaching 10hPa
50
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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Figure 10
Number of radiosondes reaching 50 hPa and 10 hPa.
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Action A14:
Evaluation of benefits for GUAN
Action
Quantify the benefits of aspects of GUAN operation including attaining 30 or 10 hPa, twice -daily vs. daily
ascents and the value of remote island GUAN sites.
Benefit
Better guidance to GUAN management, improved scientific rationale for decision making.
Who
NWP and reanalysis centres.
Time-frame
Complete by 2018.
Performance
Indicator
Published analysis (in peer reviewed literature plus longer report ).
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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GRUAN
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Outstanding issues concerning the quality of operational radiosonde measurements for climate
monitoring and change-detection purposes have led to the establishment of the GCOS Reference Upper
Air Network (GRUAN), a global network of eventually 30-40 sites that, to the extent possible, builds on
existing observational networks and capabilities. To date there are 25 sites of which 8 have undergone a
rigorous certification procedure. GRUAN measurements are reference quality and provide long-term,
high-quality climate data records from the surface, through the troposphere, and into the stratosphere.
These data are of sufficient quality to reliably determine trends in the upper-air climate, constrain and
calibrate data from more spatially comprehensive observing systems (including satellites and current
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radiosonde networks), and fully characterize the properties of the atmospheric column. GRUAN
measurements are reference quality33 : they are traceable to an SI unit or an internationally accepted
standard; comprehensive uncertainty analysis is included; all raw data are retained; the complete
measurement chain is documented in accessible literature; measurements and their uncertainties are
validated through inter-comparisons with complementary measurement systems; and archived data
include a complete metadata description.
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GRUAN are routinely making measurements of upper-air ECVs using high-quality radiosondes, frostpoint hygrometers, ozonesondes, GPS delay, lidars, microwave radiometers, Fourier Transform
Spectrometers, and other relevant instrumentation. The GRUAN network is providing new information
on humidity in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere needed to understand better the role of
water vapour in the radiation budget.
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The Lead Centre for the GRUAN has been established in DWD at their Lindenberg facility and oversees
day-to-day operations. The Working Group on GRUAN is sponsored by AOPC and has involvement from
WIGOS and WMO Technical Commissions..
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As shown in Figure 11 there is a clear need on increasing the number of sites in the Tropics, South
America and Africa.
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Figure 11
Current status of GRUAN sites as of Jan 2016
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Immler et al., (2010) Reference Quality Upper-Air Measurements: guidance for developing GRUAN data products Atmos. Meas.
Tech., 3, 1217–1231, 2010 www.atmos-meas-tech.net/3/1217/2010/ doi:10.5194/amt-3-1217-2010
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Action A15:
Implementation of GRUAN
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Action
Continue implementation of the GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network of metrologically traceable
observations, including operational requirements and data management, archiving and analysis and give
priority to implementation of sites in the Tropics.
Benefit
Reference quality measurements for other networks, in particular GUAN, process understanding and
satellite cal/val.
Who
Working Group GRUAN, National Meteorological Services and research agencies, in cooperation with
AOPC, WMO CBS, and the Lead Centre for GRUAN.
Time-frame
Implementation largely complete by 2025.
Performance
Indicator
Number of sites contributing reference-quality data-streams for archive and analysis and number of
data streams with metrological traceability and uncertainty characte risation. Better integration with
WMO activities and inclusion in the WIGOS manual.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
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Satellite radiances provide measurements of several global atmospheric upper air variables,
temperature and water vapour in particular. However they can be subject to biases from uncertainties
in the sensor calibration and data pre-processing (e.g., cloud removal). The CLimate Absolute Radiance
and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) has been proposed as a key component of the future climate
observing system providing an absolute calibration traceable to SI standards. A related initiative is for a
complementary mission TRUTHS (Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial- and Helio- Studies) to
cover the visible and near infrared part of the spectrum. They would underfly the satellites used for
climate monitoring and will serve as a tool for satellite intercalibration to provide a climate benchmark
radiance dataset. One component of CLARREO/TRUTHS involves the measurement of spectrally resolved
thermal infrared and reflected solar radiation at high absolute accuracy. Coupled with measurements
from on-board GPS radio occultation receivers, this will provide a long-term benchmarking data record
for the detection, projection, and attribution of changes in the climate system. It will also provide a
source of absolute calibration for a wide range of visible and infrared Earth observing sensors, increasing
their value for climate monitoring. The second component of CLARREO involves ensuring the continuity
of measurements of incident solar irradiance and Earth radiation budget data which is specifically
addressed in A16 below.
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Only slow progress has been made on the implementation of CLARREO and TRUTHS, although studies
continue and a CLARREO pathfinder mission will be mounted on the international space station in the
next few years. Partial mitigation of this situation is emerging from the demonstrated stability of data
provided by the satellite hyperspectral IR sounders and GNSS radio occultation, and from the
establishment of the GRUAN.
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Action A16:
Implementation of satellite calibration missions
Action
Implement a sustained satellite climate calibration mission or missions.
Benefit
Improved quality of satellite radiance data for climate monitoring.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Commitment to implement by the next status report in 2020; proof-of-concept proven on ISS pathfinder.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
The full implementation and operation of the WWW/GOS radiosonde network in compliance with the
GCMPs is a desired long-term goal for climate monitoring. The AOPC works with the WMO CBS and the
RAs to ensure fuller implementation of the WWW/GOS radiosonde network in compliance with GCMPs,
together with improved reporting. The value of the observations would be enhanced by completing the
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transition from the current (TEMP) coding standard to the more comprehensive (BUFR) standard which
enables reporting of actual position and time of each measurement made during an ascent.
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Progress on the provision of data in full compliance with the BUFR coding standard has been slow, and
where action has been taken, implementation has fallen short of what is required. WMO CBS agreed in
2010 that November 2014 was the deadline beyond which radiosonde data should be distributed only in
BUFR format, with continued exchange of data in alphanumeric code only by bilateral agreement. By
November 2014, however, only a small number of NMHSs were providing full BUFR data in the intended
way, reporting ascents at high vertical resolution with the actual time and position specified for each
observational element. Many NMHSs were sending messages in BUFR format but with essentially the
same information content as in the former TEMP alphanumeric code, which brought no real progress.
Progress since then has been gradual. In August 2015, only about 10% of radiosonde stations, mostly in
Europe, were providing high resolution BUFR reports. A further 10% or so were providing native BUFR
reports but at low resolution. Around 50% of stations were providing BUFR-reformatted TEMP reports.
Work is continuing in order to resolve problems in some of these BUFR reports. In the meantime, many
but not all stations continue to report their data in TEMP as well as BUFR code. Care will be needed
when building an archival radiosonde data record for the transition period. This applies also to other
types of data for which there have been issues during the change to BUFR encoding.
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The provision of metadata concerning instrumentation and data reduction and processing procedures is
crucial to utilising radiosonde data in climate applications. The historical record of radiosonde
observations has innumerable problems relating to lack of inter-comparison information between types
of sondes and sensor and exposure differences. Methods have been developed to enable radiosonde
metadata to be combined with proxy metadata derived from comparison with reanalyses. The metadata
may then be applied to homogenise radiosonde records for use in trend estimation and future
reanalyses. Special efforts are required to obtain radiosonde metadata records and to include them as
important elements in the future observing strategy.
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The move to BUFR encoding of radiosonde data provides operators with the opportunity to report much
more metadata with the ascent itself, which if implemented fully should substantially reduce the need
for separate metadata supply in the future. In addition, a Task Team established by the WMO Inter Commission Coordination Group on WIGOS has developed the WIGOS Core Metadata Standard recently
approved by the Seventeenth World Meteorological Congress.
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Most radiosonde data are presented as converted profile data using manufacturer provided black-box
processing software. Substantial data processing is carried out by the black-box process to convert the
raw digital data counts received at the site into this profile information. The raw digital counts are rarely
retained, which means that the data cannot be reprocessed if new improved instrument understanding
requires it. Manufacturers and sites should work to retain and transmit the raw data to enable future
reprocessing from the raw counts received which is scientifically substantively preferential to post -hoc
statistically based analysis of the processed profiles. However, this point also relates to any and all
observations that require substantive processing to convert from the received measurement to the
estimate of the ECV measurand, which applies much more broadly than radiosondes or even the Upper
Air (UA) domain.
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Action A17:
Retain original measured values for radiosonde data
Action
For radiosonde data and any other data that requires substantive processing from the original
measurement (e.g. digital counts) to the final esti mate of the measurand (e.g. T and q profiles through
the lower stratosphere) the original measured values should be retained to allow subsequent
reprocessing.
Benefit
Possibility to reprocess data as required, improved data provenance.
Who
HMEI (manufacturers), NMHSs, archival centres.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Original measurement raw data and metadata available at recognised repositories.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
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Additional data sources, such as vertically pointing radar systems (wind profilers) and data from aircraft
(both at flight level and on ascent and descent), will contribute to climate applications, particularly for
atmospheric reanalysis. Lidar measurements of wind profile from space could form another important
long-term data source; the ADM/Aeolus global vertical wind profiling satellite mission should
demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of this type of measurement within the next 5 years.
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Reprocessed microwave radiance data from historical satellites (e.g. MSU, AMSU, ATMS and SSM/I) are
important contributions to the historical climate record and need to be continued into the future to
sustain a long-term record. The operational meteorological satellites are expected to continue to
provide such data for the coming decades. The high-resolution infrared sounders (e.g. IASI, AIRS, CrIS)
improve the vertical resolution of satellite-derived temperature and water vapour profiles, which
significantly improves the monitoring of the upper atmosphere.
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Action A18:
Hyperspectral radiances reprocessing
Action
Undertake a program of consistent reprocessing of the satellite hyperspectral sounder radiances.
Benefit
Consistent timeseries of hyperspectral radiances for monitoring and reanalyses, improved CDRs
computed from the FCDRs.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Reprocessed FCDRs available for hyperspectral sounders.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
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3.2.1 Proposed changes to the upper atmosphere ECVs
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A number of changes to the atmospheric ECVs are incorporated in this plan.
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To take into account precipitation at all levels in the atmosphere, which is not easily covered within the
current ECV framework, it is proposed that the Cloud ECV should be expanded to include hydrometeors
which are being measured by satellites and radar networks and already being used for process studies,
but not yet long term monitoring. Hydrometeors relate to processes within the atmosphere whereas
precipitation is only that portion of hydrometeors deposited at the surface. Therefore it is most
appropriate to consider the upper-air component of ‘precipitation’ as hydrometeors which are part of
cloud processes.
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Measurements of lightning are currently made with surface based networks of varying quality but soon
satellite measurements will provide a near global view of lightning. It is proposed to add lightning as a
new atmospheric upper air ECV and encourage the space agencies and surface based networks to
archive the data in a common format for future climate research. Lightning is a high impact variable in
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its own right causing many deaths a year, and may point to important changes and variability in
climatically important processes such as the prevalence of deep convective activity.
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For radiation the incident solar spectral irradiance observations as well as the broadband directional
measurements of reflected solar and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) are now part of the Earth
Radiation Budget ECV to meet the needs of seasonal forecasting. There is also a need to measure the
profile characteristics rather than solely top of atmosphere for improved process understanding. In the
first instance this profile information is foreseen at the GRUAN sites.
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3.2.2
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ECV – Upper-air Temperature
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Radiosonde temperatures form an important climate data record albeit requiring careful
homogenisation to account for instrumental and real-time processing changes. Aircraft temperatures
are also prone to biases for which adjustments need to be developed by reanalysis cent res. GRUAN is
beginning to provide metrologically traceable profiles for a number of radiosonde products and further
advances are foreseen over the period of this IP, including data streams from lidars and upward viewing
radiometers.
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The satellite sounding data play an important role, along with radiosonde and aircraft data in reanalyses
of temperature and other upper-air variables. For climate applications, the satellite systems must be
operated in adherence with the GCMPs. Work is in progress to construct FCDRs from the microwave
sounder radiances enabling improved climate data records to be produced using them. Temperature
profiles derived from MW limb-sounding (MLS) also fulfil this role but these observations have no
continuity in the future. Other individual research missions and ground-based remote sensing provide
independent data for evaluating reanalyses, as well as for model evaluation. Several older satellite borne instruments in the 1970’s (e.g. IRIS, PMR, SCAMS and SSM/T2) have the potential for recovery to
provide input to reanalysis, which also benefits from the recovery of early in situ upper-air data
discussed in section 1.4.2.
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GPS radio occultation (RO) measurements provide high vertical resolution profiles of atmospheric
refractive index that relate directly to temperatures above about 5 km altitude. They provide benchmark
observations that can be used to “calibrate” the other types of temperature measurement. Climate
applications are being developed by providing consistent time series of bending angles and refractivity
profiles. More satellites are being launched with GNSS-RO capability and the introduction of other GNSS
systems (e.g. Galileo, BeiDou) offers opportunities for further improvement in coverage of RO data
although some of the data may only be available on a commercial basis.
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ECV – Upper-air Wind Speed and Direction
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The WWW/GOS radiosonde network is the backbone of global upper-air wind observations.
Observations from commercial aircraft are also becoming more plentiful. For aircraft observations there
is significant expansion potential over Africa and South America, Given the sparsity of other
conventional data (such as radiosondes) establishing and maintaining an aircraft measurement program
involving African and other commercial carriers would have substantive scientific benefits for climate
monitoring.
Specific Issues – Upper-air ECVs
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Action A19:
Increase the coverage of aircraft observations
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Action
Further expand the coverage provided by AMDAR especially over poorly observed region such as Africa
and S. America.
Benefit
Improved coverage of UA wind for monitoring and reanalyses.
Who
NMSs, WIGOS, RA I and III.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data available in recognised archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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Another source of wind information is the atmospheric motion vectors obtained by tracking cloud
elements between successive satellite images and assigning their height by measuring their temperature
to provide “satellite winds”. Multi-angular instruments can add value to such estimates, since height
information is also available from the parallax in the data and does not involve assumptions about
temperature profiles. Three dimensional winds are also obtained over land areas using modern
generation doppler rain radars. These data are part of the WWW/GOS designed for weather forecasting
and will have application for climate through their incorporation in reanalysis.
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The ADM/Aeolus mission has been developed to pioneer wind-lidar measurement from space. If the
data from this mission demonstrate significant value for climate purposes, careful and prompt
consideration will need to be given to the implementation of follow-on missions.
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Action A20:
Implementation of space-based wind profiling system
Action
Assuming the success of AD M/Aeolus, implement a n operational space-based wind profiling system with
global coverage.
Benefit
UA winds understanding, reanalyses, 3D aerosol measurements.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Implement once ADM/Aeolus concept is proven to provide benefit.
Performance
Indicator
Commitment to launch ADM follow-on mission.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
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ECV – Upper-air Water Vapour
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Water vapour is the strongest of the greenhouse gases. In the upper troposphere and lower
stratosphere, it is a key indicator of convection and radiative forcing. In the stratosphere, water vapour
is a source gas for OH which is chemically active in the ozone budget and in the troposphere it is
important for the conversion of methane. There is recent evidence that the Brewer Dobson circulation is
changing in the Tropics due to climate change, which alters the balance of water vapour in the Upper
Troposphere (UT) and Lower Stratosphere (LS) markedly and has a strong feedback on climate change.
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Broad-scale information on tropospheric water vapour is routinely provided by operational passive
microwave, infrared and UV/VIS satellite instruments. The capability to observe continuous total column
water vapour data from ground-based GPS receivers is now well-established although the network of
GPS receivers should be extended across all land areas to provide global coverage and the data should
be more freely exchanged for climate purposes. A repository of CDRs from ground based GPS data
records needs to be identified (e.g. International GNSS Service).
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Accurate in-situ measurements of water vapour in the upper troposphere and in the lower stratosphere
are sparse, and trends and variability in this region are not well established. A long -term sustainable
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strategy for accurate global measurements of water vapour in the UT/LS down to molar mixing ratios of
parts per million (ppm; 10−6 ) is required. Such a strategy includes the GRUAN program for balloon-borne
instruments that are carefully inter-calibrated and metrologically characterised along with lidar, GNSSTPW and other remotely sensed measures, as well as long-term aircraft monitoring programs. State of
the art balloon borne sounders include frostpoint hygrometers and Fluorescent Advanced Stratospheric
Hygrometer for Balloon (FLASH-B). The frostpoint hygrometers also carry a coolant which is a minor but
highly active and long-lived GHG. These are reference-grade instruments that are very expensive and
require significant expertise to operate. To enable greater measurements of UT/LS region water vapour
manufacturers and NMIs are strongly encouraged to develop cheaper easier to use instrumentation
capable of measuring water vapour across the 4 orders of magnitude seen in the profile.
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Global high vertical resolution measurements of water vapour in the UT/LS by limb observations are also
essential. The required limb sounding also yields invaluable information on ozone and other chemical
composition variables. Action A27 calls for the required continuity of these measurements. Divergence
has been noted between MLS measurements and a range of frostpoint hygrometer based long-term
series starting around 2009 with the MLS trending to lower values than supported by the balloon-based
records. This points to the need to rely upon a mix of satellite and non-satellite measurements on a
sustained basis to ensure the continuity of the data record and recognise and diagnose any issues.
1803
Action A21:
Develop a repository of water vapour CDRs
Action
Develop and populate a globally recognised repository of GNSS zenith total delay and total column water
data and metadata.
Benefit
Reanalyses, water vapour CDRs.
Who
AOPC to identify the champion.
Time-frame
By 2018.
Performance
Indicator
Number of sites providing their historical data to the repository.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A22:
Measure of water vapour in the UT/LS
Action
Promote the development of more economical and environmentally friendly instrumentation for
measuring accurate water vapour concentrations in the UT/LS.
Benefit
Improved UT/LS water vapour characterisation, water vapour CDRs.
Who
NMSs, NMIs, HMEI and GRUAN.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number of sites providing higher quality data to archives.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
1804
1805
ECV – Cloud Properties and hydrometeors
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
Cloud feedback is considered to be one of the most uncertain aspects of future climate projections and
is responsible for much of the wide range of estimates of climate sensitivity from models. Long -term
datasets from VIS/IR imagers in Geostationary and Polar orbit should be reprocessed to obtain
consistent records relating to cloud parameters. High-resolution infrared and microwave soundings can
also contribute to better understanding of cloud properties with long length of records. Actions should
be taken to improve the sampling of these cloud products by using the newer emerging satellite systems.
Because of the importance of the observation of cloud, continued research on improving observational
capabilities is required.
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The effect on cloud formation and cloud lifetime of aerosols is one of the largest uncertainties in climate
modelling. Detailed measurements of cloud microphysics in combination with aerosol measurements
are needed to improve current estimates. Field campaigns jointly measuring in situ cloud condensation
nuclei and aerosol size and distribution are needed to study the atmospheric processes of the indirect
aerosol effect.
1819
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1821
1822
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1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
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An extended role of using radar data for GCOS given its potential to substantially increase the geotemporal resolution of the observation of land-surface precipitation and upper air precipitating water
should be considered. Motivation for this lies in the better understanding of the global precipitation
trends in the context of climate change and in the increasingly improved geo-temporal resolution of
weather radars compared to in-situ and satellite systems. This could provide the potential for heavy
precipitation risk climatologies at a resolution that matters for the public. Challenges associated with a
global scale deployment of radar technology are substantial and encompass inter-alia harmonization of
retrieval and calibration methods, data exchange, global coverage, quality control, and QPE methods.
Initial steps to raise awareness with all countries on the climatological potential and value of radar data
with the goal to motivate and facilitate proper and standardized storage of local radar data, should be
made so it can be re-processed even many years later when issues on international data exchange are
resolved. Up to 15 years of reprocessed radar data is already available at the national level within
Europe, suitable for extreme statistics on precipitation events. NOAA’s NEXRAD archive constitute a
further substantial capability and together with capabilities in Japan and China the time is right to
initiate a global activity.
1834
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1836
1837
1838
Action A23:
Implementation of archive for radar reflectivities
Action
To implement a global historical archive of radar reflectivities (or products if reflectivies are not
available) and associated metadata in a commonly agre ed format.
Benefit
Better validation of reanalyses, improved hydrological cycle understanding.
Who
NMSs, data centres, WIGOS.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data available in recognised archive, agreed data policy.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
The current satellite missions to measure global precipitation provide snapshots of the precipitation
field several times a day but there is no long term commitment to the provision of future satellite
precipitation missions. The advent of small satellites may allow better temporal coverage of these
measurements at a reasonable cost.
1839
Action A24:
Continuity of global satellite precipitation products.
Action
Ensure continuity of global satellite precipitation products similar to GPM.
Benefit
Precipitation estimates over oceans for global assessment of water cycle elements and their trends.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Long-term homogeneous satellite-based global precipitation products.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
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Since each of the complementary techniques used to measure precipitation are insufficient to meet ECV
requirements on their own , a concerted effort to develop methods of blending rain-gauge, radar and
satellite precipitation in reanalysis and in specific precipitation datasets is needed
1843
Action A25:
Development of methodology for consolidated precipitation estimates
Action
Develop methods of blending rain-gauge, radar and satellite precipitation
Benefit
Better precipitation estimates
Who
WMO Technical Commissions.
Time-frame
By 2020.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of consolidated precipitation estimates
Annual Cost
10-100K US$
1844
ECV – Earth Radiation Budget (including profile)
1845
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The top-of-atmosphere (TOA) Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) is characterized by the amount and
distribution of the incoming solar radiation absorbed by the Earth and the outgoing longwave radiation
(OLR) emitted by the Earth. At a global scale, this difference provides a measure of the net climate
forcing acting on the Earth. Understanding how the Earth’s energy imbalance varies helps in the
interpretation of recent changes in global surface temperature and in constraining likely future rates of
warming. TOA radiation budget observations also provide a critical constraint on cloud feedback, which
is a primary uncertainty in determining climate sensitivity. Regional differences between absorbed solar
radiation and OLR drives the atmospheric and oceanic circulations. The TOA ERB can only be measured
from space, and continuity of observations is an essential requirement. The satellite measurements
should include solar spectral irradiance observations as well as the broadband directional
measurements of reflected solar and OLR as this has been shown to be useful for seasonal forecasting
and interactions with surface vegetation. At least one dedicated satellite ERB mission should be
operating at any one time without interruption, and operational plans should provide for one year of
overlap between successive ERB missions. This should be a continuing priority for CEOS and CGMS in
their planning process.
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1862
1863
The sunspot number is also an interesting observation that correlates well with satellite total solar
irradiance as shown in Figure 29 of the GCOS Status Report (GCOS-195) and measurements go back to
the 17th century so carefully analysis of this time series and continuing to monitor it would be valuable
for climate studies.
1864
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1866
1867
Action A26:
Dedicated satellite ERB mission
Action
Ensure sustained incident total and spectral solar irradiances and Earth Radiation Budget observations,
with at least one dedicated satellite instrument operating at any one time.
Benefit
Seasonal forecasting, reanalyses, model validation.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Long-term data availability at archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
It has been demonstrated that radiative flux profiles can be measured with specially equipped
radiosondes from the Earth's surface to 35 km into the stratosphere. Their changes with temperature
and water vapour enable direct measurement of radiative forcing through the atmosphere to be made.
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They allow important investigations of clouds and other atmospheric constituents and their effects on
the atmospheric radiative transfer and facilitate greatly improved understanding of radiative processes.
1870
Action A27:
In-situ Profile and Radiation
Action
To understand the vertical profile of radiation requires development and deployment of technologies to
measure in-situ profiles.
Benefit
Understanding of 3D radiation field, model validation, better understanding of radiosondes.
Who
NMSs, NMIs, HMEI.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in NMS archives..
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
1871
ECV – Lightning
1872
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1874
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1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
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1883
1884
1885
1886
Lightning has been added to the GCOS atmospheric ECV list in this plan as in recent years measurements
of the flashes are becoming more extensive and new satellite instruments are about to be launched
which will further enhance the measurement coverage. Lightning can be used as a proxy for monitoring
severe convection and hence precipitation, improving estimates of severe storm intensity and ultimately
these data could be assimilated in NWP and reanalyses to improve the representation of severe storms.
NWP models are now able to represent lightning as a forecast variable which is used in aviation
applications. Another direct application is related to the production of wildfires. The IPCC AR5 report
states that there is low confidence in observed trends in small scale weather phenomena such as hail
and thunderstorms because of historical data inhomogeneities and inadequacies in monitoring systems.
There is scope to increase the confidence in trends of local severe storms through reprocessing of the
existing ground based and satellite lightning datasets and analysis of the impending new satellite
monitoring data about to be launched. The requirements for climate monitoring of lightning
measurements need to be defined and a first attempt is made in Annex A. The exploitation of these data
for climate monitoring applications remains to be demonstrated but it is now timely to produce climate
data records of lightning measurements to allow research into their application.
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1895
The measurement of lightning flashes in recent years has developed from research based systems to a
more operational set of ground based networks based on the detection of VHF radiation sources. The
TRMM satellite has a 17 year data record of lightning from the Lightning Imaging Sensor from 1998 to
2015 but the data is restricted to latitudes below 35 degrees and with coverage only a few times a day
and so mid-latitude severe storm trends have not been monitored from space and long time gaps over
the tropics. In the near future data will be available from several geostationary platforms which will
provide a coverage up to 52 deg latitude and be able to detect all significant events with a frequent
repeat cycle. However the coverage of lightning measurements over the poles from satellites remains
elusive.
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Action A27:
Lightning
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
To define the requirement for lightning measurements for climate monitoring and encourage space
agencies to provide global coverage and reprocessing of existing datasets.
Benefit
Ability to monitor trends in severe storms.
Who
GCOS AOPC and space agencies.
Time-frame
Requirements to be defined by 2017.
Performance
Indicator
Update to Annex A for lightning and commitments by space agencies to include lightning imagers on all
geostationary platforms. Reprocessed satellite datasets of lightning produced.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
1897
3.3
Atmospheric Domain – Composition
1898
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1906
1907
1908
A number of atmospheric constituents have an important role in climate forcing and feedbacks. The ECV
list includes water vapour, CH4 , CO2 , O3 and aerosols. Observations of precursors of ozone and aerosols
are also included in this plan to improve the ability to detect and attribute changes in ozone and aerosol
in both the troposphere and lower stratosphere. Some precursors are important variables for air quality
and thus climate-change impacts in their own right. For example, aerosol not only represents a major
source of uncertainty in climate change forcing but also constitutes a major risk factor for human health.
Uncertainties associated with aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) estimates are among the leading causes of
discrepancies in climate simulations and the large uncertainties in the total anthropogenic effective
radiative forcing (ERF, see IPCC, 2013). It should be noted that for this plan the aerosol properties and
their precursors of aerosols, ozone and GHG have now been split into two separate ECVs for clarity, they
were merged in the last plan.
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
Water vapour is considered in the previous section. The other main groupings of atmospheric
composition ECVs are listed in Table 8 together with the observing networks and satellites involved in
global measurements. This is based in part on the detailed assessment of global atmospheric chemistry
observing systems in the IGOS Theme Report on Integrated Global Atmospheric Chemistry Observations
(IGACO), which outlines the data requirements based on four issues: climate, air quality, ozone
depletion, and oxidizing efficiency. Here, the focus is on climate.
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Table 8 Observing networks and systems contributing to the Atmospheric Domain – Composition.
ATMOSPHERIC DOMAIN – COMPOSITION ECV
Carbon Dioxide
Contributing networks
Status
WMO GAW Global Atmospheric CO2 Operational; Partial network; Operational data
Monitoring Network (major contribution to management.
the GCOS comprehensive network for CO2)
consisting of:
WMO GAW continuous surface monitoring
network.
WMO GAW surface flask sampling network.
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management.
Airborne sampling (CONTRAIL, IAGOS(former
CARIBIC,MOZAIC), NOAA, JMA)
WMO GAW TCCON, NDACC network (groundbased FTIR)
Contributing Satellite data
VIS, SWIR and high-resolution IR
Methane, other long-lived greenhouse gases
Contributing networks
WMO GAW Global Atmospheric CH4
Monitoring Network ((major contribution to
the GCOS comprehensive network for CH4),
consisting of:
GAW continuous surface monitoring network.
GAW surface flask sampling network.
Limited operational aircraft vertical profiling
initiated.
Operational, partial network
Status
Continuity in IR operational instruments (e.g. IASI,
CrIS) but products are limited in accuracy and
vertical range. Dedicated research missions to
provide better global products have been launched
(GOSAT, OCO-2) but have sparse coverage. There is
an expectation of continuity with follow-on
missions.
Status
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management.
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management.
AGAGE, SOGE and University of California at Operational; Partial network; Operational data
Irvine, USA.
management.
Airborne sampling (CONTRAIL, IAGOS(former Limited operational aircraft vertical profiling
CARIBIC,MOZAIC), NOAA, JMA)
initiated.
NDACC, TCCON
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management
Contributing Satellite data
Status
IR, UV, SWIR nadir sounders
Satellite measurements on CH4 are maturing and
are part of operational satellites. SWIR retrievals
are available from SCIAMACHY and GOSAT, soon to
be complemented by S5p TROPOMI and follow on
Sentinel 5 instruments. IR data from AIRS and IASI.
IR and microwave limb sounders
MLS, performs N2O measurements in the
stratosphere as well as of the other GHGs (ACE-FTS,
SMR). Uncertain continuity of profiling limb
sounders.
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Ozone
Contributing networks
Status
WMO GAW GCOS Global Baseline Profile Operational balloon sonde network but numbers
Ozone Network (GAW ozonesonde network, have reduced significantly over last 5 years.
including NASA SHADOZ and NDACC).
WMO GAW GCOS Global Baseline Total Ozone Mature operational ground-based total column
Network (GAW column ozone network (filter, network but numbers reducing in last 5 years.
Dobson and Brewer stations)).
NDACC
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management
Contributing Satellite data
Status
IR and UV nadir sounders
Operational continuity for column ozone;
IR and MW limb sounders
Aerosols Properties
Contributing networks
BSRN
WMO GAW and contributing
(AERONET, GALION);
backscatter lidar networks.
Contributing Satellite data
Solar occultation;
VIS/ IR imagers;
Lidar profiling;
UV nadir;
Polarimetry;
Multi-angular viewing.
Limb scattering
Future research high vertical resolution profiling
instruments are under consideration
Status
Operational; Improved coverage required.
networks Operational; Global coordination in progress.
Improved coverage required.
Status
Planned operational continuity for column
products; Operational missions are planned
providing information on aerosol type and aerosol
size (e.g. 3MI-global, MAIA-targeted) Research
missions for profiling tropospheric aerosols; Using
the O2A band some aerosol layer height
information can be obtained from the current and
planned operatioanal satellites.No plans for
continuity of stratospheric profiling, with the
exception of SAGE-III on the ISS
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Aerosol and GHG Precursors
Contributing networks
WMO GAW observing network for CO
(continuous and flasks measurements)
WMO GAW network for reactive nitrogen
EMEP (GAW contributing network)
Research programmes using MAXDOAS, SAOZ,
FTIR and other techniques (for NO2)
In situ network from environmental agencies
Aircraft (IAGOS, CO)
NDACC
Contributing Satellite data
UV/VIS/NIR/SWIR nadir sounders
Review Version 25 June 2016
Status
Operational; Partial network; Operational data
management
Currently in the stage of establishment, several
stations world-wide
Operational European network for monitoring of
primary pollutants,
Sparse, research-oriented. Need to measure NH3
also.
Operational at national level
Limited operational aircraft vertical profiling
initiated
Operational, Partial network; Operational data
management
Status
Precursors are measured by research satellites and
operational satellites in the future (e.g. IASI-NG,
and sentinel 4 and 5) (i.e. NH3, NO2, SO2, HCHO
etc)
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
Understanding the sources and sinks for CO2 and CH4 is crucial. One of the challenges is to distinguish
between natural and anthropogenic sources, for which accurate global measurements, preferably with
imaging capability at high spatial resolution, are required. While the atmospheric burden of CO 2 is
increasing quite steadily by about 0.5% per year, the rise in methane concentration levelled off during
the last decade but is now increasing again. There are large uncertainties in the budget of methane, and
observations combined with modelling are needed for better understanding of the sources and sinks.
1924
1925
1926
1927
N2 O is the third most important greenhouse gas, which originates from both natural and anthropogenic
sources including oceans (see section 3.3), soils, biomass, burning, fertilizer user and various industrial
processes. Atmospheric N2 O is increasing constantly at a growth rate over the past 10 years of 0.87
ppb/year.
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
Halocarbons are potent GHGs and represent a potential long-term threat. Some of them
(chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)) are regulated by the Montreal
Protocol, since they are also ozone depleting gases, but they might not be phased out before 2040 and
may show increasing concentration before 2040. Others do not deplete ozone and are therefore not
governed by the Montreal Protocol, but are very strong greenhouse gases. Concentrations of some of
them are increasing rapidly.
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
Projections of a changing climate have added a new dimension to the issue of the stratospheric ozone
layer and its recovery. New data and models show the interconnections between these two global
environmental concerns, with varied impacts of stratospheric temperature and circulation changes on
ozone distributions. Ozone-depleting chemicals and ozone itself provide positive forcing of the climate.
The reduction of ozone-depleting substances not only helped the ozone layer but also lessened climate
forcing. Because of the close interaction between climate and stratospheric processes there is a
continuing need to monitor vertically resolved atmospheric composition throughout the troposphere
and stratosphere. Being able to distinguish changes arising from a decrease in ozone-depleting
substances from those due to other sources of climate forcing is essential for attributions and
establishing policy for mitigations.
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Changes in tropospheric composition have an impact on air quality as well as climate change. Several
tropospheric trace gases and aerosols play key roles in both domains. Tropospheric ozone and aerosols
are both radiatively active and air pollutants. Other trace gases, such as NO2 , SO2, CO, HCHO and NH 3,
are not directly active radiatively but are precursors for tropospheric ozone and secondary aerosols (i.e.,
aerosols that are formed in the atmosphere). Methane is a precursor for ozone in the troposphere and
lower stratosphere, a source of stratospheric water vapour as well as a GHG.. Precursors of tropospheric
ozone also influence the hydroxyl radical concentration, and thus the oxidizing power of the atmosphere.
Changes in Hydroxide OH directly influence the life times of greenhouse gases such as CH 4 and HCFC’s.
Observations of precursors are needed for an emission-based view on the radiative forcing (due to both
anthropogenic and natural sources) by tropospheric ozone and secondary aerosols.
1954
1955
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1958
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1961
1962
1963
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1965
The quality of estimates of the anthropogenic emissions of the precursors vary according to location and
gas. Emission inventories are based on socio-economic data (e.g. fuel use and animal numbers and
husbandry) and measurements of typical emissions. Timing of inventory data depends on user needs
e.g., air quality management needs near real-time spatially resolved estimates. In North America and
Europe there is a much higher degree of confidence in SO2 and NO2 emissions than for CO, NH3 or NonMethane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs). The lower confidence in the estimates of newly
industrialized countries such as Brazil or India reflect different source types and control technologies in
these countries and the relative paucity of emission measurements for these sources. More accurate
and more up-to-date knowledge of the emission sources is urgently needed as input to climate and air
quality models, which are used both for climate monitoring via data assimilation and for climate
prediction. High spatial and temporal resolution is needed for accurate emission estimates, especially
for NO2 and SO2 .
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1970
1971
1972
1973
Atmospheric aerosols are minor constituents of the atmosphere by mass, but a critical component in
terms of impacts on climate and especially climate change. Aerosols influence the global radiation
balance directly by scattering and absorbing radiation and indirectly through influencing cloud
reflectivity, cover and lifetime. The IPCC has identified anthropogenic aerosols as the most uncertain
climate forcing constituent. Detailed information on aerosols is needed to make progress in our
understanding and quantification of their impact. Information on aerosol optical depth alone is
insufficient; data are needed also on aerosol composition, density as well as particle size and shape
which is challenging to measure globally.
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
Observations of the vertical profiles of water vapour and the chemical composition ECVs are critical for
understanding, monitoring and modelling climate. High vertical resolution is needed in the upper
troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS), and information is needed up to the stratopause. This
requires a strategy for the joint use of detailed in situ measurements complemented by satellite
measurements for global coverage. Limb-sounding has demonstrated its value for providing the
essential vertical resolution in concentration profiles. Such data bring significant benefit to data
assimilation systems, and current data providers have worked to satisfy user needs for near real-time
data delivery to operational centres. There is a potential gap in limb sounding instruments as shown in
Figure 12 if space agencies don’t act to fill this gap (action A28).
1983
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1984
1985
Figure 12
Time series of approved atmospheric limb sounders (as of May 2016)
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1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Action A28:
Water vapour and ozone measurement in UT/LS and upper stratosphere
Action
Re-establish sustained limb-scanning satellite measurement of profiles of water vapour, ozone and other
important species from the UT/LS up to 50 km.
Benefit
Ensured continuity of global coverage of vertical profiles of UT/LS constituents.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing, with urgency in initial planning to minimize data gap.
Performance
Indicator
Continuity of UT/LS and upper stratospheric data records.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
An enhanced set of ground-based remote-sensing instruments measuring total and tropospheric
columns is needed for the validation of satellite observations and data products for the composition
ECVs, and connecting them to in situ observations. Moreover, there is a need to implement a concerted
programme for observations of the vertical profiles of water vapour, GHGs, ozone, aerosols and
precursors utilizing commercial and research aircraft, pilotless aircraft, balloon systems, ground-based
lidars, Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAXDOAS) systems, Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) systems, exploiting the contribution that the GRUAN (Action A15) can bring
to this activity. For example CarbonTracker (NOAA) provides boundary conditions used to validate
satellite retrievals of GHGs.
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1997
1998
1999
Action A29:
Validation of satellite remote sensing
Action
Engage existing networks of ground-based, remote sensing stations (e.g., NDACC, TCCON, GRUAN) to
ensure adequate, sustained delivery of data from MAXDOAS, PAND ORA, lidar, and FTIR instruments for
validating satellite remote sensing of the atmosphere.
Benefit
Validation, correction, and improvement of satellite retrievals.
Who
Space agencies, working with existing networks and environmental protection agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing, with urgency in initial planning to minimize data gap.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of comprehensive validation re ports and near real-time monitoring based on the data from
the networks.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
With the start of the European Copernicus Observing System, the continuation of satellite
measurements for some climate records is assured in the short term. In order to fully exploit this
capability there is a need to continue to build and improve these CDR and FCDR records (action A30).
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2000
Action A30:
FDCRs and CDRs for GHG and aerosols ECVs
Action
Extend and refine the satellite data records (FCDRs and CDRs) for greenhouse gas and aerosol ECVs.
Benefit
Improved record of greenhouse gas concentrations.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of updated FCDRs and CDRs for greenhouse gases and aerosols.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2001
3.3.1
Specific Issues – Composition ECVs
2002
ECVs – Carbon Dioxide and Methane, and other GHGs
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
The WMO GAW Global Atmospheric CO2 and CH4 Monitoring Networks form the basis of the GCOS
Comprehensive Networks for CO2 and CH4 . There are major gaps to be filled in terrestrial sink regions as
well as over the southern oceans. Sites that measure fluxes and concentrations from major regional
research projects could be added to fill some of these gaps. The NOAA Earth System Research
Laboratory (ESRL) is a WMO GAW member and major partner in the comprehensive network, and hosts
the WMO primary standards for CO2 , CH4 , N2 O, SF6, and CO. Many other WMO GAW participants (e.g.,
Australia, Japan, France and Canada) contribute to the comprehensive network following WMO GAW
measurement guidelines, data quality objectives, and submission of data to the World Data Centre for
Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) in Japan. The analysis centres responsible for assembling a dataset
appropriate for inversion modelling to calculate carbon sources and sinks need to be formally
recognised and supported. The baseline and/or reference networks should be further developed by
WMO GAW.
2015
2016
2017
Figure 13
The GAW global network of monitoring stations.
2018
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Other in situ measurements will provide the observational resources to undertake regional analyses.
Measurement of the isotopic composition of CO2 and methane can help to distinguish between various
emissions and thus improve our understanding of the budgets and attribute trends of these gases.
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
Action A31:
Maintain WMO GAW CO2 and CH4 monitoring networks
Action
Maintain and enhance the WMO GAW Global Atmospheric CO2 and CH4 Monitoring Networks as major
contributions to the GCOS Comprehensive Networks for CO2 and CH4. Advance the measu rement of
isotopic forms of CO2 and CH4, and of appropriate tracers, to separate human from natural influences
on the CO2 and CH4 budgets.
Benefit
A well maintained, ground-based and in situ network provides the basis for understanding trends and
distributions of greenhouse gases.
Who
Parties’ national services, research agencies, and space agencies, under the guidance of W MO GAW and
its Scientific Advisory Group for Greenhouse Gases.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data flow to archive and analyses centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Since the COP-21 meeting in Paris in Nov 2015 the need for an improved greenhouse gas satellite
mission has become clear. Satellite measurements are emerging as potentially useful components of
the overall observing system for CO2 and CH4. However initial measurements of CO2 and CH4 have been
made albeit not accurately enough and do not have the spatial resolution to distinguish between natural
and anthropogenic sources. To do this global measurements are required at high accuracy, with imaging
capability at high resolution and so the development of a new generation of satellites should be a high
priority for space agencies.
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
Action A32:
Space-based measurements of C02 and CH4 implementation
Action
Assess the value of the data provided by current space -based measurements of CO2 and CH4, and
develop and implement proposals for follow-on missions accordingly.
Benefit
Provision of global records of principal greenhouse gases; informing decision makers in urgent efforts to
manage greenhouse gas emissions.
Who
Research institutions and space agencies.
Time-frame
Assessments are on-going and jointly pursued by the research institutions.
Performance
Indicator
Approval of subsequent missions to measure greenhouse gases.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
The other GHGs, which include N2 O, CFCs, HCFCs, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), SF6 and perfluorocarbons
(PFCs), are generally well-mixed in the troposphere, and for trend monitoring it is sufficient to measure
them with a limited number of stations world-wide. Observations of N2 O by in situ flask networks are in
place. Stratospheric trend monitoring of N 2 O is done by limb view FTIR and Microwave Limb Sounder
(MLS) measurements. Tropospheric N2 O can be measured using the hyperspectral IR nadir view
sounders. The Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) network comprises five
stations and collaborating networks contribute with another six stations. This gives global coverage from
Spitsbergen in the north to Tasmania in the south. Halocarbons and their new alternatives must be
monitored closely, albeit from a relatively small number of stations, because once they enter the
atmosphere, some of them will remain for hundreds, even thousands of years.
2041
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Action A33:
N2 O, halocarbon and SF6 networks/measurements
Action
Maintain networks for N2O, halocarbon and SF6 measurements.
Benefit
Informs the parties to the Montreal Protocol, provides records of long -lived, non-CO2 greenhouse gases,
and offers potential tracers for attribution of CO2 emissions.
Who
National research agencies and national services, through WMO GAW.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data flow to archive and analyses centres.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
2042
ECV – Ozone
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
2051
2052
2053
2054
Routine measurements of column ozone from ground-based UV spectrometers are established under
the guidance of the WMO GAW programme. Calibration of instruments is an ongoing requirement.
Coarse ozone profile measurements are provided from these spectrometers through the Umkehr
technique. In situ ozone profiles are measured to about 30 km using ozone sondes. The WMO GAW
programme co-ordinates a network of about 40 ozone-sonde stations and collaborates with other
networks such as the NASA/Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozone Sondes (SHADOZ). Recent
calibration and data protocols have significantly improved the accuracy of these data, but more needs to
be done to ensure prompt data supply in uniform code formats, as the data are important for
monitoring the quality of satellite data retrievals and products from data assimilation systems operated
in near-real time. The number of ozonesonde ascents has decreased significantly over the past 5 years
and a concerted effort needs to be made to recover the network especially for those stations with long
records.
2055
2056
2057
2058
2059
2060
2061
2062
Ground-station networks such as the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change
(NDACC) also provide profiles using lidar and microwave techniques. Ground-based measurements still
have very limited coverage in the Tropics and Southern Hemisphere. Both GAW column ozone and total
ozone networks have been recognised as the GCOS Global Baseline Profile Ozone Network and the
GCOS Global Baseline Total Ozone Network. There is an increasing serious risk of decline of these
ground based networks, due to decreasing national contributions. The ground based networks are of
paramount importance to support the ozone satellite data and are used for detecting potential drifts
and hence ensuring the stability of the satellite products.
2063
Action A34:
Ozone networks coverage
Action
Urgently restore the coverage as much as possible and maintain the quality of the GCOS Global Baseline
(Profile and Total) Ozone Networks coordinated by the WMO GAW.
Benefit
Provides validation of satellite retrievals and information on global trends and distributions of ozone.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies and Met Services, through WMO GAW and network partners, in
consultation with AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Improved and sustained network coverage and data quality.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2064
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Submission and dissemination of ozone data
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Action
Improve timeliness and completeness of submission and dissemination of ozone column and profile data
to users and WOUDC.
Benefit
Improves timeliness of satellite retrieval validation and availability of information for determining global
trends and distributions of ozone.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies and services that submit data to WOUDC, through WMO GAW and
network partners.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Network coverage, operating statistics, and timeliness of delivery.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
2065
2066
2067
2068
2069
2070
2071
2072
2073
2074
2075
2076
2077
The record of ozone observations from space extend back over more than thirty years. It comprises both
nadir UV and IR measurements and limb measurements in the spectral range from the UV to the
microwave. Combining data from the nadir sounders with the higher vertical resolution data from limb
sounders provides essential information on tropospheric ozone amounts. Established capability exists to
assimilate ozone data in operational NWP and reanalysis systems. The combination of groundbased and
satellite observations has provided unique information on the evolution of the Antarctic ozone hole and
global ozone trends. These datasets along with research-satellite measurements of other species
involved in ozone chemistry (chlorine and nitrogen compounds and water vapour) are being used on a
continuing basis in WMO/UNEP Assessments supporting the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments.
There is an ongoing need to extend and refine the existing data records and integrated satellite products,
taking account of the biases seen between the datasets produced from the various instruments. New
developments are that ozone layer reanalyses are being done, in which the use of 3D atmospheric
chemistry data assimilation models are key.
2078
2079
2080
2081
2082
2083
Nadir measurements of ozone are set to continue for the foreseeable future from several operational
satellite systems, but limb view measurements of higher vertical resolution profiles is currently fulfilled
only by the OMPS instrument on the JPSS mission (see action A28). The potential gap of limb view
satellite observations, could threaten the ability to observe and report on the state of the ozone layer as
mandated in the Montreal Protocol and space agencies are encouraged to pursue initiatives to fill this
gap.
2084
ECV – Aerosol Properties
2085
2086
2087
2088
2089
2090
2091
2092
2093
2094
2095
2096
2097
In situ aerosol measurements are part of the GAW programme, to obtain measurements representative
of the major geographical and exposure regimes, including the Aerosols Robotic System (AERONET), the
GAW Aerosol Lidar Observations Network (GALION) and Precision Filter Radiometer (PFR) sites and the
BSRN. Regional networks of aerosol measurements are also made for air quality and acidification
applications. Satellite measurements provide information on global aerosol optical depth for several
decades, which will be extended with new satellites (e.g. Sentinel-3, JPSS, Metop-SG). Planned
operational missions dedicated to aerosols will, in addition to AOD, provide information on aerosol size,
shape and composition through multiangle polarimetric observations (e.g. 3MI, MAIA) and on aerosol
layer height through O2 A band measurements (3MI, MAIA, PACE). Further concerted action is needed to
develop an aerosol layer height product based on existing and planned operational instruments (O 2 Aband, IASI, MAIA) and investigate the retrieval of absorbing aerosols. There is also an ongoing need for
reprocessing of past satellite observations using better calibration, cloud screening and aerosol
microphysics to obtain an improved historical record (see action A29).
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2100
2101
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More in situ and space-based measurements are needed in both the troposphere and the lower
stratosphere. A concerted effort to integrate the available measurements of aerosol optical properties
and to expand the measurements has begun, and may be viewed as an important step in developing a
concerted system for global aerosol monitoring. This effort is strengthened by the International Satellit e
Aerosol Science Network (AERO-SAT) set up in 2013. The development and generation of consistent
products combining the various sources of data are essential. The physical and chemical composition of
aerosols needs to be routinely monitored at a selected number of globally-distributed surface sites. The
recently established SPARTAN network (Snider et al., 2015)34 , a global network of ground-level PM
(particulate matter) monitoring stations, can be used to evaluate and enhance satellite-based estimates
of ground-level PM for global climate and health applications.
2108
2109
2110
There is also an important source of long-term records on atmospheric aerosol abundance and
composition in glacial ice. Joint measurements of cloud and aerosol properties are required for
quantifying aerosol-cloud interactions (see ECV Cloud Properties).
2111
Action A36:
Monitoring of aerosol properties
Action
Provide more accurate measurement-based estimates of global and regional DARF (direct aerosol
radiative forcing) at the top of the atmosphere and its uncertainties, and determine aerosol forcing at
the surface and in the atmosphere through accurate monitoring of the 3D distribution of aerosols and
aerosol properties.
Benefit
Reducing uncertainties in DARF and the anthropogenic contributions to DARF, and the uncertainty in
climate sensitivity and future predictions of surface temperature.
Better constraints on aerosol type needed for atmospheric correction, and more accurate ocean
property retrieval than currently available.
Who
Parties’ national services, research agencies and space agencies, with guidance from AOPC and in
cooperation with WMO GAW and AERONET.
Time-frame
Ongoing, baseline in situ components and satellite strategy is currently defined.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of the necessary measurements, appropriate plans for future.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
2112
ECV - Precursors for Aerosols and Ozone
2113
2114
2115
2116
2117
2118
2119
2120
Global observation of the aerosol and ozone precursors NO 2 , SO2 , HCHO, CO and NH 3 (in addition to CH 4 ,
covered earlier) has been shown to be feasible from space. In the last ten years major progress has been
made in measuring these species in the troposphere and lower stratosphere using a range of
instruments, and it will be possible to extend the data record forward to several decades with data that
will come from existing and planned operational missions (e.g. Sentinel-5p/TROPOMI and later Sentinel
4 (geo) and Sentinel 5 (polar), as well as the geostationary satellites instruments TEMPO (USA, 2018) and
GEMS (South Korea, 2018)). For this plan the aerosol and ozone precursors have been designated as a
separate ECV to recognise their importance in the climate observing system.
2121
2122
2123
2124
2125
Studies have shown that emission estimates using inverse modelling techniques and satellite data can
help to reduce the uncertainties in emission data bases, and first studies are being performed combining
precursor and aerosol data from space to obtain information on aerosol composition. Emerging
integrated data products for the ozone and aerosol ECVs from comprehensive chemical data
assimilation systems will be improved by assimilating observations of the precursors, as this will lead to
34
Snider et al, 2015:SPARTAN:a global network to evaluate and enhance satellite -based estimates of ground-levell particulate
matter for global health applications. Atmos.Meas.Tech.,8,505 -521,2015.doi:10.5194/amt-8-505-2015
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better background model fields of ozone and aerosol. Combining observations of the precursors with
those of tropospheric ozone and aerosols will be crucial for attributing change to natural and
anthropogenic sources. High temporal and spatial resolution is needed to improve the emission
estimates, especially for short-lived trace gases with a large diurnal cycle such as NO2 and SO2
2130
2131
2132
2133
2134
2135
2136
2137
2138
2139
2140
2141
In view of the need for observation constraints on the bottom up emission estimates and the attribution
to specific sources, a development in line with the high spatial resolution modelling needs for Urban Air
Quality, there is an increasing need for even higher spatial resolution measurements on the precursor
gases (1 x 1 km2 ) that should be taken into account for the next generation satellite systems. In order to
constrain secondary aerosol formation from precursors measurements, measurements on precursor
gases with similar spatial resolution as satellite aerosol measurements are needed (1x1 km2 ).
Information from ground based and in situ observations is needed to validate satellite data products and
exploit the value of measurements of the precursors from multiple platforms. Since the retrieval is
dependent on profile assumptions, albedo and cloud, research activities have to be undertaken to
improve existing retrieval techniques, using a combination of ground based, satellite and model
information. There is still a limited set of ground based measurements, not well distributed over the
globe, and hence a lack of validation measurements, for all precursor trace gases.
2142
Action A37:
Continuity of products of precursors of ozone and secondary aerosols
Action
Ensure continuity of products based on space -based, ground-based, and in situ measurement of the
precursors (NO2, SO2, HCHO, NH3 and CO) of o zone and secondary aerosol and derive consistent
emission databases, seeking to improve spatial resolution to about 1 x 1 km2 for air quality.
Benefit
Improved understanding of how air pollution influences climate forcing and how climate change
influences air quality.
Who
Space agencies, in collaboration with national environmental agencies and meteorological services.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of the necessary measurements, appropriate plans for future missions, and derived emission
data bases.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
2143
3.4
Atmospheric Domain – Scientific And Technological Challenges
2144
2145
2146
2147
Most of the atmospheric ECVs can be monitored either from space or using in situ measurements to a
certain level of accuracy, in some, but not all, cases meeting the requirements laid out in the GCOS
requirements given in Annex A. However for some ECV products there remain outstanding issues
requiring the development of new measurement techniques. These include:
2148
2149
2150
2151
2152
2153
2154
2155
2156
2157
2158
● Measurement of snowfall as distinct from rain both at the surface and in the
atmosphere;
● Global monitoring of the composition and distribution of aerosols and their precursors
from space, and linked observations with cloud for study of their interactions;
● Global measurements of surface pressure especially over the oceans from space;
● Unbiased estimation of high temporal resolution precipitation amount, especially over
the oceans, and over areas of complex orography;
● Development of active (lidar) and passive sensors for the estimation of column CO 2 from
satellites at high spatial resolution;
● More reliable, lower cost and environment friendly in situ humidity measuring
instruments;
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● Development of cheaper, smaller satellite instruments with the same capabilities as
previous more expensive instruments;
2161
2162
2163
Technological developments should be instigated during the next 5 years to address these shortcomings
in our measurement capabilities which will ultimately lead to a better global climate observing system.
2164
Table 9 International Data Centres and Archives 35 – Atmospheric Domain.
Network or System International Data Centres and Archives
Coordinating Body
Atmosphere Surface
GSN Monitoring Centre (DWD, JMA)
GSN Analysis Centre (NCEI)
GCOS
Surface GSN Archive (WDC Asheville)
Network (GSN)
WMO CBS GCOS Lead Centres (DWD, JMA, NCEI,
DMN (Morocco), INM (Mozambique), IRIMO (Iran),
DMC (Chile), BoM (Australia), BAS (UK))
Integrated Surface Database Hourly (WDC Asheville)
Full
WWW/GOS Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC)
synoptic network
(DWD)
ECMWF MARS database
National responsibility; Submission to WDC
National
surface
Asheville
networks
GPCC (DWD)
World Radiation Monitoring Centre (Alfred
Wegener Institute, AWI, Bremerhaven, Germany)
Baseline
Surface
Radiation Network
World Radiation Data Centre (St. Petersburg,
Russian Federation)
AOPC with WMO CBS
WMO CBS
WMO CCl, WMO CBS
and WMO RAs
AOPC with WCRP
WMO CBS and WMO
CAS
2165
35
Covers mostly ground-based networks, as the datasets from satellite instruments are normally managed by the responsible
space agencies.
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Atmosphere Upper-air
GUAN Monitoring Centres (ECMWF)
GCOS
Upper-air GUAN Analysis Centres (NCDC)
AOPC with WMO CBS
Network (GUAN)
GUAN Archive (WDC Asheville)
WMO CBS GCOS Lead Centre (NCDC)
WWW/Global Data Processing and Forecasting
Systems (GDPFS) World Centres
Full
WWW/GOS WWW/GDPFS Regional/Specialized Meteorological
WMO CBS
Upper-air Network
Centres
WDC Asheville
ECMWF MARS database
Reference network
GCOS Reference Upper Air Network (GRUAN Lead
highaltitude
AOPC with WCRP
Centre, Lindenberg, Germany)
radiosondes
WWW/GDPFS World Centres
Aircraft
(AMDAR WWW/GDPFS Regional/Specialized Meteorological
WMO CBS
etc.)
Centres
WDC Asheville
WWW/GDPFS World Centres
Profiler
(radar) WWW/GDPFS Regional/Specialized Meteorological
WMO CBS
network
Centres
WDC Asheville
E-GVAP
Ground-based GPS
EUMETNET
SuomiNet
receiver network
UCAR
International GNSS Service
Atmosphere Composition
WMO GAW Global
Atmospheric
CO2 WDCGG (JMA)
and CH4 Monitoring NOAA- ESRL (Boulder)
WMO CAS
Networks
(GAW Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (Oak
continuous surface Ridge National Laboratory)
monitoring network)
WMO GAW Global
Atmospheric
CO2
WDCGG (JMA)
and CH4 Monitoring
NOAA- ESRL (Boulder)
WMO CAS
Networks
(GAW
surface
flask
sampling network)
WMO GAW GCOS World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre
Global
Baseline (WOUDC) (European Commission)
Profile
Ozone Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change
Network,
WMO (NDSC) Archive
WMO CAS
GAW GCOS Global Norwegian Institute for Air Research
Baseline Total Ozone Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes
Network, NDACC
(SHADOZ – NASA) Archive
WWW/GDPFS World Centres
WWW/GDPFS Regional/Specialized Meteorological
Aircraft(CONTRAIL)
WMO CBS
Centres
WDC Asheville
Aerosols and Precursors
AERONETGAWbaseli
nenetwork
World Data Centre for Aerosols (NILU)
WMO CAS
GALION
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4.
OCEANIC CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
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4.1
Overview
2168
4.1.1
Role of the Ocean in the Climate System
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2172
2173
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2175
The ocean is a central component of Earth’s climate system, essentially carrying the climate memory
from short to long temporal scales. In the context of climate variability and climate change, the global
ocean is singularly important due to its full-depth heat and freshwater storage capacity: The ocean
stores about 93% of the Earth’s excess heat energy (IPCC, 2015); of which 74% is stored in the upper
2000m and 19% in the abyssal ocean beneath 2,000 m. More than three quarters of the total exchange
of water between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface through evaporation and precipitation takes
place over the ocean.
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2183
Climate variability and change on time-scales from seasons to millennia is closely linked to the ocean
through its interactions with the atmosphere and cryosphere. The large inertia of the ocean natur ally
integrates over short-term variability and ocean parameters therefore often provide a clearer signal of
longer-term change than, e.g, atmospheric measurements. The large inertia of the ocean means it
contributes strongly to our ability to develop of climate predictions on timescales from weeks to
centuries; including delivery to climate services (through domain specific forecasts on timescales of
seasons and longer). The ocean warming has resulted in global and regional sea-level rise that has had a
profound impact on coastal inundation and erosion.
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2190
The ocean plays a critical role in the cycling of many greenhouse gases. In particular it is an essential sink
of anthropogenic CO2 due to its uptake of anthropogenic carbon (Cant) thereby mediating the increasing
anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere: the ocean is responsible for taking up and storing about 30% of
the anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide since the pre-industrial, thereby buffering (or mitigating)
the rate of climate change. However, the ocean uptake of anthropogenic carbon (CO2 ) has results in an
increase of ocean acidification that has a profound impact on the marine ecosystem (e.g. coral bleaching,
marine connectivity).
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The ability of the ocean to store vast amounts of heat and CO 2 reflects the large mass, heat and buffer
capacity of seawater relative to air and the fact that ocean circulation connects the surface ocean to the
interior ocean. To understand the oceanic branch of the climate system, we must observe the ocean
properties across a large spectrum of spatial and temporal scales, to monitor the storage of heat,
freshwater, and carbon and other biogeochemical properties, to observe their transport by the ocean
circulation, and to monitor their exchange and momentum across the air-sea interface.
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2203
The primary requirement for the design of the present ocean observing system is to measure the ocean
at timescales from sub-seasonal to longer. The ocean observing system is also used to improve
understanding, and is frequently leveraged for short term, high density process studies which then feed
advanced understanding back into the sustained observing system design. OOPC works with research
groups such as WCRP’s CLIVAR programme, and GOOS Observing System development projects to
ensure that observations are used for research, leveraged for experiments and process studies, and the
advances in understanding are fed back into the sustained observing system design.
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2205
4.1.2
Observing the Ocean
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2210
2211
2212
2213
2214
2215
Global Ocean Observing is coordinated through global networks which are organised around a particular
platform or observing approach (e.g. Argo Profiling Floats, OceanSITES timeseries sites, etc) and with
defined missions and implementation targets. This implementation targets are reflected in actions in
this plan. The composite observing networks monitor of all ocean ECVs, globally, but do this at different
temporal and spatial scales depending on requirements and feasibility. Sustaining observations of ECVs
relies on the existence of a range of different platforms equipped with a range of different sensors
based on feasibility. They strongly build on the long-term existence of in situ and satellite components.
The global ocean observing system put in place for climate also supports global weather predict ion,
global and coastal ocean prediction, and marine environmental monitoring, and thus merits sustained
funding from a range of sources.
2216
2217
2218
2219
2220
2221
2222
2223
2224
2225
2226
2227
2228
2229
2230
2231
The overall systems based design and evaluation of the observing system is overseen by OOPC, now in
consultation with sibling GOOS panels for Biogeochemistry and Biology. Despite recent progress in
sustained observations of ECVs and in building ocean observing networks and analysis systems, these
are not yet adequate to meet the specific needs of the UNFCCC, as defined in ECV requirements for
spatial and temporal sampling, for most ECVs and in most regions, particularly the Southern Hemisphere.
Table 10outlines how the ECVs have evolved since the previous plan, reflecting, which in part reflects
the establishment of GOOS panels for biogeochemistry and biology and developments in both
understanding of requirements, and observing technology. There is a pressing need to expand the
monitoring capabilities as specified by the OceanObs09 conference 36 by obtaining global coverage using
proven technologies and to continue to develop novel observing technologies, to establish
communications and data management infrastructure, and to enhance ocean analysis and reanalysis
capacity. Attaining and sustaining global coverage is the most significant challenge for the oceanic
climate observing system. This challenge will only be met through national commitments to the global
implementation and maintenance effort and with international coordination provided by the Global
Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and
Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) and other relevant bodies.
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2234
2235
2236
2237
2238
2239
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This Plan encourages the ocean observing community to adopt the Framework for Ocean Observing37
that was developed after the OceanObs09 conference with additional input provided from the ocean
observing community, as a framework for planning implementing evaluating sustained multidisciplinary
ocean observing. This composite global ocean observing system makes best use of a mix of proven
remote and in situ technologies and optimizes the contributions from existing observing assets and
deployment opportunities for both global surface and sub-surface variables. It also builds on the
mechanisms established to foster more effective international collaborations, and the demonstration of
capabilities to generate oceanic climate products as well as the development of new technologies. Table
11 outlines how the ECVs are measured across the core sustained observing networks and satellite
constellations.
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The sampling strategy of the ocean observing system for climate will evolve as we improve our
understanding of the scales that need to be resolved, as technology advances, and as experience
36
OceanObs09 Conference Proceedings: Hall, J., Harrison, D.E. & Stammer, D., Eds. (2010). Proceedings of OceanObs'09:
Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society, Venice, Italy, 21 -25 September 2009, ESA Publication WPP-306.
doi:10.5270/OceanObs09
37
Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO) http://www.oceanobs09.net/foo/
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expands from users working with ocean climate products. Ocean analysis and reanalysis activities, which
may involve conventional analyses of integrated datasets (satellite and in situ) as well as ocean data
assimilation techniques are critical to realize the value of these composite networks, and address the
objectives of the global observing system for climate and the UNFCCC.
Table 10 Evolution of ECVs since 2010 plan
2010 ECVs
2016 ECVs
Comments
Temperature
Physical
Temperature
Sea Surface Temperature
Sea Surface Temperature
Salinity
Sea Surface Salinity
Salinity
Sea Surface Salinity
Current
Current
Surface current
Surface current
Sea level
Sea level
Sea state
Sea state
Sea ice
Sea ice
Surface Stress
Ocean Surface
(Emerging)
Heat
Flux
Biogeochemical
Carbon dioxide partial pressure Inorganic Carbon
(surface)
Carbon dioxide partial pressure
(subsurface)
Ocean acidity (surface)
Ocean acidity (subsurface)
Nutrients
Nutrients
Oxygen
Oxygen
Tracers
Transient Tracers
Includes:
Silicate
Nitrous Oxide
Ocean Colour
Reframed to accurately reflect
current observing requirements
to characterise the carbonate
system. Depending on platform a
choice of ideally at least 2
variables of DIC, Total Alkalinity,
pCO2 or pH to be observed.
Ocean colour
Nitrate,
Phosphate,
Includes: SF6, CFCs, C-14, Tritium,
Helium-3.
A new ECV to reflect the ocean’s
role for N2O cycling
Ocean colour
Biological/Ecosystems
Phytoplankton
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2250
2251
2252
2253
2254
Plankton
Phytoplankton, Zooplankton
Marine Habitat Properties
Includes Coral Cover, Mangroves,
Sea Grasses, Macro Algae
The global ocean provides an important context for the interpretation and prediction of regional and
coastal ocean variability. There are particular challenges both in terms of monitoring and forecasting
and in terms of testing and improving regional climate projections. Variability of the global ocean affects
coastal regions in many different ways; without knowledge of the global ocean it will be impossible to
interpret regional climate information or to select appropriate national responses. The fact that coastal
regions are particularly vulnerable to changes in sea level and/or changes in wave climates also
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X
Temp -subsurface
X
X
X
Sal - surface
X
X
X
Sal -Subsurface
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Currents -Surface
Currents- Subsurface
X
Sea Level
X
Sea State
X
Sea Ice
Ocean Surface Stress (OSS)
X
X
Ocean Surface Heat Flux (OSHF)
X
X
X
X
Voluntary Observing Ships
(VOS)
Opportunity
of
Ships
(SOOP)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tide Gauges (GLOSS)
Satellite constellations
X
Tagged Animals
X
Ocean Gliders
Temp - surface
Drifters (DBCP)
Table 11 Relationship between ECVs and Observing Platforms/Networks. (add in Atmospheric ECVs
measured on ocean platforms)
Metocean moorings (DBCP)
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Repeat Hydrography (GOSHIP)
Timeseries - Moored/ Ship
(OceanSITES)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
influences the Actions called for here. In addition to observing the physical and biogeochemical ocean
variables, it is critical at selected sites to have observations of marine biodiversity and habitat properties
as these are important to both support the sustainable use of ocean resources and monitoring the
impacts that climate change and other environmental changes may produce. The coastal and global
ocean observing systems must develop together for each to deliver value most effectively to the Parties.
Profiling Floats (Argo)
2255
2256
2257
2258
2259
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Oxygen
X
X
X
X
Nutrients
X
X
X
X
Inorganic Carbon
X
X
X
Tracers
X
N20
X
X
Ocean Colour
Plankton
X
X
X
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X
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Review Version 25 June 2016
2263
4.1.3 Oceanic Domain: Data Management
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Effective data management is a closely monitored group collaboration across activities including
observation collection, metadata and data assembly using community accepted standards, quality
assurance and control (QA/QC), data publication that enables local and interoperable (machine to
machine through standard protocols) discovery and access, and secure archiving that guarantees longterm preservation. Some ocean observing networks are well developed and are largely successful in all
these data management functions, while many that are supported by research projects with short -term
funding are challenged to operate consistently, are subjected to varying data policies and submission
requirements, and can lack sufficient resources for all the needed experienced staff and cyber infrastructure for data services and preservation.
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The existence of a multitude of disparate data management infrastructures imposes problems for the
global observing system that include, but are not limited to, delayed and duplicate data receipts,
versioning issues, missing data and metadata, and non-documented data processing procedures.
Therefore, modern data management infrastructures are needed, so that all activities along the data
flow pipeline, from data collection through assembly and to preservation, are more automated, fault
tolerant, and progressively the systems are advanced toward interoperability. Interoperability serves
both the routine data exchanges within and amongst the networks, and user discovery and access.
Community standards for metadata, data formats, communication protocols, and data server software
infrastructure are the foundation for interoperability. These are not new considerations for the ocean
data management community. The technical aspects have been demonstrated and successfully
deployed in limited regions and specific parts of the global networks. Expanding on these successes is
important, and is being guided by various ocean observing programs (both national and international) as
well as by coordinating organizations independently and jointly in the WMO and IOC. The time is right to
improve interoperability across the observing system networks and enable sustainable process that can
create integrated datasets for the ECVs.
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2301
2302
The Global Data Assembly Centers (GDACs) are the logical place to focus the development of integrated
ECV and by using multiple GDACs the data content can be mirrored between Centers and accessed
through either one, providing redundancy and resilience in the data management structure. Using
GDACs focused on providing service on an Essential Variable basis facilitates a rigorous QA service
ensuring that (a) data are being quality assured and controlled according to community agreed
standards, (b) direct feedback is given to the data sources as needed, (c) duplicates are being identified
and resulting issues are resolved, (d) metadata are complete according to community agreed best
practices or existing standards, (e) data and metadata are published and available through interoperable
services, (f) reports are made to IODE and JCOMM Committees on data management status and
activities, (g) data citation practices as outlined by the Research Data Alliance (RDA) and DataCite are
incorporated, (h) data requests and searches from users can be reproduced and (i) there is clear tracking
of the complete data lifecycle for each ECV dataset. The last three items are often overlooked but are
increasingly becoming more important to ensure that PIs get credit for data they create and that
users/reviewers can reproduce the exact data requests for data that is referenced in scientific
publications.
2303
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By providing interoperable access, and adhering to standards and conventions, this framework will make
future data synthesis products and activities more efficient than with the current non-integrated data
management system.
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2306
Action O1:
Data Access
Action
Improve discoverability and interoperability of the ocean observations amongst ocean observing networks
for all ECVs.
Benefit
Improved access to data, ease of integration across data sources.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national research programmes and data management infrastructure, OOPC, International Ocean
Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP), and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Data Advisory
Council (WDAC), JCOMM Data Management Programme Area (DMPA).
Performance
Indicator
Timely and open access to quality controlled observational data.
Annual Cost
1-10 M US$
2307
Action O2:
Data Quality
Action
Sustain and increase efforts for quality control of current and historical data records.
Benefit
Improved quality of ocean climate da ta.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies and data management infrastructure, supported by JCOMM
DMPA, IODE, WCRP CLIVAR Project
Performance
Indicator
Improved record of uniform quality control.
Annual Cost
100k-1 M US$
2308
4.1.4
Integrated Global Analysis Products.
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System interoperability in data formats and metadata protocol are required for the regular production
of integrated gridded observation-only or model-observational ocean reanalysis (also referred to an
ocean synthesis) products. The heterogeneous nature of the ocean observing system requires a critical
synthesis and sophisticated integration and interpretation of all available in situ and satellite data. The
production of climate-quality 38 observational products through such ocean syntheses is vital for
assessing global ocean change and variability, globally and on regional scale, for the data assimilation
model, initialization of climate and ocean only prediction models and for the quality assessment of these
models. As an example, the assessment of the global ocean heat content and freshwater, ocean carbon
inventory, and air-sea flux of CO2 are based on ocean synthesis products, observational-only based and
gridded data products with uncertainty estimates.
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2322
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2324
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The integration of the observations can achieved by statistical methods or a full general circulation
model. Ocean reanalysis involves the assimilation of ocean observations into an ocean or a coupled
model using in situ and satellite data and uncertainty information available from both; the resulting
estimate of the time varying ocean state provides the basis for deriving ocean data products that, if
obtained from a mathematically and dynamically consistent estimate, should be better than the data or
model results alone. Joint assimilation of multiple types of observations in an ocean reanalysis provides
a mechanisms for estimating biases in the data from particular instruments, providing an alternative or
complement to the calibration activities of space agencies, and improved model dynamics and model
parameterizations. Assimilation systems that couple atmosphere and ocean have begun to be used.
38
‘Climate-Quality’ data and products requires adherence to GCOS Climate Monitoring Principals, and meeting accuracy
requirements defined for that ECV.
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Provision of reliable information on uncertainties is being helped by the development of ensemble
approaches, but remains a challenge.
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In addition to syntheses of the physical ocean state, efforts are also under way to quantify the sea -air
flux of CO2 within the Surface Ocean pCO2 Mapping intercomparison (SOCOM) project where
observations of the oceanic and atmospheric partial pressures of CO2 is used in conjunction with a
parameterization of the gas transfer across the sea-air interface. Since the ocean is under-sampled for
pCO2 interpolation methods are used to estimate values in periods and areas not directly observed.
SOCOM collates various methods that have been proposed to interpolate pCO 2 data in space and time.
2336
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2342
The status and maturity of integrated ocean products has progressed considerably over the recent
decade. The synthesis of ocean observations and the associated delivery of high-quality data products
for climate applications have obtained a high maturity and quality; they are now widely used.
Production streams for ocean climate estimates have been established and now need to be maintained
as part of a climate observing system. However, the production of these products for climate and other
applications are major undertakings that have historically been and continue to be under -resourced,
both financially and person wise.
2343
Action O3:
Development of climatologies and reanalysis products
Action
Maintained research and institutional support for the production of ocean (physics and biogeochemistry)
climatologies and reanalysis products, and coordinated intercomparison actrivities.
Benefit
Improved quality and availability of integrated ocean products.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national research programmes, OOPC, IOCCP, CLIVAR and WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Regular updates of global ocean synthesis products.
Annual Cost
1-10MUS$
2344
4.1.5 Agents for implementation
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2355
The Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO) is being utilized as a tool to reform and further develop the
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). It provides a system-level view of best practices for setting
requirements, coordinating in situ and satellite observation networks, and delivering information
products for sustained global ocean observing to address scientific and societal issues. The Framework
brings together a suite of ideas to re-energize development of global ocean observing infrastructure. It
embraces a key request from OceanObs’09 to broaden sustained global ocean observing across ocean
science disciplines. It suggests appeal to international conventions beyond the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Framework articulates development of subsystems in
terms of “readiness” using assessment of feasibility and fitness-for-purpose in order to embrace
emerging research to empower sustained ocean observing. The ocean and climate observing system
needs to be considered as an integrated whole, encompassing both satellite and in situ capabilities.
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2361
The ocean climate observing system is utilized by a diverse range of users. However, much of the
investment and management of the in situ observing activities continue to be carried out under
research agency support and on research programme time limits. Satellite observation activities are
organized across satellite agencies and is focused around ECV based constellations as with the
atmospheric and terrestrial domains and hence activities are well aligned with GCOS requirements.
Clearly those need to continue. However, a particular concern at the time of writing is the fragility of the
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financial arrangements that support most of the present in situ effort; there has been very limited
progress in the establishment of national ocean or climate institutions tasked with sustaining a climatequality ocean observing system.
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The in situ observations of the ocean are implemented by a ‘coalition of the willing’, as no nation has a
mandated responsibility for monitoring any particular region. The primary Agents for Implementation
for in situ ocean observations and their analyses remain the national and regional research
organizations, with their project-time-scale focus and emphasis on principal investigator-driven activities.
The regular reporting by Parties on systematic observation to the UNFCCC, which includes national
institutional arrangements and ocean observation activities, should be encouraged and utilized to assess
progress in national action.
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The GCOS-GOOS-WCRP Ocean Observations Panel for Climate in collaboration with the broader Global
Ocean Observing System (GOOS), its expert panels and regional alliances, along with the Joint WMOIOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) provides oversight, and in
collaboration with research programmes, provide monitoring and assessment of the evolving system
and its products. The system must be responsive to the needs of the UNFCCC but at the same time
exploit synergy and efficiencies with other users of the observing system.
2378
4.1.6 Global Scale Observation Capabilities; scientific and technological challenges
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New or improved ocean-observing sensors and platforms in the ocean and in space, coupled with
advances in telecommunications, are continuously becoming available for improving the sustained
ocean climate observation system. During the last decade, the use of autonomous in situ platforms has
revolutionized the ocean observing system, and the fast technological advance on platforms and sensors
(primarily biogeochemical sensors) will continue to improve the system. Also, communications systems
are under development to enable us to get data in real time from remote regions such as the deep
ocean (using data pods) and under the ice (using acoustics). In order to assure climate-quality data from
autonomous platforms, an integrated approach with the ship-based reference network is necessary.
Research programmes are currently the primary source of funding for developing new methods and
technologies.
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2400
2401
Continued strong support is needed to develop and bring new technology to the pilot stage, and
eventually to a mature stage for implementation as a component of the sustained ocean climate
observing system. It is also important that developments in both satellite and in situ technology are seen
holistically, so we can ensure we optimize the benefit of both, i.e. next generation in situ observations
enable us to capitalize on next generation satellites. Given the changes in observing capability, and
understanding of requirements, it is important that a process is in place to provide ongoing evaluation
of the observing system, and the extent to which is meets requirements. GOOS are developing detailed
specifications for each Essential Ocean Variable (EOV), focussed around the physical phenomena to
capture, which will be used as a basis of evaluations. Complementary network specifications, which
articulate network missions and targets, have been used to develop actions in this document. Existing
and planned observing System development projects are injecting new systems thinking into the
observing system at a regional level; the outcomes of these projects are expected to feed into the next
GCOS Implementation Plan (~2022).
2402
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Action O4:
Technologiy development
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Continued support for development of autonomous platforms and climate -quality sensors, through pilotphase to mature stage:
Including Biogeochemical sensors such as nutrients inorganic carbon and biological variables such as
zooplankton type and abundance; and
Data delivery from remote regions (deep ocean, under ice) capitalising on developments in autonomous
vehicles telecommunications.
Benefit
Continued improvements to the sustained observing system to fill gaps, take new measurements, at lower
cost per observation.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by the GOOS panels and user groups.
Performance
Indicator
Amount of climate-quality data provided in near real-time to internationally agreed on data centres.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
2403
Action O5:
Observing System development and evaluation
Action
Support and engage in systems based observing system development projects established through GOOS
and efforts for the ongoing evaluation of the observing system.
Benefit
Continued improvements to the sustained observing system ensure it is robust, integrated and meets
future needs.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Periodic evaluation of observing sys tem against requirements, and expansion of support for sustained
observations.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties)
2404
4.1.7 Observing Shelf/Coastal Ocean and Climate.
2405
2406
2407
2408
2409
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2411
2412
To fully capitalize on investment in global climate observations, it is imperative to extend focus into the
coastal zones; where a large proportion of the global population live, and where societal impacts of
climate change are mostly keenly evident through sea level rise, extreme events, and loss of ecosystem
services. This requires special attention to the integration of the ocean observing system – physics,
biogeochemisty and biological – due the variability of this region and immediate societal impacts.
Observing these complex, dynamic regions, particularly from space, involves a differenct set of
challenges than making global and basin-scale ocean observations. In addition, it requires the
coordination across more stakeholders and partners.
2413
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2421
2422
2423
2424
We are seeing a dramatic expansion of in situ platforms (fixed and mobile) and sensors to better address
not only physical, but also biological and biogeochemical parameters (e.g. sensor networks, coastal
mooring/timeseries sites, ocean gliders and other autonomous vehicles). Further work is equally
required on integrating open ocean and coastal circulation and climate modeling efforts, linking ocean
and watershed models across the land-sea interface, linking natural data with socio-economic data, and
providing robust now-casts, forecasts, and long-term predictions and climate scenario assessments. To
this end, OOPC will focus on evaluating boundary current observations requirements and approaches
globally as a next priority. These boundary currents are of leading importance in basin-scale budgets,
but the small-scale, high-frequency variability that results where coastal seas and boundary current
regimes interact is challenging to observe and model. Shelf-sea/open-ocean exchange processes are key
controllers of coastal ocean water properties, including heat, freshwater, nutrients, and pollutants, and
are important to marine ecosystem functioning. A focused effort jointly between OOPC and TOPC is
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needed to further connect up observation requirements at the land-ocean interface, also engaging
GOOS Biogeochemistry and Biology Panels (see Action T2).
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Coastal marine habitats (e.g., coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, intertidal zones, macroalgal forests,
sea ice) are extremely sensitive to the impacts of climate variability and change. In particular, climate related changes in sea level, temperature, salinity, precipitation, freshwater inputs, light, ocean
acidification, wind forcing, currents, and waves can all lead to significant habitat alterations and loss of
biodiversity, with a related loss in ecosystem functions and services, especially in combination with local
anthropogenic disturbances and forcing.
2433
4.2
Oceanic Physical ECVs
2434
4.2.1
General
2435
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Sustained in situ and satellite observations of ocean physical parameters are required to answer
fundamental questions concerning the role ocean physics on climate and vice versa (See Figure 14).
Sampling resolution requirements of the physical ocean observations extend from hourly to monthly, 1
km to 500 km and vertical resolution of 5 m to 500 m. The broad temporal, horizontal and vertical
observational scale requirements dictate the need for the requirement of diverse observational
techniques and platforms (see Figure 15). ECV requirements and based actions are identified in this
section, whereas specific network/satellite constellations and associated actions can be found in section
3.3.
2443
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2445
Figure 14
Example temporal and spatial scales of ocean climate phenomena which need to be
captured through ocean temperature/salinity measurements
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2446
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Figure 15
Example temporal and spatial scales, which are captured by key components of th e
observing system for temperature/salinity
2449
4.2.2
2450
ECV - Temperature – Surface and Subsurface
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Ocean temperature has two associated ECVs; Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Subsurface Ocean
Temperature. Both SST and Subsurface Ocean Temperature have long recorded histories. The SST spatial
patterns are coupled with atmospheric weather patterns and horizontal gradients provide surface
detection of ocean fronts and eddies. SST is also used to monitor ocean upwelling and coastal shelf –
open ocean exchange processes. Subsurface ocean temperature is a fundamental observation for many
ocean phenomena that influence climate including ocean stratification, circulation, mixed layer, water
mass and coastal shelf-open ocean exchange. Subsurface temperature is required for detection and
attribution studies of ocean heat content and sea level.
2459
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2463
In the past 30 years, near-global sampling of SST has become available on daily to weekly basis due to
the advent of infrared and microwave radiometers on polar-orbiting satellites and infrared radiometers
on geosynchronous satellites. A gap in future microwave missions in particular needs addressing (see
action O50) In situ and satellite-based measurements are complementary, each type providing
supporting information of use to the other.
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Subsurface temperature is measured over large spatial and temporal scales. Mooring and gliders
provide temperature observations at hourly resolution and at less than 10 km resolution in boundary
currents, near the equator and in other highly variable oceanic environments. Ship-based ConductivityTemperature-Depth (CTD) observations provided full depth temperature observations from boundary
current scale to basin scale depending on horizontal resolutions and tracks of research voya ges. Floats
and other autonomous platforms provide temperature profiles, nominally 0-2000m using a globally
Oceanic Physical ECVs
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distributed network, providing monthly to annually global maps of temperature distribution. Cablebased observations are now being used at select sites.
2472
Action O6:
Upper ocean temperature observing system
Action
Maintain a global ocean temperature observing system for assessment of ocean temperature and heat
content and its contribution sea level rise.
Benefit
Accurate estimates of the year on year changes in ocean heat storage and distribution to assess the role of
the ocean in taking up excess heat in the climate system, including the contribution to sea level rise.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, supported by GOOS/OOPC, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
National state of the Climate reports and peer reviewed publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
2473
Action O7:
Full depth temperature observing system
Action
Develop and begin implementation of a full depth ocean temperature observing system to support the
decadal global assessment of the total ocean heat content and thermosteric sea level rise.
Benefit
Decadal assessments of ocean heat storage and distribution, in support of climate assessments and for
initialising decadal predictions.
Timeframe
2019
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, through development of the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy
(DOOS) supported by GOOS, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Design study completed and targeted implementation begun; progress towards global coverage with
consistent measurements.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
2474
ECV - Salinity: Surface and Sub-surface
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2483
2484
2485
Ocean salinity has two associated ECVs; Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) and Sub-surface Ocean Salinity.
Surface and subsurface salinity observations are required to understand the ocean’s role in the global
water cycle, and to further quantify changes in the hydrological cycle in response to anthropogenic
climate change. Sub-surface salinity, along with coincident subsurface temperature and velocity
observations, are required to calculate in situ density and ocean freshwater transports, respectively, and
coincident subsurface observations of salinity, temperature and pressure provide an estimate of the
ocean geostrophic velocity. These salinity observations are an important in situ validation for satellite
observations of sea surface salinity (SSS). In addition, subsurface salinity, together with temperature and
pressure and satellite surface observations of SST, SSS and SSH are used to derive large-scale gridded
climate products including ocean velocity, mixed-layer depth, density stratification, sea level and
indirect interior ocean mixing used in many weather and climate applications.
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2493
Surface and subsurface salinity are measured over large spatial and temporal scales. Surface salinity is
observed from space by satellites and in-situ by water intake from research and commercial ships,
autonomous floats and drifters, and unmanned surface vehicles. Subsurface salinity is observed using
moorings and gliders, that provide observations at high temporal and small spatial scales in boundary
currents, near the equator and in other highly variable oceanic environments; while Floats and other
autonomous platforms provide salinity profiles, nominally 0-2000m using a globally distributed network,
providing monthly to annually global maps of salinity distribution.. Ship based ConductivityTemperature-Depth (CTD) observations provided full depth salinity observations from boundary current
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scales to basin scale depending on horizontal resolutions and tracks of cruises. Ship based observations
also provide the high quality reference data for calibration of autonomous observations platforms.
Cable-based observations are now being used at select sites (e.g. the US Ocean Observatories Inititiative,
and Canadian Neptune, Venus observatories).
2498
Action O8:
Action
Ocean salinity observing system
Maintain a global ocean salinity observing system for annual assessment of salinity and hydrological cycle
changes .
Benefit
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, supported by GOOS, WCRP
Performance
Indicator
National state of the Climate reports and peer reviewed publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties)
2499
ECV - Currents: Surface and Subsurface
2500
2501
2502
2503
2504
2505
Ocean Current has two associated ECVs; Surface Ocean Current and Subsurface Ocean Current.
Observations of surface and subsurface ocean currents are required for estimates of ocean transports of
mass, heat, freshwater, and other properties on local, to regional, basin and global scales. Because of
their significance in advecting passive particles, knowledge of ocean currents is also important for
applications such as oil spill and marine debris response, search and rescue operations, and ship routing.
Currents, particularly tidal currents, can also modify storm surge impacts and sea level changes.
2506
2507
2508
2509
2510
2511
Surface and subsurface ocean currents are measured over large spatial and temporal scales. The existing
surface current observations include moorings and land-based HF-radars are local, frequent, but limited
in coverage. Lagrangian drifting buoys and satellite altimeter derived surface geostrophic currents are
global. Drifters give fast timescales (hourly observations) but with irregular coverage at any time.
Recently satellite based SAR interferometry and range Doppler shift have demonstrated the capability to
detect the surface current.
2512
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2515
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2523
2524
2525
Subsurface velocity observations are obtained via direct measurements of the ocean velocity or
indirectly from observations of temperature, salinity and pressure using the geostrophic approximation.
Subsurface boundary currents, equatorial currents, and other constrained intense currents are observed
directly using moored Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers at hourly time resolutions. Gliders, using
similar techniques, are beginning to be used to monitor boundary currents and ocean eddies. Shipboard
Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (SADCP) and Lowered ADCP (LADCP) provide subsurface current data
from boundary current scale to basin scale depending on horizontal resolutions and tracks of research
voyages. While the vertical shear of the component of horizontal velocity perpendicular to each station
pair of a hydrographic section is straightforward to calculate from geostrophy, determining the absolute
velocity field to sufficient accuracy for transport estimates is more problematic. However, Lagrangian
subsurface current measurements nominally at 1000 dbar (100bars) estimated from Argo profiling float
drift provide estimates of velocities at 1000 m and the sea surface. These can be combined with the
relative geostrophic velocity estimates from hydrographic data to obtain gridded basin-scale full depth
absolute velocity estimates.
2526
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Action O9:
Gridded ocean current products
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Maintain gridded ocean surface and subsurface current products based on the satellite, drifting buoy and
Argo programs and other observations.
Benefit
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
OOPC with JCOMM and WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Number of global ocean current fields available routinely.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties)
2527
Action O10:
Action
Boundary current observations
Undertake a review of current practise in boundary current observing and make recom mendation for
community best practice.
Benefit
Timeframe
2019
Who
OOPC with GOOS, GRAs, OceanSITES, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Review completed and progress towards implementation of consistent practices.
Annual Cost
10-100K US$
2528
ECV - Sea Surface Height (SSH)
2529
2530
2531
2532
2533
2534
2535
2536
The global mean sea level change provides a measure of the net change in ocean mass due to melting of
glaciers and ice sheets, changes in terrestrial water resources, as well as net change in ocean volume
due to thermal expansion. Global mean sea level is being measured through satellite altimetry which is a
geometric measurement of the shape of the surface relative to a reference ellipsoid. Satellite gravity
measurements are required to obtain the oceanic geoid, which is a gravitational equipot ential surface
that represents the shape the ocean surface would take if it were at rest and at a standard uniform
density. The difference between the geoid and the altimetric measurements represent the ocean
circulation and changes thereof.
2537
2538
2539
2540
Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) water level gauges measure sea level at coastlines relative to
the sea floor. GLOSS data themselves monitor multi-decadal trends in local relative sea level rise and
help reconcile the sea level signal associated with crustal displacements. GLOSS data provide calibration
and validation data to complement satellite observations.
2541
Action O11:
Sea Level observations
Action
Maintain and develop a global SSH observing system from the observational networks for annual
assessment of sea level and sea level rise.
Benefit
Enables accurate assessments of global sea level, and regional sea level variability and change.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies, GOOS, CEOS, GLOSS, WRCP.
Performance
Indicator
National State of Climate reports, IPCC, peer reviewed science publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
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Review Version 25 June 2016
2542
ECV - Sea State
2543
2544
2545
2546
2547
2548
Observations of Sea State are required for estimates of wave and swell, and air-sea fluxes. Sea state is
most well-known for its impacts on marine safety, marine transport, coastal erosion, and damage to
coastal infrastructure. It is also a substantial modifier of air-sea exchanges of momentum, moisture and
gasses. Waves also impact beach erosion, storm-related water damage (waves are added to storm
surge), surface albedo, and transport of larva and contaminants such as oil. Waves can also modify the
growth or decay of sea ice.
2549
2550
2551
2552
2553
2554
2555
Sea State is typically observed locally from moored buoys and global coverage by satellite altimeters;
some wave information can also be inferred from coastal radar and specialized drifting buoys, and
observations are provided from some Voluntary Observing Ships and oil platforms. Most moored buoys
measuring waves are located in the coastal margins of North America, Europe and Australia; other than
the Australian coast, there are virtually no wave measurements in the southern hemisphere. Waves are
recorded on only two of the buoys measuring eddy covariance fluxes. Current in situ reports are not
standardized resulting in impaired utility.
2556
Action O12:
Sea State observations
Action
Maintain and improve the global sea state observing system from the observational networks for
assessment of wave climate, its trend and variability, and contribution to extremes of sea level. Expand
observations on surface reference moorings, and drifters.
Benefit
Routine observations of wave climate and extremes in support of marine/climate services.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies coordinated through GOOS, OOPC, GRAs, OceanSITES, DBCP, guidance from the
JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Coastal Hazard Forecasting Systems (ETWCH).
Performance
Indicator
Number of global wave observations available routinely at International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$.
2557
ECV - Sea Ice
2558
2559
2560
2561
2562
The primary parameters that define the state of sea ice are: concentration and extent for different types
of ice, motion, age and thickness. The existence of one-year to multiyear sea ice has significant influence
on water-mass formation and properties in the northern and southern hemisphere high latitudes. It is
also a substantial modifier of surface waves, air-sea exchanges of momentum, moisture and gasses, and
the Earth’s albedo.
2563
2564
2565
2566
2567
2568
2569
2570
2571
2572
Satellite sensors have been providing essential sea ice extent and concentration data from 1979 onward.
Ice thickness and classification are both measured by satellite. Automatic sea ice classification algorithm
have been taken forward by utilization of dual polarization SAR backscatter from ENVISAT and Radarsat
and backscatter from scatterometers. Sea ice thickness from satellites has been achieved using radar
and laser altimetry. However, for both types of sensors, snow depth and density is needed to convert
sea ice freeboard into ice thickness. This information however is not routinely available from satellites.
Satellite L-Band measurements used for ocean salinity measurements (e.g. SMOS) have been shown to
be valuable in measuring the thickness of thin ice but their continuity is not assured (see action
O52).On-ice in situ observations and subsurface observations are currently very sparse; however, there
are several efforts to improve subsurface observations.
2573
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Action O13:
In situ sea ice observations
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Plan, establish and sustain systematic in-situ observations from sea ice, buoys, visual surveys (SOOP and
aircraft) and in-water ULS.
Benefit
Long time series for validations of satellite data and model fields; short - and long-term forecasting of sea
ice conditions; ocean-atmosphere-sea ice interaction and process studies.
Timeframe
Integrated Arctic
2017-2020.
Who
National and international services and research programmes, Copernicus. Coordination through Arctic
Council, EU-PolarNET, Arctic-ROOS (in EuroGOOS), CLIVAR, CLIC, JCOMM, OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of agreement and frameworks for coordination and implementation of sustained Arctic and
Southern Ocean observations. For the former we have currently EU-PolarNet and Arctic-ROOS. Will be
extended with the new funded project (see time frame). For the latter we have SOOS.
Annual Cost
30 - 100 M US$
Observing System
design
and
demonstration
project
funded
by
EU for
2574
ECV - Ocean Surface Stress
2575
2576
2577
2578
2579
2580
2581
2582
Ocean surface stress (OSS) is the two-dimensional vector drag at the bottom of the atmosphere and the
dynamical forcing at the top of the ocean. OSS influences the air-sea exchange of energy, water
(evaporation) and gases. Ocean surface stress vector components (u and v) is important for determining
the large scale momentum forcing of the ocean, and consequent ocean circulation including ocean
upwelling regions. Accurate knowledge of stress magnitudes are also essential for reliable computations
of air-sea heat fluxes (e.g., sensible and latent heat fluxes) as well as air-sea gas exchanges and mass
fluxes (e.g., CO2 and fresh water). Stress also drives surface waves, and is hence essential for marine
safety.
2583
2584
2585
2586
2587
Surface stress is now measured routinely from satellite and can also be measured from buoys, ships, and
other ocean platforms. Ocean surface stress changes rapidly in both time and space. In situ observations
have improved in robustness and accuracy in the last decade, and can now be deployed on buoys for
multiple seasons. Observations from ships are also available, but like the buoy observations have very
limited coverage in space and time.
2588
2589
2590
Satellite observations of ocean surface stress are often converted to wind-like variables, that have been
shown to have very large impact on atmospheric weather forecast models. Stress can be linked to
upper-ocean mixing.
2591
Action O14:
Ocean Surface Stress observations.
Action
Plan, and develop data procedures to establish a data archive centre for Ocean Surface Stress
Benefit
Routine availability to users of fit for purpose Surface Stress data.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published and establish Global Data Assembly Centres (GDACs) by 2019.
Who
CEOS and in situ networks.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans, establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination
according to plan.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$.
2592
ECV - Ocean Surface Heat Flux
2593
2594
2595
Surface heat flux is exchange of heat, per unit area, crossing the surface between the ocean and the
atmosphere. It consists of the radiative (latent and sensible) and the turbulent (short wave and long
wave) components. These fluxes are major contributors to the energy and moisture budgets, and are
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Review Version 25 June 2016
largely responsible for thermodynamic coupling the ocean and atmosphere at global and regional scales,
and variability of these fluxes is in part related to largescale variability in weather (climate) patterns. For
most regions, the two major components are the net shortwave gain by the ocean and the latent heat
flux loss by the ocean. The net heat flux is the sum of the sensible, latent, net shortwave and net
longwave.
2601
2602
2603
2604
2605
2606
2607
At a very limited number of locations, direct measurements of the sensible and latent heat flux are
being made on buoys and ships, using fast-response, three-dimensional wind sensors together with fastresponse air temperature and humidity sensors. These sensors, together with the observations needed
to correct for platform motion, allow direct computation of the covariance between vertical wind
fluctuations and temperature and humidity fluctuations and thus of the vertical fluxes of temperature
and humidity. These direct measurements of sensible and latent heat flux are referred to as eddy
covariance or direct covariance flux methods.
2608
Action O15:
Ocean Surface Heat Flux ECV development.
Action
Develop requirements and system design for observing Ocean Surface Heat Flux ECV and commence
implementation .
Benefit
Agreed plan for high quality direct measurement heat flux data required to improve surface flux products.
Timeframe
Complete feasibility study by 2019.
Who
OOPC with AOPC, GOOS, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of recommendation by 2019.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2609
4.3
Oceanic Domain: Biogeochemistry
2610
4.3.1
2611
2612
2613
2614
2615
2616
2617
2618
The ocean biogeochemistry essential climate variables (ECVs) have been harmonized with the Essential
Ocean Variables (EOVs) as defined by the GOOS; these have been agreed on through expert workshops
and community consultations over the past few years drawing on the framework for ocean observing.
Changes include condensing the ECVs “Carbon Dioxide partial pressure” and “ocean acidity” in the
“surface” and sub-surface” domains into one ECV - “inorganic carbon” - due to the strong
interconnection between the measurable variables of the carbonate system. It also involves adding
nitrous oxide as an ECV due to the significant flux from the ocean to the atmosphere of this potent
greenhouse gas.
2619
4.3.2
2620
ECV – Inorganic Carbon
2621
2622
2623
2624
2625
2626
2627
The ocean is a major component of the global carbon cycle, exchanging massive quantities of carbon in
natural cycles driven by the ocean circulation and biogeochemistry. Since seawater has high capacity for
absorbing carbon, the ocean also is a significant modulator of the rate of accumulation of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere. The net carbon uptake of the ocean amounts to approximately 25% of each year’s
total anthropogenic emissions and the ocean has sequestered ~30% of the cumulative anthropogenic
emissions since 1850.Because the net ocean carbon uptake depends on chemical and biological activity,
the uptake may change as oceanic conditions change (e.g., pH, currents, temperature, surface winds,
General
Specific Issues: Ocean Biogeochemistry ECVs
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Review Version 25 June 2016
and biological productivity). Due to the chemistry of the inorganic carbon in water, this uptake is causing
a decline in ocean pH, also known as ocean acidification. The ecological consequences of ocean
acidification are a focus for much of the present research.
2631
2632
2633
2634
2635
2636
2637
2638
2639
The observations required to constrain the inorganic carbon system at a point in space and time are
measurements of any two of: Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), Total Alkalinity (TA), partial pressure of
carbon dioxide (pCO2 ) or pH, together with associated physical variables (temperature, pressure and
salinity); if two inorganic carbon variables are measured the others can be calculated based on
carbonate equilibrium reactions and constants. The inorganic carbon system is variable in time and
space such that high accuracy observations will continue to be required to characterize changes of the
ocean inorganic carbon. Although ocean inorganic carbon is one s ingle ECV, the sampling strategy for
the three main phenomena addressed (air-sea flux of CO2 , interior ocean storage of CO2 , and ocean
acidification) require slightly different approaches, and these are discussed below.
2640
Air-sea flux of CO 2
2641
2642
2643
2644
2645
2646
2647
2648
2649
2650
2651
2652
2653
The surface ocean partial pressure of CO2 , pCO2 , is a critical parameter of the oceanic inorganic carbon
system because it; (a) determines the magnitude and direction of the exchange of CO 2 between the
ocean and atmosphere on annual and shorter time-scales, and (b) it is a good indicator for changes in
the upper ocean carbon cycle. In addition, it is an oceanic parameter that is routinely measured with
high accuracy. The first measurements of pCO2 were initiated in the early 1960s, and the sampling
network has grown substantially since then. Although recent efforts to coordinate the surface ocean
pCO2 observations have been undertaken, largely led by IOCCP, many efforts are still driven by single or
small groups of investigators. The international network of surface pCO2 observations is developing and
expanding. In addition, new, easier to handle, technology based on sensors rather than instruments are
being tested and deployed, expanding the capacities. Current network activities include: SOOP CO2 of
which several are doing full trans-basin sections and surface time series stations. Deployments of
automated drift buoys, and unmanned surface vehicles show promise but currently do not routinely
produce climate quality data.
2654
2655
2656
2657
2658
2659
2660
Surface ocean pCO2 are being synthesized and quality controlled for annual releases of a coherent data
base; the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) that provide the basis for estimating the air-sea fluxes of CO2 .
To determine the flux from air-water partial pressure (or fugacity) differences (∆pCO2 ) the kinetic driving
force, or gas transfer velocity, k (where Flux= k Ko ∆pCO 2 ) needs to be determined. K is controlled by
interfacial transport processes and often related to wind-speed. Accurate wind speed and other
parameters that can be obtained at global scales from satellite sensors such as whitecap coverage and
surface roughness are an essential component to determined fluxes.
2661
2662
2663
2664
2665
Recent efforts have made significant progress in using pCO2 data and auxiliary data such as satellitederived SST and salinity data for objective mapping routines and interpolation techniques sparse pCO 2
data to global scales through the Surface Ocean CO 2 Mapping (SOCOM) inter-comparison project.
However, the observations are not sufficient to resolve global year-to-year variations. Therefore, the
observation system needs to be further developed for data constrained flux estimates.
2666
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Action O16:
Surface pCO2 moorings
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Sustain the surface reference mooring pCO2 network and increase the number of sites to achieve global
coverage to resolve seasonal cycle.
Benefit
Increased information on seasonal and longer variability in key ocean areas.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into SOCAT.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2667
Interior ocean storage of CO 2
2668
2669
2670
2671
2672
2673
2674
2675
2676
2677
2678
2679
At present, the community consensus is that the best strategy for observing the long-term interior
ocean (anthropogenic) carbon storage is via a global ocean carbon inventory network that measures the
state inorganic carbon variables; dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity. The backbone of
this network is the full-depth repeat hydrography survey program The Global Ocean Shipboard
Investigations Programme (GO-SHIP)). This requires strong commitments from the participating
institutions and nations executing the cruises with the required parameters and measurement accuracy
along with timely data submission to data centers in order to facilitate the large-scale synthesis. Interior
ocean inorganic carbon data are being synthesized and quality controlled to a coherent data base
throughthe Global ocean Data Analysis Project (GLODAP)that provide the basis for estimating the
interior storage of anthropogenic carbon, and the decadal change in interior ocean inorganic carbon
storage. The GLODAP data-base needs to be updated frequently, ideally on an annual time-scale, to ease
climate relevant estimates.
2680
2681
2682
2683
2684
Results from the repeat survey indicates that the level of variability and decadal changes are higher than
originally expected from coarse resolution models, requiring a re-assessment of whether the original
plan is adequate to fully characterize the decadal time change of the oceanic inventory of anthropogenic
CO2 . In addition, the sampling network is inadequate to determine early regional responses of the
oceanic carbon cycle to global climate change.
2685
2686
2687
2688
2689
Long-lived accurate autonomous sensors for the ocean inorganic carbon system that can be deployed on
moored or profiling observing elements are under development and pilot projects are showing the
potential to significantly increase our global observing capability with sensors. A more rapid repeat cycle
for ocean survey sections and/or increased use of profiling and moored sensors will be needed for
assessing the net carbon inventory change over intervals shorter than 10 years.
2690
Ocean Acidification
2691
2692
2693
2694
2695
2696
2697
2698
2699
The ongoing decrease of the pH of the ocean caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, commonly referred to as Ocean acidification, is a growing threat to marine ecosystems,
particularly to marine calcifying organisms such as corals and calcifying plankton, with potential
feedback to climate. In order to fully characterize this chemical state of the inorganic carbon system,
two inorganic carbon variables needs to be measured with high accuracy and precision in order to
characterize important, pH related, parameters, such as the saturation state of the seawater with regard
to CaCO3 . High accuracy and precision instrument-based measurements have been available for all
parameters for quite some time already, and recent developments on autonomous sensors for the
carbonate system are promising, although further developments are needed for these sensors to be
- 117 -
2700
2701
2702
2703
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2705
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
accurate enough to meet the observing requirements on climate relevant scales Ocean acidification
observations are largely being coordinated by the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOAON), and the observational strategy is detailed in their Requirements and Governance Plan. Although
the observational network is developing significant data coverage gaps exists; a global network requires
adequate distribution over all sectors of the world, not currently achieved. To attain the global character
of the network spatial gaps have to be filled. These elements need a globally consistent design which
must also be coordinated and implemented on a regional scale. In some areas there is a need for
significant infusion of resources and infrastructure to build the necessary capacity. Future actions of the
GOA-ON include facilitating additional measurement efforts in underrepresented geographical areas
and sensitive areas, together with associated capacity-building, strengthening of linkages with
experimental and theoretical studies, maintaining and extending communications with the ocean
observing community, establishing effective and quality-controlled international data management and
data sharing, through distributed data centers, and encouraging the development of synthesis products
based on GOA-ON measurements. All this will require that the network secure the necessary level of
support and resources to achieve these actions. The further development of GOA-ON will require the
adoption of advanced new technologies that will reliably provide the community with the requisite
biogeochemical measures necessary to track ocean acidification synoptically.
2717
Action O17:
Building multidisciplinary timeseries.
Action
Add inorganic carbon (including pH) and basic physical measurements to existing biological time seriesconsidering particularly spatial gaps in current observing system aiming for balanced representatio n
of the full range of natural variability.
Benefit
Improved understanding of the regional effects of ocean acidification.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties national research programmes supported by GOA-ON, IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into data centers.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2718
ECV – Oxygen
2719
2720
2721
2722
2723
2724
2725
2726
2727
2728
2729
2730
2731
2732
2733
Oceanic measurements of dissolved oxygen have a long history, and oxygen (O 2 ) is the third-most oftmeasured water quantity after temperature and salinity. Oxygen is an excellent tracer for ocean
circulation and ocean biogeochemistry, but it is also essential for all higher life. Because of technological
advances in the last decade oxygen observations are about to make the same breakthrough regarding
frequency and depth of measurements that temperature and salinity observations made in this decade
by utilizing profiling floats and other autonomous platforms. The implementation of a full-fledged
observatory of oxygen in the ocean is critical to quantify and understand the observed (mostly)
decreasing trends in oxygen concentrations over the last few decades that have important implications
for our understanding of anthropogenic climate change. Sub-surface oxygen concentrations in the ocean
everywhere reflect a balance between supply through circulation and ventilation and consumption by
respiratory processes, the absolute amount of oxygen in a given location is therefore very sensitive to
changes in either process. Oceanic oxygen has therefore been proposed as a bellwether indicator of
climate change. Moreover, a global ocean O2 observing network can improve the critical atmospheric
oxygen to nitrogen ratio (O2 /N2 ) constraint on the ocean-land-partitioning of anthropogenic carbon
dioxide (CO2 ).
- 118 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
The classical method to measure oxygen (Winkler method) is a discrete method that provides very
precise oxygen measurements. In the recent years, autonomous sensors have made demonstrated
progress and are now regularly being deployed long-term on autonomous platforms, such as floats and
gliders, with sufficient accuracy and stability for climate observations, particularly if they can be
calibrated in air. (See action O-29 Biogeochemical Argo).
2739
ECV – Nutrients (phosphate, nitrate, silicic acid)
2740
2741
2742
2743
2744
2745
2746
2747
2748
2749
2750
2751
Nutrients are essential for ocean life. Nutrient data provide important biogeochemical information, and
provide essential links between physical climate variability and ecosystem variability. They can provide
additional information on ocean mixing and climate related phenomena such as changes in primary and
export production (nutrient transports regulate new production which is correlated with export
production), eutrophication, shifts in phytoplankton community composition and coral bleaching. .
Therefore it is necessary to develop accurate observations of trends in dissolved nutrients in both
upper- and deep-ocean waters. In order to observe nutrients in a consistent manner certified reference
materials (CRMs) have been developed, are now commercially available, and have been proven to be
stable over long time-periods. The GOOS Biogeochemistry panel is working with SCOR working group
147 “Towards comparability of global oceanic nutrient data" to improve nutrients data quality. Nutrient
CRMs are now regularly used on the repeat hydrographic program, and intercomparison exersizes need
sustaining
2752
2753
2754
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2756
In addition to the hydrography program several sensors that can be used on autonomous platforms
have been developed and are being deployed on profiling floats. These sensors require further
technology development to attain climate quality accuracy. Pilot programs are deploying nutrients
sensors in order to sample sub-surface nutrient variability and to further the technology readiness level
of the sensor based nutrient observing system.
2757
Action O18:
Nutrient observation standards and best practices.
Action
Increase the use of nutrient CRMs on ship-based hydrographic programs.
Benefit
Increased accuracy of nutrient measurements.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; imple mentation through national services and research programs. SCOR
working group 147 “Towards comparability of global oceanic nutrient data".
Performance
Indicator
Increased consistency of nutrient data.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2758
ECV – Transient Tracers
2759
2760
2761
2762
2763
2764
2765
2766
2767
Transient tracers are man-made chemical compounds released to the atmosphere at known quantities
that can be used in the ocean to quantify ventilation, transit time distribution and transport time-scales.
These compounds are all conservative in sea-water, or have well-defined decay-functions, and a wellestablished source function over time at the ocean surface. Measurement of transient tracers in the
interior ocean thus provides information on the time-scales since the ocean was ventilated, i.e. in
contact with the atmosphere. A combination of these tracers provide the means to constrain the transit
time distribution (TTD) of a water-mass that allows inference of concentrations or fates of other
transient compounds, such as anthropogenic carbon or nitrous oxide. Commonly measured transient
tracers are the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 11 and 12. More recently also the related compound sulfur
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Review Version 25 June 2016
hexafluoride (SF6 ) is regularly measured since it provides information on ventilation of the rapidly
ventilated parts of the ocean. The radioactive isotopes 14 C and tritium released during tests of nuclear
bombs in the 1950s and 1960s have a known natural decay rate and are commonly used as transient
tracers too..
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2779
Ocean tracers are essential for identifying anthropogenic carbon uptake, storage, and transport in the
ocean, as well as for understanding multi-year ocean ventilation, long-term mixing and ocean circulation
and thereby, for providing validation information for ocean circulation and climate change models.
Ocean tracers sampling needs to increase to improve the resolution of the ventilation pathways and
changes thereof. Present technology for most important tracers requires water samples and
subsequent processing of these samples. The primary network contributing to sub -surface tracers is the
Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP), complemented by research
observations.
2780
Action O19:
Sustaining tracer observations.
Action
Maintain capacity to measure transient tracers on the GO-SHIP network. Encourage technological
development to encompass additional tracers that provide additional information on ventilation.
Benefit
Information on ocean ventilation and variability in ventilation.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programs.
Performance
Indicator
Number of High quality transient tracer measurements on the repeat hydrography program.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2781
ECV – Nitrous Oxide
2782
2783
2784
2785
2786
2787
2788
2789
2790
2791
Nitrous oxide (N2 O) is an important climate-relevant trace gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. In the
troposphere it acts as a strong greenhouse gas and in the stratosphere it acts as an ozone depleting
substance because it is the precursor of ozone depleting nitric oxide radicals. The ocean - including its
coastal areas such as continental shelves, estuaries and upwelling areas - contribute about 30% to the
atmospheric N2 O budget. The amount of N2 O produced during water column microbially mediated
processes called nitrification and denitrification strongly depends on the prevailing dissolved oxygen (O2 )
concentrations and is significantly enhanced under low (i.e. suboxic) O 2 conditions. Thus, significantly
enhanced N2 O concentrations are generally found at oxic/suboxic or oxic/anoxic boundaries. Global
maps of N2 O in the surface ocean show both enhanced N 2 O anomalies (i.e. supersaturation of N 2 O) in
coastal and equatorial upwelling regions as well as N 2 O near equilibrium in large parts of the open ocean.
2792
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The MEMENTO (The MarinE MethanE and NiTrous Oxide database: https://memento.geomar.de)
project has been launched with the aim to collect and archive N 2 O data sets and to provide actual fields
of surface N2 O for emission estimates. The current observing network is on the repeat hydrography
program as well as research activities. Pilot projects to measure N 2 O on underway system on research
vessels and on ships of opportunity is underway.
2797
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Action O20:
Develop sustained N2 O observations
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Develop an observing network for ocean N2O observations, with particular emphasis on regions with
known high oceanic N2O production/emission rates.
Benefit
Improved estimate of oceanic emissions by improved spatial and tem poral coverage; detecting seasonal
and interannual variability.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programs. SCOR
WG 143 “Dissolved N2O and CH4 measurements: Working towards a global network of ocean time series
measurements of N2O and CH4
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into MEMENTO.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
2798
ECV – Ocean Colour
2799
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2807
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2810
2811
Ocean colour radiometers on satellites measure the wavelength-dependent solar energy captured by an
optical sensor looking at the sea surface. These water-leaving radiances, derived from the top-ofatmosphere (TOA) radiances after atmospheric correction, contain information on the ocean albedo and
on the constituents of the seawater, in particular, phytoplankton pigments such as chlorophyll-a. Data
analysis is not easy as satellite measurements also include radiation scattered by the atmosphere and
the ocean surface. The relatively weak water signal is only some 5–15% of the strength of the TOA
radiance measured by satellite.Since the marine ecosystems that respond to variations in the physical
environment are subject to variability at a variety of scales, including decadal-scale oscillations, multidecadal observations are essential to distinguish long-term trends from oscillations with long periods.
The multi-scale variability also imposes a requirement for observations at multiple spatial scales, ranging
from less than one km to one-degree square Only satellites can provide consistent data at such multiple
scales, and over multiple domains. It is therefore crucial to continue global OCR satellite observations
without interruption, and in a consistent manner, for several decades into the future.
2812
2813
2814
2815
Attaining consistency remains a problem in Ocean Color Radiance (OCR);mostocean-colour radiometers
that have been available up to now for climate studies have been experimental or innovative in nature, .
that make it difficult to correct data for inter-sensor bias before data from multiple sensors are merged
to create long time series. The need for an operational series of OCR satellites is very real in this context.
2816
2817
2818
2819
2820
2821
2822
2823
2824
2825
2826
The most important OCR data products currently in use are chlorophyll-a concentration, coloured
dissolved organic matter (CDOM), particulate organic carbon (POC) and total suspended sediments
(TSM). Other products have emerged recently, for instance, the structure of phytoplankton community
according to its size classes or functional types. OCR data products are the only measurements related
to biological and biogeochemical processes in the ocean that can be routinely obtained at ocean basin
and global ocean scales. These products are used to assess ocean ecosystem health and productivity and
the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle, to manage living marine resources, and to quantify the
impacts of climate variability and change. They are also being used increasingly in studies of the heat
budget of the surface layers. OCR products, in particular chlorophyll-a, are also required by the
modelling community for the validation of climate models, and for use in data-assimilation systems for
reanalysis and initializing forecasts.
2827
2828
2829
Satellite observations are limited to a surface layer, and satellites cannot resolve vertical structure in the
distribution of the ecosystem variables. Enhanced in situ sampling of optical properties including ocean
colour and other ecosystem variables is technically feasible, and is essential to reduce this shortcoming.
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Furthermore, continued and extensive in situ sampling of ecosystem variables is necessary to improve
satellite algorithms and to validate products.Use of OCR data for climate studies requires that data from
multiple sensors be combined to create long-term time-series data that are internally consistent.
2833
2834
Key factors essential for successful development of a coordinated and sustained OCR observing system
are:
2835
2836
2837
2838
1.
Continuity of climate-research quality OCR observations and free and timely access to, and sharing
of, OCR data, including Level 0 and Level 1A satellite data, as is mission appropriate; continuity should
include overlap of at least 1-2 years between successive satellites in orbit, to enable cross-sensor
calibration and bias correction.
2839
2840
2841
2.
Suite of climate-quality operational ocean-colour missions with sensor characteristics consistent
with each other, to provide long-term uninterrupted observations against which other sensors can be
compared, to minimise inter-sensor bias when merging multi-sensor data;
2842
2843
2844
3.
At least two sensors in orbit at the same time, essential to provide global daily coverage (a GCOS
requirement) with minimal gaps, and to establish inter-sensor calibrations for continuous climatequality products;
2845
2846
4.
Development and sharing of in situ databases and derived products of sufficient quality to use for
calibrating and validating satellite data products;
2847
2848
2849
2850
5.
Generation of long-term multi-sensor climate-quality OCR time series that are corrected for intersensor bias as needed, and that have quantitative uncertainty characterisation. The time series should
have daily global coverage, and be made available in a free and easily-accessible manner to the user
community at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
2851
2852
2853
6.
Continued research and technology development in parallel with operational missions to provide
new and improved OCR data streams, algorithms and products, particularly for complex “Case-2” waters
where optical properties are not dominated by phytoplankton.
2854
2855
2856
2857
2858
2859
To address the issues raised above, GCOS and GOOS supported the plans being developed through
participating CEOS space agencies to implement an Ocean Colour Radiometry Virtual Constellation (IP10 Action O15, reviewed in Appendix 1). The International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG)
has provided oversight to ensure that the measurements are implemented in accordance with GCOS
Climate Monitoring Principles (GCMPs) and the requirements outlined by the GCOS (2006) report, as
well as to promote associated research.
2860
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Action O21:
In situ ocean colour radiometry data
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Continue support for generation and maintenance of climate -quality in situ OCR data, for improving
satellite algorithms, validating products and for establishing product uncertainties characterisation, with
global coverage and validity, including coastal (Case -2) waters, and capable of dealing with user
requirements for products at a variety of time and space scales.
Benefit
Monitoring of changes and variability in ocean colour and derived products.
Timeframe
Implement plan beyond 2017, after completion of ESA’s OC-CCI activities.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO through INSI TU OCR initiative of IOCCG, and in
accordance with the recommendations contained in the IOCCG INSITU -OCR White Paper (see
http://www.ioccg.org/groups/INSITU-OCR_White-Paper.pdf).
Performance
Indicator
Free and open access to up-to-date, multi-sensor global products for climate research; flow of data into
agreed archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
2861
Action O22:
Ocean Colour algorithm development.
Action
Support continued research and technology development to ensure that the best and the most up -to-date
algorithms are used for processing the ocean-colour time-series data in a consistent manner for climate
research; to develop product suites suitable for application across wide ranges of water types, including
coastal water types; to study inter-sensor differences and minimise them before multi -sensor data are
merged; to provide quality assurance and uncertainty characterisation of products.
Benefit
Improved quality of Ocean Colour products, particularly in coastal waters and complex water types.
Timeframe
Implement plan as accepted by CEOS agencies in 2009.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO.
Performance
Indicator
Improved algorithms for a range of water property types.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
2862
4.4
Oceanic Domain: Biology/Ecosystems
2863
2864
2865
2866
2867
2868
2869
As climate changes occur, life within the ocean is being affected, with potential consequences for the
valuable services it provides from food to the oxygen we breathe. The ocean is an important net sink for
carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels and the uptake of carbon dioxide by the oceanic
biota is related directly to the abundance of marine algae. Climate variability significantly impacts, and
will continue to impact, plankton in the ocean, both the microflora (e.g. phytoplankton) and the
microfauna (e.g. zooplankton), over both short (seasonal to interannual) and long -term (decadal) time
scales.
2870
2871
2872
2873
2874
2875
Phytoplankton abundance or concentration and primary productivity are key quantities related to both
the ocean carbon cycle (including the biological carbon pump) and upper ocean radiant heating rates.
Changes in abundance and species composition of phytoplankton affect the extent to which solar
radiation is absorbed or reflected by the surface ocean and the associated profile of solar heating with
depth is a key determinant of physical, chemical, and biological structure in the upper ocean, and an
important feedback mechanism between upper-ocean physics and biology.
2876
2877
2878
2879
2880
2881
Not all ocean life can be monitored everywhere, anytime, nor needs to be. We need continuous, long term observations of some of their essential variables to know if, and how, ocean life is responding to
climate change and be able to predict potential future changes. Time series of observations is the best
method we have to understand the impacts of climate change on the ecology of the ocean. There are
not many biological ocean time series, and in addition, those that do exist, are either not well
distributed across the ocean, or lack local in situ calibration. In particular, the open ocean is under
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observed. At present, there is no global observing system for the pelagic and benthic ecology of the
oceanand despite there being some long term time series, the magnitude of the climate impacts on
oceanic and coastal ecosystems is not well known,
2885
2886
2887
2888
2889
2890
There are several options that should be considered to resolve this challenge including towed samplers
(eg. CPR), moored sampling devices and regularly sampled ship-based stations in addition to ocean
colour data from satellite. Extending the sampling on existing platforms to include biological samples
may be one of the most efficient approaches to support development of biological time series.
Expanding use of fisheries data and fishers as observers or collectors of additional data is another
potential mechanism to increase the number and type of biological time series.
2891
4.4.1
2892
ECV – Plankton
2893
2894
2895
2896
2897
Plankton is at the base of the marine food web and generally not fished by humans so that the impact of
climate on plankton is likely to be both significant and detectable. Changes in the plankton will have
impacts on the rest of the marine ecosystem including on the carbon cycle, living marine resources used
by humans and threatened marine species including apex predators. There will be ecological, and socioeconomic and potentially cultural implications.
2898
Phytoplankton
2899
2900
2901
2902
2903
2904
Phytoplankton provide the majority of oceanic primary production, are therefore critical for all higher
trophic levels. Satellite-derived observations can provide information on standing stocks and, using
further algorithms, some estimates of community composition and productivity, or changes in these
properties. Obtaining data on the full suite of species and abundance from pico-sized organisms to the
largest chain-forming diatoms and dinoflagellates over large spatial scales will be challenging and
require close coordination between the remote sensing and in-situ communities.
2905
2906
2907
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) incidence and severity may also be a consequence of climate change, and
global change. Bloom events directly impact ecosystem health, human health and food and water
security.
2908
2909
2910
2911
2912
2913
2914
2915
2916
2917
2918
A globally co-ordinated approach to improving the validation of the algorithms and models used to
convert satellite signals to useful products (e.g. phytoplankton biomass, or taxonomic composition) is
needed along with sampling by ships (potentially gliders) in regions where persistent cloud significantly
restricts satellite coverage (including the Satellite Phytoplankton Functional Type (PFT) Algorithm
Intercomparison project). Additional sampling efforts to support regional in situ validation and direct
observations need to be prioritized for the most poorly sampled regions (central ocean basins of the
Indian, South Pacific and South Atlantic). Vertical profiles of fluorescence would add a valuable third
dimension. Initially this third dimension could be created from long term means (e.g. regional
climatologies) but adding fluorometers to existing platforms with subsurface sampling capability (e.g.
profiling floats, CPR, GO-SHIPS, Ocean Sites) could eventually provide sufficient data to detect significant
temporal changes associated with climate.
2919
2920
2921
Contributing in-situ networks and satellite observations include: IGMETS (International Group for
Marine Ecological Time Series), Ocean Colour Radiances observed by satellites, OceanSITES reference
moorings and Continuous Plankton Recorder Tows (especially for larger taxa). International coordination
Specific Issues: Ocean Biology/Ecosystems ECVs
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Review Version 25 June 2016
of coastal monitoring sites also occurred under the auspices of SCOR Working Group 137, and may be
continued under IOC.
2924
Action O23:
Satellite based phytoplankton biomass estimates
Action
Establish a plan to improve and test regional algorithms to convert satellite observations to water -column
integrated phytoplankton biomass through implementing an in -situ phytoplankton monitoring program.
Estimates of uncertainty should be a standard output associated with improved algorithms. Wherever
possible, a time series of phytoplankton should be collected simultaneously with the measurement of other
important physical and biogeochemical variables.
Benefit
Baseline information on plankton.
Timeframe
Implementation build-up through 2020.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO, including Satellite PFT Intercomparison Project,
parties’ national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans; establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of a
sustained global phytoplankton observing system with consistent sensors and a focussed global program of
in situ calibration implementation according to plan, flow of data into agreed archives, summary
interpreted data products available as well as original data.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
2925
Zooplankton
2926
2927
2928
2929
2930
2931
2932
2933
2934
2935
2936
2937
2938
2939
2940
2941
The abundance and functional types of zooplankton, their presence or absence or size structure, the
timing of seasonal population growth, are believed to be sensitive to climate. Changes in the
distribution and phenology of zooplankton are faster and greater than those observed for terrestrial
groups and changes in the zooplankton community may be a more sensitive indicator of change than
the underlying physical variables as non-linear responses expressed through short generation times
amplify underlying changes. For instance, CPR records from the Northeast Atlantic over the last 50 years
show a poleward movement of warm water copepods.
Observation and measurement of zooplankton is standardized quasi-globally, e.g. Continuous Plankton
Recorder (CPR) surveys through the Global Alliance of CPR Survey (GACS) which occur in many
temperate and polar regions but are currently lacking in tropical areas. Net tow sampling is conducted in
extensive and long-standing projects by various regional fisheries and oceanography surveys some of
which are part of regional Ocean Observing Systems. More recent digital technologies for sampling
zooplankton also offer the possibility of extending the network of observations (e.g. accoustical and
optical methods such as the Zooplankton Acoustic Profiler, Laser Optical Plankton Counter, Video
Plankton Recorder). However, with respect to specific methods/tools, there is a need for coordination
and standardization of data for global comparisons and extension to currently under-sampled areas.
2942
2943
2944
Issues to address include the development of standards for species specification and optical
characteristics. The importance of species level information needs to be stressed and the implications
assessed for areas or techniques where it is lacking.
2945
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Action O24:
Expand Continuous Plankton Recorder observations .
Action
Establish plan for, and implement, global Continuous Plankton Recorder surveys and expand network to
integrate surveys including an extension to tropical areas.
Benefit
Information on variability and trends in plankton.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published by end 2019; implementation build-up through 2024.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS/OOPC, IGMETS, CPR, OceanSites.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans; establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of
sustained global Continuous Plankton Recorder surveys supported by repeated surveys at fixed locations;
implementation according to plan; flow of data into agreed archives, summary interpreted data products
available.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
2946
ECV: Marine Habitat Properties
2947
2948
2949
2950
2951
2952
2953
Marine coastal regions are amongst the most productive systems of the planet, yet they are undergoing
rapid transformations in response to intensifying human activities and global change. Regime shifts,
abrupt transitions between alternative states, are increasingly observed in a wide range of coastal
systems, including coral reefs, macroalgal forests, seagrasses and mangroves. These non-linear
responses to deteriorating environmental conditions often result in considerable loss of ecosystem
functions and services. Improving the ability to prevent undesired transitions has therefore profound
implications for management and conservation of these unique coastal marine ecosystems.
2954
2955
2956
2957
2958
2959
Many attributes in the coastal zone (e.g. SST, salinity, nutrients, pH) are highly variable and this has
important implications for ecosystem processes - e.g. vulnerability of coral reefs to temperature and
salinity fluctuations, high nutrients, etc. Greater attention to coastal zone variability and extreme events
will lead to greater relevance of the ocean and climate (and coastal) observing systems to society.
Contributing networks will allow real-time surveillance and risk assessment of regime shifts along the
world’s coastal ecosystems.
2960
Issues and needs relative to observation of marine habitats include:
2961
2962
2963
2964
2965

2966
2967
2968
2969
2970
2971
2972


2973
2974




In situ networks do not provide adequate coverage or sampling relative to the required space
and time scales.
Need to improve connections between global, regional and local observing and sampling efforts,
and improve coordination and information flow amongst remote sensing, in situ monitoring and
modelling efforts.
Need to develop and expand local research and monitoring capacity.
Ecological monitoring needs to be accompanied by socio-economic monitoring toward improved
coordinated management efforts.
Improved data management and exchange mechanisms are needed, particularly across the
land-sea interface.
Develop capacity in remote sensing and in situ monitoring to respond rapidly to reporting of
extreme, unusual or anomalous events on coral reefs.
Develop and sustain a high spatial and spectral resolution capacity to assess coral reef and other
marine habitat changes, particularly hyperspectral satellite observations.
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2975
Coral reefs
2976
2977
2978
2979
2980
2981
2982
Live coral cover is the principal measure of biomass of living reef-building corals. As the architects of
coral reefs, live corals are the foundation for the habitat, food and space that supports the high
biodiversity and productivity of coral reef systems. Coral reefs are among the most threatened of marine
ecosystems worldwide as well as being the most biodiverse and highly valuable for their ecosystem
good and services. Increased coral reef bleaching due to the increased frequency of warm water events
is compromising the resilience of coral reefs to the many pressures that they face. A reduced recovery
interval between bleaching events is expected to lead to the loss of many coral reefs worldwide.
2983
2984
2985
2986
2987
2988
2989
Many people that depend on coral reefs live in low-income tropical countries, thus healthy reefs are a
foundation for their livelihood and food security. Climate change, ocean acidification, fisheries, pollution
and coastal development are all significant threats to coral reefs, in particular to hard cora ls. Thus, the
biomass or cover of hard corals on a reef is a direct indicator of the health of a reef and its ability to
sustain species, productivity and valuable ecosystem services. Live coral cover is a direct measure of the
biomass (areal cover) of hard corals and is the most important single indicator of whether a reef is in a
coral-dominated state or not.
2990
2991
2992
2993
2994
2995
2996
Issues to address coral reef assessment and monitoring include providing the technical foundation for
identifying Essential Variables (EVs) that describe the status and trends of coral reefs, and build capacity
in the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) to provide regionally and globally consistent data
and indicators on reefs. This will help to consolidate and advance research on reef processes and futures,
support management and decision-making to conserve reefs from local to global levels, and integrate
the GCRMN into international reporting mechanisms . Such integration will also support capacity
building in the monitoring teams and regional networks of developing countries. Specific actions include:
2997
Action O25:
Strengthened network of Coral Reef observation sites.
Action
Strengthen the global network of long-term observation sites covering all major coral reef habitats within
interconnected regional hubs, encourage collection of physical, biogeochemical, biological and ecological
measurements following common and intercalibrated protocols and designs, and implement capacity
building workshops.
Benefit
Accurate global monitoring of changes in coral reef cover, health and pressures
Timeframe
2016-2020
Who
Parties’ national research and operational agencies, supported by GCRMN, GOOS, GRAs, and other
partners.
Performance
Indicator
Reporting on implementation status of network.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
2998
Mangrove forests, seagrass beds, macroalgal communities
2999
3000
3001
3002
3003
These three habitats are important habitats that support many coastal resources, providing a source of
primary production, protection for juvenile stages of many vertebrate and invertebrate species
important to commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing, and feeding habitat for endangered
species including birds and marine mammals. The habitats also provide physical protection against
storm events by dissipating wave energy, and provide fuel, pharmaceuticals and support tourism.
3004
3005
Issues to address include the development of reliable sustained observing technologies that encompass
remote, scientific and citizen contributions. Global networks driving coordination and expansion of
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existing local activities need to be developed to drive the development of systematic, sustained and
consistent observing systems.
3008
Action O26:
Action
Global networks of observation sites for Mangroves, Seagrasses, Macroalgae.
Advance the establishment of global networks of long-term observation sites for seagrass beds, mangrove
forests, and macro-algal communities (including kelp forests) and encourage collection of physical,
biogeochemical, biological and ecological measurements following common and inter -calibrated protocols
and designs, and implement capacity building workshops.
Benefit
Timeframe
2016-2020
Who
Parties’ national research and operational agencies, supported by GOOS, GRAs, and other partners in
consultation with CBD and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Performance
Indicator
Reporting on implementation status of network.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3009
4.5
Key elements of the Sustained Ocean observing system for climate.
3010
3011
3012
3013
The sustained ocean observing system for climate comprises a set of core observing in situ and satellite
networks which measure the ocean ECVs. Many of the networks measure multiple ECVs and vice versa
(see Table 11). However, the networks all occupy different niche roles in delivering the space/time and
regionally varying sampling requirements.
3014
3015
3016
The core networks which deliver to multiple ECVs are outlined below. Systems based design, and
associated network targets and targets are discussed at OOPC, in consultation with the JCOMM
Observation Coordination Group; comprising the chairs of the major observing networks.
3017
Profiling Floats (Argo)
3018
3019
3020
3021
3022
3023
3024
3025
3026
3027
3028
3029
The broad-scale global array of temperature/salinity profiling floats, known as Argo, is a major
component of the ocean observing system, complementing satellite observations of sea surface height.
Argo exemplifies international collaboration (with 31 nations contributing floats at the time of writing)
and data management as well as offering a new paradigm for data collection. Deployments began in
2000 and continue today at the rate of about 800 per year. The design of the Argo network is based on
experience from the present observing system, on knowledge of ocean variability observed by satellite
altimeter, and on the requirements for climate and high-resolution ocean models. The array of almost
4000 floats provides 140,000 temperature/salinity (T/S) profiles and velocity measurements per year
distributed over the global ocean at an average 3-degree spacing, including the seasonal ice zone. Argo
park depth is 1000 db where they drift for 9 days, descending to 2000 db to begin the full 2000 db
ascent profile The Floats cycle to the surface every 10 days to measure vertical T,S profiles and to
telemeter the data, with 4-5 year lifetimes (typically) for individual instruments.
3030
3031
Pilot Projects or Design experiments are underway for enhanced observations in the Equatorial and
boundary current regions, as well as for a Deep Argo array, and a Biogeochemical Argo Array.
3032
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Action O27:
Argo Array
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Sustain and expand the Argo pro filing float network of at least 1 float every 3x3 degrees in the ocean
including regional seas and the seasonal ice zone (approximately 3800 floats).
Benefit
Global climate quality observations of the broadscale subsurface global ocean temperature and salinity
down to 2000m.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties participating in the Argo Program and in cooperation with the
Observations Coordination Group of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Spatial coverage and number of active floats.
Annual Cost
38M US$
3033
Action O28:
Development of a BioArgo Array
Action
Deploy a global array of 1000 profiling floats (~6 degrees x ~6 degrees) equipped with pH, oxygen, nitrate,
chlorophyll fluorescence, backscatter and downwelling irradiance sensors, consistent with th e
Biogeochemical-Argo Science and Implementation Plan.
Benefit
Global observations of the broadscale subsurface global ocean biogeochemistry down to 2000m.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties, in cooperation with the Argo Project and the Observations Coor dination Group of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Number of floats reporting oxygen and biogeochemical variables.
Annual Cost
25M US$
3034
Repeat Hydrography (GO-SHIP)
3035
3036
3037
3038
3039
3040
GO-SHIP provides a globally coordinated network of sustained hydrographic sections as part of the
global ocean/climate observing system including physical oceanography, the carbon cycle, marine
biogeochemistry and ecosystems. GO-SHIP provides changes in inventories of heat, freshwater, carbon,
oxygen, nutrients and transient tracers at approximately decadal resolution. The hydrographic sections
cover the ocean basins from coast to coast and full depth (top to bottom), with water column and
surface water measurements of the highest required accuracy to detect these changes.
Action O29:
GO-SHIP
Action
Maintain a high-quality full-depth, multi-disciplinary ship based decadal survey of the global ocean
(approximately 60 sections), and provide a platform to test new technology.
Benefit
Global comprehensive full depth, decadal ocean inventory of ECVs.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by the GO-SHIP project and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage coverage of the sections and completion of level 1 measurements.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3041
Moored/ship based Time-series (OceanSITES)
3042
3043
3044
3045
3046
OceanSITES oversees a worldwide system of long-term, open-ocean timeseries stations measuring
dozens of variables and monitoring the full depth of the ocean from air-sea interactions down to the
seafloor. It is a network of stations or observatories measuring many aspects of the ocean's surface and
water column using, where possible, automated systems with advanced sensors and
telecommunications systems, yielding high time resolution, often in real-time, while building a long
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record. Observations cover meteorology, physical oceanography, transport of water, biogeochemistry,
and parameters relevant to the carbon cycle, ocean acidification, the ecosystem, and geophysics.
3049
3050
3051
3052
3053
3054
Most of the stations are occupied with moorings that allow high resolution temporal and vertical
sampling. In some cases, these are individual moorings in a region of high interest. In other cases,
multiple moorings are used in an array to measure transport, for example to observe boundary current
transport or to observe basin-scale meridional transports. Additionally, several time-series are based on
regular repeats from ships which allows for a wider spectrum of ECVs measured in-situ that cannot be
measured with autonomous sensors.
3055
3056
3057
3058
3059
3060
While most moorings carry instrumentation that record data internally, technical advances are
increasing the real-time availability of OceanSITES data. Surface buoys allow satellite data telemetry,
and subsurface data are brought to the surface by inductive, acoustic or hardwire links. At some sites,
ocean gliders are now used to acquire via acoustic modems the data from subsurface moored
instrumentation and then to pass it one when they surface. Other sites use data capsules that are
periodically released to float to the surface and pass on subsurface data.
3061
Action O30:
Develop fixed point time series
Action
Build and maintain a globally-distributed network of multi-disciplinary fixed-point surface and subsurface
time-series using mooring, ship and other fixed instruments.
Benefit
Comprehensive high temporal resolution time-series characterising trends and variability in key ocean
regimes.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean research agencies responding to the OceanSITES plan Working with
GOOS panels and GOOS regiona l alliances’.
Performance
Indicator
Moorings operational and reporting to archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3062
Action O31:
Maintain the Tropical Moored Buoy system
Action
Maintain the Tropical Moored Buoy system.
Benefit
Contributes to observing state of the tropical ocean climate, particularly focussed on coupled air sea
processes and high frequency variability, and for prediction of ENSO events.
Timeframe
Design by 2020, continuous.
Who
Parties national agencies, coordinated through the Tropical Moor ing Panel of JCOMM, TPOS-2020,
guidance from scientific implementation committees (e.g. TPOS 2020, IIOE-II).
Performance
Indicator
Data acquisition at International Data Centres and robust design requirements articulated.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3063
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O32:
Develop time-series based biogeochemical data
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Establish a coordinated network of ship-based multidisciplinary time-series that is geographically
representative. Initiate a global data product of time -series based biogeochemical data.
Benefit
Provision of comprehensive regular observations of ocean biogeochemistry, compelentary to the GO -SHIP
decadal survey.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published by end 2018; implementation build-up through 2020.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, working with IOCCP and user groups such as IGMETS.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans; timely availability of data in internationally agreed on data
centres.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3064
Metocean moorings (Data Buoy Cooperation Group - DBCP)
3065
3066
3067
3068
3069
3070
3071
3072
3073
3074
Marine meteorological moored buoys are deployed, operated, and maintained by various National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) under the WMO framework and complement other
sources of synoptic surface marine meteorological observations in coastal areas and the high seas. As
such there is no single network of moored buoys but rather a ‘network of networks’. They provide data
in support of marine services such as marine weather (and wave) forecasts, provision of maritime sa fety
information to end users, and are assimilated into High Resolution and Global Numerical Weather
Prediction models. Capabilities vary from country to country, with most (if not all) buoys measuring
meteorological variables and some networks also measuring oceanographic variables. Many of these
networks have been in place for 20 years or so and deliver data for weather and ocean state prediction,
as well as providing time-series for marine climate studies, in particular for wave climate.
3075
Action O33:
Metocean Moorings.
Action
Maintain and expand measurements of meteorological parameters (surface pressure, precipitation and
radiation) on surface moorings, and ships.
Benefit
Comprehensive marine meteorological observation delivery.
Timeframe
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean research agencies responding to the OceanSITES plan Working with
GOOS l panels and GOOS regional alliances’.
Time-Frame: Continuous.
Performance
Indicator
Moorings operational and reporting to archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3076
Action O34:
Action
Wave Measurements on moorings
Develop a strategy and implement a wave measurement component as part of the Surface Reference
Mooring Network (DBCP and OceanSITES).
Benefit
Timeframe
Complete plan and begin implementation by 2 020.
Who
Parties operating moorings, coordinated through the JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Surges.
Performance
Indicator
Sea state measurement in the International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3077
- 131 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action O35:
Observaitons of Sea Ice from buoys and visual survery
Action
Establish and sustain systematic in situ observations from sea -ice buoys, visual surveys (SOOP and Aircraft),
and ULS in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Benefit
Enables us to track variability in ice thickness and extent.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Arctic Party research agencies, supported by the Arctic Council; Party research agencies, supported by
CLIVAR Southern Ocean Panel; JCOMM, working with CliC and OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of sustained Arctic and Southern ocean
observations, implementation according to plan.
Annual Cost
Plan and agreement of frameworks: 100k-1M US$;
Implementation: 10-30M US$
3078
Drifters (DBCP-Global Drifter Array)
3079
3080
3081
3082
3083
3084
3085
3086
3087
3088
3089
The objectives of the Global Drifter Array are to maintain a global 5 degree x 5 degree array of satellitetracked surface drifting buoys (excluding marginal seas, latitudes > 60N/S and those areas with high
drifter ‘death’ rates) to meet the need for an accurate and globally dense set of in-situ observations of
mixed layer currents, sea surface temperature, atmospheric pressure, winds and salinity, and provide a
data processing system to deliver the data to operational (via the WMO GTS) and research users
(Lumpkin, et al., 2016; Centurioni, et al., 2016). The data from the Global Drifter Array support shortterm Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), longer-term (seasonal to inter-annual) climate predictions
as well as climate research and monitoring. They are also used to validate satellite derived sea surface
temperature products. SVP drifters were standardized in 1991, with drogues centred at 15 meters below
the surface. In 1993, drifters with barometer ports, called SVPB drifters were tested in the high seas and
proven reliable.
3090
(See also Atmospheric action A6)
3091
Action O36:
Sustain drifter array
Action
Sustain global coverage of the drifting buoy array (approximately 1250 drifting buoys) equipped with ocean
temperature sensors and atmospheric pressure sensors on all drifting buoys.
Benefit
Routine broad scale observations of surface temperature and sea level pressure in support of NWP.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services and research programmes through JCOMM, Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP),
and the Ship Observations Team (SOT).
Performance
Indicator
Data submitted to analysis centres and archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3092
Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS)
3093
3094
3095
3096
3097
3098
3099
3100
Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS) are recruited and operated by National Meteorological and
Hydrological Services (NMHSs) under the framework of the JCOMM Ship Observations Team (SOT) to
complement other sources of synoptic surface marine meteorological observations in coastal areas and
the high seas. They essentially support Global Numerical Weather Prediction, climate a pplications (e.g.
design of ships and structures at sea and determination of economic shipping routes), and marine
services activities such as marine forecast, and provision of maritime safety information to the maritime
industry and port authorities. Volunteer Observing Ship network objectives are also to sustain a network
of vessels that provide weather and ocean observations via both automated systems and human
- 132 -
3101
3102
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
(manual) observations. There are currently over 3,000 active VOS ships, which submit nearly 2 million
observations each year.
3103
Action O37:
Improve measurements from VOS
Action
Improve number and quality of climate -relevant marine surface observations from the VOS. Improve
metadata acquisition and management for as many VOS as possible through VOSClim, together with
improved measurement systems.
Benefit
Improved coverage of routine marine meteorology observations in support of NWP.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National meteorological agencies and climate services, with the commercial shipping co mpanies in
consultation with the JCOMM Ship Observations Team.
Performance
Indicator
Increased quantity and quality of VOS reports.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3104
Ships of Opportunity
3105
3106
3107
3108
3109
The Ships of Opportunity Program (SOOP) is being used for a variety of observation programmes, which
require different levels of engineering and human intervention on the ship. Vessels used include
commercial ships, ferries, as well as research and supply vessels. Some of the programmes require
repeat transect observations, while others are focused on broader scale observations. The core
components of SOOP include:
3110
SOOP XBT
3111
3112
3113
3114
3115
3116
3117
3118
3119
3120
3121
3122
3123
3124
An eXpendable BathyThermograph (XBT) is a probe that is dropped from a ship and measures the
temperature as it falls through the water. The core XBT mission is to obtain multi-decadal upper ocean
temperature profile data. Primary uses of SOOP XBT transect data are: 1. monitoring of boundary
currents, fronts and eddies; 2. monitoring of ocean interior geostrophic mass and heat transports; 3.
multi-decadal and long-term variability studies; 4. seasonal cycles and inter-annual velocity and
circulation studies; 5. Provide appropriate in situ data for testing ocean and ocean-atmosphere models.
30-35 fixed transects are maintained by the scientific community in either High Density and Frequently
Repeated modes. High Density transects (occupied at least 4 times per year, approximately 25 km
intervals along the ship track), enable the calculation of heat and mass fluxes of boundary currents and
the closing of heat and mass budgets of ocean basins. Frequently repeated transects (12-18 times per
year, 100-150 km intervals) are positioned in areas of high temporal variability and enable studies of
long-term means, seasonal cycles and large-scale ocean circulation. XBT observations are
complementary to other ocean observation systems and transect are maintained in locations that
maximise the scientific value of the observations.
- 133 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O38:
Sustain Ship-of-Opportunity XBT/XCTD
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Sustain the existing multi-decadal Ship-of-Opportunity XBT/XCTD transoceanic network in areas of
significant scientific value.
Benefit
Eddy resolving transects of major Ocean basins, enabling basin scale heat fluxes to be estimated, and
forming a global underpinning boundary current observing system.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties' national agencies, coordinated through the Ship Observations Team of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Data submitted to archive. Percentage coverage of the sections.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3125
SOOP CO2
3126
3127
3128
3129
3130
3131
3132
Surface water partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ) is measured from ships of opportunity to
quantify the spatial and temporal (seasonal, inter-annual, decadal) patterns of carbon uptake and
release. These ships are outfitted with automated carbon dioxide instruments and thermosalinographs
to measure the temperature, salinity, and pCO2 in surface water and air to determine the carbon
exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. Additional relevant information can gathered by adding
an additional inorganic carbon parameter, or other ECVs such as nutrients and oxygen; this is regionally
implemented as Ferrybox..
3133
Action O39:
Best practices for underway observations of pCO2
Action
Implement an internationally-agreed strategy for measuring surface pCO2 on ships and autonomo us
platforms and improve coordination of network, timely data submission to the SOCAT data portal.
Benefit
Delivery of a high quality global dataset of the surface ocean pCO2, enabling accurate estimates of ocean
fluxes of Carbon Dioxide.
Timeframe
Continuous, coordinated network by 2020.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Number of research groups providing data to SOCAT
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3134
Action O40:
Action
Coverage for underway observations of pCO2
Sustaining current trans-basin sampling lines of pC O2, and extend the coverage to priority areas regions by
starting new lines to (see GCOS-195, page 137).
Benefit: Achieving improved global coverage of pCO 2 data.
Benefit
Improived coverage of pCO2 observations.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into SOCAT. Increased temporal and spatial coverage of the observation
network.
Annual Cost
3135
3136
- 134 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
3137
Action O41:
Coordination of underway pCO2 observations
Action
Improve coordination, outreach, and tracking of implementation and measurements of a global surface
water CO2 observing system.
Benefit
Improved possibility to react to observational gaps.
Timeframe
Establishment of global monitoring group: 1-year, implementation continuous.
Who
IOCCP in coordination with JCOMMOPS and regional groups such as ICOS, NOAA -SOOP-CO2, NOAA
mooring-CO2
Performance
Indicator
Tracking 80 % assets and data within 3-month of completion of campaign.
Annual Cost
50 k US$
3138
Action O42:
Underway biogeochemistry observations (Ferrybox).
Action
Develop and deploy a global ship-based reference network of robust autonomous in situ instrumentation
for Ocean biogeochemical ECVs, Ferrybox.
Benefit
Enables routine observations of multiple surface Ocean Biogeochemical ECVs.
Timeframe
Plan and implement a global network of SOOP vessels equipped wi th instrumentation by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies in association with GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Pilot project implemented; progress towards global coverage with consistent measurements as determined
by number of ships with calibrated sensors providing quality data.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3139
Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR)
3140
3141
3142
3143
3144
3145
3146
3147
3148
An international SOOP CPR programme is coordinated through the Global Alliance of CPR Surveys (GACS,
see http://www.globalcpr.org/). While a CPR programme has been operating in the North Atlantic since
the 1930s, it was after the OceanObs09 conference that it was decided that efforts should focus on
developing a global CPR programme. The CPR is a self-contained mechanical automatic sampler towed
behind the ship. As the CPR is towed along, water and plankton enter the CPR and are trapped on silk.
On some vessels, underway oceanographic and environmental data are recorded at the same time. In
the laboratory, the silk are usually processed in sections of silk equivalent to 10 nautical miles. They are
graded for "greenness" as a quick indicator of the amount of phytoplankton on the silk. All
phytoplankton and zooplankton are identified and counted.
3149
Action O43:
Continuous Plankton Recorder Surveys
Action
Implement, global Continuous Plankton Recorder surveys.
Benefit
Towards global transects of surface zooplankton plankton species diversity and variability, plus an indicator
of phytoplankton productivity.
Timeframe
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, through the Global Alliance of CPR Surveys and the GOOS Biology and
Ecosystems Panel.
Performance
Indicator
Continuation and of sustained global CPR according to plan.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
3150
Tide Gauge Network (GLOSS)
3151
3152
3153
3154
3155
3156
3157
3158
GLOSS aims at the establishment of high quality global and regional sea level networks for application to
climate, oceanographic and coastal sea level research. The network is comprises approximately 300 sea
level/tide gauge stations around the world for long term climate change and oceanogra phic sea level
monitoring, which conform to requirements for representativeness of regional conditions, a core set of
observations and data delivery/availability. The Core Network is designed to provide an approximately
evenly-distributed sampling of global coastal sea level variations. The final repository for GLOSS data is
delivered to the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), which is the preeminent global data
bank for long-term sea-level change information from tide gauges
3159
Action O44:
Maintain tide gauges
Action
Implement and maintain a set of gauges based on the GLOSS Core Network (approximately 300 tide
gauges) with geocentrically-located high-accuracy gauges; ensure continuous acquisition, real -time
exchange and archiving of high-frequency data. Build a consistent time-series, including historical sea -level
records, with all regional and local tide gauge measurements referenced to the same global geodetic
reference system.
Benefit
The GLOSS Core Network is the backbone serving the multiple missions that GLOSS is called on to serve.
Not all core stations serve every mission and not all stations for a given mission are part of the core. The
Core Network serves to set standards and is intended to serve as the example for the development of
regional networks. The GLOSS climate set serves to put the short altimetry record into a proper context,
serves as the ground truth for the developing satellite dataset, and also provides continuity if climate
capable altimetry missions have interruptions in the future.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies, coordinated through GLOSS of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability at International Data Centres, global coverage, number of capacity -building projects.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3160
Ocean Gliders
3161
3162
3163
3164
3165
3166
3167
Autonomous underwater gliders have developed over the last several years, and are now operated
routinely, offer sustained fine resolution observations of the coastal ocean, from the shelf to the open
ocean. Long term repeat-sections are routinely carried out with gliders which can be considered as
steerable profiling floats allowing to maintain oceanic measurements over the water column in regions
of interest. A Global Glider Program is being established as part of the Global Ocean Observing System
to provide international coordination and scientific oversight of the global glider monitoring array set up
for the ocean boundary circulation area that links the coastal ocean and the open sea.
3168
- 136 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O45:
Developing a global glider observing system
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Design and begin implementation of a globally-distributed network of multi-disciplinary glider missions
across the continental shelf seas to open-ocean as part of a glider Reference coastal -open ocean
observation network.
Benefit
Multi-disciplinary high-frequency observations enabling us to link open ocean and coastal environments,
and cross shelf exchange of properties.
Timeframe
Framework and plan developed by 2020.
Who
National research programmes coordinated by the Global Glider program a nd GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Published internationally-agreed plan and, implementation of sustained coastal boundary –open ocean
sections.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3169
Tagged Animals
3170
3171
3172
3173
3174
3175
3176
3177
3178
Tagged Animals, particularly CTD tagged pinnipeds (such as seals and sea lions), fill a critical gap in the
observing system by providing profile data in the high latitude ocean, including under the ice. Activity
peaked during the international Polar year (2007-2009). The primary motivation for tagging pinnipeds is
for ecosystem monitoring, and so coordination is needed to ensure that deployments provide
information for biological and physical applications. Coordination is generally regional/project based,
and there would be benefit to moving towards global coordination of observations, including tagging
locations, species and their ranges and particularly in the coordination of QA/QC for climate applications.
Such global coordination would also facilitate systematic expansion and integration of T/S profile
collection from other species.
3179
Action O46:
Developing a global animal tagging observing system
Action
Move towards global coordinating of pinniped tagging for ecosystem and climate applications, including
the coordination of deployment locations/species, and QA/QC of resultant data.
Benefit
High-frequency T/S profile data in polar regions and in the ice zone, filling a critical gap in the observing
system. High-frequency T/S profile data in other regions providing complimentary data to other observing
systems and likely high-frequency sampling of physical features of interest to foraging animals such as
fronts and eddies.
Timeframe
Framework and plan developed by 2020.
Who
National research programmes coordinated through SOOS, SAEON GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
An internationally recognised coordination activity, and observing plan.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
Annual Cost Imp
3180
Satellite Constellations
3181
3182
3183
3184
3185
3186
3187
3188
Satellite observations became a fundamental component of ocean climate observing systems beginning
in the 1970s. They now provide routine direct observations of numerous ECVs, and essential supporting
data for others. Long-term observations acquired by satellites include sea surface temperature and
salinity, sea surface height, sea state, ocean color, surface currents, sea ice parameters, wind stress
(momentum flux), and components of surface heat fluxes and surface freshwater fluxes. The operation
of constellations of similar sensors extends the space and time scales resolved by individual satellites,
and sensors on board multiple satellites are frequently complementary for correcting for atmospheric
effects in the field of view.
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action O47:
Coordination of satellite temperature, salinity and currents constellations
Action
Ensure coordination of contributions toVirtual Cons tellations for each ocean surface temperature, salinity,
currents, in relation to in situ ocean observing systems.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of sea surface temperature, salinity and currents
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, in consultation with CEOS and CGMS Virtual Constellation teams, JCOMM, and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Annually updated charts on adequacy of commitments to space-based ocean observing system from CEOS.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$ (implementation cost covered in Actions below).
3189
Action O48:
In situ data for satellite calibration and validation.
Action
Maintain in situ observations of surface temperature and salinity measurements from existing observations
networks (including surface drifting buoys, SOOP ships, tropical moorings, reference moorings, Argo drifting
floats, and research ships) and undertake a review of requirements of observations.
Benefit
Comprehensive in situ observations for calibration and validation of satellite data.
Timeframe
Continuous, review by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean research programmes, through GOOS, IODE and JCOMM, in
collaboration with WRCP/CLIVAR.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability at International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3190
Sea Surface Temperature (SST)
3191
3192
3193
3194
3195
3196
3197
3198
SST measurements are among the longest records of ocean measurements from satellites, providing
continuous data since 1978 on NOAA and EUMETSAT platforms. Traditionally SST is being inferred using
infrared channels. To correct the influence of atmospheric constituents, including dust and aerosols, the
dual-view ATSR technology was deployed by ESA from 1991. More recently, passive microwave
measurements were also used to observe SST for all weather conditions. Today an SST analysis
assimilating data from both measurement technologies is the most accurate product. However, the
future of passive microwave missions is not secure and an impending gap in mission planning needs
addressing by the space agencies.
3199
Action O49:
Satellite SST
Action
Continue the provision of best possible SST fields based on a continuous coverage -mix of polar orbiting and
geostationary Infra Red measurements, combined with passive microwave coverage, and appropriate
linkage with the comprehensive in situ networks. Future passive microwave missions capable of SST
measurements need securing.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of SST for climate monitoring
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for SST, ongoing satellite operation,
routine delivery of SSS products.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$ (for securing needed missions)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3200
Sea Surface Height (SSH)
3201
3202
3203
3204
3205
3206
Since the launch of TOPEX/POSEIDON 1992, continuous and high-quality altimetric SSH observations are
available, globally. The measurements are now being continued through the Jason series. Those
measurements are merged with those from other altimeters (ERS, ENVISAT, Altika, etc) to provide best
possible information about ocean eddies and surface currents. Jointly the SENTINEL-3 and Jason series
will continue those multi-satellite measurements. A new, high-resolution technology will be tested with
the SWOT mission.
3207
Action O50:
Satellite SSH
Action
Ensure continuous coverage from one higher-precision, medium-inclination altimeter and two mediumprecision, higher-inclination altimeters.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of SSH.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, with coordination through the CEOS Constellation for Ocean Surface Topography, CGMS,
and the WMO Space Programme.
Performance
Indicator
Satellites operating, and provision of data to analysis centres.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3208
Sea Surface Salinity (SSS)
3209
3210
3211
3212
3213
SSS measurements depend on the sensitivity of the ocean surface emissivity to salinity at frequencies
around 1.5 GHz. The measurements are accordingly very precise SST measurement in the Microwave LBand which are being inverted for salinity. The measurement technology was successfully applied
through the ESA SMOS and the NASA/Argentinien Aquarius/SAC-D missions. Follow-on missions are
required to continue the time series.
3214
Action O51:
Satellite SSS
Action
Ensure the continuity of space based SSS measurements
Benefit
Continue satellite SSS record to facilitate research (in ocean circulation, climate variability, water cycle, and
marine biogeochemistry) and operation (seasonal climate forecast, short -term ocean forecast, ecological
forecast).
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for SSS, ongoing satellite operation,
routine delivery of SSS products.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (for securing needed missions)
3215
Sea State
3216
3217
3218
Sea state is being measured as significant wave height by satellite altimeters. The measurements exist as
continuous time series since the launch of TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-1 on the same space/time
resolution as altimeter data. Sea State can also be measured using Synthetic Apperture Radar.
3219
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Action O52:
Satellite Sea State
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Continue the provision of best possible Sea State Fields, based on satellite missions with in situ networks
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Sea State.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for Sea State
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
3220
Ocean Surface Stress
3221
3222
3223
3224
Surface wind stress can be measured as two-dimensional vector using the scatterometry technology.
The respective technology has been proven and is now used on a continuous basis to measure surface
stress on a global basis and with roughly 20 km spatial resolution. The time series are being continued
through EUMETSAT and Indian satellite mission.
3225
Action O53:
Satellite Ocean Surface Stress
Action
Continue the provision of best possible ocean surface stress fields based on satellite missions with the
comprehensive in situ networks (e.g. metocean moorings).
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Ocean Surface Stress
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for Ocean Surface Stress.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datas ets)
3226
Sea Ice
3227
3228
3229
3230
3231
3232
3233
3234
3235
Sea Ice extent and concentration has measured by multichannel passive microwave remote sensing
since 1979. Sea ice classification has also been achieved utilizing dual polarization SAR backscatter from
ENVISAT and Radarsat and backscatter from scatterometers. Sea ice thickness from satellites has been
achieved using radar and laser altimetry. However, for both types of sensors, snow depth and density is
needed to convert sea ice freeboard into ice thickness. Passive microwave satellite data product (extent
and concentration) are nowadays assimilated into operational coupled ocean-sea ice model systems.
Similarly there is a growing number of coupled systems that assimilate sea ice thickness data from radar
altimeters and L-Band measurements (e.g. Cryosat, SMOS) to derive more accurate ice volume
estimates.
3236
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Action O54:
Satellite Sea Ice
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Ensure sustained satellite-based (microwave, SAR, visible and IR) sea -ice products.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Sea Ice.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services, research programmes and space agencies, coordinated through the WMO Space
Programme and Global Cryosphere Watch, CGMS, and CEOS; National services for in situ systems,
coordinated through WCRP CliC and JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Sea-ice data in International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
3237
Ocean Colour
3238
3239
Continuous climate-quality Ocean Colour Radiance (OCR) measurements have been available for almost
two decades, since 1997. These include data from:
3240
3241
3242
3243
3244
3245
3246
3247
3248
•
•
Polar-orbiting global OCR satellite missions, particularly SeaWiFS, MERIS, MODIS-Aqua, and
VIIRS, and the recently-launched Ocean and Land Colour Imager (OLCI) on Sentinel-3A[s1];
Various bio-optical fixed sites (such as the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY), the Buoy for the
Acquisition of Long-term Optical Time Series (BOUSSOLE) and AERONET-OC) and mobile surface
and subsurface platforms, for calibration, validation and product development.
Sensors on global missions scheduled to be launched over the next few years include Sentinel-2 (B,C,D),
Sentinel-3 (B, C, D) and the Second Generation Global Imager (SGLI) on JAXA’s Global Change
Observation Mission - Climate (GCOM-C), as well as future instruments under consideration by various
agencies. This represents a major advance in ocean-colour data continuity for the near to medium term.
3249
Action O55:
Action
Satellite Ocean Colour
Support generation of long-term multi-sensor climate-quality OCR time series that are corrected for intersensor bias as needed, and that have quantitative uncertainty characterisation, with global coverage and
validity, including coastal (Case-2) waters, and capable of dealing with user requirements for products at a
variety of time and space scales.
Benefit
Timeframe
Implement plan beyond 2017.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO; agencies responsible for operational Earth
Observations, such as NOAA in USA and Copernicus in European Union.
Performance
Indicator
Free and open access to up-to-date, multi-sensor global products for climate research; flow of data into
agreed archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
3250
4.6
Coordination of observations in the coastal zone
3251
3252
Coordination of coastal observations is more complex and heterogeneous than in the open ocean,
where we have globally coordinated networks with associated global design and targets.
3253
3254
3255
3256
3257
User communities of certain commonly used platforms/observation types are now coming together to
better coordinate activities through communities of practice, particularly for coordination of standards
and best practice, data sharing, i.e. gliders and HF Radar communities. While ocean gliders will move
towards a global mission design, an aspect of their usage will always be a community of practice activity
in the coastal zone. Monitoring ‘networks’ are also organized internationally around ecosystem types.
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Contributing networks will allow real-time surveillance and risk assessment of regime shifts along the
world’s coastal ecosystems. Some of these contributing networks include:The Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network (GCRMN); The sea grass net global coastal monitoring network.
3261
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3263
3264
3265
3266
GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs), while heterogeneous in governance and focus, play an important role
in coordinating coastal observations. The GOOS Regional Alliances Forum meetings provide the
opportunity for the GRAs to share activities and develop projects on areas of synergy across the regions.
Evaluation activities led through the GOOS Panels (such as the OOPC-led Boundary Currents evaluation)
will be organized in partnership with the GOOS regional alliances. Similarly, collaborative projects
capitalizing on synergies across consortia of GRAs to address a particular issue are being established.
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3267
5.
TERRESTRIAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
3268
5.1
Introduction
3269
3270
3271
3272
3273
GCOS terrestrial ECVs aim at quantifying and monitoring changes to the hydrological cycle, the
cryosphere, surface energy fluxes, and changes to the biosphere and carbon stocks (see Box 4). For
convenience, this plan separates terrestrial observations into hydrological, cryospheric, biospheric and
anthropogenic groups although this is somewhat arbitrary and there are considerable overlaps between
them.
3274
3275
3276
3277
3278
3279
3280
3281
As detailed in the 2015 GCOS Status Report there have been significant improvements in the
observation of terrestrial ECVs, especially due to satellite observations where routine, operational
production of ECV products is now in place for several ECVs. Many parts of the in situ observing
networks and the space-based observing components of the terrestrial domain ECVs have been
strengthened, but, with the exception of the hydrological networks, coordination of terrestrial in situ
networks is poor or lacking. The WMO’s Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) is aiming to provi de some
coordination of cryospheric observations. However, some gaps and areas for improvement have been
identified and this chapter provides actions to address these issues in the terrestrial domain.
3282
3283
3284
Since the 2010 Implementation Plan the list of ECVs has been reviewed, in light of the use of the ECVs
and developing capabilities. Table 12lists the changes. Of the original 18 terrestrial ECVs most are
unchanged: 6 are clarified with additional parameters identified, and two additional ECVs are proposed.
3285
This plan covers a number of key topics for the terrestrial domain:
3286
3287
3288
3289
3290
3291
3292
3293
3294
3295
3296
3297
3298
3299
3300
3301
3302
3303
3304
3305
3306
3307
● Improving the reporting and dissemination of hydrological data. Much observational
data on hydrological ECVs, such as rivers, lakes and groundwater, is not reported internationally.
Under WMO regulations 20, 40 and 60 such data should be freely exchanged for climate uses.
Actions xx-xx address this issue;
● Global satellite-based products need to be produced operationally for many ECVs.
Recent developments in the operational production of satellite-based products, such as FAPAR,
LAI, Albedo and Fire, have greatly improved the understanding of the biosphere. These need to
be continued in addition the consistency of these products should be improved and operational
production should be extended to other ECVs, and ensuring the continuity for other products is
important;
● Terrestrial observations (both satellite and ground-based) are important for many
purposes, for example sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity, and so
improving the coordination of terrestrial observations will enhance the efficiency and coverage
of observations. WMO does provide some coordination of the hydrosphere and cryosphere but
in other areas this is lacking;
● Coordination between TOPC and OOPC is vital to understand and observe the coastal
zone and land-sea fluxes;
● TOPC will prepare specifications and requirements for all the terrestrial ECVs. This will
complete the information contained in Annex A;
● The plan identifies a number of actions, listed in Table 12, to improve monitoring of
ECVs or to set research tasks needed to underpin future improvements.
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Table 12 Changes to ECVs since the 2010 Implementation Plan
ECV
Name in 2010 Comment
Implementation
Plan
Review Version 25 June 2016
Snow
Snow Cover
Name changed. No change to ECV.
Anthropogenic
Water Use
Water Use
ECV definition clarified: Water used by humans for drinking water,
reservoir storage and agriculture or industrial purposes. Renamed to
clarify that it is more than just irrigation water and so more linked to
water security and impacts of climate change.
Glaciers
Glaciers and Ice Renamed for clarity. No change to the ECV
caps
Ice sheets and Ice sheets
Ice shelves
Renamed for clarity. No change to the ECV
Additional new variables:
Ice Shelves:
Grounding line location
Ice Shelves:
Ice shelf thickness
Lakes
The existing variables are unchanged with additional items to be
observed.
Variables in IP-10 Additional new variables
Lakes
Lake Area
Lake Level
Soil Moisture
Soil Moisture
Soil Carbon
Soil Carbon
Land-surface
temperature
A new ECV
Anthropogenic
GHG Emissions
A new ECV
Lake Water Temperature
Lake Ice Thickness/cover
Lake
Surface
Water
Temperature
Lake water-leaving Reflectance (colour)
The existing products are unchanged with additional items to be
observed: surface inundation and root-zone soil moisture,
Observations identified as:
%Carbon in soil (to 30cms and 1m)
Mineral soil bulk density to 30 cms and 1m
Peatlands total depth of profile
Land-surface temperature to support generation of land ECVs. This is
based on satellite data (rather than in situ measurements) and is a
skin temperature.
Anthropogenic GHG Emissions are needed for:
Supporting the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement
Understanding and closing the carbon cycle and thus improving
forecasts
They are estimated both nationally for many countries and globally.
Land latent and Has
been Global estimates of land latent and sensible heat are now possible
sensible
heat proposed as an and are needed to demonstrate closure of the Earth’s energy budget.
flux
emerging ECV This implementation plan includes an action to review the potential
but
not of land latent and sensible heat flux being an ECV.
accepted as an
ECV at this
stage..
3309
3310
3311
3312
3313
TOPC has an important role in setting the requirements for ECVs, reviewing the observational systems
and assisting in their improvement as indicated in Part II. The role of TOPC is described in Part II Chapter
1 and in the actions below. These actions address the overall coordination of terrestrial observations
(section 4.2.1), terrestrial reference sites (section 4.2.2), guidance and standards (section 4.2.3), data
stewardship (chapter 1.3) and support to national monitoring (Part I Chapter 6 and section 4.2.4). The
- 144 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
subsequent sections, 4.3 to 4.6, describe the specific needs ECV by ECV: these are summarised in
Table 13.
Table 13 Summary of Terrestrial ECV Actions
Continue Existing Improve existing Improve
Data Research for future
Name
Observations
networks
Stewardship
observations
River discharge
Groundwater
Lakes
T11
T13
T9
T11, T12
T13
T8, T10
Soil moisture
T15, T16, T17
T18
T18
Snow
T27
Glaciers
T19, T23, T26
Ice sheets and ice
T29, T31
shelves
Permafrost
T32
T27
T28
T19, T22, T25, T26 T20, T21
T24
Albedo
FAPAR
T39
T39
T34, T37, T38
T34, T36
T35, T40
T35, T40
LAI
Land-surface
temperature
Land cover
Above-ground
biomass
Soil carbon
T39
T35, T40
T47, T48
T34, T36
T34, T41, T43, T44,
T45
T49, T50
T51
T51, T52, T53,
T56
T57, T58
T35
T34, T59
T35, T63
T42
Fire
T60, T61, T62
Anthropogenic Water
T64
use
Anthropogenic
fluxes
GHG
T66
T7
T7
T7
T14
T30
T32, T33
T64
T66, T67, T69
3317
3318
- 145 -
T32
T33
T35
T35, T46
T54, T55
T64
T35
T35, T65
T35 T65, T68, T70
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3319
Box 5 Terrestrial Climate Observations
Human beings depend on resources provided by terrestrial ecosystems such as food, fibre, forest
products, shelter and water. At the same time, variability and changes of the hydrological and
biogeochemical cycles are coupled with the climate system and impact human health, infrastructure
and most economic sectors, including, for example, banking and investments, agriculture, forestry,
tourism and trade. The primary ways in which the terrestrial domain is linked to climate variability and
change is through changes in the carbon and water cycles, responses to climatic changes, such as
temperature and extreme weather events, and changes to the biosphere and ecosystems. These
effects interact: for example, anthropogenic changes to the carbon cycle are a major driver of climate
change, while climate change influences terrestrial carbon storage.
Land is often covered by vegetation, and currently almost 40% of the Earth’s land surface is under
some form of management. Land-use modifies the characteristics of the land surface and thus can
induce important local climate effects, especially through changes in albedo, roughness, soil moisture
and evapotranspiration. When large areas are concerned (e.g., as in tropical deforestation) regional
and even global climate may be affected. Disturbances to land cover (vegetation change, fire, disease
and pests) and soils (e.g., permafrost degradation ) have the capacity to alter climate but also respond
to climate in a complex manner. Precise quantification of the rates of change of several land
components is important to determine whether feedback or amplification mechanisms through
terrestrial processes are operating within the climate system, such as positive feedback between
temperature rise and the carbon cycle. Increasing significance is being placed on terrestrial data for
both fundamental climate understanding and for use in impact and mitigation assessments.
Some land is covered by snow and ice on a permanent or seasonal basis, with associated features
such as glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost and frozen lakes. Snow and ice albedo play an important role
in the feedback to climate. In addition, melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers, affects rivers and
contributes directly to sea-level rise. Ice sheets due to their enormous volume of frozen water will
affect sea level significantly under a warming climate. Snow-melt is an important source of
freshwater in some parts of the world.
The increase in atmospheric CO2 is a global phenomenon, while natural carbon sources, sinks, stocks
and human interventions in the carbon cycle vary profoundly within and between regions.
Assessments of regional carbon budgets help to identify the processes responsible for controlling
larger-scale fluxes. It is possible to compare “top-down” atmospheric inversion estimates based on
satellite and ground-based concentration measurements with land-based or ocean-based “bottomup” direct observations of localized carbon fluxes. On land, as well as in the oceans, the basic
components of such budgets include measurements of changes in carbon stocks and exchanges with
the atmosphere. However, there is still great uncertainty in such comparisons, and ECVs, up to now,
have mainly concentrated on stocks rather than fluxes. Better observations of the terrestrial carbonrelated variables have assumed greatly increased relevance following the Paris agreement.
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Table 14 Observing networks and satellite observations contributing to the Terrestrial Domain ECVs
Name
Quantities Measured
Measurements
River discharge Mean daily discharge data from all major Satellite microwave altimeters
river basins draining into the world’s
oceans
are
required.
Measured National In situ observations according to WMO standards. GTN-R
parameters are:
Appicable
Standards
Sources of Data
ISO/TC 113:
WMO (2010)
WMO (2008a)
WMO (2009)
GTN-R data centre:
Global Runoff Data
Centre
Satellite data centre:
Hydroweb
at
LEGOS/CNES
River Discharge (m3/day)
Water Level (m)
Flow Velocity (m/s)
2
Cross-section (m )
HYDROLOGICAL
3320
Review Version 25 June 2016
Groundwater
Groundwater
volume
3
(m /month)
Groundwater level (m):
3
Groundwater recharge (m /s):
3
Groundwater discharge (m /s):
Wellhead level (m):
Water quality.
change Gravity measurements have been used to estimate changes of groundwater at very ISO/TC 147/SC 6 N
coarse scale globally. Satellite gravity missions need to be operationalised
120,
ISO
5667-18:2001
National In situ observations
Part I8
Lakes
Lake water level (cm)
Satellite microwave altimeters for lake level
WMO (2006)
2
Water Extent (m )
Multi-spectral optical and thermal sensors for water extent, water temperature, water WMO (2008a)
Lake surface water temperature (C⁰)
colour, and ice cover
2
Lake ice cover (m )
SAR for water extent and ice cover
Lake ice thickness (m)
Lake Colour (Lake Water Leaving National In situ observations according to WMO standards. Global Terrestri al NetworkReflectance)
Lakes (GTN-L)
Soil moisture
Surface soil moisture content (m /m )
Microwave radiometers, scatterometers and synthetic aperture radars (SAR) inin 1 -10 WMO (2008b)
Freeze/thaw status (yes/no)
GHz range (L, C, and X-band) complemented by medium resolution optical and thermal
2
Surface inundation (m )
sensors.
Vegetation optical depth (dimensionless)
Root-zone soil moisture content (m3/m3) International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) ; as part of GTN-H
3
3
- 147 -
Data
centre:
International Ground
Water
Resources
Assessment Centre
(IGRAC)
Data
Centre:
HYDROLARE
Satellite data centre:
Hydroweb
Copernicus
Global
Land Service / CEOS,
ESA CCI, GloboLakes
ESA CCI Soil Moisture
Copernicus Climate
Change Service
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3321
Snow
Spatial and temporal variation in the Optical and microwave satellite data for snow cover extent and duration.
WMO (2008b)
following:
Lidar and microwave for depth and water equivalent.
IGOS (2007)
2
Spatial Extent of Snow (m )
Fractional Snow Cover (viewable and National In situ measurements according to WMO guidelines. WWW/GOS surface
canopy-adjusted)
synoptic networks (depth). National and regional networks (depth and water
Snow Depth (m)
equivalent), manual and automated.
3
Snow Water Equivalent (kg/m )
GCW
Grain Size (m)
Radiative Forcing by Impurities
Glaciers
Area (m )
Elevation change (m/decade)
Mass balance.(kg/year)
CRYOSPHERE
2
Ice sheets and Surface elevation change (m/(30 days))
ice shelves
Ice velocity (m/(30 days))
Mass balance (kg/(30 days))
groundling line location
Ice shelf thickness (m)
Data Centre: NSIDC
NRCS SNOTEL
NASA JPL
Optical data for glacier area; stereo image, radar topography missions and laser IGOS (2007)
altimetry and scanner for elevation change; in-situ measurements for mass balance Paul, F., Barry, et al. Data Centre: WGMS,
(current gravity missions too coarse for resolving individual glaciers)
(2009):
Univ. Zurich, CH and
Zemp et al. (2013)
NSIDC, CIRES, USA
National in situ data. GTN-G coordinates national monitoring networks, mainly
CCI
research-based
In-situ, Airborne sensors (e.g., IceBridge; national photogrammetry & LiDAR surveys),
Spaceborne sensors (e.g., LandsatTM, ASTER, Spot)
Gravity mission, Synthetic Aperture Radar and laser altimetry
IGOS (2007)
Data Centre: NSIDC
CCI
Aircraft observations such as IceBridge
In situ data from specific missions and projects. Program for Arctic Regional Climate
Assessment;.Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century (AntClim21)
Also required is the Topography
Permafrost
Depth of active layer, (m)
permafrost temperature (K)
Derived near-surface temperature and moisture (e.g., from ERS/Radarsat, MODIS,
GTN-P coordinates
AMSR-E) but
A glossary of terms National Monitoring
no sensors able to directly detect permafrost.
has been developed Networks.
National networks of in situ observations being developed by GTN-P
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Data Centre: GTN-P
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Albedo
Review Version 25 June 2016
Bidirectional reflectance Factors (BRF), Daily to 10-day measurements of both black-sky and white-sky albedo in spectral
Reflectance Anisotropy (Bidirectional bands and visible, near-infrared, and shortwave broadband
Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF)
model
parameters),
Bidirectional Use of operational geostationary satellites (Scope-cm 03 Program) and moderate
hemispherical reflectance (white-sky resolution optical polar orbiters (SCOPE-C M-02, MODIS, MISR, VIIRS, AVHRR, Metop,
albedo)
and
DHR
(directional MERIS, Sentinel-3, SPOT-VGT, PROBA-V)
hemispherica
reflectance
(black-sky In situ data for calibration/validation, Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) –
albedo) for modeling and monitoring for augmented with International Fluxnet station data and Aeronet optical depth data
modelling and adaptation
CEOS/WGCV/LPV ; NASA-Modland.
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement sites.
Copernicus Climate
Change Service ,
Copernicus
Global
Land
Service,
NASA/LPDAAC,
EUMETSAT LSA SAF
Fraction of incoming solar radiation at
the top of the vegetation canopy that In situ data for calibration/validation. No designated baseline network exists.
contributes to photosynthesis
CEOS WGCV;FLUXNET; TERN,EnviroNet
NEON,ICOS
Copernicus Climate
Change
Service,
Copernicus
Global
Land
Service,
NASA/LPDAAC
LAI
One half the total leaf area per unit Optical, multi-spectral and multi-angular observations.
ground area.
No designated baseline network exists.
CEOS WGCV;FLUXNET;
Long term infrastructural networks e.g. TERN, NEON, ICOS;
Copernicus Climate
Change
Service,
Copernicus
Global
Land
Service,
NASA/LPDAAC
Land-surface
temperature
Land Surface skin temperature
BIOSPHERE
FAPAR
Land
cover Maps of:
(including
Land cover (250m)
vegetation
High-resolution land cover (10-30m)
type)
classified compatibly with IPCC classes
Thermal infrared data"
EUMETSAT LSA SAF.
Data
"Copernicus Global L and Service, NASA/LPDAAC,
10-30m resolution satellite imagery
LC time series products consistently produced annually with accuracy of 5 %
European Copernicus program and Landsat Continuity mission
National maps.
No agreed standards GOFC-GOLD.
but see GLCN (2014) CCI
and
GOFC-GOLD
(2015a)
No designated reference network.
Above-ground
biomass
Above-ground living biomass (excludes
roots, litter and dead wood)
Forest above-ground biomass (AGB) is
sometimes derived using the subsidiary
variable forest height
The growing stock volume (related to biomass by wood density) of boreal and GOFC-GOLD (2015a)
temperate forests has been estimated from long time series of C-band SAR data (ESA GOFC-GOLD (2015b)
Envisat) with relative accuracy of 20-30% at 0.5o resolution.
GFOI (2013)
L-band SAR data can be used to estimate forest biomass up to about 100 t ha -1, but the IPCC (2006)
JAXA PALSAR-2 is the only L-band SAR currently in orbit.
Tropical biomass maps have been derived from forest height measurements made with
the IceSAT lidar which failed in 2009.
- 149 -
No
global
data
centre for either
forest or non-forest
biomass.
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Three missions dedicated to measuring forest structure and biomass are planned to be
in orbit by 2021; the ESA BIOMASS P-band SAR; the NASA Global Environmental
Dynamics Investigation vegetation lidar on the International Space Station; and the
NASA-ISRO NISAR L-band radar. The Argentine SAOC OM 1-A L-band SAR is also due to
launch in 2017.
Airborne lidar can provide biomass maps at district to national scale.
No designated baseline network exists.
The FAO’s Forest Resource Assessments provide national statistics but not spatially
explicit map-type data on forest biomass
Soil carbon
Fraction of carbon in soil.
No satellite sensors.
GFOI (2013)
IPCC (2006)
National in situ data.
No designated global network major geographical gaps;
Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD)
National soil carbon surveys
Fire
Burnt area (m2), fire radiative power Optical, middle infrared and thermal infrared
(FRP, Watts)
Geostationary and moderate to high-resolution optical systems continuity required.
Daily detection of burnt area with horizontal resolution of 250 m and accuracy of 15%
FRP horizontal resolutions of 1km to 0.25km, time resolution of 1 -6 hrs, with accuracy
of 25%
Optical and thermal
Geostationary and moderate to high-resolution optical systems continuity required.
Daily detection of burnt area with horizontal resolution of 250 m and accuracy of 15%
FRP horizontal resolutions of 1km or 0.1km, time resolution of 1 hour with accuracy of
25%
GOFC
Regional
Networks,
GFMC
ESA CCI
GFED
Copernicus
LPDAAC
GOFC
Regional
Networks,
GFMC
Data Centre: GFMC
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HUMAN DIMENSION
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Anthropogenic Water used by humans for drinking None
Water use
water, reservoir storage and agricultural Areas of irrigated land can be estimated from land use information. Other information
or industrial purposes
from census data
No network, but a single geo-referenced database (AQUASTAT) for irrigation exists
based on national data reported to FAO. Several data sets are available to be merged to
one single data set indicating water use and availability
Anthropogenic Emissions from fossil fuel use, industry, Estimated from fuel and activity statistics
Greenhouse
agriculture and waste sectors.
CDIAC, BP, IEA for global estimates,
Gas Fluxes
National reporting to UNFCCC
Emissions/removals by land use sectors
Estimated by IPCC methods using statistics and satellite observations of changes in land
cover. (see ECV land cover and above ground biomass)
National reporting to UNFCCC
Emissions/removals by “land sink”
Improved knowledge on afforestation, reforestation and forest growth rates
Estimated fluxes by inversions
observed atmospheric composition
of Observations of atmospheric composition, in situ and satellite. Modelling of atmospheric
transport and processes in a data assimilation scheme
GAW, IG3IS, GEOCarbon, ICOS, CEOS Carbon Observations Strategy , Copernicus
C3S/CAS, Global Carbon Project
3324
- 151 -
AQUASTAT
UN
Water
http://www.unwater
.org/statistics/en/
IPCC (2006)
IPCC (2013)
GFOI (2014)
National reporting to
UNFCCC
CDIAC
Global
Carbon
Project
Global
Project
Carbon
Global
Project
Carbon
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3325
5.2
General Terrestrial Actions
3326
5.2.1
Coordination
3327
3328
3329
3330
3331
3332
3333
3334
There is no overall coordination of terrestrial observations: GTOS aimed to do this but is no longer
operational. The Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) was set up to provide overall
coordination of terrestrial observations, including identifying users’ needs, including defining
observational requirements and coordinating observations across different themes: e.g. climat e
change, biodiversity loss, preserving ecosystems, agriculture and the water. It is no longer
operational but the need for cooperation continues especially within the framework of the
implementation of Agenda 2030, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Aichi
Targets, and the upcoming New Urban Agenda..
3335
3336
3337
3338
3339
3340
3341
3342
In the atmosphere and ocean domains, coordination is well established. WMO coordinates
atmospheric measurements as part of its role to maintain and improve such measurements related
to weather, climate and atmospheric chemistry. WMO also has a mandate to coordinate relevant
hydrological measurements. In the ocean domain, the Framework for Ocean Observations (FOO) has
been agreed and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) aims to coordinate all observations
through the Ocean Panel for Climate Observations (OOPC) which deals with climate variables for
GCOS and other ocean physics variables for GOOS. However, no similar mechanism exists for
terrestrial observations.
3343
3344
3345
3346
3347
3348
3349
3350
3351
There is some coordination of terrestrial hydrological observations. The WMO Commission on
Hydrology (CHy) has produced observation standards, metadata and data standards. The Global
Terrestrial Network – Hydrology (GTN-H) coordinates observation networks for these variables (and
an isotope monitoring network for IAEA). For other variables, there are a considerable number of
networks (GTN-R, GTN-P, GTN-G etc.), institutions and organisations involved, both for in situ and
remote sensing (mainly satellite) observations. The WMO has established the Global Cryosphere
Watch (GCW) which should bring together the different networks observing the cryosphere.
Coordinating in situ monitoring includes coordinating field sites and measurement methods (e.g.
CEOS WGCV).
3352
3353
3354
3355
3356
There is some developing coordination with respect to biodiversity-related observations via GEO and
the GEO-BON whose mission is to “Improve the acquisition, coordination and delivery of biodiversity
observations and related services to users including decision makers and the scientific community”
and whose vision is “a global biodiversity observation network that contributes to effective
management policies for the world’s biodiversity and ecosystem services” 39
3357
3358
3359
3360
GCOS reviews and maintains the list of, ECVs covering all domains. More recently, the idea of
essential variables has been expanded by various groups to help define and guide global
observations. Essential Ocean Variables (EOV) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) have been,
or are being, developed. There have even been discussions of more broadly defined Essential
39
See http://geobon.org/ with further infomation at https://www.earthobservations.org/area.php?id=bes
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Observations. However, there is little coordination between these efforts and there is a significant
overlap of the definitions and their underlying observations.
3363
3364
3365
3366
3367
3368
3369
Space agencies (co-ordinated through CEOS and CGMS) will need clear requirements - if each
discipline comes to them separately with similar but not identical requirements they will likely
respond negatively. Different groups have divergent needs but the importance of full convergence of
requirements decreases as you move from observations to derived products. It is essential to have
common observations and common low-level products because of the cost of producing and
processing large amounts of satellite data. Even for highly derived products where requirements
tend to diverge it would be useful to strive for consistency, e.g., in assumptions and inputs.
3370
3371
3372
3373
3374
3375
There are a wide variety of terrestrial monitoring sites established for a range of purposes, for
example the national and international networks FLUXNET, LTER, TERN, NEON and BSRN. In the past
there was a database (Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites [TEMS] database) listing sites and
associated metadata, however this is no longer available. Opportunities for co-location may exist
and should be explored. Easier discoverability of the available data would greatly assist potential
users.
3376
3377
3378
Terrestrial Observations should be better coordinated to improve their consistency, reduce
duplication and waste and provide clear, unambiguous requirements to those providing the
observations. A number of actions that need to be performed:
3379
3380
3381
3382
3383
3384
3385
3386
3387
3388
● Review of various needs (ECV, EBV etc) to check for overlap and to try to agree common
observational requirements;
● Ensure there are no temporal gaps between systems providing the same variable and that
data from different observing systems (e.g. climate and biodiversity) are consistent;
● Advocate for improved data stewardship including free and open access to data and for
simple discovery of data, together with the correct and adequate referencing and crediting
creators of datasets by the users;
● Promote the need for global coordination of terrestrial observations;
● Provide a forum where users can explain and discuss their needs and agree where a
common approach is required.
3389
3390
GCOS does this for climate observations but wider cooperation is lacking. GCOS should, in
partnership with relevant bodies and organisations, design a way forward to fulfil these needs.
3391
- 153 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T1:
Improve Coordination of Terrestrial Observations
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Establish mechanism to coordinate terrestrial observations. This will be particularly important for climate
change impacts and adaptation where local information will be critical and will not be provided through
GCOS directly. It includes biodiversity and natural resources informati on, and could also incorporate socioeconomic components (e.g., health) so as to become fine -tuned with post-2015 frameworks.. This would be
based on discussions with stakeholders and may include a formal framework or regular meetings to
exchange ideas and coordinate observational requirements.
Benefit
Efficient observing systems with minimal duplication, delivering consistent and comparable data to a range
of different users.
Timeframe
2017 – Hold workshops to discuss way forward.
2019 – Mechanism in place.
3392
3393
3394
3395
3396
3397
3398
Who
All involved in terrestrial observations. Initially TOPC, GEO, ICSU, GOFC-GOLD.
Performance
Indicator
Presence of active mechanism.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
Fluxes of carbon and water between the land and oceans are important for understanding many
issues including the carbon cycle, nutrient flows from land to the sea and freshwater flows into the
ocean. Sea-ice interactions are also very important in monitoring change due to climate change.
Mangroves and sea grass may be considered part of the coastal ecosystems but are also part of the
terrestrial reporting of GHGs to the UNFCCC. Thus coastal areas need to be considered carefully by
both the OOPC and TOPC to ensure that the observations across the domains are consistent. The
development of joint plans to cover coastal zones is therefore needed.
3399
Action T2:
Develop Joint plans for Coastal Zones
Action
Jointly consider observations of coastal zones (including sea -ice, mangroves and sea grass, river and
groundwater flows, nutrients etc) to ensure the seamless coverage of ECV and the global cycles in these
areas.
Benefit
Consistent, accurate and complete monitoring of coastal zones
Timeframe
2017 – Joint meetings
2019 – Agreed plans
Who
All involved in coastal observations. Initially TOPC, OOPC
Performance
Indicator
Completed plan.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
3400
5.2.2
Monitoring at Terrestrial Reference Sites
3401
3402
3403
3404
3405
Observations of ECVs are undertaken at a range of in situ sites around the world. There are also
many observations of ecosystems, physical properties and fluxes undertaken at sites that form part
of international networks such as FLUXNET and ILTER. Networks of terrestrial monitoring sites have
been established for a range of purposes including ecosystem and biodiversity monitoring, flux
monitoring, and satellite validation. However, there is no central index of sites or their data.
3406
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Action T3:
Terrestrial Monitoring Sites
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Review the need for establishing a public database of sites that aim to record climate -relevant data and
their data. Consider the usefulness of establishing a set of GCOS terrestrial monitoring sites that aim to
monitor at least one ECV according to the GCMP.
Benefit
Improved access to monitoring and increased use of the data.
Timeframe
One year for review.
Who
GCOS
Performance
Indicator
Report on GCOS terrestrial monitoring sites.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3407
5.2.3
Monitoring Guidance and Standards
3408
3409
3410
3411
3412
3413
3414
3415
3416
3417
The WMO has produced standards for hydrological ECVs and additional guidance is available for
some other ECVs (see Table 24). However, this is not the case for all ECVs. Many organizations make
terrestrial observations, for a wide range of purposes. As a result, the same variable may be
measured by different organizations using different measurement protocols. The resulting lack of
homogeneous observations hinders many terrestrial applications and limits the capacity to monitor
the changes relevant to climate and to determine causes of land-surface changes. In some cases,
there are different approaches, and regulations and standards or methods are developing rapidly, so
that imposition of uniform standards may not be possible. However, as discussed in Part1 Chapter 5,
all measurements should abide by the GCMP and by the ECV requirements in annex A. These ECV
requirements need to be met for all observations.
3418
3419
3420
3421
3422
TOPC should ensure there is appropriate guidance material for each ECV. This will include a
statement of the ECV and the parameters to be measured and the accuracy, spatial and temporal
resolution, frequency and long term stability of the data that is required to meet user needs. These
may differ according to the individual application. The Guidance should also describe how the data
should be derived: this may include some of the following:
3423

A formal measurement standard approved by a body such as the WMO or ISO;
3424
3425
3426
3427




A glossary of terms to ensure clear understanding of the approach used;
References to the different measurement standards and protocols available;
Descriptions of applicable best practices;
Lists of algorithms used to produce ECV products.
3428
3429
3430
ECV data should be accompanied by metadata that clearly indicates the measurement approach
used, the standards used (if any), the QA/QC applied, validation, the expected accuracy and
resolution and data archiving.
3431
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T4:
Review of Monitoring Guidance
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Review existing monitoring standards/ guidance/ best practice for each ECV and maintain database of this
guidance for terrestrial ECVs
Benefit
Improved consistency and accuracy of results to meet user needs.
Timeframe
Review: 2017-2018, Maintain database 2019 onwards
Who
TOPC
Performance
Indicator
Presence of maintained database
Annual Cost
1-10 US$
3432
Action T5:
Develop Metadata
Action
Provide guidance on metadata for Terrestrial ECVs and encourage its use by data producers and data
holdings
Benefit
To provide users with a clear understanding of each dataset and the differences and applicability of
different products for each ECV.
Timeframe
2018
Who
TOPC in association with appropriate data producers
Performance
Indicator
Availability of metadata guidance
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
3433
5.2.4
Support to national monitoring
3434
3435
3436
3437
3438
3439
The status report identified gaps in the monitoring networks, especially in Africa, but also elsewhere
such as parts of South America and Asia. The GCOS Cooperation Mechanism aims to help develop
the capacity for countries to perform these measurements. Resources are limited so not all countries
can be helped and priority should be given to a few sites that can address these observational gaps,
which coincide with the aims of potential donors and for which sustainable arrangements are likely.
TOPC can identify gaps and likely sites for consideration by the GCM.
3440
Action T6:
Identify Capacity Development Needs
Action
Identify Capacity Development Needs to inform the GCOS Coor dination Mechanism and other capacity
building initiatives. Identify specific improvements that could be supported by the GCM.
Benefit
Improved monitoring in recipient countries
Timeframe
On-going
Who
TOPC & GCM
Performance
Indicator
Project proposals and Implemented projects
Annual Cost
10-100k p.a.
3441
5.3
Hydrosphere
3442
3443
This Section provides actions that aim to improve the observations of each ECV. They address issues
and deficiencies that were identified in the GCOS Status Report or by TOPC.
- 156 -
3444
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Table 15 Identified issues with hydrological observations
ECV
Significant findings in the 2015 Status Report
River discharge
Need to improve reporting to data centres and access to data (some data are
not available or arrive many years late). Observational requirements for a
significant number of countries are poorly documented. Future potential of
satellites is being explored. Sharing of historic data should be improved.
Groundwater
Global Groundwater Monitoring Information System (GGMS) established, but
more countries need to be included in the system. Usefulness of satellite
gravity measurements has been demonstrated, but is not yet an operational
product. Attribution of observed changes in groundwater level, storage and
discharge to climate change requires further research.
Lakes
More WMO member-states need to transmit their in situ hydrological data to
HYDROLARE.
Satellite-based altimetry observations need to be continuously updated. The
accuracy of satellite based water level observations requires further
improvement. In situ validation of satellite based water level observations is
of critical importance.
Soil moisture
International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) established and needs to be
strengthened. Lack of standards and formal exchange of data. Global satellite
products available. There are very few in situ networks that provide long-term
and consistent soil moisture data records. Models need improvement.
3445
3446
3447
3448
3449
3450
An issue identified in several areas is the poor exchange of reporting or submission of data to
international data centres. WMO resolutions 25, 40 and 60 call for the exchange of such data. The
result of this is that there are significant gaps in coverage and many data holdings are not up-to-date.
For many applications the needs for water data are regional - it extends across countries, for
example to cover an entire catchment area.
3451
3452
3453
3454
Through its Commission for Hydrology (CHy), WMO has requested that NHMSs submit daily
discharge data to GRDC within one year of its observation. Important as this is, it is seen as a
necessary step towards the ultimate goal of near-real-time receipt from as many stations as possible
on all significant rivers.
3455
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3456
3457
3458
Figure 16
GTN-R - Unrestricted daily river-discharge data available via the GEOSS Portal
indicating the lack of up-to-date data
3459
Source: GRDC, http://www.bafg.de/GRDC/EN/04_spcldtbss/44_GTNR/gtnr_node.html
Action T7:
Exchange of hydrological data
Action
In line with WMO resolutions 25 and 40, improve the exchange hydrological data and delivery to
data centres of all networks encompassed by GTN-H, in particular the GCOS baseline networks, and
facilitate the development of integrated hydrological products to demonstrate the value of these
coordinated and sustained global hydrological networks.
Benefit
Improved reporting filling large geographic gaps in datasets.
Timeframe
Continuing; 2018 (demonstration products).
Who
GTN-H Partners in cooperation with WMO and GCOS..
Performance
Indicator
Number of datasets available in International Data Centres; Number of available demonstration
products.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
3460
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3461
3462
Figure 17
Spatial and temporal scales of the hydrological and cryosphere ECV requirements
3463
Lakes
3464
3465
3466
3467
3468
Compared to the 2010 GCOS Implementation plan, a number of additional ECV products have been
added to the Lakes ECV in this present Implementation Plan. These include Lake Surface Water
Temperature, Lake Ice Coverage and Lake Water-Leaving Reflectance (Lake Colour). These products
are also amenable to satellite retrieval and substantial efforts are already underway to build up
substantial data records for these ECV products
3469
3470
3471
3472
3473
3474
3475
Two international databases hold water level and surface area data for world lakes and reservoirs:
one, the International Data Centre on Hydrology of Lakes and Reservoirs (HYDROLARE) at the State
Hydrological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia holds in situ data, the other, HYDROWEB, contains
remote sensing lake and reservoir data and is managed by the Legos laboratory (CNES, Toulouse,
France). Both databases hold mean monthly water levels of lakes and reservoirs. The HYDROWEB
database also contains lake surface area data derived from satellite observations. In 2015,
HYDROLARE started to to include data on lake water temperature.
3476
3477
3478
3479
3480
3481
In the future, additional products will include ice thickness, ice extent and lake water colour.
HYDROLARE is already planning to start preparing in situ ice thickness data for upload. HYDROWEB
will be enhanced by adding satellite-based data on ice cover dynamics and lake colour (lake waterlLeaving reflectance). Additionally for satellite retrievals of the new ECV Products mentioned above)
a number of space agencies (e.g. ESA CCI) and the Copernicus Global Land Service are planning to
generate these products systematically and dedicated databases will be available.
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action T8:
Lakes and Reservoirs: Compare Satellite and in situ observatio ns
Action
Assess accuracy of satellite water level measurements by a comparative analysis of in situ and satellite
observations for selected lakes and reservoirs.
Benefit
Improved accuracy
Timeframe
2017 -2020
Who
Legos/CNES, HYDROLARE
Performance
Indicator
Improving accuracy of satellite water level measurements
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3482
Action T9:
Action
Submit historical and current monthly lake level data
Continue submitting to HYDROLARE historical and current
monthly lake level data for the GTN-L lakes and other lakes to.
weekly /monthly water temperature and ice thickness data for the GTN-L
Benefit
Maintain data record
Timeframe
Continuous
Who
National Hydrological Services through WMO CHy and other institutions and agencies providing and
holding data.
Performance
Indicator
Completeness of database.
Annual Cost
100k-1.M US$ (40% in non-Annex-1 Parties)
3483
Action T10:
Action
Establish sustained production and improvement for the Lake ECV Products
Establish satellite based ECV data records for Lake Surface Tem perature, Lake Ice Coverage, and Lake
Water Leaving Reflectance (Lake Colour)
Implement and sustain routine production of these new satellite based products;
Sustain efforts on improving algorithms, processing chains and uncertainty assessments for these new
ECV Products;
Develop additional products derived from Lake Water leaving Reflectance for turbidity, chlorophyll, and
coloured dissolved organic matter.
Benefit
Add additional Lake ECV products for extended data records. Providing a more comprehensive
assessment of climate variability and change in Lake systems
Timeframe
Continuous
Who
Space Agencies and CEOS. Copernicus Global Land Service, GloboLakes and ESA CCI+
Performance
Indicator
Completeness of database.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (40% in non-Annex-1 Parties)
3484
River Discharge
3485
3486
3487
3488
River-discharge measurements have both short term uses (e.g. for water management and flood
protection) and longer term uses (e.g. to monitor the flow of freshwater from rivers into the oceans
and how this reduces ocean salinity and possibly changes the thermohaline circulation). Thus both
timely data exchange and long time series are needed.
- 160 -
3489
3490
3491
3492
3493
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
In the future additional parameters may need to be considered. Rivers play a role in transporting
carbon, nitrogen, nutrients, and suspended sediments that influence the quality and biodiversity of
surface waters, riparian environments and the functioning of coastal zones. Rivers are also
extensively used in industry, especially for cooling, and this brings an increasing need to monitor
river temperature.
3494
3495
3496
Monthly observations of river discharge are generally sufficient to estimate continental runoff into
the ocean, but daily data are needed to calculate the statistical parameters of river discharge, for
example, for analyses of the occurrence and impacts of extreme discharges.
3497
3498
3499
3500
3501
3502
3503
3504
Most countries monitor river discharge, but many are reluctant to release their data. Additional
difficulties arise because data are organized in scattered and fragmented ways, with data often
managed at subnational levels, in different sectors and using different archival systems. Even for
those data providers that do release their data, delays of a number of years can occur before quality
assured data are delivered to international data centres such as the Global Runoff Data Centre
(GRDC). In addition to the need for better access to existing data, the tendency for observing
networks to shrink in some countries, especially the closing of stations with long records, needs to
be reversed.
3505
3506
3507
3508
3509
3510
3511
Research and development of interferometric and altimetric approaches to monitoring river water
level and discharge from satellites are being undertaken by space agencies and their partners. For
example, one goal of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission being developed
for launch in 2020 is to use a radar interferometer to determine the height (to 10 cm accuracy) and
slope (to 1 cm km−1) of terrestrial water masses, resolving rivers with widths greater than 100 m
and other water bodies with areas greater than 250 m². It should enable global calculation of the
rate of water gained or lost in lakes, reservoirs and wetlands, and the variations in river discharge.
3512
3513
3514
3515
3516
3517
3518
Nevertheless, with current technology, in situ systems offer the most complete basis for river
discharge monitoring. Based on past availability of data, GRDC has proposed a baseline network of
river-discharge stations near the mouths of the largest rivers of the world, as ranked by their long term average annual volumes. These stations, a subset of existing gauging stations around the world,
collectively form a GCOS Baseline Network, the Global Terrestrial Network for River Discharge (GTNR). The locations of the stations are shown in Figure 18. Data from them capture about 70% of the
global freshwater flux from rivers into the oceans.
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3519
3520
Figure 18
GTN-R, a GCOS Baseline Network based on GRDC priority stations
3521
3522
3523
3524
3525
3526
3527
Long-term, regular measurements of upstream river discharge on a more detailed spatial scale than
GTN-R within countries and catchment areas are necessary to assess potential impacts of clima te
change on river discharge in terms of river management, water supply, transport and ecosystems. A
parallel project to GTN-R is the WMO CHy “Climate sensitive stations” network, comprising stations
with minimum human impact that can be used as reference stations to detect change signals. This
relates to IP-10 Action T7 concerning assessment of national needs for river gauges to support
impact assessments and adaptation.
3528
3529
3530
3531
GRDC has a mandate to collect and redistribute river-discharge data from all WMO Members, in
accordance with Resolution 25 of the thirteenth World Meteorological Congress (WMO, 1999),
which called on Members to provide hydrological data and products with free and unrestricted
access to the research and education communities for non-commercial purposes.
3532
Action T11:
Confirm GTN-R sites
Action
Confirm loc ations of GTN -R sites, determine operational status of gauges at all GTN -R sites, and ensure
that the GRDC receive daily river discharge dat a from all priority reference sites within one year of their
observation (including measurement and data transmission technology used).
Benefit
Up-to-date data for all areas
Timeframe
2019
Who
National Hydrological Services, through WMO CHy in cooperation with TOPC, GCOS and the GRDC.
Performance
Indicator
GTN-H P artners in cooperation with and.2018 Reports to TOPC, GC OS and WMO CHy on the
completeness of the GTN-R record held in the GRDC including the number of st ations and nations
submitting data to the GRDC, National Communication to UNFCCC.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (60% in non-Annex-I Parties).
3533
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Action T12: National needs for river gauges
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Assess national needs for river gauges in support of impact assessments and adaptation, and consider
the adequacy of those networks.
Benefit
Prepare for improvement proposals.
Timeframe
2019
Who
National Hydrological Services, in collaboration with WMO CHy and TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
National needs identified; options for implementation explored.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$ (80% in non-Annex-I Parties).
3534
Groundwater
3535
3536
3537
3538
3539
Nearly 30% of the world’s total freshwater resources (i.e., including snow/ice) is estimated to be
stored as groundwater. Today, groundwater is the source of about one third of global water
withdrawals. Estimates of the number of people who depend on groundwater supplies for drinking
range from 1.5 to 3 billion. Global groundwater abstraction particularly in Asia grew ten-fold in the
last 50 years, with agriculture responsible for approximately 90% of this growth.
3540
3541
3542
3543
3544
3545
3546
3547
Groundwater storage, recharge, and discharge are important aspects of climate change impacts and
adaptation assessments. Over the past several years, important progress has been made, facilitated
through the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC), in global-scale
groundwater monitoring with in situ well observations as a foundation, and more is expected over
the next decade through the establishment of a Global Groundwater Monitoring System (GGMS). In
particular, the feasibility of satellite observation of groundwater storage variations using the Gravity
Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has been demonstrated. The representation of
groundwater storage in land surface models has advanced significantly.
3548
Action T13:
Establish full scale Global Groundwater Monitoring Information System (GGMS)
Action
Complete the establishment of a full scale Global Groundwater Monitoring Information System (GGMS)
as a web-portal for all GTN-GW datasets; continue existing observations and deliver readily available
data and products to the information system.
Benefit
Global, consistent and verified datasets available to users.
Timeframe
2019
Who
IGRAC, in cooperation with GTN-H and TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Reports to UNESCO IHP and WMO CHy on the completeness of the GTN-GW record held in the GGMS,
including the number of records in, and nations submitting data to, the GGMS; web -based delivery of
products to the community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3549
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action T14: Operational Groundwater Monitoring from Gravity Measurements
Action
Develop an operational groundwater product, based on satellite observations
Benefit
Global, consistent and verified datasets available to users
Timeframe
2019
Who
Satellite Agencies, CEOS, CGMS
Performance
Indicator
Reports to UNESCO IHP and WMO CHy on the completeness of the GTN-GW record held in the GGMS,
including the number of records in, and nations submitting data to, the GGMS; web -based delivery of
products to the community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3550
Soil Moisture
3551
3552
3553
3554
3555
3556
3557
3558
3559
3560
3561
3562
3563
3564
3565
3566
3567
3568
3569
3570
3571
3572
3573
3574
3575
3576
3577
3578
Soil moisture has an important influence on land-atmosphere feedbacks at climate time scales, in
particular because it has a major effect on the partitioning of incoming radiation into latent and
sensible head fluxes and on the allocation of precipitation into evapotranspiration,runoff, subsurface
flow and infiltration. Changes in soil moisture may have serious impacts on agricultural productivity,
forestry, and ecosystem health. Monitoring soil moisture is critical for managing these resources and
for planning of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. As noted in the last GCOS Status
Report (GCOS-195), there has been significant progress in the implementation of this ECV. Its two
related actions, namely Action T13 (Development of a globally gridded near-surface soil moisture
data from satellites) and Action T14 (Develop a Global Terrestrial Network for Soil Moisture), have
been largely completed according to or even exceeding expectations. The main implementation
mechanisms have been the ESA Climate Change Initiative (http://www.esa-soilmoisture-cci.org/) for
Action T13, and the ESA funded International Soil Moisture Network (http://ismn.geo.tuwien.ac.at/)
for Action T14. However, continued operation hasn’t been secured yet. Therefore, the main tasks for
the next implementation period will be to ensure the sustainability of the climate services developed
within the last period, and to improve them step by step according to user requirements. As regards
the sustainability issue, the potential inclusion of soil moisture as one of the variables of the
Copernicus Climate Change Service would be an important step in guaranteeing the sustainability of
a satellite-based soil moisture climate service. Unfortunately, the sustainability of the International
Soil Moisture Network is at present not clear, given that no operational home for this service has yet
been found. In regard to user requirements, there is a clear need to complement the remotely
sensed soil moisture data with subsidiary variables (freeze/thaw, surface inundation, vegetation
optical depth) that provide important information about the validity and quality of the observed soil
moisture data. Additionally, users of the ESA CCI soil moisture data records have expressed their
interest in estimates of the root-zone soil moisture content, and for soil moisture data at much finer
spatial scales than currently available. These requirements can potentially be met by exploiting the
synergies of coarse-resolution microwave sensors (radiometers, scatterometers) with finerresolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical/thermal sensors, although the feasibility of a
long-term finer resolution product still needs to be assessed.
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Action T15: Satellite Soil Moisture Data Records
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Regularly update individual microwave sensor (SMOS, SMAP, ASCAT, AMSR-E, …) soil moisture data
records, including the subsidiary variables (freeze/thaw, surface inundation, vegetation optical depth,
root-zone soil moisture).
Benefit
Time series of data to identify trends over time.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
Space agencies (ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA, NOAA, JAXA, …) and EO service providers.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of free and open global soil moisture data records for individual microwave missions.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3580
Action T16:
Multi-Satellite Soil Moisture Data Services
Action
Regularly update of merged multi-sensor soil moisture data records, including the subsidiary variables
(freeze/thaw, surface inundation, vegetation optical depth, root -zone soil moisture).
Benefit
High quality Soil Moisture CDR for users.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
Copernicus, NOAA, Earth observation data providers.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of free and open merged multi -sensor data records (merged passive, merged active, and
merged active-passive data).
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3581
Action T17:
International Soil Moisture Network
Action
Operate, provide user services and expand the International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) which is
part of the GTN-H.
Benefit
Coordinated in-situ soil moisture data for users & cal/val.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
TU Wien supported by National Data Providers, ESA, GEWEX, CEOS, and GEO.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of harmonised and quality controlled in situ soil moisture data provided by network
operators to the ISMN.
Annual Cost
100-k-1M US$ (includes only central services of the ISMN Data Centre).
3582
Action T18:
Regional High-Resolution Soil Moisture Data Record
Action
Develop high-resolution soil moisture data records for climate change adaptation and mitigation by
exploiting microwave and thermal remote sensing data.
Benefit
Availability of data suitable for adaptation.
Timeframe
2017-2020
Who
NASA SMAP Program, ESA Climate Change Initiative, Copernicus Evolution Activities in cooperation with
identified Universities and research organizations.
Performance
Indicator
Public releases of experimental multi-year (> 10 years) high-resolution soil moisture data records.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
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Review Version 25 June 2016
3583
5.4
Cryosphere
3584
Table 16 Issues identified in Cryospheric observations
ECV
Significant findings in the 2015 Status Report
Snow
Improvements to reporting underway. Access to historic archives should be
improved. Cloud cover represents the primary source of uncertainty, but is
mitigated in some products through gap filling (for example the MODIS cloud
gap filled product) or subjective estimates by trained analysts (for example the
NOAA IMS product). Dark polar night season/area is missing data.
Glaciers
WGMS successful but still some regional data not loaded into international
databases.
Ice Sheets and Satellite-based products integrating in situ and air borne observations now
Ice Shelves
available. There are large uncertainties in mass balances and dynamics and
Ocean-ice interaction is a major weakness. There is no overall network. Need
to establish long term continuity.
Permafrost
Coverage by GTN-P incomplete with some additional sites needed to ensure
regional coverage. Need to develop reference sites. Standards need more
work. The current set of permafrost stations is not very representative and
relatively few of them have long time series to investigate trends
3585
Glaciers
3586
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3588
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3591
There are fundamental differences in space- and time-scales as well as in processes involved
between glaciers and (continental) ice sheets. Due to the large volumes and areas, the two
continental ice sheets actively influence the global climate over time scales of months to millennia.
Glaciers and ice caps, with their smaller volumes and areas, react to climatic forcing at typical time
scales from years to centuries. Ice shelves can be found attached to both glaciers and ice sheets and
have strong influences on their dynamics and stability.
3592
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3594
Glacier changes are recognised as independent and high-confidence natural evidence of climate
change. Past, current, and future glacier changes impact on global sea level, the regional water cycle,
and local hazard situations.
3595
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3598
The main variable currently observed in standardized formats are glacier distribution (mainly glacier
area, and related length, elevation range, hypsometry; ideally also mean and maximum glacier
thickness) and glacier changes in mass, volume, area, and length. The GTN-G website
(http://www.gtn-g.org) provides an overview on and access to all data products.
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Glacier inventories derived from satellite remote sensing and digital terrain information should be
repeated at time intervals of a few decades (GTN-G, Tier 5), the typical response time of glaciers to
climate change. Current efforts for this activity mainly depend on processing of Landsat Thematic
Mapper (TM)/ETM+ and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer)
data following the guidelines provided by GLIMS. An important incentive for the completion of a
detailed global glacier inventory comes from the recent opening of the USGS Landsat archive and the
free availability of global DEMs from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and ASTER.
Further activities from space agencies moving in this direction, including the use of SAR data and
access arrangements by data holders, are strongly encouraged. A DEM is required to derive
hydrologic divides for separation of contiguous ice masses into glacier entities and subsequently to
obtain topographic information (e.g. mean elevation) for each glacier entity.
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Glacier changes in length, area, volume and mass are observed using in-situ and remote sensing
methods. Glaciological mass balance results from ablation stake and snow pit measurements
provide seasonal to annual information on glacier contribution to runoff. Geodetic methods from insitu, airborne and space borne platforms provide multi-annual to decadal information on glacier
volume changes. Based on assumptions on the density of snow, ice and firn, the observed geodetic
volume changes can be converted to mass balance and runoff contribution. Glacier volume change
and mass balance are a relatively direct reaction to climatic changes. Glacier front variations - from
both in-situ and remotely sensed observations - are an indirect and delayed reaction to climatic
changes but allow extending the observational series back into the Little Ice Age period.
3619
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3622
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3625
Remaining key uncertainties include observational uncertainties (point reading, inter-/extrapolation),
density conversion uncertainties (from volume change to mass balance), radar penetration depth in
snow and firn leading to systematic errors of DEMs in accumulation areas, sample uncertainties
(representativeness of observation series for entire glacierisation), and uncertainties related to the
mass loss contribution from floating ice tongues. In view of glacier-by-glacier change assessments,
current satellite altimetry and gravimetry approaches are subject to severe scale issues (altimetry:
point data only, gravimetry: coarse resolution).
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3634
In the coming decade, it is essential to continue the long-term monitoring programmes and extend
the in-situ network into regions with poor data coverage. Systematic use of air- and spaceborne
high-resolution optical images will allow compiling a truly global multi-temporal glacier inventory.
Differencing of high-resolution digital elevation models (such as from SRTM and, TanDEM-X,
WorldView) has the potential to assess decadal thickness and volume changes for thousands of
individual glaciers over entire mountain ranges. Provided that resources for corresponding glacier
monitoring activities are made available (within or outside the scientific funding system), these tasks
together will boost the scientific capacity to address the grand challenges from climate-induced
glacier changes and related secondary impacts.
3635
Action T19:
Maintain and extend the in-situ mass balance network
Action
Maintain and extend the in-situ mass balance network, especially within developing countries (e.g. using
capacity building and twinning programmes).
Benefit
Maintain a critical climate record.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
Research community, national institutions and agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Number of observation series submitted to the WGMS.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
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3636
Action T20:
Improve the funding situation for international glacier data centres
Action
Improve the funding situation for international glacier data centres and services as well as for long-term
glacier monitoring programmes. Integrated and international availability of funding for sustaining
program, expecting also private sectors contribution.
Benefit
Secure long term monitoring and data availability.
Timeframe
2020
Who
national and international funding agencies.
Performance
Indicator
resources dedicated to glacier database management at WGMS and NSIDC; number of reference glaciers
with more than 30 years of continued observations.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action T21: Encourage and enforce research projects to make their ECV-relevant observations
available through the dedicated international data centres
Action
Encourage and enforce research projects to make their ECV-relevant observations available through the
dedicated international data centres
(e.g. through dedicated budget lines and the use of digital object identifiers for datasets).
Benefit
Open and long-term availability of data for users.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
National funding agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Number of datasets submitted to dedicated international data centres.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3637
Action T22:
Global Glacier Inventory
Action
Finalize the completion of a global reference inventory for glaciers and increase its data quality (e.g.,
outline, time stamp) and data richness (e.g., attribute fields, hypsometry).
Benefit
Improved data quality on glaciers.
Timeframe
2020
Who
NSIDC and WGMS with GLIMS research community and space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Data coverage in GLIMS database.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3638
Action T23:
Multi-decadal Glacier Inventories
Action
Continue to produce and compile repeat inventories at multi -decadal time scale.
Benefit
Extend the time series of glacier information
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
NSIDC and WGMS with GLIMS research community and space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Data coverage in GLIMS database.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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3639
Action T24:
Allocate additional resources to extend the geodetic dataset
Action
Allocate additional resources to extend the geodetic dataset: decadal elevation change can potentially
be computed for thousands of glaciers from air- and space-borne sensors. Here, airborne campaigns at
national (e.g. LiDAR surveys in CH, AT, IS, NO; various UAV missions) and regional (e.g., Operation
IceBridge) levels can make major contributions.
Benefit
Improved accuracy of glacier change.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
WGMS with research community and space agencies
Performance
Indicator
Data coverage in WGMS database.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
3640
Action T25:
Extend the glacier front variation dataset both in space and time
Action
Extend the glacier front variation dataset both in space and back in time using remote sensing, in -situ
observations and reconstruction methods.
Benefit
Understanding long-term trends.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
WGMS with research community and space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Data coverage in WGMS database.
Annual Cost
1-10 US$
3641
Action T26:
Glacier observing sites
Action
Maintain current glacier observing sites and add additional sit es and infrastructure in data -sparse
regions, including South America, Africa, the Himalayas, and New Zealand; attribute quality levels to
long-term mass balance measurements; complete satellite -based glacier inventories in key areas.
Benefit
Sustained global monitoring to understand global trends.
Timeframe
Continuing, new sites by 2015.
Who
Parties’ national services and agencies coordinated by GTN-G partners, WGMS, GLIMS, and NSIDC.
Performance
Indicator
Completeness of database held at NSIDC from WGMS and GLIMS.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
3642
Snow
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Snowfall and snow cover play a part in feedback mechanisms in the climate system (albedo, runoff,
soil moisture, and vegetation) and are important variables in monitoring climate change.
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Many problems arise because: (a) snow-cover data are collected, even within one country, by
several agencies with differing goals; (b) funding support for snow research is fragmentary and
generally not well-coordinated; (c) budget restrictions and attempts to reduce the cost of surface
networks often result in reduced coverage or automated measurement using different
instrumentation whose compatibility is not yet determined; (d) many existing datasets are not
readily accessible; and (e) satellite retrievals of snow water equivalent are highly uncertain in many
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regions and nonexistent in complex terrain. Reporting often fails to include reports of zero snow
cover, failing to distinguish zero cover form la lack of observations.
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3661
The submission of in situ snow observations from the WWW/GOS surface synoptic network has
continued to show some decline due to financial pressures in many countries that have led to
closures of remote northern observation stations. In addition, there continue to be major
observational gaps in mountainous areas and in Antarctica. Data receipt from the remaining stations
has also been an issue, with few stations including snow data in their submissions to the WMO
Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and not all providing the WMO SYNOP reports that
normally include snow parameters. Furthermore, there is no systematic global monitoring of the
amount and quality of in situ snow-related reports exchanged over the GTS. As a result, the creation
of well-calibrated satellite products has been made more difficult.
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Maintenance of adequate, representative surface networks of snow observations must begin with
documentation and analysis of the network densities required in different environments. Resolution
of the problem of data inaccessibility requires: promoting political commitment to data sharing,
removing practical barriers by enhancing electronic inter-connectivity and metadata, and data
rescue and digitization. The provision of necessary resources to improve, and to make available,
existing archives of snow data will require national efforts. The emerging WMO Global Cryosphere
Watch (GCW) is expected to provide facilitated access to such data. Likewise, the WMO GEWEX
International Network for Alpine Research Catchment Hydrology (INARCH), under the WCRP arch, is
a growing program of mountain snow measurements around the globe with solid protocols for
understanding cryosphere changes.
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There are several sources that can provide snow-related data and products, but no central archive
(especially for snow depth and snow water equivalent) currently exists and many national databases
are not readily accessible. NSIDC has updated the Russian station snow depth data up to 1995 for
over 200 stations. In addition, snow water equivalent is observed in many countries by national,
state, provincial, and private networks on a 10-30 day basis. In the US, the Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL)
network measures and distributes daily snow water equivalent and snow depth data throughout the
mountains of the Western US. The WWW/GOS surface synoptic reports for the United States are
available through NCDC. The Canadian Meteorological Centre has produced global daily 1/3 degree
snow-depth analyses, and daily snow-depth data from the WMO data stream. These data are
available from NCEI for the period March 1998 to the present. The international snow community
has put forth such mission concepts for snow water equivalent as the 2007 NASA Decadal Survey
Snow and Cold Land Processes mission and the ESA Explorer 7 concept CoReH2O, both radar
systems that were ultimately not selected due to immaturity of the algorithms and validation. Over
the last four years, the International Snow Working Group-Remote Sensing (iSWGR) formed and has
worked toward preparing mission concepts for the 2017-2027 Earth Science Decadal Survey. At time
of writing, the community is responding to the US National Research Council committees of the
Decadal Survey with driving science questions and measurement concepts. SWE is the remaining
missing component of water cycle measurements from satellite and is a critically needed.
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Despite net solar radiation being the dominant component of the energy balance contributing to
melt, in situ measurements of snow broadband and spectral albedo around the globe are extremely
sparse. Variation in snow albedo comes from changes in snow grain size and content and optical
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properties of absorbing impurities such as dust and black carbon. A few detailed energy balance and
radiation sites exist in the Western US that have the necessary radiation measurements with which
to determine the grain size and impurity forcing of change in albedo. Semi-quantitative retrievals for
snow grain size and radiative forcing by impurities are currently available from the NASA MODIS
instruments in the form of the NASA/JPL MODDRFS product (snow.jpl.nasa.gov). Quantitative
retrievals from visible through shortwave infrared imaging spectroscopy are needed to address
science questions related to controls on snowmelt.
3700
Action T27:
Snow-cover and snowfall observing sites
Action
Strengthen and maintain existing snow-cover and snowfall observing sites; ensure that sites exchange
snow data internationally; establish global monitoring of that data on the GTS; and recover historical
data. Ensure reporting include reports of zero cover.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in global snow.
Timeframe
Continuing; receipt of 90% of snow measurements in International Data Centres.
Who
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and research agencies, in cooperation with WMO
GCW and WCRP and with advice from TOPC, AOPC, and the GTN-H.
Performance
Indicator
Data submission to national centres such as the National Snow and Ice Data Center (USA) and World
Data Services.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3701
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3705
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3709
The Satellite Snow Product Intercomparison and Evaluation Exercise - SnowPEx - is an international
collaborative effort funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) / Quality Assurance framework for
Earth Observation (QA4EO) that intercompares and evaluates satellite-based seasonal snow
products of hemispheric to global extent, assesses the product accuracy, and identifies discrepancies
between the various products. Furthermore, in support of climate studies, trends in the hemispheric
seasonal snow coverage and snow mass have been documented, based on an ensemble of satellite
based snow and snow water equivalent products. Validation and intercomparison protocols and first
results have been discussed by the international community at international workshops held in July
2014 and September 2015.
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SnowPEx focuses on two parameters of the seasonal snow pack, the snow extent (SE) from medium
resolution optical satellite data (MODIS, AVHRR, VIIRS, etc.) and the snow water equivalent (SWE)
from passive microwave data (SSM/I, AMSR, etc.). Overall 14 continental to global satellite snow
extent products (including fractional snow products) and three SWE products are participating in the
intercomparison and validation experiment, with test areas spreading over different environments
and climate zones. For the intercomparison daily SE products from 5 years have been transformed to
a common map projection and standardized protocols, developed in the project, are applied. The SE
product evaluation applies statistical measures for quantifying the agreement between the various
products, including the analysis of the spatial patterns. Extensive validation of snow extent products
is carried out using high resolution snow maps, generated from about 450 Landsat scenes in
different snow zones and over various land surface types. Additionally, an in-situ snow reference
data set is used, including station data from various organisations in Europe, North America and Asia.
For the coarse resolution SWE products from passive microwave sensors, sites with dense networks
of in-situ measurements are used for validation. The SWE products are also inter-compared with
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gridded snow products from land surface models driven by atmospheric reanalysis data. In addition,
the multi-year trends of the various SWE products are evaluated.
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The TOPC, in consultation with the AOPC, WCRP CliC, WMO GCW, and WMO Technical Commissions,
will consolidate and, where necessary, recommend standards and protocols for measuring snow and
SWE, design an optimum network, and recommend responsibilities of an International Data Centre
and analysis centre. TOPC’s current cryosphere activities can provide a starting point, but the
required activity would need dedicated funding for meetings and workshops in which to agree on
standards and protocols (cf. T1), funding for report preparation, and funding for filling gaps in
networks. The development of guidelines and standards is one of the tasks of the evolving Global
Cryosphere Watch.
3734
Action T28:
Integrated analyses of snow
Action
Obtain integrated analyses of snow over both hemispheres.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in global snow.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies and research agencies in cooperation with WMO GCW and CliC, with advice from TOPC,
AOPC and IACS.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of snow-cover products for both hemispheres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3735
Ice Sheets and Ice Shelves
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Our understanding of the time scale of ice sheet response to climate change has changed
dramatically over the last decades. The current state of mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic
ice sheets is strongly negative. The average ice mass change to Greenland from the present
assessment has been –121 ± 33 Gt yr–1 (a sea level equivalent of 0.33 ±0.09 mm yr–1) over the
period 1993 to 2010, and –229 ± 73 Gt yr–1 (0.63 ±0.20 mm yr–1 sea level equivalent) over the
period 2005 to 2010. The mass budget method shows the overall partitioning of ice loss from the
Greenland Ice Sheet is about 60% surface mass balance (i.e., runoff) and 40% discharge from ice flow
across the grounding line. There are significant differences of ice-discharge and surface mass balance
in various regions of Greenland, dynamic losses dominate in southeast, central west and northwest
Greenland, whereas in the central north, southwest and northeast sectors, changes in surface mass
balance appear to dominate. Over the last two decades, surface mass balance has become
progressively more negative as a result of an increase in runoff and the increased speed of some
outlet glaciers has enhanced ice discharge across the grounding line. The total surface melt area of
the Greenland ice sheet has continued to increase since the beginning of the first passive satellite
measurements in 1979, whereas the surface albedo of the ice sheet has decreased up to 18% in
coastal regions, due to melting and snow metamorphism.
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Antarctic ice loss has increased over the last two decades. West Antarctic Ice Sheet and the Antarctic
Peninsula are losing mass at an increasing rate, but that East Antarctica gained an average of +21 ±
43 Gt a–1 between 1992 and 2011.
The average rate of ice loss from Antarctica increased from
–1
30 ± 81 Gt a (sea level equivalent, 0.08 ± 0.22 mm a –1 ) over the period 1992–2001, to 147 ± 90 Gt
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–1
–1
a over the period 2002–2011 (0.40 ± 0.25 mm a ). As much as 74% of the ice discharged from the
grounded ice sheet in Antarctica passes through ice shelves and floating ice tongues. Ice shelves help
to buttress and restrain flow of the grounded ice], so changes in thickness of ice shelves influence
current ice sheet change. The reduction in ice-shelf extent has been ongoing around the Antarctic
Peninsula, for several decades with substantial collapse of a section of Wilkins Ice Shelf. Overall, 7 of
12 ice shelves around the Peninsula have retreated in recent decades with a total loss of 28,000 km2 .
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The total ice loss from both ice sheets, Greenland and Antarctica for the twenty years 1992–2011
(inclusive) has been 4,260 ± 1,460 Gt, equivalent to 11.7 ± 4.0 mm of sea level.
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Efforts should be made to (a) understand the processes related to the increase in mass loss at both
ice sheets, through improved observations and in situ measurements (see Action T18), (b) reduce
uncertainties in estimates of mass balance by improving measurements of ice-sheet topography and
velocity and ice sheet modelling to estimate future sea level rises ((see Action T19). This includes
utilizing existing satellite data to measure ice velocity, using observations of the time-varying gravity
field from satellites to estimate changes in ice sheet mass, and monitoring changes in ice sheet
topography using tools, such as satellite radar, and lasers (see Action T20).
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Monitoring the Polar Regions with numerous satellites at various wavelengths is essential to detect
change (i.e., melt area) and to understand processes responsible for the accelerated loss of ice sheet
ice and the disintegration of ice shelves in order to estimate future sea level rise. Further, aircraft
observations of surface elevation, ice thickness, and basal characteristics should be utilised to ensure
that such information is acquired at high spatial resolution along specific routes, such as glacier flow
lines, and along transects close to the grounding lines. In situ measurements (e.g., of firn
temperature profile and surface climate) are equally important in assessing surface mass balance
and understanding and monitor recent increases in mass loss.
3779
Action T29:
Ice sheet measurements
Action
Ensure continuity of in situ ice sheet measurements and field experiments for improved understanding
of processes and for the better assessment of mass loss changes.
Benefit
Robust data on trends in ice sheet changes.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
Parties, working with WCRP CliC, IACS, and SCAR.
Performance
Indicator
Integrated assessment of ice sheet change supported by verifying observations.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
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Action T30: Ice sheet model improvement
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Research into ice sheet model improvement to assess future sea level rise. Improving knowledge and
modelling of ice-ocean interaction, calving ice mass discharge.
Benefit
Improved sea level rise forecasting.
Timeframe
International initiative to assess local and global sea level rise and variability.
Who
WCRP CliC sea level cross-cut, IACS, and SCAR.
Performance
Indicator
Reduction of sea level rise uncertainty in future climate prediction from ice sheet contributions..
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
3781
Action T31:
Continuity of laser, altimetry, and gravity satellite missions
Action
Ensure continuity of laser, altimetry, and gravity satellite missions adequate to monito r ice masses over
decadal timeframes.
Benefit
Sustain ice sheet monitoring into the future.
Timeframe
New sensors to be launched: 10-30 years.
Who
Space agencies, in cooperation with WCRP CliC and TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Appropriate follow-on missions agreed.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
3782
Permafrost
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Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for at least 2 years (as measured by permafrost
temperatures and depth of seasonal freezing/thawing). It reacts sensitively to climate and
environmental change in high latitude and mountain regions. Changes may result in important
impacts on terrain stability, coastal erosion, surface and subsurface water, the carbon cycle, and
vegetation development.
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The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P), coordinated by the International Permafrost
Association (IPA), forms a GCOS/GTOS baseline network for these variables. The Arctic Council
maintains borehole metadata files and coordinates thermal data management and dissemination.
Every five years, the NSIDC prepares and distributes a Circumpolar Active Layer Permafrost System
CD containing information and data acquired in the previous 5 years.
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GTN-P currently involves 16 participating countries, with hundreds of active sites in the Circumpolar
Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) network and identified boreholes for monitoring permafrost
thermal states, Some of these need to reactivate their measurement campaigns, and soil vertical
displacement measurements and permafrost temperatures measurements should become a part of
active layer monitoring. GTN-P has also identified new borehole and active layer sites needed to
obtain representative coverage in the Europe/Nordic region, within the Russian Federation and
within Central Asia (Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China); in the Southern Hemisphere (South America,
Antarctica); and in North American mountain ranges and lowlands. A few reference sites have been
recommended for development, and this would establish a baseline network of Thermal State of
Permafrost sites within the International Network of Permafrost Observatories (INPO).
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Presently, GTN-P in situ data acquisition operates on a largely voluntary basis through individual
national and regionally-sponsored programmes. Measurement and reporting standards are
emerging, but further work is needed to prepare and publish definitive reporting standards.
Upscaling techniques for research sites and permafrost networks, initially on upgraded reference
sites, are required to complement active layer and thermal observing networks with monitoring of
active geological processes (e.g., slope processes, thermokarst and lake development, coastal
dynamics, and surface terrain stability).
3810
Action T32:
Standards and practices for permafrost
Action
Refine and implement international observing standards and practices for permafrost and combine with
environmental variable measurements; establish national data centres.
Benefit
Consistent and comparable global observations.
Timeframe
Complete by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services/research institutions and International Permafrost Association.
Performance
Indicator
Implemented guidelines and establishment of national centres.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
3811
Action T33:
Mapping of seasonal soil freeze/thaw
Action
Implement operational mapping of seasonal soil freeze/thaw through an international initiative for
monitoring seasonally-frozen ground in non-permafrost regions.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in biosphere and carbon cycle.
Timeframe
Complete by 2020.
Who
Parties, space agencies, national services, and NSIDC, with guidance from International Permafrost
Association, the IGOS Cryosphere Theme team, and WMO GCW.
Performance
Indicator
Number and quality of mapping products published.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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5.5
Biosphere
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3816
A number of activities across several ECVs have been identified to improve the quality and
consistency of the ECVs. Several ECVs should be consistent with each other, e.g. Fire and Albedo;
and FAPAR, LAI and Albedo, but this is not always the case.
3817
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Some research groups running carbon or climate models have already begun to assimilate one or
more of three satellite-derived products land ECV products (FAPAR, LAI and Albedo) and have noted
improvements in the models’ performance. Further collaboration between the scientific
communities involved is expected to result in improved methods and data for assimilation and
reanalysis purposes. This goal will also require extensive benchmarking and product validation
activities, as well as ensuring the physical consistency between these three.
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Table 17 Issues identified with Terrestrial Biosphere Observations
ECV
Significant findings in the 2015 Status Report
Albedo
Satellite products available. Land use change (land cover change)
such as deforestation and conversion of natural covers to
crops/pasture have been identified in AR5WG1 (page 54-55) as
contributors to albedo variability with large uncertainties particularly
at higher latitudes due to increases in exposed snow cover.
FAPAR
While absolute accuracy is a known issue for FAPAR, an important
factor for carbon modelling is in the capability to represent the
observed spatio-temporal changes.
LAI
While absolute accuracy is a known issue for LAI, an important factor
for carbon modelling is in the capability to represent the observed
spatio-temporal changes.
Land-surface temperature Separation of the soil and vegetation components of the LST
measurement; this is related to surface emissivity
Land cover (including Land use change (mainly in the tropics) remains most uncertain flux
vegetation type)
in global anthropogenic CO2 Budget, see IPCC AR5, Table 6.1
Above-ground biomass
Widely varying national standards and no access to national
inventory data
Soil carbon
Insufficient in situ measurements. Approaches to monitoring change
needed
Fire
Significant progress has been made with improvements in satellite
observations
3824
3825
3826
Figure 19
Time and spatial dimensions of the major biospheric processes of interest compared
with the ECV requirements
3827
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Action T34: Ensure the consistency of the various radiant energy fluxes
Action
Establish a system to ensure the consistency ECV. Initially focusing on:
The various radiant energy fluxes (e.g. surface albedo and FAPAR) derived from remote sensing
observations, and their compatibility with the specific requirements of the models, especially in the
context of climate change studies;
fire and surface albedo, especially in the context of climate change studies.
Benefit
Improved data leading to improved model predictions and understanding of changes in biosphere.
Timeframe
2020
Who
CEOS WG Cal/Val, TOPC Observers, CEOS/CGMS WG Climate.
Performance
Indicator
Documented system to ensure consistency. Reports demonstrating consistency.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
3828
3829
3830
In addition, climate change indictors should be derived from these ECVs to serve adaptation. (Action
T36). These indicators should be transparent with known uncertainties.
3831
Action T35:
Climate change indicators for Adaptation
Action
Establish climate change indicators for adaptation issues using land ECVs at high resolution.
Benefit
Inputs into adaptation planning, damage limitations and risk assessments.
Timeframe
Initial products by 2018. On-going development and improvement.
Who
GCOS, GCOS Science panels, WCRP, GFCS.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of indicators.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
3832
FAPAR, LAI and Albedo
3833
3834
3835
3836
3837
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3839
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3842
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3848
FAPAR is defined as the fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR; solar radiation reaching
the surface in the 0.4-0.7μm spectral region) that is absorbed by a vegetation canopy. Spatially
detailed descriptions of FAPAR provide information about the strength and location of terrestrial
carbon sinks and can be of value in verifying the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol’s flexibleimplementation mechanisms. FAPAR can also be used for adaptation purposes, such as for food
security (or crop monitoring) that needs to be provided at a higher spatial resolution scale. GCOS
encourages the space agencies and other entities to continue generating and disseminating from 10day to monthly FAPAR products at various spatial resolutions, from 50m to 5km, over the globe for
serving both adaptation applications (50m) and carbon and climate modellers community (5km ).
Both black-sky (assuming only direct radiation) and white-sky (assuming that all the incoming
radiation is in the form of isotropic diffuse radiation) FAPAR values may be considered. Similarly
FAPAR can be angularly integrated or instantaneous (i.e., at the actual sun position of measurement).
FAPAR is recovered from a range of sensors by various algorithms using the visible and near-infrared
parts of the spectrum, and the accuracy and reliability of these products is not always properly
documented. The majority of operational global FAPAR products are derived from a variety of
retrieval methods that are often dedicated for particular space mission sensors, under several
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assumptions, including various radiative transfer canopy models or/and auxiliary datasets, such as
land cover type.
3851
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The Leaf Area Index (LAI) of a plant canopy is defined as a quantitative measure of the amount of live
green leaf material present in the canopy per unit ground surface. Specifically, it is defined as the
total one-sided area of all leaves in the canopy within a defined region, and is a non-dimensional
quantity, although units of [m2/m2] are often quoted, as a reminder of its meaning. However, the
definition of LAI used in space remote sensing science is linked to the state variable corresponding to
the canopy optical depth measured along the vertical. When LAI is retrieved from remote sensing
measurements, by inverting a radiation transfer model, its value corresponds to an effective value
linked to the particular spatial resolution of those measurements. The conversion of geometrical
measurements to effective values is an essential step and requires additional information about the
structure and architecture of the canopy, e.g. gap size distributions, at the appropriate spatial
resolutions. As for FAPAR, there is a need to continue to generate and disseminate from 10-day to
monthly LAI products at various spatial resolutions, from 50m to 5km, over the globe for serving
both adaptation applications and carbon and climate modellers community applications.
3864
3865
3866
3867
Currently available products have been shown to exhibit significant differences, which may detract
from their usefulness in downstream applications. The CEOS WGCV, in collaboration with GCOS,
should lead the comparison and evaluation of these LAI and FAPAR products as well as the
benchmarking of the algorithms used to generate them.
3868
3869
3870
3871
3872
3873
3874
Reference sites making ground-based FAPAR and LAI observations should be fully engaged in the
validation process, and it would be desirable if these sites were collocated with the terrestrial
reference sites proposed in section 7.2.2, provided that these sites offer a reasonable degree of
spatial homogeneity over spatial scales comparable to the resolution of the sensors. WGCV is
identifying a core set of sites and measurement campaigns, which should be supported by the CEOS
agencies and by national research budgets. However both the number of actual sites available is
insufficient and the quality of ground-based measurements estimates is inadequate.
3875
Action T36:
3876
3877
3878
3879
Quality of ground-based reference sites for FAPAR and LAI
Action
Improve the quality and number of ground-based reference sites for FAPAR and LAI.Agree minimum
measurement standards and protocols. Conduct systematic and comprehensive evaluation of groundbased measurements for building a reference sites network..
Benefit
Ensure quality assurance of LAI and FAPAR products".
Timeframe
Network operational by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national and regional research centres, in cooperation with space agencies and Copernicus
coordinated by CEOS WGCV, GCOS and TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Data available.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Surface albedo is a joint property of the land and of the overlying atmosphere; it controls the
'supply' side of the surface radiation balance and is required to estimate the net absorption and
transmission of solar radiation in the soil-vegetation system. I The term 'albedo' refers to a variety of
different geophysical variables, which correspond to different definitions and measurements. "
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Broadband surface albedo is generally defined as the instantaneous ratio of surface-reflected
radiation flux to incident radiation flux over the shortwave spectral domain (dimensionless). Albedo
can be defined for broad spectral regions or for spectral bands of finite width. Albedo measures
include black-sky albedo (or directional hemispherical reflectance, DHR) defined in the absence of a
diffuse irradiance component (no atmospheric scattering), wholly diffuse white sky albedo (or
bihemispherical albedo, BHR, under isotropic illumination), and as actual or blue-sky albedo (BHR
under ambient conditions) 40 . t is both a forcing variable controlling the climate and a sensitive
indicator of environmental degradation. Albedo varies in space and time as a result of both natural
processes (e.g., changes in solar position, snow cover, and vegetation growth) and human activities
(e.g., clearing and planting forests, sowing and harvesting crops, burning rangeland, etc.). The
surface albedo used in climate model corresponds to the ratio of total incoming to total outgoing
radiation (mainly over the entire solar radiation (shortwave) range, in practice the 350- 4000 nm).
Knowledge of surface albedo is of critical importance to land surface monitoring and modelling,
particularly with regards to considerations of climate and the biosphere but also the cryosphere. Its
value lies primarily in its role in energy budget considerations within climate or weather prediction
models, in that the proportion of (shortwave) radiation absorbed by the surface is converted to heat
energy or used in biochemical processes such as photosynthesis. It means that albedo is not only an
intrinsic surface product related to the structural scattering properties of the land surface, but is also
conditioned by both the spectral and directional nature of the overlying atmosphere and the solar
illumination conditions. As the scattering of light by land surfaces (the surface anisotropy) depends
on the direction of incoming radiation and the direction of observation, various albedo definitions
have been introduced.
3902
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3904
3905
3906
3907
3908
The term 'albedo' refers to a variety of different geophysical variables, which correspond to different
definitions and measurements. Climate models typically require the ratio of the outgoing flux of
radiation over the incoming flux (known as the Bi-Hemispherical Reflectance (BHR)) in the shortwave
broad band whereas carbon models may use the visible and near-infrared broadband values.
Existing products generated by different instruments or space agencies at spatial resolutions ranging
from 1 to 5 km lack consistency and exhibit small but consistent biases, especially for higher values
(over snow and ice) that need to be resolved.
3909
Action T37:
Improve Snow and Ice Albedo products
Action
Improve quality of snow (and ice) albedo products.
Benefit
Improve consistency of datasets
Timeframe
.ASAP !
Who
Space agencies and Copernicus coordinated through CEOS WGC V LPV, W MO Space programme, with
advice from GCOS and TOPC
Performance
Indicator
Product available.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
40
Schaaf, C.B., J. Cihlar, A. Belward, E. Dutton, and M. Verstraete, Albedo and Reflectance Anisotropy, ECV -T8: GTOS
Assessment of the status of the development of standards for the Terrestrial Es sential Climate Variables, ed., R. Sessa, FAO,
Rome, May 2009
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This calls for comprehensive evaluation of the corresponding algorithms, the comparison of these
albedo estimates with spatially representative ground-based measurements such as those available
from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN), and the benchmarking and cross-comparison
of these products. Progress along these lines will consolidate confidence in the algorithms and justify
the reprocessing of existing archives to generate long and coherent time series of global albedo
products at the best available resolution and going back to past AVHRR instruments and
geostationary meteorological ones for achieving climate data record over the last 30 years. A fully
characterised global albedo product will be very valuable not only for climate studies but also as a
reference for further studies.
3920
Action T38:
Improve in situ albedo measurements
Action
Improve quality of available in situ validation measurements and collocated albedo produc ts as well as
bidirectional reflectance factors and measures of surface anisotropy from all space agencies generating
such products; Promote benchmarking activities to assess the reliability of albedo products..
Benefit
Improved calibration and validation.
Timeframe
Full benchmarking/intercomparison by 2012.
Who
Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) and spatially representative FLUXNET sites, Space agencies
in cooperation with CEOS WGCV LPV..
Performance
Indicator
Data available to analysis centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3921
Action T39:
Action
Production of CDRs for LAI, FAPAR and Albedo
Operationalize the generation of
10-day and monthly FAPAR and LAI products as gridded global products at spatial resolution 5 km over
time periods as long as possible;
10-day FAPAR and LAI products at spatial resolution at 50m resolution;
Daily (for full characterization of rapidly greening and senescing vegetation, and particularly over higher
latitudes with the rapid changes due to snowfall and snowmelt ), 10 -days and monthly surface albedo
products from a range of sensors using both archived and current Earth Observation systems as gridded
global products at spatial resolution of 1km to 5 km over time periods as long as possible.
3922
3923
3924
3925
3926
3927
Benefit
Provide longer time records for climate monitoring.
Timeframe
2020
Who
Space agencies and , Copernicus and SCOPE-CM coordinated through CEOS WGCV LPV..
Performance
Indicator
Operational data providers accept the charge of generating, maintaining, and distributing global
physically consistent ECV products.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
Accuracy of these past and current estimates will need to be assessed, in particular with respect to
their sensitivity to perturbing factors because major algorithms used to generate albedo products
from these systems typically rely on the accumulation of data over two weeks or more, when
surface properties can change appreciably, e.g., with the occurrence or disappearance of snow on
the ground. Like the LAI and FAPAR products, surface albedo algorithms should be benchmark
through a model-based approach.
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Review Version 25 June 2016
The various surface albedo products should be intercompared and evaluated with respect to albedo
measures from spatially representative towers over a range of surfaces cover types. Satellite inter comparison and validation activities can be supported with the definition of well characterized sites
such as the Surface Albedo Validation Sites (SAVS) database (DOI: 10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_1001.
The Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) data, archived at World Radiation Monitoring Center
at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany, is now recognized as the GCOS baseline
network for surface radiation (GCOS 2004). These BSRN sites provide the high quality measurements
of surface radiation required, but the network global coverage is insufficient for widespread
validation of remotely sensed products and needs to be expanded and adequately supported (GCOS ,
2004, GTOS_ECV8). In addition to the BRSN , other terrestrial networks contain tower sites that
could provide the necessary infrastructure (e.g. human maintenance, instrument availability, site
accessibility, and power needs) to measure radiation variables for albedo calculations; the
challenges in these cases are to encourage the use of best practice measurement, calibration and
archive protocols, and provide timely access (GTOS_ECV8).
3942
Action T40:
Evaluate LAI, FAPAR & Albedo
Action
Promote benchmarking activities to assess reliability of FAP AR and LAI products taking into account their
intrinsic definition and accuracy assessment against fiducial ground references and evaluate the Albedo
products with high quality tower data from spatially representative sites"
Benefit
Improved accuracy of data.
Timeframe
Evaluation by 2019.
Who
Space agencies and Copernicus in relation with CEOS WGCV, GCOS/TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Publish results.
Benefit
Recommendations after gap analysis on further actions for improving algorithms.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3943
Land Surface Temperature
3944
Land Surface temperature is a new ECV introduced in this Implementation Plan.
3945
3946
3947
3948
3949
Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a measure of how hot or cold the uppermost surface of the Earth
is". For ground-based, airborne, and space-borne remote sensing instruments it is the aggregated
radiometric surface temperature of the ensemble of components within the sensor field of view. LST
is an independent temperature data set for quantifying climate change complementary to the nearsurface air temperature ECV based on in situ measurements and reanalyses.
3950
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From a climate perspective, LST is important for evaluation of land surface and land-atmosphere
exchange processes; constraint of surface energy budgets and flux variations; and global and
regional observations of surface temperature variations.
3953
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LST can be determined from thermal emission at wavelengths in either infrared (IR) or microwave
(MW) atmospheric windows; LST from IR is currently used more widely for climate applications
owing to a lack of long-term MW LST estimates..
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Single-sensor IR LST data-products from satellite have greatly improved with IR LST data validation
showing biases < 1.0 K emissivity uncertainty < 0.015 (1.5%) from MODIS and AATSR. The approach
to uncertainties is consistent with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) validation. Global LST data which
resolve the diurnal cycle are becoming available merging geostationary and low earth orbit data
giving high spatial resolution, sub-diurnal sampling, and estimates of cloud-bias.
3961
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3963
Current state-of-the-art in LST datasets are now able of sufficient quality: they have low bias,
realistic uncertainties, independence of in situ data, excellent stability / homogeneity and improving
traceability.
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The International Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity Working Group (ILSTE) represents the
best available expertise in LST & Emissivity data techniques and LST-related science. It act as an
international forum for regular interactions between LST Measurement Teams, enabling
improvements in data algorithms and data quality, and increased understandings of user
requirements and delivers a range of user-provider meetings and workshops, increasing links across
the community. ILSTE supports the alignment of LST best practice with the planned activities and
data provision of operational agencies; agrees standardised protocols for data formats and access to
data, appropriate to key sectors of the LST user community; and supports a dedicated validation
group, supporting a consistent approach to data validation, in line with CEOS -LPV Best Practices, and
linking individual validation projects
3974
Table 18 Requirements of Land Surface Temperature for Climate
Item
Horizontal resolution
Temporal resolution
Accuracy
Precision
Stability
Length of record
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Type
Threshold
Threshold
Target
Threshold
Threshold
Threshold
Target
Threshold
Target
Value
0.05°
Day-night
≤ 3-hourly
<1 K
<1 K
<0.3 K per decade
<0.1 K per decade
20 years
>30 years
In addition it is proposed that:
1. Emissivity values are reported with ECV LST data;
2. Land surface radiometric temperature41 (LSRT) is also reported as part of ECV LST
data (although sensor and channel-specific).
GCOS will promote consistent standardised protocols for LST to ensure consistent and comparable
data products. The continuing production of LST data sets using these protocols should be ensured
and existing datasets re-processed with these protocols to allow long time series of data to be
established.
41
LSRT is the observed radiometric temperature of the scene, i.e. the derived net surface emission term following
atmospherically-correction of observed radiances
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Improving the in situ ground-based networks of measurement sites will improve the accuracy of the
overall results.
Action T41:
Land Surface Temperature: In situ protocols
Action
Promote standardised data protocols for in situ LST and support the C EOS -LPV group in development of
a consistent approach to data validation, taking its LST Validation Protocol as a baseline.
Benefits
LST data sets would be more accessible to users encouraging user uptake of more than one LST data set.
This will lead to better characterisation of uncertainties and inter-data set variability..
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC -GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC,
CEOS WGCV/LPV.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of protocols and evidence of their use.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
3986
Action T42:
Produciton of Land Surface Temperature datasets
Action
Continue the production of global LST datasets , ensuring consistency between products produced from
different sensors and by different groups.
Benefits
‘Make available long time series of LST data sets in consistent formats, enabling more widespread use of
LST for climate applications..
Timeframe
Continual.
Who
Space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
. Up-to-date production of global LST datasets.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
3987
Action T43:
Reprocessing Land Surface Temperature (LST)
Action
Reprocess existing datasets of LST to generate a consistent long-term time series of global LST. In
particular, Reprocess archives of lowearth orbit and Geostationary LST observations in a consistent
manner and to community agreed data formats .
Benefits
Make available long time-series.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC -GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC,
CEOS WGCV/LPV.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of long-time series of LST datasets.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
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Action T44: Land Surface Temperature in situ network expansion
Action
Expand the in situ network of permanent high quality IR radiometers for dedicated LST validation.
Benefits
LST data sets better validated and over more land surface types. Independent validation of stated
accuracies providing credibility to satellite LST products.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC,
CEOS WGCV/LPV, International Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity Working Group (ILSTE).
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of a comprehensive network of ground sites with high quality in situ measurements
suitable for validating the different sensors. Results from in situ radiometer intercomparison exercises.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (10-20 sites at $100 K per site)
3989
Action T45:
Land Surface Temperature radiometric calibration
Action
Radiometric calibration inter-comparisons and uncertainties for LST sensors.
Benefits
LST data sets better calibrated and over all land surface types for different satellite sensors. Independent
calibration providing credibility and traceability of data and un certainties.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Co-ordinated by IVOS/GSICs, and supported by Space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
ECV generators taking into account radiometric calibration uncertainties, ideally with calibrations being
referenced to a common framework.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
3990
3991
Land Cover
3992
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3996
Land cover and its changes modify the goods and services provided to human society (e.g., the
provision of food and fibre, recreational opportunities, etc.), force climate by altering water and
energy exchanges with the atmosphere, and change greenhouse gas and aerosol sources and sinks.
Land-cover distribution is partly determined by regional climate, so changes in land cover may
indicate climate change.
3997
3998
3999
4000
4001
Currently available datasets vary in terms of data sources employed and spatial resolution and
thematic content, have different types and patterns of thematic accuracy, and use different landcover classification systems reflecting the various user needs. There are dedicated land cover
monitoring initiatives that directly develop land cover products to serve the climate science
community and respond to ECV requirements (i.e. ESA land cover CCI).
4002
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4005
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4007
Present-day technology provides satellite-based optical systems at 10-30 m resolution with temporal,
spectral, and data acquisition characteristics that are consistent with previous systems. For this,
commitments to long-term continuity of this class of observations, such as the Landsat Data
Continuity Mission and Sentinel-2, are vital. The CEOS Land Surface Imaging Constellation has been
instigated to promote the effective and comprehensive collection, distribution and application of
space-acquired imagery of the land surface.
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Datasets characterising global land cover are currently produced at resolutions of between 30 m and
1 km by several space agencies in close cooperation with the research community (especially those
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research groups participating in Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFCGOLD)), the NASA Land Cover Land Use Change Progam, ESA’s climate change initiative and the
National Geomatics Center of China. A range of approaches has been adopted, e.g., centralized
processing using a single method of image classification (e.g., MODLAND, GlobCover, Land Cover
Climate Change Initiative)and a distributed approach using a network of experts applying regionally
specific methods (e.g., GLC2000). However, keeping such networks active in the long-term remains a
challenge (Action T18). Using a single source of satellite imagery and a uniform classification
algorithm has benefits in terms of consistency, but may not yield optimum results for all regions and
all land-cover types. Automated land-cover characterisation and land-cover change monitoring thus
remains a research priority.
4020
4021
4022
4023
4024
It is necessary that land-cover classification systems and the associated map legends adhere to
internationally-agreed standards. Such standards should eventually be agreed upon by the UN/ISO
Terrestrial Framework. Full benefit should be taken of existing initiatives, e.g., the FAO-UNEP Land
Cover Classification System/ Land Cover Meta Language (LCML) for legend harmonization and
translation, and the legends published by the IGBP and the GOFC-GOLD.
4025
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Regarding product needs, 10-30m-scale land-cover maps that enable change analysis should be
produced annually (Action T19), documenting the spatial distribution of land-cover characteristics
with attributes suitable for climate modelling, mitigation and adaptation activities, and ecosystem
models. Land cover maps at moderate (250 m - 1 km) resolutions that enable change analysis should
be developed to meet the needs of some climate change communities (Action T20). Grid-scale
information on the percentage of tree, grass, and bare soil cover should ideally also be made
available. Note the Global Forest Watch initiative provides now pixel-level tree cover percentage
information at 30m-scale from year 2000 onwards.
4033
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4039
4040
Global land-cover databases must also be accompanied by a description of class-by-class
thematic/spatial accuracy to meet the transparency needs required to ensure a proper and informed
use of such datasets. The CEOS WGCV, working with GOFC-GOLD and GLCN has published agreed
validation protocols, which should be used. The current protocols base accuracy assessment on a
sample of high-resolution (1-30 m) satellite imagery, itself validated by in situ observations wherever
possible. To better quantify changes in land-cover characteristics, these high-resolution data should
also be used for wall-to-wall global mapping at resolutions of 10-30 m. The global land cover
reference data portal of the GOFC-GOLD provides an access to some reference datasets.
4041
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4047
The global-scale sample-based FAO Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) Initiative allows the
monitoring of forest cover change on a 5-year basis. Some studies 42 allowed the identification by
photo-interpretation of the follow up land use after deforestation between 1990 and 2005.
Expertise is needed to perform such an effort. This highlights the current difficulty to develop globalscale wall-to-wall land use products allowing change analysis, that are needed by the climate
modellers, mitigation and adaptation communities (on yearly-basis the last two user groups)
(Actions T18 and T21).
42
DeSy et al. (2016)
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Further work is needed also to understand how the Land Cover ECV products relate to the map
products needed for forest monitoring and reporting activities as part of the REDD+ mechanism
(AFOLU sector as defined by the UNFCCC). The list of the map products proposed by the Global
Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI) in its Method and Guidance Document (MGD) should be used as
a reference.
4053
Action T46:
Land Cover Experts
Action
Maintain and strengthen a global network of land cover/land use experts to 1) develop and update an
independent very high spatial-resolution reference dataset for global land cover map accuracy
assessment, and 2) facilitate access to land use and management information to support the
development of global-scale land use products.
Benefits
to GLC map developers, GLC map users.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
GOFC-GOLD, C EOS WGC V/LPV, Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers,
NASA LCLUC, TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Global LC map developers using the reference data developed by the operational network.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$/year
4054
Action T47:
Annual Land Cover Products
Action
Generate yearly land cover products over key regions that allow change assessment across time
(including for the six IPCC AFOLU land categories), at 10-30m spatial resolutions, according to
internationally-agreed standards and accompanied by statistical descriptions of their accuracy.
Benefits
To mitigation and adaptation communities.
Timeframe
2015 and onwards.
Who
Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, Copernicus Land Service, USGS, UMD-GoogleEarth.
Performance
Indicator
Product delivered, and used by a large community to report. Use standard approaches for validation and
uncertainty metrics for performance indicators.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4055
Action T48:
Land Cover Change
Action
Generate global-scale land-cover products, with an annual frequency and long-term records that allow
change assessment across time (including as much as possible for the six IPCC AFOLU land categories), at
resolutions between 250 m and 1 km, according to internationally-agreed standards and accompanied
by statistical descriptions of their accuracy.
Benefits
To Climate change modellers, others.
Timeframe
2015 and onwards, GOFC-GOLD, Copernicus Land Service.
Who
Space Agencies, research institutes.
Performance
Indicator
Product delivered, and used. Use standard approaches for validation and uncertainty metrics for
performance indicators.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4056
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Action T49: Land Cover Community Consensus
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Develop a community consensus strategy and priorities for monitoring to include information on land
management in current land cover datasets, and start collecting relevant datasets and observations
building on ongoing activities.
Benefits
To climate change modellers, mitigation and adaptation user communities.
Timeframe
Concept and approach by 2017; Start Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC, UMDGoogleEarth. CEOS, ESA, USGS, GOFC-GOLD, FAO, GEO
Performance
Indicator
Product delivered, and used.
Annual Cost
100K-1M US$
4057
Action T50:
Deforestation
Action
Develop yearly deforestation (forest clearing) and degradation (partial clearing) for key regions that
allow change assessment across time, at 10-30m spatial resolutions, according to internationally-agreed
definitions.
Timeframe
Concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, UMDGoogleEarth, TOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Indicators based standard validation approach for change of forest cover and attributions associated
with deforestation and degradation. Product delivered, and used.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4058
Above-Ground Biomass
4059
4060
4061
4062
4063
4064
4065
4066
4067
4068
4069
4070
4071
4072
4073
4074
4075
4076
Current continental to global scale maps of biomass are mainly based on data from sensors that are
now defunct. The maps of northern hemisphere boreal and temperate forest biomass are derived
from a long time series of C-band radar data produced by the Envisat ASAR i nstrument, which failed
in April 2012. Estimates of the biomass in lower biomass tropical woodlands relied on the Japanese
Space Agency (JAXA) ALOS-PALSAR L-band radar, which failed in May 2011. Existing pan-tropical
biomass maps are largely based on height measurements from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter
System onboard Icesat, which failed in 2009. There are continuing efforts to improve these maps by
employing new forest inventory data together with data from the Sentinel-1 C-band radar satellites
and the JAXA PALSAR-2 L-band radar (though the pricing policy for the latter data creates problems
for their widespread use). These efforts should be encouraged, but a major focus in the next 5-10
years must be to prepare for and exploit the unprecedented array of space missions that will be
deployed between 2019-2021 to measure forest structure and biomass. These include the ESA
BIOMASS mission, a P-band radar dedicated to global forest biomass measurements, the NASA
Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation lidar on the International Space Station, which aims to
provide the first global, high-resolution observations of the vertical structure of tropical and
temperate forests, and the NASA-ISRO NISAR L- and S-band radar mission. In addition, although
forest biomass is not a primary mission objective, the Argentinian SAOCOM 1A L-band satellite,
scheduled for launch in 2017, will help to provide biomass estimates in lower biomass forests.
4077
4078
Underpinning all these missions is provision of in situ and airborne data for alg orithm training and
validation. Because the missions overlap in time, a collaborative approach to gathering such
- 187 -
4079
4080
4081
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
supporting data would be hugely advantageous, and steps towards this have already been taken.
Even more fundamental is to consider combined use of the data from these sensors to optimise
biomass estimates.
4082
4083
4084
4085
4086
4087
4088
4089
4090
The production of regional to national scale biomass maps from airborne lidar is a recent
development that is important in its own right and as part of the resource for training and validating
spaceborne estimates of biomass. Where possible, these data should be made available to the wider
community. Also of great importance are the high-quality reference biomass data embodied in key
in situ networks, such as Afritron (Africa), Rainfor (Amozonia) and that led by the Smithsonian’s
Center for Tropical Forest Science. These need to be extended to cover a wider range of forest types,
particularly in the tropics, where there are the greatest uncertainties in biomass and where we need
most information on emissions due to deforestation and forest degradation and uptake due to
forest regrowth.
4091
4092
4093
4094
In the interim, biomass estimates will continue to be made following IPCC methods and based on
satellite observations of land cover and forest type, in situ measurements of above-ground biomass,
forest inventories and land surveys. Data collected for the land cover ECV will aid this endeavour,
particularly 30 m resolution land cover and forest maps.
Action T51:
Collaboration on Above Ground Biomass
Action
Encourage inter-agency collaboration on developing optimal methods to combine biomass estimates
from current and upcoming missions (e.g. ESA BIOMASS, NASA GEDI and NASA-ISRO NiSAR, JAXA
PALSAR, CONAE SAOCOM).
Benefits
Reduced error, cross-validation, combining strengths of different sensors in different biomass ranges.
Timeframe
Most of the key missions are expected to be in orbit between 2016 and 2020.
Who
ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, CONAE
Performance
Indicator
A strategy to combine biomass estimates from different sensors, together with algorithms and
processing methods.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4095
Action T52:
Above Ground Biomass Validation Strategies
Action
Encourage inter-agency collaboration to develop validation strategies for upcoming missions aimed at
measuring biomass (e.g. ESA BI OMASS, NASA GEDI and NASA-ISRO NiSAR), to include combined use of in
situ and airborne lidar biomass measurements.
Benefits
Potential to produce more comprehensive validation of biomass estimates by cost -sharing. Greater
consistency between biomass estimates from different sensors because of assessment against common
reference data.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, CONAE
Performance
Indicator
Formal agreement between agencies on a strategy for joint gathering and sharing of validation data
together with funding of specific elements of the overall set of validation data.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4096
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T53: Above Ground Biomass Validation Sites
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Develop a set of validation sites covering the major forest types, especially in the tropics, at which high
quality biomass estimations can be made using standard protocols developed from ground
measurements or airborne lidar techniques.
Benefits
Essential to give confidence in satellite-derived biomass estimates at global scale.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2018 – 2022).
Who
Space agencies working with key in situ networks (e.g. RainFor, Afritron, the Smithsonian Center for
Tropical Forest Science), GEO-GFOI.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of a comprehensive network of ground sites with high quality in situ biomass estimates
with uncertainty assessments suitable for validating the different sensors.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (50 tropical sites covering all forest types: $20 million; estimate for temperate and boreal
sites not yet formulated.)
4097
Action T54:
Above Ground Biomass Data Access
Action
Promote access to well-calibrated and validated regional and national -scale biomass maps that are
increasingly being produced from airborne lidar.
Benefits
Greatly extends the representativeness of data available for validating satellite -derived biomass data,
since a much greater range of land types and forest conditions will be covered.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
GEO-GFOI, other?
Performance
Indicator
Availability of multiple regional to country scale maps of biomass derived from airborne lidar. Use of
standard protocols for uncertainty a ssessment of lidar estimation of biomass.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$ (does not include monitoring costs).
4098
Action T55:
Above Ground Biomass: Forest inventories
Action
Improve access to high quality forest inventories, especially in the tropics, including those develo ped for
research purposes and REDD+.
Benefits
Extends the data available for validating satellite-derived biomass data.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
GEO-GFOI, other?
Performance
Indicator
Access to databases of georeferenced biomass measurements derived from ground measurements for
forest inventory purposes.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4099
Soil Carbon
4100
4101
4102
4103
4104
In order to know the soil carbon stocks a number of parameters need to be measured, in particular
the %C in the soil and the bulk density (or an estimate of it from pedotransfer functions). The depth
of soil also needs to be considered. While, for mineral soils, stocks of soil organic carbon to 1m is
sufficient (30cm is also needed for reporting to the UNFCCC following IPCC guidelines), for histosols
(peats), the total depth of the soil is needed.
4105
4106
4107
None of this can easily be remotely sensed. Existing efforts include HWSD, the Global Soil Map
http://globalsoilmap.net/http://globalsoilmap.net/,
&
ISRIC
http://www.isric.org/http://www.isric.org/.
Available
databases
are
listed
at:
- 189 -
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ESDB_Archive/soil_data/global.htmhttp://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/E
SDB_Archive/soil_data/global.htmhttp://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ESDB_Archive/soil_data/global.ht
m.
4111
4112
4113
In addition, there are initiatives to map peatlands / permafrosts in the North such as the Northern
Circumpolar Soils Database (http://bolin.su.se/data/ncscd/http://bolin.su.se/data/ncscd/) but other
permafrosts (such as those on the Tibetan Plateau) are less well characterised.
4114
4115
However, there are only a limited number of resampling exercises globally which track changes over
time. Collating various resampling data (e.g. 30 years apart) would be a very useful exercise.
4116
4117
4118
4119
4120
4121
4122
4123
At terrestrial sites providing data on other fluxes (e.g. Fluxnet sites), it would be useful to have 5
yearly measurements of soil C (%C, bulk density, to 30cm and to 1m) and a record of management
activities (if any) at each site. This could provide a network of sites with which one could examine
change in soil C over time perhaps complemented by coupling with existing global networks of long
term experiments that are monitoring soil C change over time in various land uses (mostly
agricultural)
e.g.
http://iscn.fluxdata.org/Data/LTSEs/Pages/Map.aspxhttp://iscn.fluxdata.org/Data/LTSEs/Pages/Map
.aspxhttp://iscn.fluxdata.org/Data/LTSEs/Pages/Map.aspx.
4124
Action T56:
Soil Carbon: Carbon Mapping
Action
Cooperate with the soil carbon mapping exercises to advocate for accurate maps of soil carbon.
Benefit
Improved data accuracy.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
TOPC and GCOS.
Performance
Indicator
Improved maps.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4125
Action T57:
Soil Carbon Change
Action
Encourage flux sites to measure soil carbon at 5 ye ar intervals and record soil management activities.
Use this to supplement long term experiments that are monitoring soil carbon.
Benefit
Improved in situ observations will improve accuracy.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
TOPC and GCOS.
Performance
Indicator
Number of flux-sites making measurements.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4126
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Action T58:
Soil Carbon – Histosols
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Provide global maps of the extent of histosols (peatlands, wetlands and permafrost) and their depth.
Benefit
Improve understanding of carbon pools at risk to climate change.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
Performance
Indicator
Availability of maps.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4127
Fire
4128
4129
4130
4131
4132
4133
Fire disturbance is characterised by large spatial and temporal variations acting over multiple time
scales (diurnally, seasonally and inter-annually). By consuming vegetation and emitting aerosols and
trace gases, fires have large impacts on the storage and flux of carbon in the biosphere and
atmosphere, influence atmospheric composition and air quality, can cause long-term changes in land
cover, and affect land-atmosphere fluxes of energy and water. Together these and other properties
related to fire disturbance also influence the radiative forcing of climate.
4134
4135
4136
4137
4138
4139
4140
In general, landscape fires are expected to become more severe and/or more frequent under a
warmer climate, depending on changes in precipitation. At the same time, some ecosystems,
particularly in the Tropics and boreal zones, are becoming subject to increasing fire due to growing
population, economic, and land-use pressures. The amount of burned biomass in an ecosystem can
vary between years by an order of magnitude, especially between wet and dry years, and these
strong year-to-year differences may influence the interannual variations seen in the global
atmospheric CO2 growth rate.
4141
4142
4143
4144
4145
4146
4147
4148
4149
4150
Informed policy- and decision-making clearly requires timely and accurate quantification of fire
activity and its impacts nationally, regionally, and globally. Burned area, active (or flaming) fire
detection, and Fire Radiative Power (FRP) datasets together form the Fire ECV, and the separate
products can be combined to generate improved information, e.g., mapping of fire affected areas to
the fullest extent, including the timing of burning of each affected grid-cell. Estimates of total dry
matter fuel consumption (and thus carbon emission) can be calculated from combining these
products with other information, such as combustion completeness (currently not systematically
estimated from satellite data) and pre-fire biomass. By applying species-specific emissions factors to
these fuel consumption estimates, emission totals for the various trace gases and aerosols can then
be calculated.
4151
4152
4153
4154
4155
4156
4157
4158
Fires are typically patchy and heterogeneous. Measurements of global burnt area are therefore
required at a spatial resolution of 30 m (minimum resolution of 500 m) from optical remote sensing,
with near-daily frequency from moderate (30m) resolution sensors, and daily from coarse resolution
sensors (250-500m). Measurements may be supplemented using radar remote sensing in cloudy
areas. Detection of actively burning fires and assessment of their Fire Radiative Power (FRP) is often
adequately done at lower spatial resolutions (e.g. 1 km) because burning fires covering only around
10-4 to 10-3 of the pixel area can be detected using appropriately sensitive active fire detection
algorithms, but higher spatial resolutions are beneficial (e.g. 250 - 500 m) since the most frequent
- 191 -
4159
4160
4161
4162
4163
4164
4165
4166
4167
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
types of fire in many regions are likely to be too small to be detected with 1 km data. Furthermore
for these active fire applications the sensor must have a mid-infrared spectral channel with a wide
dynamic range to avoid sensor saturation, and also an accompanying thermal-infrared band and VIS
or NIR band to lessen the chances of false detections. Active fires should be detected from Low Earth
Orbit satellites multiple times per day, with one of the measurements being located near the peak of
the daily fire cycle (often located in the early afternoon), and their FRP should be calculated. Some
geostationary satellites allow active fire and FRP data generation at coarser spatial resolutions as
rapidly as every 15 minutes, and this provides the best sampling of the fire diurnal cycle and rapid
changes in fire emissions that may be required for certain applications (e.g., for temporal integration
of FRP data to estimate total carbon emissions; and to link to atmospheric chemistry
models/observations)
4170
4171
4172
4173
4174
4175
4176
4177
4178
4179
4180
4181
4182
The various space-based products require validation and inter-comparison. Validation of moderate
and coarse-resolution fire products involves field observations and the use of high-resolution
imagery, in collaboration with local fire management organizations and the research community.
The CEOS WGCV, working with the GOFC-GOLD, is establishing internationally-agreed validation
protocols that should be applied to all datasets before their release. A fully stratified sampling
scheme (designated CEOS level 3) that adequately represents the nature of fire activity over the
globe is close to being realised and work on a level 4 scheme is needed. The validation protocol for
the generation of reference data to validate burned area products, based on multi-temporal higher
resolution reference imagery, is mature and has been documented. The active fire detection
protocol requires simultaneous high resolution airborne or satellite imagery, which is not readily
available except for the single-platform Terra MODIS/ASTER configuration. Therefore, an effective
active fire (and FRP) validation protocol is still under development. Geostationary FRP data have thus
far been validated via comparisons to simultaneous polar orbiting measures.
4183
4184
4185
4186
4187
4188
4189
GCOS and the Terrestrial Observing Panel for Climate (TOPC) must work with the CEOS WGCV,GOFCGOLD and the Space Agencies to ensure that fire disturbance data products are easily available to
users, with complete supporting documentation and metadata. A number of fire disturbance
products are now operational. For example, in the Copernicus programme, both burned area and
FRP can be found. It is expected that this service will continue into the future. Further, GCOS strongly
endorses initiatives and projects that bring climate modelling and product development
communities together.
4190
4191
4192
4193
The transition of experimental fire products to the operational domain needs to be facilitated. Data
continuity to the new generation sensors on future operational environmental satellite series needs
to be ensured, and products need to be inter-compared and combined to provide best estimates of
total fuel consumption (and fire emissions), together with uncertainties over long time scales.
4194
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T59:
Historic fire data
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Reanalyse the historical fire disturbance satellite data (1982 to present).
Benefits
Climate modelling communities.
Timeframe
By 2020.
Who
Space agencies, working with research groups coordinated by GOFC-GOLD Fire By 2020.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of a consistent dataset, including the globally available AVHRR data record.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4195
Action T60:
Operational global burned area and FRP
Action
Continue the production of operational, global burned area active fire (with associated FRP) products,
with metadata and uncertainty characterizations that meet threshold requirements and have necessary
product back-up to ensure operational delivery of products to users.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities. space agencies, civil protection services, fire mangers, other users
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, Copernicus Global Land Service, Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, GOFC GOLD.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of products that meet user needs.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4196
Action T61:
Fire maps
Action
Consistently map global burned area at < 100m resolution on a near daily basis from combinations of
satellite products (Sentinel-2, Landsat, Sentinel-1, PROBA). Furthermore, work towards deriving
consistent measures of fire severity, fire type, fuel moisture, and related plant fuel parameters.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities , space agencies, civil protection services, fire managers, othe r users.
Timeframe
By 2020.
Who
Space agencies, Research Organisations, International Organisations in collaboration with GOFC -GOLD
Fire.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of data and products.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4197
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T62:
Fire validation
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Continuation of validation activity around the detection of fire disturbed areas from satellites to show
that threshold requirements are being met. Work to reduce the errors of commission and omission.
Provide better than existing uncertainty characterisation of fire disturbance products.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies and research organizations, supported by CEOS LPV.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of temporal accuracy.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4198
Action T63:
Fire disturbance model development
Action
Continuation of joint projects between research groups involved in the development of Atmospheric
Transport Models, Dynamic Vegetation Models and GHG Emission models ‘the Climate Modelling and
Transport Modelling community’ and those involved in the continual algorithm development, validation
and uncertainty characterisation of fire disturbance products from satellite data (the Earth Observation
and Modelling community). Contribute to better understanding of fire risk and fir e risk modelling.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities, Copernicus Programme.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, etc.), inter-agency bodies (GOFC-GOLD, C EOS, ECMWF, Meteosat etc.),
Copernicus Global Land Service, Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, GOFC-GOLD.
Performance
Indicator
Projects that engage climate and atmospheric transport modellers and product development
community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4199
5.6
Human Use of Natural Resources
4200
4201
4202
4203
4204
These ECV monitor parts of the human dimension of climate change. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas
emissions and removals are the primary driver of climate change while water use has a major impact
on some ecosystems and water scarcity, which is forecast to increase with climate change. Collection
of these products does not depend solely on environmental observations: a range of data such as
measurements of fuel use and composition, and socio-economic information is used.
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4205
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Table 19 Status of ECVs for Human Use of Natural Resources
Review Version 25 June 2016
ECV
Status
Water use
Information on anthropogenic water use is generally inadequate. FAO AQUASTAT
currently is the only database containing information on water use for agricultural
purposes.
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
This has not been an ECV previously and is essential but is essential to quantify the
anthropogenic drivers of climate change.
4206
Anthropogenic Water Use
4207
4208
4209
4210
4211
Water is vital to humans and is used for a wide range of activities such as agriculture, drinking, food
preparation, hygiene, industry and energy production. Given the likely impacts on water availability
and scarcity due to climate change this is an important quantity. This plan renames the ECV “Water
Use” to “Anthropogenic Water Use” to highlight that this ECV refers to all human uses, not just
agriculture.
4212
4213
4214
4215
4216
4217
4218
4219
As noted in the Status Report, this has not been well monitored in the past so, while the AQUASTAT
database hosted by FAO needs to continue and to be improved, pilot exercises are proposed to
demonstrate the collection of data on all water uses and serve as a demonstration of how this can
be done on a wider scale. In addition, UN-Water is the United Nations inter-agency coordination
mechanism for all freshwater related issues such as freshwater resources, sanitation and water
related disasters and provides access to data on its web site.. Also, the International Water
Management Institute (IWMI) has been doing research on water for the last 30 years. It is a nonprofit research organization whose research outputs and data freely and openly available.
4220
Action T64:
Anthropogenic Water Use
Action
Collect, archive and disseminate information related to anthropogenic water use.
Benefit
Accurate and up-to-date data on water availability and stress.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
UN-Water, IWMI and FAO through AQUASTAT in collaboration with UN Statistics Division and other data
sources.
Performance
Indicator
Information contained in the AQUASTAT database.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4221
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T65:
Pilot projects - Anthropogenic Water Use
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action
Develop and implement pilot data collection exercises for water use.
Benefit
Demonstrate data collection approaches for wide implementation.
Timeframe
206-2019
Who
GTN-H, UN-Water, IWMI and FAO through AQUASTAT in collaboration with the Convention on the
Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
Performance
Indicator
Completed data collection in pilot areas.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4222
Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Fluxes
4223
4224
4225
4226
4227
4228
4229
4230
4231
Accurate knowledge of anthropogenic greenhouse gas fluxes is needed by parties to the UNFCCC
and to improve the scientific understanding of the impacts of these emissions on the climate. Parties
to the UNFCCC have a commitment under the convention to report their emissions and removals
and, under the Paris Agreement, many commitments are in terms of emission mitigation.
Monitoring these INDCs and NDCs will require good inventories, which should be reported in a
transparent way following MRV requirements, and are subject to review for annex I parties and
International Consultation and Analysis for non-annex I parties. However, to date, there is no
independent way to check inventories, although some methods based on inverse modelling
approaches have been demonstrated.
4232
4233
4234
4235
Inventory methods must follow the IPCC 2006 guidelines and the IPCC 2013 supplement on wetlands.
Global estimates are also made with methods that follow the IPCC guidelines. However questions
have recently been raised about the falling accuracy of these estimates at global level for fossil fuel
and industrial emissions, due to the increase in emissions from countries with less accurate statistics.
4236
4237
Anthropogenic in this context refers to emissions and removals from all managed land, fossil fuel,
industrial, waste treatment, and agricultural emissions (IPCC 2006).
4238
4239
4240
4241
4242
4243
4244
An important part of the carbon cycle is the net uptake of carbon by the land that is not directly
related to human activities. This land sink is currently estimated as the residual after deducting the
atmospheric and ocean uptakes from the net emissions. However, it is itself the net result of two
large fluxes, viz. an emission term due to deforestation and forest degradation (mainly in the tropics)
and an uptake term due to vegetation growth, for example forest regrowth. This sink has increased
roughly in proportion to the emissions in response to human interventions on the carbon cycle, and
improved knowledge about this land sink would improve future projections.
4245
4246
4247
4248
4249
4250
4251
4252
4253
As noted above there is no independent check on the estimates reported by countries. Such an
independent check would support improved reporting by countries to the UNFCCC by increasing the
confidence and credibility in the emission estimates and in the impacts of mitigation efforts. This can
be done with inverse modelling approaches based on atmospheric composition observations.
Currently these approaches can only give rough order-of-magnitude estimates but should improve
as observational networks are improved and through efforts such as IG3IS and GeoCARBON. Such
comparisons between concentrations and observations have been demonstrated at the national
level by the UK and Switzerland and for sources by monitoring oil and gas production areas and
agricultural soils over a wide scale.
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Looking forward, with the correct investments in observations, it should be practical to have in place
a system that could track anthropogenic emissions from fossil fuel and industry by about 2030. To do
this, actions are needed now to demonstrate the feasibility of developing the observational and
interpretation infrastructures.
4258
4259
4260
Observations are also of great use in supporting land-based climate mitigation efforts such as REDD+.
Observations of land cover, above-ground biomass, fire and soil carbon may all be relevant and are
provided by other existing ECVs. Projects such as GFOI give guidance.
4261
4262
Table 20 The greenhouse gases of interest. The focus of support for observing the carbon cycle
will be on CO2 and CH4 .
Gas
UNFCCC reporting
CO2
Mandatory
CH4 and N2 O
HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3
Mandatory (annex 1)
additional GHGs, such as HFEs and PFPEs, and other gases for which
Strongly Encouraged
100-year global warming potential values are available from the IPCC
indirect greenhouse gases such as SO2 , NOx, CO and NMVOC
Optional
Gases controlled by the Montreal Protocol
No
Aerosols
4263
Action T66:
Improve Global Estimates of Anthropogenic GHG Emissions
Action
Continue to produce annual global estimates of emissions from fossil fuel, industry, agriculture and
waste. Improve these estimates by following IPCC methods using Tier 2 methods for significant sectors.
This will require a global knowledge of fuel carbon contents and a consideration of the accuracy of the
statistics used.
Benefit
Improved tracking of global anthropogenic emissions.
Timeframe
2018 and on-going thereafter.
Who
Performance
Indicator
Availability of Improved estimates.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4264
Action T67:
Use of Satellites for LULUCF Emissions/Removals
Action
Support the improvement of estimates emissions and removals from Forestry and Land Use Change by
using satellite data to monitor changes where ground based data is insufficient.
Benefit
Improved global and national monitoring of LULUCF.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
UNREDD, GFOI,…
Performance
Indicator
Availability of satellite data.
Annual Cost
100k -1M US$
4265
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Research on the Land Sink
Action
Research to better understand the land sink, its processes and magnitudes.
Benefit
Better understanding of the global carbon cycle.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
Research groups.
Performance
Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4266
Action T68:
Use of Inverse modelling techniques to support emission inventories
Action
Develop inverse modelling methods so that they support and add credibility to emission inventories.
Develop and disseminate examples for several GHGs.
Benefit
Added credibility of national emission/removal estimates and demonstration of inventory completeness.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
National Inventory agencies, Researchers.
Performance
Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4267
Action T69:
Action
Prepare for a carbon monitoring system
Preparatory work to develop a carbon (and ch4?) monitoring system to be operational by 2035.
Development of comprehensive monitoring systems of measurements of atmospheric concentrations
and of emission fluxes from anthropogenic point sources, to include space -based monitoring, in situ
flask and flux tower measurements and the necessary transport and assimilation models.
Benefit
Improved estimates of national emissions and removals.
Timeframe
Initial demonstration results by 2023 – complete systems unlikely before 2030.
Who
Space agencies.
Performance
Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
10-100B US$
4268
5.7
Potential for Latent and Sensible Heat Flux from Land to be an ECV
4269
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4272
4273
4274
4275
4276
Latent and Sensible Heat flux from the land surface is not currently an ECV. Together with similar
fluxes over the oceans and radiant heat fluxes it is an important parameter in closing the energy
cycle. Current observations do not totally close the energy cycle. However, it is more difficult to
measure over land than the ocean on a global scale as the land surface is very inhomogeneous. In
order to prepare for better monitoring of the Latent and Sensible Heat Flux from the land surface
TOPC will undertake a review of the measurements to date, and their reliability in order to
determine if it can be adequately monitored over the land surface and, if this is feasible, to make
proposals on the requirements for such an ECV for consideration by the GCOS Steering Committee.
4277
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Action T70:
Prepare for a Latent & Sensible Heat Flux ECV
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Review the feasibility of global monitoring o latent and sensible heat fluxes form the land surface.
Prepare proposals for such an ECV
Development of comprehensive monitoring systems of measurements of atmospheric conce ntrations
and of emission fluxes from anthropogenic point sources, to include space -based monitoring, in situ
flask and flux tower measurements and the necessary transport and assimilation models.
Benefit
Improve understanding of heat fluxes over land.
Timeframe
2017
Who
TOPC
Performance
Indicator
Proposals for consideration by the GCOS Steering Committee.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4278
4279
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4280
6.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
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4286
This plan has three overarching targets listed below (see Part I chapter 5). Achieving these would
provide adequate monitoring of the carbon, water and energy cycles, and the biosphere, at global
scales for understanding of climate change. However, meeting user needs for planning to adapt to
changes in climate and climate variability require more varied and local actions and, while this will
be considered throughout this plan, the approach is summarised in Table 21 (below) and in Part I Ch.
3. Actions in this plan will be developed with consideration of other MEA (see Part I Ch. 4)
4287
Target 1:
Targets
Closing the Carbon Budget (Greenhouse Gases)
●
Quantify fluxes of carbon related greenhouse gases to +/ - 10% on annual
time-scales
●
Quantify changes of in carbon stocks to +/- 10% on decadal time-scales in the
ocean and on land, and to +/- X% in the atmosphere on annual time-scales
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of uncertainties in estimated fluxes and inventories
Target 2:
Targets
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Closing the Global Water Cycle
Close water cycle globally within 5%
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of the uncertainties in estimated turbulent flux of latent heat
Target 3:
Targets
Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
Closing the Global Energy Balance
Balance energy budget to within 0.1 Wm-2
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of imbalance in estimated global energy budget
Target 4:
Targets
Explain Changing Conditions to the Biosphere
Measured ECVs accurate enough to explain changes to the biosphere (e.g. species
composition, biodiversity etc.)
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres.
Ongoing
Regular assessment of the uncertainty of estimates of changing conditions as listed
above
4288
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Who
Time-Frame
Performance
Indicator
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and
Provide Guidance Produce and disseminate advice on using the global and regional requirements at a national and local level, and guidance and GCOS
best practice on prioritisation of observations, implementation, data stewardship and reporting. Promote the use of this
guidance by parties and donors. Review the use of this guidance and requirements and revise as needed.
Climate Services Data
Acquiring data
Action
Define
Needs
Requirements
Guidance
Table 21 Actions for Adaptation (repeat of Table 3 above)
Coordination
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Description
WHO
User GCOS and the observation community has identify and understand the needs of user communities and issues it aims to serve. GCOS
GCOS should work with them to define regional requirements.
Produce
High Encourage satellite-based observation systems, reanalyses and global circulation models to move towards generating spatially
Resolution data
higher resolution products
Data Rescue
Communicate the value of historical data as a public good and promote data rescue as an essential task. (See Part II, Section
1.4.2)
Invest
in Investments are needed to improve the ground-based network of stations for climate, water, greenhouse gas fluxes,
observations
biodiversity and others (Parties should invest in their own observations: support is also needed in countries with fewer
resources Part I Chapter 6)
Improve
Data Improve information on data availability, quality, uncertainty, and limits of applicability, and establish and improve
Stewardship
mechanisms to provide both access to data and information regarding data contents
Improve data management (see Part II Section 1.3)
Climate services Present the information derived from the observations in a form that is relevant to the purposes of the diverse range of
decision makers and users addressing issues such as, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, monitoring and evaluation,
risk assessment and mitigation, development of early warning systems, adaptation and development planning and climate
proofing strategies within and across sectors
GFCS
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) has a leading role in improving feedback mechanisms between data providers
and users through the User Interface Platform, to inform GCOS in supporting the GFCS Observations and Monitoring pillar
Coordination
There is need to clarify responsibilities, define focal points for specific topics, build synergies, and generally streng then
cooperation among UN programmes, as well as to consider how GCOS can use its reporting systems through the WMO, the
UNFCCC, the IOC and others, to reach out to different communities and to be recognised as an authoritative source of
validated information that is relevant to users’ needs
GFCS
Related GCOS Actions
Regional Workshops (G11)
Development of requirements
(G13)
Communication plan (G12)
Provide advice and guidance
(G13-16, Part II chs2-4)
Communication Plan (G12)
Regional Workshops (G11)
Development of requirements
(G13)
Data Rescue (G29-34)
Communications Plan (G12)
GCOS Cooperation mechanism
(G9)
Communications Plan (G12)
Define and use metadata
Mechanism to discover data,
Open Data (Part II Ch. 1.3)
Indicators (Par 1 Ch 3.3)
GFCS
Refine requirements (G13)
GCOS
Parties
GCOS
GCOS,
GFCS,
IOC,
WMO,
UNFCCC,
Parties
Long
term Support research initiatives such as UNEP’s PROVIA and the International Council for Science (ICSU) Future Earth as well as GCOS,
research
and global and regional investments in observations likely to meet future needs for long-term data, such as the Monitoring for ICSU,
observations
Environment and Security in Africa programme (MESA).
UNEP
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Coordination actions (role of
GCOS and its science panels)
Research Actions (several
actions in Part II Chs 2-4)
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6.1 General, Cross-cutting, Actions
Action G1: Guidance and best practice for adaptation observations
Action
Produce guidance and bes t practice on for observations for adaptation. This would .include advice on using the global
and regional requirements at a nationa l and local level, and guidance and best practice on prioritisation of obse rvations,
implementa tion, data s tewardship and reporting. Prom ote the use of this guidance by parties and donors. Review the
use of this guidance and requirements and revise as needed
Benefit
Encourage high quality, consistent and comparable observations
Timeframe
Version one available in 2018, thereafter review and refine as needed
Who
GCOS in association with users and other stakeholders
Performance
Indicator
Availability and use of specifications
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4295
Action G2: Specification of high-resolution data
Action
Specify the high resolution data requirements
In response to use r needs for adaptation planning, develop high-resolution observational requirements and guidance
and distribute this widely;
Promote coordination among obse rvation systems at differe nt scales from subnational to global, particular through
relevant focal points, national coordinators and regional climate centres and alliances;
Ensure that this work responds to other work streams unde r the UNFCCC’s Research and Systematic Observation agenda
item and the SDGs;
Ensure this data is openly accessible to all users.
Benefit
Develop a broad unders tanding of observationa l need. Ensure consiste ncy of observations and thus e nable their wide
use.
Timeframe
2018 an on-going thereafter
Who
GCOS in association with users and other stakeholders
Performance
Indicator
Availability and use of specifications
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4296
Action G3: Development of indicators of climate change
Action
Devise a list of climate indicators that describe the ongoing impacts of climate change in a more holistic way than
temperature a lone. Additional indicators may include: heating of the ocean, ris ing sea level, increasing ocean acidity,
melting glaciers and decreasing snow cover and changes in arctic sea ice.
Benefit
Communicate better the full range of ongoing climate change on the Earth system
Timeframe
2017
Who
GCOS in association with other relevant parties.
Performance
Indicator
Agreed list of indicators (say, 6 in number)
Annual Cost
10-100k
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Action G4: Indicators for Adaptation and Risk
Action
Promote definition of and research supporting the development of indica tors linking physical and social drivers relating
to exposure, vulnerability and improved resilience, in line with national requirements.
Benefit
Tracking of progress of climate change and adaptation, improved capacity to respond and avoid loss.
Timeframe
2017
Who
GCOS with relevant agencies and national bodies
Performance
Indicator
Definition and development of relevant risk assessments
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4298
Action G5: GCOS Coordinator
Action
Activate National Coordinators
Benefit
Coordinate d planning and impleme ntation of systematic climate obse rving systems across the many national
departments and agencies involved with their provision.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Who
Responsible division for the coordination of climate observation
Performance
Indicator
Annual reports describing and assessing prog ress made in national coordination in compliance with the coordinator’s
responsibilities; Establishing a national climate observations inventory and publication of annual reports.
Annual Cost
10-100 K US$ / year / National Government
4299
Action G6: Regional Workshops
Action
Hold regional workshops to identify needs and regional cooperation, starting with Africa.
Benefit
Improve key monitoring networks to fill gaps in regions
Timeframe
2018-2020
Who
GCOS Secretariat in coordination with National Coordinators
Performance
Indicator
Workshop outputs describing regional plans and priority national needs.
Annual Cost
1-10 M US$ (total for six workshops)
4300
Action G7: Communications strategy
Action
Develop and implement a GCOS communications strategy.
Benefit
Targeted expert assistance to improve key monitoring networks
Timeframe
Develop strategy/plan in 2017 - Implement in subsequent years
Who
GCOS Secretariat
Performance
Indicator
Increased monitoring and used of GCMP and monitoring of ECV. Increased donations to the G CM. Climate m onitoring
included in national plans and/or re porting to UNFCCC. Production of material and improved webs ite. Participation in
international meetings.
Annual Cost
100k - 1MUS$
4301
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Action G8:
Action
Review Version 25 June 2016
Maintain ECV Requirements
Complete and then maintain list of ECV requireme nts. GCOS should adopt a systematic approach to de fining ECV
requirements across all the science panels. These requirements should be consistent between panels.
Priority should be given to filling any gaps in the requirements tables (annex A).
Routinely, maintain, review and revise list of ECV requirements.
Benefit
Clear, cons istent and complete lis t of ECV requirements as a basis for na tional and inte rnational climate
observations ensures consistency between observations.
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop a systematic approach in 2017. Complete requirements by June 2017 and review every 5 years.
Performance Indicator
Annually updated list of ECV requirements
Annual Cost
1-10K US$ for experts
4302
Action G9:
Review of Satellite-based CDR availability
Action
Provide a structure d, comprehensive and accessible view as to what Climate Da ta Records a re currently available,
and what are planned to exist, togethe r with an assessment of the degree of compliance of such re cords with the
GCOS requirements
Benefit
Improve planning of satellite-derived climate data acquisition
Who
CEOS/CGMS Working Group on Climate for records contributing to the ECV Products that are allocated to satellites.
Time-frame
End-2016 and updated every 2 years thereafter.
Performance
Indicator
On-line availability of an inventory of curre nt and future Climate Data Records, together with an assessment of
compliance with GCOS requirements
Annual Cost
Covered by CEOS and CGMS agencies
4303
Action G10:
Gap-analysis of Satellite-based CDR
Action
Establish a gap analysis process, and associated actions, to: a) address gaps/deficie ncies in the current available set
of Climate Da ta Records, and b) ensure continuity of records, and address gaps, through the appropriate planning of
future satellite missions
Benefit
Increase the utility of the Climate Data Records
Who
CEOS/CGMS Working Group on Climate for records contributing to the ECV Products that are allocated to satellites
Time-frame
End-2017, and updated every 2 years thereafter.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of Gap Analysis and Associated Action Plan
Annual Cost
Covered by CEOS and CGMS agencies
4304
Action G11:
Review of ECV observation networks
Action
The GCOS science pane ls will develop and initia te a process to regularly review ECV obse rvation networks,
comparing the ir products with the ECV requirements for all ECV not covered by the CEOS/CGMS Working Group on
Climate. This will identify gaps be tween the obse rvations a nd the requirements, identify any deficie ncies and
develop remediation plans with relevant organizations.
Benefit
Increase quality and availability of climate observations.
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop and demonstrate review process in 2017. Review each ECV’s observing systems at least every 4 years.
Performance
Indicator
Reports of results of ECV reviews produced by panels each year.
Annual Cost
None – part of work of panels
4305
Action G12:
Open Data Policies
Action
Ensure that data policies that facilitate the open exchange and archiving of all ECV data are being followed.
Benefit
Access to data by all users in all countries at minimum cost
Who
Parties and international agencies, appropriate technical commissions, and international programmes
Time-frame
Continuing, of high priority
Performance
Indicator
Number of countries adhering to data policies favouring free and open exchange of ECV data.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
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Action G13:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Support to National Data Centres
Action
Ensure national data centres are supported to enable timely, efficien t and quality-controlled flow of in situ ECV data
to Inte rnational Data Centres whe re they e xist. Ens ure time ly flow of feedback from monitoring centres to observing
network operators.
Benefit
Long-term, sustainable, provision of timely data and improved QA/QC.
Who
Parties with coordination by appropriate technical commissions and international programmes.
Time-frame
Continuing, of high priority.
Performance
Indicator
Data receipt at centres and archives
Annual Cost
10-30M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
4307
Action G14:
Product intercomparison
Action
Continue to undertake product inter-comparisons and operate websites that provide guidance on data products
Benefit
Who
Improved accuracy and a better understanding of differences between datasets
Time-frame
Ongoing
Performance
Indicator
Reports on inter-comparisons; content and access statistics for product-guidance websites
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Individual scientis ts, WCRP projects, CEOS WGCV initiatives, other institutions providing product com parisons or
information services
4308
Action G15:
Modern distributed data services for large datasets
Action
Develop and im plement modern distributed data se rvices for large datasets that e nable access, processing and
distribution of data, derived products, and product subsets. To ensure they are widely used, provide capacity
development whe re needed, both to e nable countries to benefit from the large volumes of data available world-wide
and to enable these countries to more readily provide their data to the rest of the world.
Benefit
Allow all parties to benefit from large datasets and to use them to meet there specific needs.
Who
Parties’ national services and space agencies for im plementation in gene ral, and Parties through their support of
multinational and bilateral technical cooperation programmes, and the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism.
Time-frame
Continuing
Performance
Indicator
Numbers of datasets processed and used by countries and agencies.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4309
Action G16:
Action
Data Centres and data holdings
Ensure that data centres and data holdings:
Continue to be supported and resourced;
Follow best practice in data stewardship to ensure the long-term preservation of data;
Match metadata requirements and data formats with observing systems;
Take advantage of modern information and communication technology.
Benefit
Timely access to data for all users. Preservation of data for future generations.
Who
Data centres, data holdings and their funders.
Time-frame
On-going
Performance
Indicator
Data held in compliant data centres an holdings and accessible to users.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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Action G17:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Metadata
Action
Apply standards and procedure for metadata and its storage and e xchange. GCOS to identify me tadata re positories for
major ECVs and promote the deposit of all relevant metadata.
Benefit
Improved access and discoverability of datasets.
Who
Operators of GCOS related systems, including data centres
Time-frame
Continuous
Performance
Indicator
Number of ECV related datasets accessible through standard mechanisms.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$ (20 k US$ per data centre) (10% in non-Annex-I Parties).
4311
Action G18:
Produce comprehensive observational databases
Action
Continue production and refine e xisting comprehensive obse rvational databases that fee d product generation;
produce merged databases where data holdings are not unified
Benefit
To facilitate the production of some essential data products
Who
Data centres
Time-frame
Ongoing
Performance
Indicator
Number of additional docume nted comprehensive da tabases; improved cov erage of da ta reporte d as used by product
generators
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4312
Action G19:
Data access and discoverability
Action
Develop GOSIC into be coming a means of discovering and accessing all relevant climate data records and other
relevant products. Ensure there is access to me tadata tha t clea rly dis tinguishes each data product a nd describes its
adherence to the GCMP.
Benefit
Increase access to CDRs
Who
GCOS Panels
Time-frame
Develop plans in 2017.
Performance
Indicator
Reports of results of ECV reviews produced by panels each year.
Annual Cost
10-100kUS$
4313
Action G20:
ECV data products
Action
Continue production and develop more refined versions of the establis hed in situ and sate llite observation based ECV
data products.
Benefit
Improved ECV data products
Who
National and regional production centres.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Up-to-date versions of ECV data products, with improving results from product evaluations.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4314
Action G21:
Implementation of new production streams in global reanalysis
Action
Continue comprehens ive global reanalyses and implement pla nned new production s treams using improved data assimilation systems and bette r collections of obse rvations; provide information on the uncertainty of products and
feedback on data usage by the assimilation systems.
Benefit
Improved reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number and spe cifica tions of global reanalyses in production; im proved results from evaluations of performance; use r
uptake of unce rtainty information; extent to which observational archives are enhance d with feedback from
reanalyses.
10-30M US$
Annual Cost
4315
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4316
Action G22:
Develop coupled reanalysis
Action
Further develop coupled reanalysis and improve the coupled modelling and data assimilation methodology.
Benefit
Provide coupled reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres and other centres undertaking research in data assimilation.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number, specification and demonstrated benefits of coupled reanalyses
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4317
Action G23:
Improve capability of long-range reanalysis
Action
Improve the capability of long-scale reanalysis using sparse observations data sets
Benefit
Provide longer reanalysis data sets
Who
Global reanalysis production centres and other centres undertaking research in data assimilation.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Demonstrated improvements in the representation of long-term variability and change in century-scale reanalyses
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4318
Action G24:
Implementation of regional reanalysis
Action
Develop and implement regional reanalysis and othe r approaches to downs caling the information from global data
products.
Benefit
Capability to capture climate variability in a regional scale
Who
Dataset producers.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number and evaluated performance of regional reanalyses and other downscaled datasets.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4319
Action G25:
Preservation of early satellite data
Action
Ensure long term data preservation of early satellite raw and level 1 data including metadata.
Benefit
Extend CDRs back in time
Who
Space Agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data archive statistics at Space Agencies for old satellite data.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4320
Action G26:
Recovery of instrumental climate data
Action
Continue the recovery of ins trume ntal clima te da ta that a re not held in a mode rn digital format and e ncourage more
imaging and digitisation
Benefit
Improve access to historical observations data sets
Who
Agencies holding significant volumes of unrecovered data; specific projects focussed on data recovery .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data Increases in a rchive-centre holdings and data use d in product generation; registe r entries re cording datarecovery activities (see following action)
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
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Action G27:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Register of data recovery activities
Action
Populate and maintain a register or registers of data recovery activities.
Benefit
Facilitate planning of data rescue
Who
WMO CCl and other international bodies with related responsibilities[AJS5] ; institutions hosting registers.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Existence and degree of population of register(s).
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4322
Action G28:
Scanned records
Action
Lodge scans with an appropria te international data centre if digitization does not follow scanning; assemble classes of
scanned record suitable for digitization, for example by crowdsourcing.
Benefit
Facilitate planning of data rescue
Who
Institutions that have scanned data but not undertaken digitization; receiving data centres for assembly of records
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Statistics on holdings and organisation of scanned records by data centres .
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4323
Action G29:
Historical data records sharing
Action
Benefit
Share recovered historical data records.
Improved access to historical data sets to all users
Who
Institutions that have recovered data records but not made them widely available .
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Annual Cost
Number of released data records as reported in registers
10-100k US$
4324
4325
6.2 Atmospheric Actions
Action A1:
Historical GSN availability
Action
Improve the availability of near real-time and historical GSN data especially over Africa and the Tropical Pacific.
Benefit
Improved access for users to near real time GSN data.
Who
Nationa l Meteorological Se rvices, regional ce ntres in coordination/coopera tion with WMO CBS, and with advice from
the AOPC.
Time-frame
Continuous for monitoring GSN performance and receipt of data at Archive Centre
Performance
Indicator
AOPC review of data archive statistics at WDC Asheville annually and National Communications to UNFCCC.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A2:
Land database
Action
Set up a framework for an integrated land database which includes all the atmospheric
4326
surface ECVs and across reporting timescales.
Benefit
Centralised a rchive for all paramete rs. Facilita tes QC among eleme nts, ide ntifying gaps in the data, efficient gathering
and provision of rescued historical data, integrated ana lysis and monitoring of ECVs. Supports climate assessments,
extremes, etc. Standardised formats and metadata.
Who
NCEI and contributing centres
Time-frame
Framework agreed by 2018
Performance
Indicator
Report progress annually to AOPC.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
4327
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Action A3:
International exchange of SYNOP and CLIMAT reports
Action
Obtain furthe r prog ress in the systematic inte rnational exchange of both hourly SYNOP reports and daily and monthly
CLIMAT reports from all stations.
Benefit
Enhanced holdings data archives.
Who
Nationa l Meteorological Se rvices, regional ce ntres in coordination/coopera tion with WMO CBS, and with advice from
the AOPC.
Time-frame
Continuous, with significant improvement in receipt of RBSN synoptic and CLIMAT data by 2019.
Performance
Indicator
Data archive statistics at data centres.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A4:
Surface Observing stations transition to automatic
Action
Follow guidelines and procedures for the transition from manual to automatic surface observing stations.
Benefit
More stable time series.
Who
Parties opera ting GSN stations for implementation. WMO CCl, in cooperation with the WMO CIMO, WMO CBS f or
review.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Implementation noted in National Communications and relevant information provided.
4328
Performance
Indicator
Annual Cost
30-100 M US$
Action A5:
Transition to BUFR
Action
Encourage dual transmission of TAC and BUFR for at least 6 m onths and longer if incons istencies are see n (to compa re
the two data streams for accuracy)
Benefit
Transition to BUFR does not introduce discontinuities in the datasets. BUFR allows metadata to be stored with data.
4329
Who
Parties operating GSN stations for implementation.
Time-frame
Ongoing for implementation. Review by 2018.
Proven capability to store BUFR messages giving same quality or better as TAC data.
Performance
Indicator
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A6:
Air temperature measurements
Action
Enhance air temperature measurements networks in remote or sparsely populated areas.
Benefit
Improved coverage for better depiction of climate system.
Who
National Parties and International Coordination Structures such as the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Coverage of air temperature measurements.
Annual Cost
10: 30M US$
Action A7:
Atmospheric pressure sensors on drifting buoy
Action
Promote the need for drifting buoy programmes to incorporate atmospheric pressure sensors as a matter of routine
particularly at tropical and sub-tropical latitudes.
Benefit
Measurements over oceans of surface pressure will improve coverage.
Who
Parties deploying drifting buoys and buoy-opera ting organizations, coordinate d through JCOMM, with advice from
OOPC and AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage of buoys with sea-level pressure (SLP) sensors in tropics and sub-tropics.
Annual Cost
1 -10 K US$
4330
4331
4332
4333
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Action A8:
Provide precipitation data to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre
Action
Submit all pre cipitation data from na tiona l networks to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre at the De utsche r
Wetterdienst.
Benefit
Improved estima tes of extremes and trends, enhance d spatial an d temporal detail tha t address m itigation and
adaptation requirements.
Who
National Meteorological and Water-resource Services, with coordination through the WMO CCl and the GFCS
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage of nations providing all precipitation data to the International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A9:
Submit Water Vapour data
Action
Submit water vapour (humidity) data from national networks to the International Data Centres.
Benefit
Improved coverage of surface water vapour measurements
Who
National Meteorological Services, through WMO CBS and International Data Centres, with input from AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in analysis centres and archive, and scientific reports on the use of these data.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A10:
National sunshine records into Data Centres
Action
National sunshine records should be incorporated into International Data Centres.
Benefit
Better description of surface radiation fields.
Who
National Meteorological Services.
Time-frame
Implement in next 2 years.
Performance
Indicator
Sunshine record archive established in International data centres in analysis centres by 2018.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A11:
Operation of the BSRN
Action
Ensure continued long-te rm ope ration of the BSRN and expand the network to obtain globally more representative
coverage and improve communications between station operators and the archive centre.
Benefit
Continuing baseline surface radiation climate record at BSRN sites.
Who
Parties’ national services and resea rch prog rammes ope rating BSRN sites in cooperation with AOPC and the WCRP
GEWEX Radiation Panel.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Annual Cost
The number of BSRN stations regularly submitting valid data to International Data Centres.
Action A12:
Surface Radiation Data into WRDC
Action
Submit surface radiation data with quality indicators from national ne tworks to the World Radiation Data Centre
(WRDC). Expand deployment of surface radiation measurements over ocean.
Benefit
Expand central archive. Data crucial to cons train global radiation budgets and for satellite product validation. More
data over ocean would fill an existing gap.
Who
National Meteorological Services and others, in collaboration with the WRDC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in WRDC.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4334
4335
4336
100k - 1M US$
4337
4338
4339
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Action A13:
Implement vision for future of GUAN operation
Action
Show demonstrable s teps towards im plementing the vision articulate d in the GCOS Ne tworks Meeting in 2014
relating to the future of the GUAN operation.
Benefit
Improved data quality, better integrated with GRUAN and more aligned with WIGOS framework.
Who
Task team of AOPC with GCOS Secretariat in collaboration with relevant WMO commissions and WIGOS.
Time-frame
2019 for adoption at CG-19.
Performance
Indicator
Annual reporting in progress at AOPC of task team.
Annual Cost
100k -1M US$
Action A14:
Evaluation of benefits for GUAN
Action
Quantify the be nefits of aspects of GUA N operation including attaining 30 or 10 hPa, twice-daily vs. daily asce nts and
the value of remote island GUAN sites.
Benefit
Better guidance to GUAN management, improved scientific rationale for decision making.
Who
NWP and reanalysis centres.
Time-frame
Complete by 2018.
Performance
Indicator
Published analysis (in peer reviewed literature plus longer report).
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A15:
Implementation of GRUAN
Action
Continue implementation of the GCOS Refere nce Upper-Air Network of me trologically traceable obse rvations,
including operational re quirements a nd da ta management, archiving and analysis and give priority to implementation
of sites in the Tropics.
Benefit
Reference quality measurements for other networks, in particular GUAN, process understanding and satellite cal/val.
Who
Working Group GRUA N, National Meteorological Services and research agencies, in coope ration with AOPC, WMO
CBS, and the Lead Centre for GRUAN.
Time-frame
Implementation largely complete by 2025.
Performance
Indicator
Numbe r of sites contributing reference-quality data-streams for archive and analysis and number of data s treams
with metrological traceability and uncertainty characterisa tion. Be tter integra tion with WMO activities and inclusion
in the WIGOS manual.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
Action A16:
Implementation of satellite calibration missions
Action
Implement a sustained satellite climate calibration mission or missions.
Benefit
Improved quality of satellite radiance data for climate monitoring.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Commitment to implement by the next status report in 2020; proof-of-concept proven on ISS pathfinder.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
Action A17:
Retain original measured values for radiosonde data
Action
For radiosonde data and any othe r da ta that requires s ubstantive processing from the original measurement (e.g.
digital counts) to the final estimate of the measurand (e.g. T and q profiles through the lower stratos phere) the
original measured values should be retained to allow subsequent reprocessing.
Benefit
Possibility to reprocess data as required, improved data provenance.
Who
HMEI (manufacturers), NMHSs, archival centres.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Original measurement raw data and metadata available at recognised repositories.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
4340
4341
4342
4343
4344
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action A18:
Hyperspectral radiances reprocessing
Action
Undertake a program of consistent reprocessing of the satellite hyperspectral sounder radiances.
Benefit
Consiste nt timeseries of hyperspe ctral radiances for m onitoring and reanalyses, improved CDRs computed from the
FCDRs.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Reprocessed FCDRs available for hyperspectral sounders.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A19:
Increase the coverage of aircraft observations
Action
Furthe r expand the coverage provide d by AMDAR especially over poorly obse rved region such as Africa and S.
America.
Benefit
Improved coverage of UA wind for monitoring and reanalyses.
Who
NMSs, WIGOS, RA I and III.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data available in recognised archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A20:
Implementation of space-based wind profiling system
Action
Assuming the success of ADM/Aeolus, im plement an opera tional space-based wind profiling system with global
coverage.
Benefit
UA winds understanding, reanalyses, 3D aerosol measurements.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Implement once ADM/Aeolus concept is proven to provide benefit.
Performance
Indicator
Commitment to launch ADM follow-on mission.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
Action A21:
Develop a repository of water vapour CDRs
Action
Develop and populate a globa lly recognised repository of GNSS zenith total delay and total column wate r data and
metadata.
Benefit
Reanalyses, water vapour CDRs.
Who
AOPC to identify the champion.
Time-frame
By 2018.
Performance
Indicator
Number of sites providing their historical data to the repository.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
Action A22:
Measure of water vapour in the UT/LS
Action
Promote the development of m ore economical and environmentally friendly instrumentation for measuring accurate
water vapour concentrations in the UT/LS.
Benefit
Improved UT/LS water vapour characterisation, water vapour CDRs.
Who
NMSs, NMIs, HMEI and GRUAN.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Number of sites providing higher quality data to archives.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4345
4346
4347
4348
4349
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action A23:
Implementation of archive for radar reflectivities
Action
To impleme nt a global historical a rchive of radar reflectivities (or products if reflectivies are not available) and
associated metadata in a commonly agreed format.
Benefit
Better validation of reanalyses, improved hydrological cycle understanding.
Who
NMSs, data centres, WIGOS.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data available in recognised archive, agreed data policy.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A24:
Continuity of global satellite precipitation products.
Action
Ensure continuity of global satellite precipitation products similar to GPM.
Benefit
Precipitation estimates over oceans for global assessment of water cycle elements and their trends.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Long-term homogeneous satellite-based global precipitation products.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A25:
Development of methodology for consolidated precipitation estimates
Action
Develop methods of blending rain-gauge, radar and satellite precipitation
Benefit
Better precipitation estimates
Who
WMO Technical Commissions.
Time-frame
By 2020.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of consolidated precipitation estimates
Annual Cost
10-100K US$
Action A26:
Dedicated satellite ERB mission
Action
Ensure sustained incident total and spectral solar irradiances and Earth Radiation Budget observations, with at least
one dedicated satellite instrument operating at any one time.
Benefit
Seasonal forecasting, reanalyses, model validation.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Long-term data availability at archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A27:
In-situ Profile and Radiation
Action
To understand the vertical profile of radiation requires development and deployment of te chnologies to measure insitu profiles.
Benefit
Understanding of 3D radiation field, model validation, better understanding of radiosondes.
Who
NMSs, NMIs, HMEI.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability in NMS archives..
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4350
4351
4352
4353
4354
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action A27:
Lightning
Action
To define the requirement for lightning measurements for climate monitoring and encourage space agencies to
provide global coverage and reprocessing of existing datasets.
Benefit
Ability to monitor trends in severe storms.
Who
GCOS AOPC and space agencies.
Time-frame
Requirements to be defined by 2017.
Performance
Indicator
Update to Annex A for lightning and comm itments by space agencies to include lightning imagers on all geostationary
platforms. Reprocessed satellite datasets of lightning produced.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
Action A28:
Water vapour and ozone measurement in UT/LS and upper stratosphere
Action
Re-establis h sustaine d lim b-scanning satellite measureme nt of profiles of water vapour, ozone and othe r important
species from the UT/LS up to 50 km.
Benefit
Ensured continuity of global coverage of vertical profiles of UT/LS constituents.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing, with urgency in initial planning to minimize data gap.
Performance
Indicator
Continuity of UT/LS and upper stratospheric data records.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A29:
Validation of satellite remote sensing
Action
Engage existing ne tworks of ground-based, remote sensing stations (e.g., NDACC, TCCON, GRUA N) to ensure
adequate, sustained delivery of da ta from MAXDOAS, PANDORA, lidar, and FTIR instruments for validating satellite
remote sensing of the atmosphere.
Benefit
Validation, correction, and improvement of satellite retrievals.
Who
Time-frame
Space agencies, working with existing networks and environmental protection agencies.
Ongoing, with urgency in initial planning to minimize data gap.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of comprehensive validation reports and near real-time monitoring based on the data from the networks.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A30:
FDCRs and CDRs for GHG and aerosols ECVs
Action
Extend and refine the satellite data records (FCDRs and CDRs) for greenhouse gas and aerosol ECVs.
Benefit
Improved record of greenhouse gas concentrations.
Who
Space agencies.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of updated FCDRs and CDRs for greenhouse gases and aerosols.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A31:
Maintain WMO GAW CO2 and CH4 monitoring networks
Action
Maintain and enhance the WMO GAW Global Atmosphe ric CO2 and CH4 Monitoring Networks as major contributions
to the GCOS Com prehe nsive Networks for CO2 and CH4. Advance the measurement of is otopic forms of CO2 and CH4,
and of appropriate tracers, to separate human from natural influences on the CO2 and CH4 budgets.
Benefit
A well maintained, ground-based and in situ ne twork provides the basis for unde rstanding trends and dis tributions of
greenhouse gases.
Who
Parties’ na tiona l se rvices, research agencies, and space agencies, unde r the guidance of WMO GAW and its Scie ntific
Advisory Group for Greenhouse Gases.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data flow to archive and analyses centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4355
4356
4357
4358
4359
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4360
Action A32:
Space-based measurements of C02 and CH4 implementation
Action
Assess the value of the data provided by current spa ce-based measurements of CO2 and CH4, and develop and
implement proposals for follow-on missions accordingly.
Benefit
Provision of global re cords of principal greenhouse gases; informing decis ion makers in urgent efforts to manage
greenhouse gas emissions.
Who
Research institutions and space agencies.
Time-frame
Assessments are on-going and jointly pursued by the research institutions.
Performance
Indicator
Approval of subsequent missions to measure greenhouse gases.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A33:
N 2O, halocarbon and SF6 networks/measurements
Action
Maintain networks for N2O, halocarbon and SF6 measurements.
Benefit
Informs the parties to the Montreal Protocol, provides re cords of long-lived, non-CO2 greenhouse gases, and offers
potential tracers for attribution of CO2 emissions.
Who
National research agencies and national services, through WMO GAW.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Data flow to archive and analyses centres.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
Action A34:
Ozone networks coverage
Action
Urgently res tore the coverage as much as possible and maintain the quality of the GCOS Global Baseline (Profile and
Total) Ozone Networks coordinated by the WMO GAW.
Benefit
Provides validation of satellite retrievals and information on global trends and distributions of ozone.
Who
Parties’ national resea rch agencies and Met Services, through WMO GAW and ne twork partners, in consultation with
AOPC.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Improved and sustained network coverage and data quality.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Action A35:
Submission and dissemination of ozone data
Action
Improve timeliness and com pleteness of s ubmission and dissemination of oz one c olum n and profile data to users and
WOUDC.
Benefit
Improves timeliness of sate llite retrieval validation and availability of information for de termining global trends and
distributions of ozone.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies and services that submit data to WOUDC, through WMO GAW and network
partners.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Network coverage, operating statistics, and timeliness of delivery.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
4361
4362
4363
4364
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Action A36:
Monitoring of aerosols properties
Action
Provide m ore accurate measurement-based estimates of global and regional DARF (direct aerosol radia tive forcing) at
the top of the atmos phere and its uncertainties, and dete rmine aeros ol forcing at the surface and in the a tmosphe re
through accurate monitoring of the 3D distribution of aerosols and aerosol properties.
Benefit
Reducing unce rtainties in DARF and the anthropogenic contributions to DARF, and the unce rtainty in climate
sensitivity and future predictions of surface temperature.
Bette r constra ints on ae rosol type nee ded for a tmosphe ric correction, and more accurate ocean property retrieval
than currently available.
Who
Parties’ national se rvices, research agencies and space agencies, with guidance from AOPC and in coope ration with
WMO GAW and AERONET.
Time-frame
Ongoing, baseline in situ components and satellite strategy is currently defined.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of the necessary measurements, appropriate plans for future.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
Action A37:
Continuity of products of precursors of ozone and secondary aerosols
Action
Ensure continuity of products based on space-based, g round-based, and in situ measureme nt of the precursors (NO2,
SO2, HCHO, NH3 and CO) of ozone and secondary aerosol and de rive consistent emission da tabases, seeking to
improve spatial resolution to about 1 x 1 km2 for air quality.
Benefit
Improved understanding of how air pollution influences climate forcing and how climate change influences air quality.
Who
Space agencies, in collaboration with national environmental agencies and meteorological services.
Time-frame
Ongoing.
Performance
Indicator
Availability of the necessary measurements, appropriate plans for future missions, and derived emission data bases.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$
4365
4366
6.3 Oceanic Actions
Action O1:
Data Access
Action
Improve discoverability and interoperability of the ocean observations amongst ocean observing networks for all ECVs.
Benefit
Improved access to data, ease of integration across data sources.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national resea rch programmes and data management infrastructure, OOPC, International Ocean Carbon
Coordination Project (IOCCP), and the W orld Climate Research Programme (W CRP) Data Advisory Council (WDAC),
JCOMM Data Management Programme Area (DMPA).
Performance
Indicator
Timely and open access to quality controlled observational data.
Annual Cost
1-10 M US$
4367
Action O2:
Data Quality
Action
Sustain and increase efforts for quality control of current and historical data records.
Benefit
Improved quality of ocean climate data.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies and data management infrastructure, supported by JCOMM DMPA, IODE,
WCRP CLIVAR Project
Performance
Indicator
Improved record of uniform quality control.
Annual Cost
100k-1 M US$
4368
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Action O3:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Development of climatologies and reanalysis products
Action
Maintained research and institutional support for the production of ocean (physics and biogeochem istry) climatologies
and reanalysis products, and coordinated intercomparison actrivities.
Benefit
Improved quality and availability of integrated ocean products.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national research programmes, OOPC, IOCCP, CLIVAR and WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Regular updates of global ocean synthesis products.
Annual Cost
1-10MUS$
4369
Action O4:
Action
Technologiy development
Continued support for development of autonom ous platforms and climate-quality sensors, through pilot-phase to
mature stage:
Including Biogeochemical se nsors such as nutrients inorganic carbon and biologica l variables such as zooplankton type
and abundance; and
Data delivery from remote regions (deep ocean, under ice) capitalising on developments in autonomous vehicles
telecommunications.
Benefit
Continued im provements to the sus tained observing system to fill gaps, take new measurements, at lower cost pe r
observation.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by the GOOS panels and user groups.
Performance
Indicator
Amount of climate-quality data provided in near real-time to internationally agreed on data centres.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4370
Action O5:
Observing System development and evaluation
Action
Support and engage in systems based obse rving system development projects establis hed through GOOS and efforts for
the ongoing evaluation of the observing system.
Benefit
Continued improvements to the sustained observing system ensure it is robust, integrated and meets future needs.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Periodic evaluation of observing system against requirements, and expansion of support for sustained observations.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties)
4371
Action O6:
Upper ocean temperature observing system
Action
Maintain a global ocean tempe rature observing system for assessment of ocean tempe rature and heat content and its
contribution sea level rise.
Benefit
Accurate estimates of the year on year changes in ocean heat storage and dis tribution to assess the role of the ocean in
taking up excess heat in the climate system, including the contribution to sea level rise.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, supported by GOOS/OOPC, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
National state of the Climate reports and peer reviewed publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4372
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Action O7:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Full depth temperature observing system
Action
Develop and begin implementation of a full depth ocean tempe rature obse rving system to s upport the de cadal g lobal
assessment of the total ocean heat content and thermosteric sea level rise.
Benefit
Decadal assessments of ocean heat storage and distribution, in support of climate assessments and for initialis ing
decadal predictions.
Timeframe
2019
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, through development of the Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS)
supported by GOOS, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Design study completed and targeted implementation begun; prog ress towards global coverage with consistent
measurements.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4373
Action O8:
Action
Ocean salinity observing system
Maintain a global ocean salinity observing system for annual assessment of salinity and hydrological cycle changes .
Benefit
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies, supported by GOOS, WCRP
Performance
Indicator
National state of the Climate reports and peer reviewed publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties)
4374
Action O9:
Action
Gridded ocean current products
Maintain gridded ocean surface and s ubsurface curre nt products based on the sate llite, drifting buoy and Argo programs
and other observations.
Benefit
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
OOPC with JCOMM and WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Number of global ocean current fields available routinely.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties)
4375
Action O10:
Action
Boundary current observations
Undertake a review of current practise in boundary current obse rving and make recomme ndation for comm unity bes t
practice.
Benefit
Timeframe
2019
Who
OOPC with GOOS, GRAs, OceanSITES, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Review completed and progress towards implementation of consistent practices.
Annual Cost
10-100K US$
4376
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Action O11:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Sea Level observations
Action
Maintain and develop a global SSH obse rving system from the obse rvational networks for annual assessment of sea level
and sea level rise.
Benefit
Enables accurate assessments of global sea level, and regional sea level variability and change.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies, GOOS, CEOS, GLOSS, WRCP.
Performance
Indicator
National State of Climate reports, IPCC, peer reviewed science publications.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4377
Action O12:
Sea State observations
Action
Maintain and improve the global sea state observing system from the obse rvational networks for assessment of wave
climate, its tre nd and variability, and contribution to extremes of sea level. Expand obse rvations on surface reference
moorings, and drifters.
Benefit
Routine observations of wave climate and extremes in support of marine/climate services.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies coordinated through GOOS, OOPC, GRAs, OceanSITES, DBCP, guidance from the JCOMM Expert
Team on Waves and Coastal Hazard Forecasting Systems (ETWCH).
Performance
Indicator
Number of global wave observations available routinely at International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$.
4378
Action O13:
In situ sea ice observations
Action
Plan, establis h and sus tain systematic in-situ observations from sea ice, buoys, visual s urveys (SOOP and aircraft) and inwater ULS.
Benefit
Long time se ries for validations of sate llite data and mode l fields; s hort- and long-te rm forecasting of sea ice conditions;
ocean-atmosphere-sea ice interaction and process studies.
Timeframe
Integrated
2017-2020.
Who
Nationa l and international services and research programmes, Cope rnicus. Coordina tion through Arctic Council, EUPolarNET, Arctic-ROOS (in EuroGOOS), CLIVAR, CLIC, JCOMM, OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of agreement and frameworks for coordina tion and implementation of sustained Arctic and Southern
Ocean observations. For the former we have currently EU-PolarNet and Arctic-ROOS. Will be extended with the new
funded project (see time frame). For the latter we have SOOS.
Annual Cost
30 - 100 M US$
Arctic
Observing
System
design
and
demonstration
project
funded
by
EU
for
4379
Action O14:
Ocean Surface Stress observations.
Action
Plan, and develop data procedures to establish a data archive centre for Ocean Surface Stress
Benefit
Routine availability to users of fit for purpose Surface Stress data.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published and establish Global Data Assembly Centres (GDACs) by 2019.
Who
CEOS and in situ networks.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans, establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination according to plan.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$.
4380
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Action O15:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Ocean surface heat flux ECV development.
Action
Undertake a feasibility study for definition of the requirements for the Ocean Surface Heat Flux ECV following FOO
framework .
Benefit
Agreed plan for high quality direct measurement heat flux data required to improve surface flux products.
Timeframe
Complete feasibility study by 2019.
Who
OOPC with AOPC, GOOS, WCRP.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of recommendation by 2019.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4381
Action O16:
Surface pCO2 moorings
Action
Sustain the surface re ference mooring pCO2 network and increase the num ber of sites to achieve global coverage to
resolve seasonal cycle.
Benefit
Increased information on seasonal and longer variability in key ocean areas.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into SOCAT.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4382
Action O17:
Building multidisciplinary timeseries.
Action
Add inorganic ca rbon (including pH) and basic physical measurements to e xisting biological time-se riescons idering
particularly spatial gaps in current obse rving system aiming for balanced representa tion of the full ra nge of natural
variability.
Benefit
Improved understanding of the regional effects of ocean acidification.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties national research programmes supported by GOA-ON, IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into data centers.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4383
Action O18:
Nutrient observation standards and best practices.
Action
Increase the use of nutrient CRMs on ship-based hydrographic programs.
Benefit
Increased accuracy of nutrient measurements.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through na tiona l services and research prog rams. SCOR working
group 147 “Towards comparability of global oceanic nutrient data".
Performance
Indicator
Increased consistency of nutrient data.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4384
- 220 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O19:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Sustaining tracer observations.
Action
Maintain capacity to measure transient trace rs on the GO-SHIP ne twork. Encourage technological development to
encompass additional tracers that provide additional information on ventilation.
Benefit
Information on ocean ventilation and variability in ventilation.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programs.
Performance
Indicator
Number of High quality transient tracer measurements on the repeat hydrography program.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4385
Action O20:
Develop sustained N 2O observations
Action
Develop an observing network for ocean N2O obse rvations, with particular em phasis on regions with known high
oceanic N2O production/emission rates.
Benefit
Improved estimate of oceanic emiss ions by improved spa tial a nd temporal coverage; detecting seasonal and interannual
variability.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consulta tion with OOPC; impleme ntation through national services and research programs. SCOR WG 143
“Dissolved N2O and CH4 measurements: Working t owards a global network of ocean time series measureme nts of N2O
and CH4
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into MEMENTO.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4386
Action O21:
In situ ocean colour radiometry data
Action
Continue support for gene ration and maintenance of climate-quality in situ OCR data, for improving satellite algorithms,
validating products and for establishing product unce rtainties characte risation, with global coverage and validity,
including coastal (Case-2) wate rs, and capable of dealing with user requirements for products at a variety of time and
space scales.
Benefit
Monitoring of changes and variability in ocean colour and derived products.
Timeframe
Implement plan beyond 2017, after completion of ESA’s OC-CCI activities.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO through INSITU OCR initiative of IOCCG, and in accordance
with the recommendations contained in the IOCCG INSITU-OCR White Pape r (see http://www.ioccg.org/groups/INSITUOCR_White-Paper.pdf).
Performance
Indicator
Free and open access to up-to-date, multi-sensor global products for climate research; flow of data into agreed archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4387
Action O22:
Ocean Colour algorithm development.
Action
Support continued research and te chnology development to ensure that the best and the most up-to-date algorithms
are used for process ing the ocean-colour time-series data in a consistent manne r for climate research; to develop
product suites suitable for application across wide ranges of wate r types, including coastal water types; to study inte rsensor diffe rences and minim ise them before m ulti -sensor data are merged; to provide quality assurance and
uncertainty characterisation of products.
Benefit
Improved quality of Ocean Colour products, particularly in coastal waters and complex water types.
Timeframe
Implement plan as accepted by CEOS agencies in 2009.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO.
Performance
Indicator
Improved algorithms for a range of water property types.
Annual Cost
100k - 1M US$
4388
4389
- 221 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O23:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Satellite based phytoplankton biomass estimates
Action
Establish a plan to improve and test regional algorithms to convert satellite obse rvations to water-colum n integrate d
phytoplankton biomass through im plementing an in-situ phytoplankton monitoring program. Estimates of uncertainty
should be a standard output associated with im proved algorithms. Wherever possible, a time se ries of phytoplankton
should be collected simultaneously with the measurement of other important physical and biogeochemical variables.
Benefit
Baseline information on plankton.
Timeframe
Implementation build-up through 2020.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in cons ultation with IOCCG and GEO, including Satellite PFT Inte rcompa rison Project, pa rties’
national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Publica tion of inte rnationally-agreed plans; establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of a sustaine d
global phytoplankton observing system with cons istent se nsors and a focussed global program of in situ calibration
implementa tion according to plan, flow of data into agreed archives, summary inte rpreted data products available as
well as original data.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4390
Action O24:
Expand Continuous Plankton Recorder observations .
Action
Establish plan for, and im plement, global Continuous Plankton Re corder surveys and e xpand network to integ rate
surveys including an extension to tropical areas.
Benefit
Information on variability and trends in plankton.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published by end 2019; implementation build-up through 2024.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS/OOPC, IGMETS, CPR, OceanSites.
Performance
Indicator
Publica tion of internationally-agreed plans; establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of sustaine d
global Continuous Pla nkton Recorde r surveys supported by re peated s urveys at fixed locations; implementation
according to plan; flow of data into agreed archives, summary interpreted data products available.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4391
Action O25:
Strengthened network of Coral Reef observation sites.
Action
Strengthen the global network of long-te rm obse rvation sites covering all major coral reef habitats within inte rconnecte d
regional hubs, encourage collection of physical, biogeochemical, biological and ecological measurements following
common and intercalibrated protocols and designs, and implement capacity building workshops.
Benefit
Accurate global monitoring of changes in coral reef cover, health and pressures
Timeframe
2016-2020
Who
Parties’ national research and operational agencies, supported by GCRMN, GOOS, GRAs, and other partners.
Performance
Indicator
Reporting on implementation status of network.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4392
Action O26:
Action
Global networks of observation sites for Mangroves, Seagrasses, Macroalgae.
Advance the establishme nt of global ne tworks of long-te rm obse rvation sites for seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and
macro-algal communities (including kelp forests) and encourage collection of physical, biogeochem ical, biological and
ecological measurements following common and inte r-calibrate d protocols a nd designs, and impleme nt capacity building
workshops.
Benefit
Timeframe
2016-2020
Who
Parties’ national research and ope rational agencies, supported by GOOS, GRAs, and other partne rs in consultation with
CBD and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Performance
Indicator
Reporting on implementation status of network.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4393
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O27:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Argo Array
Action
Sustain and expand the Argo profiling float network of at leas t 1 float every 3x3 degrees in the ocean including regional
seas and the seasonal ice zone (approximately 3800 floats).
Benefit
Global climate quality observations of the broadscale subsurface global ocean temperature and salinity down to 2000m.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties participating in the Argo Program and in cooperation with the
Observations Coordination Group of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Spatial coverage and number of active floats.
Annual Cost
38M US$
4394
Action O28:
Development of a BioArgo Array
Action
Deploy a global array of 1000 profiling floats (~6 deg rees x ~6 deg rees) equipped with pH, oxygen, nitra te, chlorophyll
fluoresce nce, backscatter and downwelling irradiance sensors, consistent with the Biogeochemical-A rgo Science and
Implementation Plan.
Benefit
Global observations of the broadscale subsurface global ocean biogeochemistry down to 2000m.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties, in cooperation with the Argo Project and the Observations Coordination Group of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Number of floats reporting oxygen and biogeochemical variables.
Annual Cost
25M US$
4395
Action O29:
GO-SHIP
Action
Maintain a high-quality full-depth, multi-disciplina ry ship based decadal s urvey of the global ocean (approximate ly 60
sections), and provide a platform to test new technology.
Benefit
Global comprehensive full depth, decadal ocean inventory of ECVs.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
National research programmes supported by the GO-SHIP project and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Percentage coverage of the sections and completion of level 1 measurements.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4396
Action O30:
Action
Build and maintain a globally-distributed network of multi-disciplinary fixe d-point surface and subsurface time-series
using mooring, ship and other fixed instruments.
Benefit
Comprehensive high temporal resolution time-series characterising trends and variability in key ocean regimes.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean research agencies responding to the OceanSITES plan Working with GOOS panels
and GOOS regional alliances’.
Performance
Indicator
Moorings operational and reporting to archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4397
- 223 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Action O31:
Action
Maintain the Tropical Moored Buoy system.
Benefit
Contributes to observing state of the tropical ocean climate, particularly focussed on couple d air sea processes and high
frequency variability, and for prediction of ENSO events.
Timeframe
Design by 2020, continuous.
Who
Parties national agencies, coordinate d through the Tropical Mooring Panel of JCOMM, TPOS -2020, guidance from
scientific implementation committees (e.g. TPOS 2020, IIOE-II).
Performance
Indicator
Data acquisition at International Data Centres and robust design requirements articulated.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4398
Action O32:
Action
Establish a coordinated ne twork of s hip-based multidisciplina ry time-se ries that is geographically representative. Initiate
a global data product of time-series based biogeochemical data.
Benefit
Provision of comprehe nsive regular obse rvations of ocean biogeochemistry, compe lentary to the GO -SHIP deca dal
survey.
Timeframe
Internationally-agreed plans published by end 2018; implementation build-up through 2020.
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, working with IOCCP and user groups such as IGMETS.
Performance
Indicator
Publication of internationally-agreed plans; timely availability of data in internationally agreed on data centres.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4399
Action O33:
Metocean Moorings.
Action
Maintain and expand measureme nts of meteorological paramete rs (surface pressure, pre cipitation and radiation) on
surface moorings, and ships.
Benefit
Comprehensive marine meteorological observation delivery.
Timeframe
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean resea rch agencies responding to the OceanSITES plan Working with GOOS l panels
and GOOS regional alliances’.
Time-Frame: Continuous.
Performance
Indicator
Moorings operational and reporting to archives.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4400
Action O34:
Action
Wave Measurements on moorings
Develop a strategy and im plement a wave measurement component as pa rt of the Surface Reference Mooring Network
(DBCP and OceanSITES).
Benefit
Timeframe
Complete plan and begin implementation by 2020.
Who
Parties operating moorings, coordinated through the JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Surges.
Performance
Indicator
Sea state measurement in the International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4401
- 224 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O35:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Observaitons of Sea Ice from buoys and visual survery
Action
Establish and sus tain systematic in situ obse rvations from sea-ice buoys, visual surveys (SOOP and Aircraft), and ULS in
the Arctic and Antarctic.
Benefit
Enables us to track variability in ice thickness and extent.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Arctic Pa rty research agencies, supporte d by the Arctic Council; Party research agencies, supported by CLIVAR Southern
Ocean Panel; JCOMM, working with CliC and OOPC.
Performance
Indicator
Establishment of agreements/frameworks for coordination of sus tained Arctic and Southern ocean obse rvations,
implementation according to plan.
Annual Cost
Plan and agreement of frameworks: 100k-1M US$;
Implementation: 10-30M US$
4402
Action O36:
Action
Sustain globa l coverage of the drifting buoy array (approximate ly 1250 drifting buoys) e quipped with ocean tempe rature
sensors and atmospheric pressure sensors on all drifting buoys.
Benefit
Routine broad scale observations of surface temperature and sea lev el pressure in support of NWP.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services and research programmes through JCOMM, Data Buoy Coope ration Pane l (DBCP), and the Ship
Observations Team (SOT).
Performance
Indicator
Data submitted to analysis centres and archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4403
Action O37:
Improve measurements from VOS
Action
Improve numbe r and quality of climate-relevant ma rine surface obse rvations from the VOS. Improve metadata
acquisition and management for as many VOS as possible through VOSClim, together with improved measurement
systems.
Benefit
Improved coverage of routine marine meteorology observations in support of NWP.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Nationa l mete orological agencies and climate se rvices, with the commercial s hipp ing companies in consultation with the
JCOMM Ship Observations Team.
Performance
Indicator
Increased quantity and quality of VOS reports.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4404
Action O38:
Action
Sustain the existing multi-de cadal Ship-of-Opportunity XBT/XCTD transoceanic ne twork in a reas of significant scientific
value.
Benefit
Eddy resolving transects of ma jor Ocean basins, enabling basin scale heat fluxes to be estimated, and forming a global
underpinning boundary current observing system.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties' national agencies, coordinated through the Ship Observations Team of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Data submitted to archive. Percentage coverage of the sections.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4405
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O39:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Best practices for underway observations of pCO2
Action
Implement an internationally-agreed strategy for measuring surface pCO2 on s hips and autonomous platforms and
improve coordination of network, timely data submission to the SOCAT data portal.
Benefit
Delivery of a high quality global dataset of the surface ocean pCO2, enabling accurate es timates of ocean fluxes of
Carbon Dioxide.
Timeframe
Continuous, coordinated network by 2020.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Number of research groups providing data to SOCAT
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4406
Action O40:
Action
Coverage for underway observations of pCO 2
Sustaining current trans-basin sampling lines of pCO 2, and exte nd the coverage to priority areas regions by s tarting new
lines to (see GCOS-195, page 137).
Benefit: Achieving improved global coverage of pCO 2 data.
Benefit
Improived coverage of pCO 2 observations.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research programmes.
Performance
Indicator
Flow of data of adequate quality into SOCAT. Increased temporal and spatial coverage of the observation network.
Annual Cost
4407
Action O41:
Coordination of underway pCO2 observations
Action
Improve coordination, outreach, and tracking of implementation and measurements of a globa l surface water CO2
observing system.
Benefit
Improved possibility to react to observational gaps.
Timeframe
Establishment of global monitoring group: 1-year, implementation continuous.
Who
IOCCP in coordination with JCOMMOPS and regional groups such as ICOS, NOAA-SOOP-CO2, NOAA mooring-CO2
Performance
Indicator
Tracking 80 % assets and data within 3-month of completion of campaign.
Annual Cost
50 k US$
4408
Action O42:
Underway biogeochemistry observations (Ferrybox).
Action
Develop and deploy a global ship-based refere nce network of robust autonomous in situ instrumenta tion for Ocean
biogeochemical ECVs, Ferrybox.
Benefit
Enables routine observations of multiple surface Ocean Biogeochemical ECVs.
Timeframe
Plan and implement a global network of SOOP vessels equipped with instrumentation by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national ocean research agencies in association with GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Pilot project implemented; progress towa rds global coverage with consis tent measurements as dete rmine d by numbe r
of ships with calibrated sensors providing quality data.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4409
- 226 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4410
Action O43:
Continuous Plankton Recorder Surveys
Action
Implement, global Continuous Plankton Recorder surveys.
Benefit
Towards global transe cts of surface zooplankton plankton spe cies diversity and variability, plus an indicator of
phytoplankton productivity.
Timeframe
Who
Parties’ national research agencies, through the Global Alliance of CPR Surveys and the GOOS Biology and Ecosystems
Panel.
Performance
Indicator
Continuation and of sustained global CPR according to plan.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4411
Action O44:
Action
Implement and maintain a set of gauges based on the GLOSS Core Network (approximate ly 300 tide gauges) with
geocentrically-located high-accuracy gauges; ensure continuous acquisition, real-time exchange and archiving of highfrequency data. Build a cons istent time-se ries, including historical sea-level re cords, with all regional and loca l tide gauge
measurements referenced to the same global geodetic reference system.
Benefit
The GLOSS Core Network is the backbone serving the multiple miss ions that GLOSS is calle d on to serve. Not all core
stations serve every miss ion and not all stations for a given mission a re pa rt of the core. The Core Ne twork serves to se t
standards and is intended to serve as the example for the developme nt of regional networks. The GLOSS climate se t
serves to put the short altimetry record into a prope r context, serves as the ground truth for the developing sate llite
dataset, and also provides continuity if climate capable altimetry missions have interruptions in the future.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national agencies, coordinated through GLOSS of JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability at International Data Centres, global coverage, number of capacity -building projects.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4412
Action O45:
Developing a global glider observing system
Action
Design and begin im plementa tion of a globally-dis tribute d ne twork of multi-disciplinary glide r m issions across the
continental shelf seas to open-ocean as part of a glider Reference coastal-open ocean observation network.
Benefit
Multi-disciplinary high-fre quency observations enabling us to link open ocean and coastal environments, and cross she lf
exchange of properties.
Timeframe
Framework and plan developed by 2020.
Who
National research programmes coordinated by the Global Glider program and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Published internationally-agreed plan and, implementation of sustained coastal boundary –open ocean sections.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4413
Action O46:
Developing a global animal tagging observing system
Action
Move towards global coordinating of pinniped tagging for ecosystem and clima te applications, including the coordination
of deployment locations/species, and QA/QC of resultant data.
Benefit
High-frequency T/S profile data in pola r regions and in the ice zone, filling a critical gap in the observing system. Highfrequency T/S profile data in other regions providing complime ntary da ta to other obse rving systems and likely highfrequency sampling of physical features of interest to foraging animals such as fronts and eddies.
Timeframe
Framework and plan developed by 2020.
Who
National research programmes coordinated through SOOS, SAEON GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
An internationally recognised coordination activity, and observing plan.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
Annual Cost Imp
4414
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O47:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Coordination of satellite temperature, salinity and currents constellations
Action
Ensure coordination of contributions toVirtual Cons tellations for each ocean s urface tempera ture, salinity, currents, in
relation to in situ ocean observing systems.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of sea surface temperature, salinity and currents
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, in consultation with CEOS and CGMS Virtual Constellation teams, JCOMM, and GOOS.
Performance
Indicator
Annually updated charts on adequacy of commitments to space-based ocean observing system from CEOS.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$ (implementation cost covered in Actions below).
4415
Action O48:
In situ data for satellite calibration and validation.
Action
Maintain in situ observations o f surface temperature and salinity measurements from e xisting obse rvations networks
(including surface drifting buoys, SOOP ships, tropical moorings, reference moorings, Argo drifting floats, and research
ships) and undertake a review of requirements of observations.
Benefit
Comprehensive in situ observations for calibration and validation of satellite data.
Timeframe
Continuous, review by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national services and ocean research programmes, through GOOS, IODE and JCOMM, in collabora tion with
WRCP/CLIVAR.
Performance
Indicator
Data availability at International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4416
Action O49:
Satellite SST
Action
Continue the provision of best possible SST fields based on a continuous coverage-mix of pola r orbiting and
geostationary Infra Red measurements, combine d with passive microwave coverage, and appropriate linkage with the
comprehensive in situ networks. Future passive microwave missions capable of SST measurements need securing.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of SST for climate monitoring
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constella tion for SST, ongoing sate lli te opera tion, routine de livery of
SSS products.
Annual Cost
100-300M US$ (for securing needed missions)
4417
Action O50:
Satellite SSH
Action
Ensure continuous coverage from one highe r-precision, medium-inclination a ltime ter and two medium-precision, highe rinclination altimeters.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of SSH.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, with coordination through the CEOS Constellation for Ocean Surface T opography, CGMS, and the WMO
Space Programme.
Performance
Indicator
Satellites operating, and provision of data to analysis centres.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4418
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O51:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Satellite SSS
Action
Ensure the continuity of space based SSS measurements
Benefit
Continue satellite SSS record to facilitate resea rch (in ocean circulation, clima te variability, water cycle, and marine
biogeochemistry) and operation (seasonal climate forecast, short-term ocean forecast, ecological forecast).
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for SSS, ongoing sate llite operation, routine de livery of
SSS products.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (for securing needed missions)
4419
Action O52:
Satellite Sea State
Action
Continue the provision of best possible Sea State Fields, based on satellite missions with in situ networks
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Sea State.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for Sea State
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
4420
Action O53:
Satellite Ocean Surface Stress
Action
Continue the provision of best possible ocean surface s tress fields based on sa tellite miss ions with the compre hensive in
situ networks (e.g. metocean moorings).
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Ocean Surface Stress
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, coordinated through CEOS, CGMS, and WMO Space Programme and in situ network.
Performance
Indicator
Agreement of plans for maintaining a CEOS Virtual Constellation for Ocean Surface Stress.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
Action O54:
Satellite Sea Ice
Action
Ensure sustained satellite-based (microwave, SAR, visible and IR) sea-ice products.
Benefit
Global routine calibrated mapping of Sea Ice.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Parties’ national services, research programmes and space agencies, coordinated through the WMO Space Programme
and Global Cryosphere Watch, CGMS, and CEOS; National services for in situ systems, coordinated through W CRP CliC
and JCOMM.
Performance
Indicator
Sea-ice data in International Data Centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
4421
4422
- 229 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action O55:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Satellite Ocean Colour
Action
Support gene ration of long-te rm m ulti-sensor climate-quality OCR time series that are corrected for inter-se nsor bias as
needed, and that have quantitative uncerta inty characterisa tion, with global coverage and validity, including coas tal
(Case-2) waters, and capable of dealing with user requirements for products at a variety of time and space scales.
Benefit
4423
Timeframe
Implement plan beyond 2017.
Who
CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO; agencies responsible for operational Ea rth Observations, such
as NOAA in USA and Copernicus in European Union.
Performance
Indicator
Free and open access to up-to-date, multi-sensor global products for climate research; flow of data into agreed archives.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (for generation of datasets)
6.4 Terrestrial Actions
Action T1:
Improve Coordination of Terrestrial Observations
Action
Establish mechanism to coordinate terrestrial observations. This will be particularly im portant for climate change impacts
and adaptation where local information will be critical and will not be provided through GCOS directly. It includes
biodivers ity and natura l resources information, and could also incorporate socio-economic components (e.g., health) so
as to become fine -tune d with post-2015 frameworks.. This would be based on discussions with stakeholde rs and may
include a formal framework or regular meetings to exchange ideas and coordinate observational requirements.
Benefit
Efficient observing systems with m inimal duplication, delivering consiste nt and comparable data to a range of differe nt
users.
Timeframe
2017 – Hold workshops to discuss way forward.
2019 – Mechanism in place.
Who
All involved in terrestrial observations. Initially TOPC, GEO, ICSU, GOFC-GOLD.
Performance
Indicator
Presence of active mechanism.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4424
Action T2:
Develop Joint plans for Coastal Zones
Action
Jointly conside r observations of coastal z ones (including sea-ice, mangroves and sea grass, river and g roundwater
flows, nutrients etc) to ensure the seamless coverage of ECV and the global cycles in these areas.
Benefit
Consistent, accurate and complete monitoring of coastal zones
Timeframe
2017 – Joint meetings
2019 – Agreed plans
Who
All involved in coastal observations. Initially TOPC, OOPC
Performance Indicator
Completed plan.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4425
Action T3:
Terrestrial Monitoring Sites
Action
Review the need for establishing a public database of sites that aim to re cord climate-relevant da ta and their data.
Conside r the usefulness of establishing a se t of GCOS te rrestrial monitoring sites that aim to monitor at least one ECV
according to the GCMP.
Benefit
Improved access to monitoring and increased use of the data.
Timeframe
One year for review.
Who
GCOS
Performance Indicator Report on GCOS terrestrial monitoring sites.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4426
- 230 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T4:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Review of Monitoring Guidance
Action
Review exis ting m onitoring standa rds/ guidance/ bes t practice for each ECV and maintain database of this guidance for
terrestrial ECVs
Benefit
Improved consistency and accuracy of results to meet user needs.
Timeframe
Review: 2017-2018, Maintain database 2019 onwards
Who
TOPC
Performance Indicator Presence of maintained database
Annual Cost
1-10 US$
4427
Action T5:
Develop Metadata
Action
Provide guidance on metadata for Terrestrial ECVs and encourage its use by data producers and data holdings
Benefit
To provide users with a clea r unders tanding of each dataset and the differences and applica bility of diffe rent
products for each ECV.
Timeframe
2018
Who
TOPC in association with appropriate data producers
Performance Indicator
Availability of metadata guidance
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4428
Action T6:
Identify Capacity Development Needs
Action
Identify Capacity Development Needs to inform the GCOS Coordination Mechanism and other capacity building
initiatives. Identify specific improvements that could be supported by the GCM.
Benefit
Improved monitoring in recipient countries
Timeframe
On-going
Who
TOPC & GCM
Performance Indicator
Project proposals and Implemented projects
Annual Cost
10-100k p.a.
4429
Action T7:
Exchange of hydrological data
Action
In line with WMO resolutions 25 and 40, improve the exchange hydrological data and delivery to data
centres of all networks encompassed by GTN-H, in particular the GCOS baseline networks, and facilitate
the development of integrated hydrological products to demonstrate the value of these coordinated and
sustained global hydrological networks.
Benefit
Improved reporting filling large geographic gaps in datasets.
Timeframe
Continuing; 2018 (demonstration products).
Who
GTN-H Partners in cooperation with WMO and GCOS..
Performance
Indicator
Number of datasets available in International Data Centres; Number of available demo nstration products.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4430
4431
- 231 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T8:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Lakes and Reservoirs: Compare Satellite and in situ observations
Action
Assess accuracy of satellite wate r level measurements by a comparative analysis of in situ and satellite observations
for selected lakes and reservoirs.
Benefit
Improved accuracy
Timeframe
2017 -2020
Who
Legos/CNES, HYDROLARE
Performance Indicator
Improving accuracy of satellite water level measurements
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4432
Action T9:
Submit historical and current monthly lake level data
Action
Continue submitting to HYDROLARE historical and current
monthly lake level data for the GTN-L lakes and other lakes to.
weekly /monthly water temperature and ice thickness data for the GTN-L
Benefit
Maintain data record
Timeframe
Continuous
Who
National Hydrological Services through WMO CHy and other institutions and agencies providing and holding data.
Performance Indicator
Completeness of database.
Annual Cost
100k-1.M US$ (40% in non-Annex-1 Parties)
4433
Action T10:
Establish sustained production and improvement for the new Lake ECV Products
Action
Establish sate llite based ECV data records for Lake Surfa ce Tempe rature, Lake Ice Coverage, and Lake Wate r Leaving
Reflectance (Lake Colour)
Implement and sustain routine production of these new satellite based products;
Sustain efforts on improving algorithms, processing chains and uncertainty assessments for these new ECV Products;
Develop additional products derived from Lake Water leaving Reflectance for turbidity, chlorophyll, and coloured
dissolved organic matter.
Benefit
Add additional Lake ECV products for extended data records. Providing a more compre hensive assessment of climate
variability and change in Lake systems
Timeframe
Continuous
Who
Space Agencies and CEOS. Copernicus Global Land Service, GloboLakes and ESA CCI+
Performance Indicator
Completeness of database.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (40% in non-Annex-1 Parties)
4434
Action T11:
Confirm GTN-R sites
Action
Confirm locations of GTN-R sites, determ ine ope rationa l s tatus of gauges at a ll GTN-R s ites, and ensure that the GRDC
receive daily river discha rge data from all priority reference sites within one year of their observation (including
measurement and data transmission technology used).
Benefit
Up-to-date data for all areas
Timeframe
2019
Who
National Hydrological Services, through WMO CHy in cooperation with TOPC, GCOS and the GRDC.
Performance Indicator GTN-H Partners in cooperation with and.2018 Reports to TOPC, GCOS and WMO CHy on the comple teness of the
GTN-R record held in the GRDC including the number of stations and nations submitting data to the GRDC, Nationa l
Communication to UNFCCC.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (60% in non-Annex-I Parties).
4435
- 232 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T12:
Review Version 25 June 2016
National needs for river gauges
Action
Assess national needs for river gauges in support of im pact assessments and adaptation, and consider the ade quacy
of those networks.
Benefit
Prepare for improvement proposals.
Timeframe
2019
Who
National Hydrological Services, in collaboration with WMO CHy and TOPC.
Performance Indicator
National needs identified; options for implementation explored.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$ (80% in non-Annex-I Parties).
4436
Action T13:
Establish full scale Global Groundwater Monitoring Information System (GGMS)
Action
Complete the establishment of a full scale Global Groundwater Monitori ng Information System (GGMS) as a webportal for all GTN-GW datasets; continue existing observations and deliver readily available data and products to the
information system.
Benefit
Global, consistent and verified datasets available to users.
Timeframe
2019
Who
IGRAC, in cooperation with GTN-H and TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Reports to UNESCO IHP and WMO CHy on the comple teness of the GTN-GW record held in the GGMS, including the
number of records in, and nations submitting data to, the GGMS; web-based delivery of products to the community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4437
Action T14:
Operational Groundwater Monitoring from Gravity Measurements
Action
Develop an operational groundwater product, based on satellite observations
Benefit
Global, consistent and verified datasets available to users
Timeframe
2019
Who
Satellite Agencies, CEOS, CGMS
Performance Indicator
Reports to UNESCO IHP and WMO CHy on the comple teness of the GTN-GW record held in the GGMS, including the
number of records in, and nations submitting data to, the GGMS; web-based delivery of products to the community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4438
Action T15:
Satellite Soil Moisture Data Records
Action
Regularly update individual m icrowave sensor (SMOS, SMAP, ASCAT, AMSR-E, …) soil moisture data re cords, including
the subsidiary variables (freeze/thaw, surface inundation, vegetation optical depth, root-zone soil moisture).
Benefit
Time series of data to identify trends over time.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
Space agencies (ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA, NOAA, JAXA, …) and EO service providers.
Performance Indicator
Availability of free and open global soil moisture data records for individual microwave missions.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4439
- 233 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T16:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Multi-Satellite Soil Moisture Data Services
Action
Regularly upda te of merged multi-sensor soil moisture data re cords, including the subs idiary variables (freeze/thaw,
surface inundation, vegetation optical depth, root-zone soil moisture).
Benefit
High quality Soil Moisture CDR for users.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
Copernicus, NOAA, Earth observation data providers.
Performance Indicator
Availability of free and open me rged multi-sensor data records (merged passive, merged active, and merged activepassive data).
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4440
Action T17:
International Soil Moisture Network
Action
Operate, provide use r se rvices and expand the Inte rnational Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) which is part of the
GTN-H.
Benefit
Coordinated in-situ soil moisture data for users & cal/val.
Timeframe
Continuing.
Who
TU Wien supported by National Data Providers, ESA, GEWEX, CEOS, and GEO.
Performance Indicator
Availability of harmonised and quality controlled in s itu soil mois ture data provided by network ope rators to the
ISMN.
Annual Cost
100-k-1M US$ (includes only central services of the ISMN Data Centre).
4441
Action T18:
Regional High-Resolution Soil Moisture Data Record
Action
Develop high-resolution soil moisture data records for climate change adaptation and m itigation by exploiting
microwave and thermal remote sensing data.
Benefit
Availability of data suitable for adaptation.
Timeframe
2017-2020
Who
NASA SMAP Program, ESA Clima te Change Initiative, Cope rnicus Evolution Activities in cooperation with identified
Universities and research organizations.
Performance Indicator
Public releases of experimental multi-year (> 10 years) high-resolution soil moisture data records.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4442
Action T19:
Maintain and extend the in-situ mass balance network
Action
Maintain and extend the in-situ mass balance network, especia lly within developing countries (e.g. using capacity
building and twinning programmes).
Benefit
Maintain a critical climate record.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
Research community, national institutions and agencies.
Performance Indicator
Number of observation series submitted to the WGMS.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4443
- 234 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T20:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Improve the funding situation for international glacier data centres
Action
Improve the funding situation for inte rnational glacie r data centres and services as well as for long -term glacie r
monitoring programmes. Integrated and internationa l availability of funding for sustaining program, expecting
also private sectors contribution.
Benefit
Secure long term monitoring and data availability.
Timeframe
2020
Who
national and international funding agencies.
Performance
Indicator
resources dedicated to glacier da tabase management at WGMS and NSIDC; numbe r of refere nce glacie rs with
more than 30 years of continued observations
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4444
Action T21:
Encourage and enforce research projects to make their ECV-relevant observations available
through the dedicated international data centres
Action
Encourage and enforce research projects to make their ECV-re levant obse rvations available through the dedicated
international data centres
(e.g. through dedicated budget lines and the use of digital object identifiers for datasets).
Benefit
Open and long-term availability of data for users.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
National funding agencies.
Performance Indicator
Number of datasets submitted to dedicated international data centres.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4445
Action T22:
Global Glacier Inventory
Action
Finalize the completion of a global reference inventory for glaciers and increase its da ta quality (e.g., outline, time
stamp) and data richness (e.g., attribute fields, hypsometry).
Benefit
Improved data quality on glaciers.
Timeframe
2020
Who
NSIDC and WGMS with GLIMS research community and space agencies.
Performance Indicator
Data coverage in GLIMS database.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4446
Action T23:
Multi-decadal Glacier Inventories
Action
Continue to produce and compile repeat inventories at multi-decadal time scale.
Benefit
Extend the time series of glacier information
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
NSIDC and WGMS with GLIMS research community and space agencies.
Performance Indicator
Data coverage in GLIMS database.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4447
- 235 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T24:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Allocate additional resources to extend the geodetic dataset
Action
Allocate additional resources to extend the geodetic dataset: decadal elevation change can potentially be computed
for thousands of glacie rs from air- a nd space -borne sens ors. He re, airborne campaigns at national (e.g. LiDAR surveys
in CH, AT, IS, NO; various UAV missions) and regional (e.g., Operation IceBridge) levels can make major contributions.
Benefit
Improved accuracy of glacier change.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
WGMS with research community and space agencies
Performance Indicator
Data coverage in WGMS database.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$
4448
Action T25:
Extend the glacier front variation dataset both in space and time
Action
Extend the glacie r front variation da taset both in s pace and back in time us ing remote sensing, in-situ observations
and reconstruction methods.
Benefit
Understanding long-term trends.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
WGMS with research community and space agencies.
Performance Indicator
Data coverage in WGMS database.
Annual Cost
1-10 US$
4449
Action T26:
Glacier observing sites
Action
Maintain current glacier observing sites and add additional sites and infrastructure in data -sparse regions, including
South Ame rica, Africa, the Himalayas, and New Zealand; a ttribute quality levels to long-te rm mass balance
measurements; complete satellite-based glacier inventories in key areas.
Benefit
Sustained global monitoring to understand global trends.
Timeframe
Continuing, new sites by 2015.
Who
Parties’ national services and agencies coordinated by GTN-G partners, WGMS, GLIMS, and NSIDC.
Performance Indicator
Completeness of database held at NSIDC from WGMS and GLIMS.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4450
Action T27:
Snow-cover and snowfall observing sites
Action
Strengthen and maintain exis ting snow-cover and snowfa ll obse rving sites; ensure that sites exchange snow da ta
internationally; establish global monitoring of tha t data on the GTS; and re cover historical data. Ensure reporting
include reports of zero cover.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in global snow.
Timeframe
Continuing; receipt of 90% of snow measurements in International Data Centres.
Who
Nationa l Meteorological and Hydrological Services and research agencies, in coope ration with WMO GCW and W CRP
and with advice from TOPC, AOPC, and the GTN-H.
Performance Indicator
Data submission to national centres such as the National Snow and Ice Data Center (USA) and World Data Services.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4451
- 236 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T28:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Integrated analyses of snow
Action
Obtain integrated analyses of snow over both hemispheres.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in global snow.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies and research agencies in cooperation with WMO GCW and CliC, with advice from TOPC, AOPC and
IACS.
Performance Indicator
Availability of snow-cover products for both hemispheres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4452
Action T29:
Ice sheet measurements
Action
Ensure continuity of in situ ice shee t measurements and field expe riments for improved unders tanding of processes
and for the better assessment of mass loss changes.
Benefit
Robust data on trends in ice sheet changes.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Who
Parties, working with WCRP CliC, IACS, and SCAR.
Performance Indicator
Integrated assessment of ice sheet change supported by verifying observations.
Annual Cost
10-30M US$
4453
Action T30:
Ice sheet model improvement
Action
Research into ice s heet model improvement to assess future sea level rise. Improving knowledge and m odelling of
ice-ocean interaction, calving ice mass discharge.
Benefit
Improved sea level rise forecasting.
Timeframe
International initiative to assess local and global sea level rise and variability.
Who
WCRP CliC sea level cross-cut, IACS, and SCAR.
Performance Indicator
Reduction of sea level rise uncertainty in future climate prediction from ice sheet contributions..
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
4454
Action T31:
Continuity of laser, altimetry, and gravity satellite missions
Action
Ensure continuity of lase r, altimetry, and gravity satellite missions adequate to monitor ice masses over decadal
timeframes.
Benefit
Sustain ice sheet monitoring into the future.
Timeframe
New sensors to be launched: 10-30 years.
Who
Space agencies, in cooperation with WCRP CliC and TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Appropriate follow-on missions agreed.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
4455
Action T32:
Standards and practices for permafrost
Action
Refine and im plement inte rnational observing standa rds and practices for permafrost and combine with
environmental variable measurements; establish national data centres.
Benefit
Consistent and comparable global observations.
Timeframe
Complete by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services/research institutions and International Permafrost Association.
Performance Indicator
Implemented guidelines and establishment of national centres.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
- 237 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4456
Action T33:
Mapping of seasonal soil freeze/thaw
Action
Implement opera tional mapping of seasonal soil freeze/thaw through an internationa l initiative for monitoring
seasonally-frozen ground in non-permafrost regions.
Benefit
Improved understanding of changes in biosphere and carbon cycle.
Timeframe
Complete by 2020.
Who
Parties, space agencies, national se rvices, and NSIDC, with guidance from International Pe rmafrost Association, the
IGOS Cryosphere Theme team, and WMO GCW.
Performance Indicator
Number and quality of mapping products published.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4457
Action T34:
Ensure the consistency of the various radiant energy fluxes
Action
Establish a system to ensure the consistency ECV. Initially focusing on:
The various radiant e nergy fluxes (e.g. surface a lbedo and FAPAR) de rived from remote sensing obse rvations, and
their compatibility with the specific requirements of the models, especially in the context of climate change studies;
fire and surface albedo, especially in the context of climate change studies.
Benefit
Improved data leading to improved model predictions and understanding of changes in biosphere.
Timeframe
2020
Who
CEOS WG Cal/Val, TOPC Observers, CEOS/CGMS WG Climate.
Performance Indicator
Documented system to ensure consistency. Reports demonstrating consistency.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4458
Action T35:
Climate change indicators for Adaptation
Action
Establish climate change indicators for adaptation issues using land ECVs at high resolution.
Benefit
Inputs into adaptation planning, damage limitations and risk assessments.
Timeframe
Initial products by 2018. On-going development and improvement.
Who
GCOS, GCOS Science panels, WCRP, GFCS.
Performance Indicator
Availability of indicators.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4459
Action T36:
Quality of ground-based reference sites for FAPAR and LAI
Action
Improve the quality and numbe r of g round-based reference sites for FAPAR and LAI.Agree minimum measurement
standards and protocols. Conduct systematic and com prehe nsive evaluation of g round-based measurements for
building a reference sites network..
Benefit
Ensure quality assurance of LAI and FAPAR products".
Timeframe
Network operational by 2020.
Who
Parties’ national and regional research centres, in cooperation with space agencies and Cope rnicus coordinated by
CEOS WGCV, GCOS and TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Data available.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4460
- 238 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T37:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Improve Snow and Ice Albedo products
Action
Improve quality of snow (and ice) albedo products.
Benefit
Improve consistency of datasets
Timeframe
.ASAP !
Who
Space agencies and Copernicus coordinated through CEOS WGCV LPV, WMO Space programme, with advice from
GCOS and TOPC
Performance Indicator
Product available.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4461
Action T38:
Improve in situ albedo measurements
Action
Improve quality of available in situ validation measureme nts and colloca ted albedo products as well as bidirectional
reflectance factors and measures of surface anisotropy from all space agencies gene rating such products; Promote
benchmarking activities to assess the reliability of albedo products..
Benefit
Improved calibration and validation.
Timeframe
Full benchmarking/intercomparison by 2012.
Who
Baseline Surface Radia tion Network (BSRN) and spatially representative FLUXNET sites,
cooperation with CEOS WGCV LPV..
Performance Indicator
Data available to analysis centres.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
Space agencies in
4462
Action T39:
Production of CDRs for LAI, FAPAR and Albedo
Action
Operationalize the generation of
10-day and monthly FAPAR and LAI products as gridded global products at spatial resolution 5 km over time pe riods
as long as possible;
10-day FAPAR and LAI products at spatial resolution at 50m resolution;
Daily (for full characteriza tion of rapidly greening and senescing vegetation, and particula rly over higher latitudes with
the ra pid changes due to snowfall and snowmelt ), 10-days and monthly surface albedo products from a range of
sensors us ing both archived and current Earth Observation systems as g ridde d global products at spatial resolution of
1km to 5 km over time periods as long as possible.
Benefit
Provide longer time records for climate monitoring.
Timeframe
2020
Who
Space agencies and , Copernicus and SCOPE-CM coordinated through CEOS WGCV LPV..
Performance Indicator
Operational data providers accept the charge of gene rating, maintaining, and distributing global physically consis tent
ECV products.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4463
Action T40:
Evaluate LAI, FAPAR & Albedo
Action
Promote be nchmarking activities to assess reliability of FAPAR and LAI products taking into account their intrinsic
definition and accuracy assessment against fiducial ground refere nces and evaluate the Albe do products with high
quality tower data from spatially representative sites"
Benefit
Improved accuracy of data.
Timeframe
Evaluation by 2019.
Who
Space agencies and Copernicus in relation with CEOS WGCV, GCOS/TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Publish results.
Benefit
Recommendations after gap analysis on further actions for improving algorithms.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4464
- 239 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T41:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Land Surface Temperature: In situ protocols
Action
Promote sta ndardised data protocols for in situ LST and support the CEOS -LPV group in development of a consis tent
approach to data validation, taking its LST Validation Protocol as a baseline.
Benefits
LST data sets would be more accessi ble to users e ncouraging user uptake of m ore than one LST data set. This will
lead to better characterisation of uncertainties and inter-data set variability..
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC, CEOS
WGCV/LPV.
Performance Indicator
Availability of protocols and evidence of their use.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4465
Action T42:
Produciton of Land Surface Temperature datasets
Action
Continue the production of global LST da tasets , e nsuring consiste ncy be tween products produced from diffe rent
sensors and by different groups.
Benefits
‘Make available long time se ries of LST data sets in consistent formats, e nabling more widespread use of LST for
climate applications..
Timeframe
Continual.
Who
Space agencies.
Performance Indicator
. Up-to-date production of global LST datasets.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4466
Action T43:
Reprocessing Land Surface Temperature (LST)
Action
Reprocess existing datasets of LST to generate a cons istent long-te rm time series of global LST. In particular,
Reprocess archives of lowearth orbit a nd Geos tationary LST observations in a cons istent ma nner and to community
agreed data formats.
Benefits
Make available long time-series.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC, CEOS
WGCV/LPV.
Performance Indicator
Availability of long-time series of LST datasets.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4467
Action T44:
Land Surface Temperature
Action
Expand the in situ network of permanent high quality IR radiometers for dedicated LST validation.
Benefits
LST data sets better validated and over more land surface types. Independent validation of stated accuracies
providing credibility to satellite LST products.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space data providers, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC, CEOS
WGCV/LPV, International Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity Working Group (ILSTE).
Performance Indicator
Establishment of a com prehens ive network of ground s ites with high quality in situ measurements suitable for
validating the different sensors. Results from in situ radiometer intercomparison exercises.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$ (10-20 sites at $100 K per site)
4468
4469
4470
- 240 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T45:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Land Surface Temperature
Action
Radiometric calibration inter-comparisons and uncertainties for LST sensors.
Benefits
LST data sets bette r calibrated and over all land s urface types for diffe rent sate llite sensors. Independent calibration
providing credibility and traceability of data and uncertainties.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Co-ordinated by IVOS/GSICs, and supported by Space agencies.
Performance Indicator ECV generators taking into account radiometric calibration uncertainties, ideally with calibrations being referenced to a
common framework.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4471
4472
Action T46:
Land Cover Experts
Action
Maintain and stre ngthen a global network of land cover/land use experts to 1) develop and update an independent
very high spa tial-res olution reference dataset for global land cover map accuracy assessment, and 2) facilitate ac cess
to land use and management information to support the development of global-scale land use products.
Benefits
to GLC map developers, GLC map users.
Timeframe
Network concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
GOFC-GOLD, CEOS WGCV/LPV, Parties’ national se rvices and research agencies, Space data providers, NASA LCLUC,
TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Global LC map developers using the reference data developed by the operational network.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$/year
4473
Action T47:
Annual Land Cover Products
Action
Generate yearly land cover products over key regions that allow change assessment a cross time (including for the six
IPCC AFOLU land categories), at 10-30m spatial resolutions, according to inte rnationally-agreed standards and
accompanied by statistical descriptions of their accuracy.
Benefits
To mitigation and adaptation communities.
Timeframe
2015 and onwards.
Who
Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, Copernicus Land Service, USGS, UMD-GoogleEarth.
Performance Indicator
Product delivere d, and used by a large community to report. Use standard approaches for validation and unce rtainty
metrics for performance indicators.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4474
Action T48:
Land Cover Change
Action
Generate global-s cale land-cover products, with an annual frequency and long-term re cords that allow change
assessment across time (including as much as possible for the s ix IPCC AFOLU land categories), at resolutions between
250 m and 1 km, according to inte rnationally-agreed s tandards a nd accom panied by statistical descriptions of their
accuracy.
Benefits
To Climate change modellers, others.
Timeframe
2015 and onwards, GOFC-GOLD, Copernicus Land Service.
Who
Space Agencies, research institutes.
Performance Indicator
Product delivered, and used. Use standard approaches for validation and unce rtainty metrics for performance
indicators.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4475
- 241 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T49:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Land Cover Community Consensus
Action
Develop a comm unity consensus stra tegy and priorities for monitoring to include information on land management in
current land cover datasets, and start collecting relevant datasets and observations building on ongoing activities.
Benefits
To climate change modellers, mitigation and adaptation user communities.
Timeframe
Concept and approach by 2017; Start Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and resea rch agencies, Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, TOPC, UMD-GoogleEarth.
CEOS, ESA, USGS, GOFC-GOLD, FAO, GEO
Performance Indicator
Product delivered, and used.
Annual Cost
100K-1M US$
4476
Action T50:
Deforestation
Action
Develop yearly defores tation (forest clearing) and degradation (partial clea ring) for key regions that allow change
assessment across time, at 10-30m spatial resolutions, according to internationally-agreed definitions.
Timeframe
Concept and approach by 2017; Implementation by 2018.
Who
Parties’ national services and research agencies, Space Agencies, GOFC-GOLD, NASA LCLUC, UMD-GoogleEarth, TOPC.
Performance Indicator
Indicators based standa rd validation a pproach for cha nge of forest cover and attributions ass ociated with
deforestation and degradation. Product delivered, and used.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4477
Action T51:
Collaboration on Above Ground Biomass
Action
Encourage inte r-agency collaboration on developing optimal me thods to combine biomass estima tes from current
and upcoming missions (e.g. ESA BIOMASS, NASA GEDI and NASA-ISRO NiSAR, JAXA PALSAR, CONAE SAOCOM).
Benefits
Reduced error, cross-validation, combining strengths of different sensors in different biomass ranges.
Timeframe
Most of the key missions are expected to be in orbit between 2016 and 2020.
Who
ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, CONAE
Performance Indicator
A strategy to combine biomass estimates from different sensors, together with algorithms and processing methods.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4478
Action T52:
Above Ground Biomass Validation Strategies
Action
Encourage inter-agency collaboration to develop validation stra tegies for upcom ing missions aime d at measuring
biomass (e.g. ESA BIOMASS, NASA GEDI and NASA-ISRO NiSAR), to include combine d use of in s itu and airborne lidar
biomass measurements.
Benefits
Potential to produce more com prehe nsive validation of biomass estimates by cost-s haring. Greate r consiste ncy
between biomass estimates from different sensors because of assessment against common reference data.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, CONAE
Performance Indicator
Formal agreement between agencies on a strategy for joint gathering and sha ring of validation da ta together with
funding of specific elements of the overall set of validation data.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4479
4480
4481
4482
4483
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DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T53:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Above Ground Biomass Validation Sites
Action
Develop a set of validation sites covering the major forest types, especially in the tropics, at which high quality
biomass estimations can be made using standa rd protocols developed from ground measurements or airborne lidar
techniques.
Benefits
Essential to give confidence in satellite-derived biomass estimates at global scale.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2018 – 2022).
Who
Space agencies working with key in situ networks (e.g. RainFor, Afritron, the Smithsonian Ce nter for T ropical Forest
Science), GEO-GFOI.
Performance Indicator
Establishment of a comprehensive ne twork of ground sites with high quality in situ biomass estimates with
uncertainty assessments suitable for validating the different sensors.
Annual Cost
30-100M US$ (50 tropical sites covering all forest types: $20 m illion; es timate for temperate and boreal sites not yet
formulated.)
4484
Action T54:
Above Ground Biomass Data Access
Action
Promote access to well-calibrated and validated regiona l and national-scale biomass maps that are increasingly being
produced from airborne lidar.
Benefits
Greatly extends the re presenta tiveness of data available for validating sate llite -derived biomass data, since a much
greater range of land types and forest conditions will be covered.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
GEO-GFOI, other?
Performance Indicator
Availability of multiple regional to country scale maps of biomass derived from airborne lidar. Use of sta ndard
protocols for uncertainty assessment of lidar estimation of biomass.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$ (does not include monitoring costs).
4485
Action T55:
Above Ground Biomass: Forest inventories
Action
Improve access to high quality fores t inventories, especia lly in the tropics, including those developed for research
purposes and REDD+.
Benefits
Extends the data available for validating satellite-derived biomass data.
Timeframe
From now up to the operational phase of the various sensors (2016 – 2022).
Who
GEO-GFOI, other?
Performance Indicator
Access to databases of georeferenced biomass measureme nts de rived from g round measureme nts for forest
inventory purposes.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4486
Action T56:
Soil Carbon: Carbon Mapping
Action
Cooperate with the soil carbon mapping exercises to advocate for accurate maps of soil carbon.
Benefit
Improved data accuracy.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
TOPC and GCOS.
Performance Indicator
Improved maps.
Annual Cost
1-10k US$
4487
4488
4489
4490
- 243 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T57:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Soil Carbon Change
Action
Encourage flux sites to measure soil carbon at 5 year intervals and record s oil management activities. Use this to
supplement long term experiments that are monitoring soil carbon.
Benefit
Improved in situ observations will improve accuracy.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
TOPC and GCOS.
Performance Indicator
Number of flux-sites making measurements.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4491
Action T58:
Soil Carbon – Histosols
Action
Provide global maps of the extent of histosols (peatlands, wetlands and permafrost) and their depth.
Benefit
Improve understanding of carbon pools at risk to climate change.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
Performance Indicator
Availability of maps.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4492
Action T59:
Historic fire data
Action
Reanalyse the historical fire disturbance satellite data (1982 to present).
Benefits
Climate modelling communities.
Timeframe
By 2020.
Who
Space agencies, working with research groups coordinated by GOFC-GOLD Fire By 2020.
Performance Indicator
Establishment of a consistent dataset, including the globally available AVHRR data record.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4493
Action T60:
Operational global burned area and FRP
Action
Continue the production of ope rational, global burne d area active fire (with associated FRP) products, with metada ta
and unce rtainty characte rizations tha t meet threshold requirements and have necessary product back -up to e nsure
operational delivery of products to users.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities. space agencies, civil protection services, fire mangers, other users
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies, Copernicus Global Land Service, Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, GOFC-GOLD.
Performance Indicator
Availability of products that meet user needs.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4494
- 244 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T61:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Fire maps
Action
Consiste ntly map global burned area a t < 100m resolution on a nea r daily basis from com binations of satellite
products (Sentinel-2, Landsat, Sentinel-1, PRO BA). Furthe rmore, work towards deriving consistent measures of fire
severity, fire type, fuel moisture, and related plant fuel parameters.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities , space agencies, civil protection services, fire managers, other users.
Timeframe
By 2020.
Who
Space agencies, Research Organisations, International Organisations in collaboration with GOFC-GOLD Fire.
Performance Indicator
Availability of data and products.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4495
Action T62:
Fire validation
Action
Continuation of validation activity around the detection of fire disturbed areas from satellites to show that threshold
requirements are being me t. Work to reduce the e rrors of comm ission and omission. Provide be tte r than e xisting
uncertainty characterisation of fire disturbance products.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space agencies and research organizations, supported by CEOS LPV.
Performance Indicator
Publication of temporal accuracy.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4496
Action T63:
Fire disturbance model development
Action
Continuation of joint projects betwee n research groups involved in the development of Atm osphe ric Transport
Models, Dynamic Vegetation Models and GHG Em ission m odels ‘the Climate Mode lling and Transport Mode lling
community’ and those involved in the continual algorithm development, validation and uncertainty characterisation
of fire dis turbance products from satellite data (the Earth Observation and Modelling community). Contribute to
better understanding of fire risk and fire risk modelling.
Benefits
Climate modelling communities, Copernicus Programme.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, etc.), inter-agency bodies (GOFC-GOLD, CEOS, ECMWF, Meteosat etc.), Copernicus Global
Land Service, Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, GOFC-GOLD.
Performance Indicator
Projects that engage climate and atmospheric transport modellers and product development community.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
4497
Action T64:
Anthropogenic Water Use
Action
Collect, archive and disseminate information related to anthropogenic water use.
Benefit
Accurate and up-to-date data on water availability and stress.
Timeframe
Continuous.
Who
UN-Water, IWMI and FAO through AQUASTAT in collaboration with UN Statistics Division and other data sources.
Performance Indicator
Information contained in the AQUASTAT database.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4498
- 245 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Action T65:
Review Version 25 June 2016
Pilot projects - Anthropogenic Water Use
Action
Develop and implement pilot data collection exercises for water use.
Benefit
Demonstrate data collection approaches for wide implementation.
Timeframe
206-2019
Who
GTN-H, UN-Water, IWMI and FAO through AQUASTAT in colla boration with the Convention on the Protection and Use
of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
Performance Indicator
Completed data collection in pilot areas.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4499
Action T66:
Improve Global Estimates of Anthropogenic GHG Emissions
Action
Continue to produce annual global estimates of emissions from fossil fue l, indus try, agriculture and waste. Improve
these estimates by following IPCC me thods using Tie r 2 me thods fo r s ignificant sectors. This will require a global
knowledge of fuel carbon contents and a consideration of the accuracy of the statistics used.
Benefit
Improved tracking of global anthropogenic emissions.
Timeframe
2018 and on-going thereafter.
Who
Performance Indicator
Availability of Improved estimates.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4500
Action T67:
Use of Satellites for LULUCF Emissions/Removals
Action
Support the im provement of estimates emissions and removals from Forestry and Land Use Change by us ing satellite
data to monitor changes where ground based data is insufficient.
Benefit
Improved global and national monitoring of LULUCF.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
UNREDD, GFOI,…
Performance Indicator
Availability of satellite data.
Annual Cost
100k -1M US$
4501
Action T68:
Research on the Land Sink
Action
Research to better understand the land sink, its processes and magnitudes.
Benefit
Better understanding of the global carbon cycle.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
Research groups.
Performance Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
100k-1M US$
4502
Action T69:
Use of Inverse modelling techniques to support emission inventories
Action
Develop inverse mode lling methods so that they support and add credibility to emiss ion inventories. Develop and
disseminate examples for several GHGs.
Benefit
Added credibility of national emission/removal estimates and demonstration of inventory completeness.
Timeframe
On-going.
Who
National Inventory agencies, Researchers.
Performance Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
1-10M US$
- 246 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4503
Action T70:
Action
Prepare for a carbon monitoring system
Preparatory work to develop a carbon (and ch4?) monitoring system to be operational by 2035.
Development of com prehens ive monitoring systems of measurements of atmospheric conce ntra tions and of
emission fluxes from anthropogenic poin t sources, to include space-based monitoring, in situ flask and flux tower
measurements and the necessary transport and assimilation models.
Benefit
Improved estimates of national emissions and removals.
Timeframe
Initial demonstration results by 2023 – complete systems unlikely before 2030.
Who
Space agencies.
Performance Indicator
Published results.
Annual Cost
10-100B US$
4504
Action T71:
Action
Prepare for a Latent & Sensible Heat Flux ECV
Review the feasibility of global monitoring o latent and se nsible heat fluxes form the land surface. Prepare proposals
for such an ECV
Development of com prehens ive monitoring systems of measurements of atmospheric conce ntra tions and of
emission fluxes from anthropogenic point sources, to include space-based monitoring, in situ flask and flux tower
measurements and the necessary transport and assimilation models.
Benefit
Improve understanding of heat fluxes over land.
Timeframe
2017
Who
TOPC
Performance Indicator
Proposals for consideration by the GCOS Steering Committee.
Annual Cost
10-100k US$
4505
4506
- 247 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
4507
Review Version 25 June 2016
Annexes
- 248 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
4508
Review Version 25 June 2016
ANNEX A: ECV Product Requirements Tables
4509
4510
4511
4512
4513
4514
4515
This Annex presents requirements for the ECV Products for all ECVs in this Implementation Plan. As
these requirements are for products they are independent of the observational method, whether
mainly satellite or in situ. GCOS recognizes that these requirements have not been always well described,
especially for in situ based observations and observations needed for adaptation, and there are actions
in this Implementation Plan to refine this list before the end of 2017 and then to maintain it as needs
and observational capacities change.
4516
4517
4518
4519
4520
4521
4522
These requirements follow-on from, and update, previous product requirements provided for satellitebased ECV Products in the GCOS Satellite Supplements to the Implementation Plans for 2004 and 2010 43 .
The requirements contained in these supplements have been of considerable importance for the
Satellite data providers. They have proved extremely effective in accelerating implementation initiatives
by these communities both through concerted efforts, globally, for coordination (i.e. the CEOS-CGMS
Working Group on Climate44 , as well as in the definition and implementation of dedicated programmes
at the level of individual Space Agencies (e.g. ESA’s CCI programme45 ).
4523
4524
4525
4526
Whilst the value of these Supplements is clear, the delay introduced by the preparation of these
supplements, and the corresponding response from space agencies, did result in some inefficiencies:
space agencies who provided a response to the joint Implementation Plan and Satellite Supplement
could only respond less than 3 years before the GCOS review, the Status Report, was published.
4527
4528
4529
4530
4531
4532
4533
Therefore this Implementation Plan includes the core component of these previous Supplements (i.e.
the ECV product requirements themselves) and extends them to cover all ECVs. This will allow better
review of the whether or not the observing systems are achieving their goals and will align these reviews
with the overall GCOS review cycle and reporting to the UNFCCC. Merging the ECV Product
Requirements with the Implementation Plan itself has additional advantages such as a more direct and
traceable link between the Implementation Plan Actions and the Product Requirements (i.e. where an
action is proposed to improve the accuracy of a product).
43
GCOS (2011) Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate
Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC - 2011 Update, GCOS-154, pub WMO, Geneva,
December 2011
GCOS (2006) Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate
Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC GCOS-107 - pub WMO, Geneva September 2006
44
http://ceos.org/ourwork/workinggroups/climate/
45
http://cci.esa.int
- 249 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4534
4535
4536
This by no means is intended to undermine the importance of data providers (e.g. WMO, GOOS and the
space agencies) in supporting the implementation of GCOS. On the contrary, it should be seen as for a
key step towards improved and consistent reporting to SBSTA.
4537
4538
4539
4540
4541
4542
4543
This addition of requirements for in-situ based ECV Products is more complicated due to the greater
fragmentation of the communities with the relevant knowledge. In this Annex an attempt is made to
provide a first coherent and exhaustive representation of ECV Product Requirements but further
consultations with the user communities are needed to ensure these values better represent their
needs and not just the observational system capabilities. An Action is included in the Implementation
Plan (Action G10) to further consolidate and refine these requirements over the course of the next
Implementation Plan cycle.
4544
4545
4546
The ECV Products requirements in this Annex should be considered Target Requirements, i.e.
requirements that data providers should aim to achieve in timescale of the next 10 years. Annex B
provides an explanation of some of the terms used in this annex.
4547
- 250 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4548
Table 22 Atmospheric ECV Product Requirements
ECV
Product
Frequency
Surface Wind
Speed and direction
Surface wind speed and direction
Precipitation
Estimates
of
precipitation
Temperature
(Surface)
Pressure (surface)
Water Vapour
(surface)
Earth Radiation Budget
liquid
and
3 hr
Resolution
10km/NA
solid Monthly (resolving 25km/NA
diurnal cycles and
with statistics of 3
hr values)
Hourly
Daily Tx/Tn
Hourly
Hourly
Site
Site
Site
Top-of-atmosphere ERB longwave
100km/NA
Top-of-atmosphere
(reflected)
Monthly(resolving
diurnal cycle)
shortwave Monthly(resolving
diurnal cycle)
100km/NA
Monthly(resolving
diurnal cycle)
Monthly(resolving
diurnal cycle)
Daily
Daily
100km/NA
ERB
Surface ERB longwave
Surface ERB shortwave
Total solar irradiance
Solar spectral irradiance
100km/NA
NA/NA
Spectral resolution:
1 nm < 290 nm
2nm 290-1000 nm
5 nm 1000-1600 nm
10 nm 1600-3200 nm
20 nm 3200-6400 nm
40 nm 6400-10020 20000 nm
spacing up to 160000 nm
- 251 -
Accuracy
Stability/Decade
0.5m/s and mean 0.05m/s/decade
quadratic statistics to
10% of the locally
prevailing mean wind
speed,
for
speed >20m/s
0.5 mm/h
0.02mm/decade
0.1K
0.02K/decade
0.1K
0.1hPa
0.02hPa/decade
RH 1%
0.5%/decade
DP 0.1K
0.02K/decade
Requirements
on 0.2 W/m2/decade
global mean: 1W/m2
Requirements
on 0.3W/m2 /decade
global mean: 1.0
W/m2
Requirements
on 0.2W/m2 /decade
global mean: 1W/m2
Requirements
on 0.2W/m2 /decade
global mean: 1W/m2
0.035%
0.01%/decade
0.3%(200-2400nm)
1%(2002400nm)/decade
Standards/
references
For
stability:
International Vector
Winds Science Team
Meeting
(M.Bourassa)
CMSAF
requirements
related to the HOAP
release 4.0 (CM12611)
P.Jones
P.Jones
Kate Willet
NOAA Tech
NESDIS 134
NOAA Tech
NESDIS 134
Rep.
Rep.
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Atmospheric ECV Product Requirements (continued)
ECV
Temperature
(upper-air)
Product
Tropospheric Temperature profile
Stratospheric Temperature profile
Temperature of deep atmospheric layers
Wind speed and direction Upper-air wind retrievals
(upper-air)
Water Vapour
Total column-water vapour
Cloud Properties
Ozone
Resolution
Accuracy
4hr
25km/1km
0.5K
Stability/Decad
e
0.05K
4hr
Monthly averages
1hr
100km/2km
100km/5km
10km/0.5km
0.5K
0.2K
2m/s,20deg;
0.05K
0.02K
0.5m/s,5deg
4hr
25km/NA
2%,
0.3%
Tropospheric and lower-stratospheric profiles of 4hr (troposphere)
water vapour
daily (stratosphere)
Upper tropospheric humidity
1hr
25km/2km
100-200km/2km
25km/NA
5%,
0.3%
5%,
0.3%
Cloud amount
Cloud Top Pressure
Cloud Top Temperature
Cloud Optical Depth
Cloud Water Path(liquid an ice)
3hr
3hr
3hr
3hr
3hr
3hr
50km/NA
50km/NA
50km/NA
50km/NA
50km/NA
50km/NA
0.01-0.05
15-50hPa,
1-5K;
10%,
25%;
1um;
0.01/decade
3-15hPa
0.25K/decade
2%
5%
1um/decade
1 day
4hr
4hr
4hr
4hr
daily
4hr
4hr
4hr
daily
10km
5-10km/NA
5-10km/5km
5-10km/NA
5-10km/5km
100-200km/2km
20-50km/NA
20-50km/5km
100-200km/1-2km
100-200km/3km/
1ppm;
1ppm
10ppb
0.5ppb
5%
Max(2%;5DU)
10-15%
10%
5-20%
1.5ppm/decade
1.5ppm
7ppb
0.7ppb
0.3%
1%
2%
2%
2%
C, effective particle radius (liquid + ice)
Lightning
Carbon Dioxide,
Methane
and
Greenhouses
gases
Frequency
Tropospheric CO2 column
other Tropospheric CO2
Tropospheric CH4 column
Tropospheric CH4
Stratospheric CH4
Total column ozone
Troposphere Ozone
Ozone profile in upper and lower stratosphere
Ozone profile in upper strato-and mesosphere
4549
46
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/FutureSatellites/MeteosatThirdGeneration/index.ht
ml?lang=EN
- 252 -
Standards/
references
ESA CCI C MUG
tables
(http://www.esacmug-cci.org/)
46
MTG EURD
ESA CCI C MUG
tables
(http://www.esacmug-cci.org/)
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Atmospheric ECV Product Requirements (continued)
ECV
Product
Precursors(supporting the NO2 tropospheric column
Aerosol and Ozone ECVs
SO2,HCHO tropospheric columns
CO tropospheric column
Aerosols properties
Frequency
Resolution
Accuracy
Stability/Decade
4hr
4hr
4hr
5-10km/NA
5-10km/NA
5-10km/NA
Max(20%,0.03DU)
Max(30%,0.04DU)
Max(20%,20DU);
2%
5%
2%
CO tropospheric profile
4hr
10km/5km
20%;
2%
Aerosol optical depth
Single-scattering albedo
Aerosol-layer height
Aerosol-extinction coeff. profile
4hr
4hr
4hr
weekly
5-10km/NA/
5-10km/NA/
5-10km/NA/
200-500
km/
1km(near
tropopause), 2km(mid
stratosphere)/
Max(0.03;10%);
0.03;
1km;
10%,
0.02/decade
0.01
0.5km
20%
4550
4551
4552
- 253 -
Standards/
references
ESA CCI C MUG
tables
(http://www.esacmug-cci.org/)
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
4553
Table 23 Ocean ECV Product Requirements
ECV
Products
Frequency
Resolution
Accuracy
Stability
Sea
Surface
Temperature
Subsurface
Temperature
Sea Surface Salinity
Subsurface Salinity
Surface Currents
Sea Surface Temperature
Hourly to weekly
1-100 km
0.1 K over 100 km scales
< 0.03 K over 100 km scales
Interior Temperature
Hourly to monthly
1-10km
0.01K
not specified
Sea Surface Salinity
Interior Salinity
Surface
Geostrophic
Current
Interior Currents
Global Mean Sea Level
Hourly to monthly
Hourly to monthly
Hourly to weekly
1-100 km
1-10km
30 km
0.01 psu
0.01psu
5 cm/s
0.001 psu
Not specified
Not specified
Hourly to weekly
Weekly to monthly
1-10km
10-100 km
Not specified
< 0.3 mm/yr (global mean)
Regional Sea Level
Hourly to weekly
10 km
Wave Height
Surface Stress
Latent Heat Flux
Sensible Heat Flux
Radiative Heat flux
Sea Ice Concentration
Sea Ice Extent/Edge
Sea Ice Thickness
Sea Ice Drift
3 hourly
hourly-monthly
hourly to monthly
hourly to monthly
hourly to monthly
Weekly
Weekly
Monthly
Weekly
25 km
10-100km
1-25km
1-25km
1-25km
10 km to 15 km
1 km to 5 km
25km
5 km
0.02m/s
2-4 mm (global mean); 1 cm
over a grid mesh
1 cm (over grid mesh of 50-100
km)
10 cm
0.001-4Nm2
10-15Wm-2
10-15Wm-2
10-15Wm-2
5% ice area fraction
5 km
0.1 m
1 km/day
Subsurface Curents
Sea Level
Sea State
Surface Stress
Ocean Surface
Flux
Sea Ice
Heat
4554
- 254 -
< 1 mm/yr (for grid mesh of
50-100 km)
5 cm
Not specified
1-2Wm-2
1-2Wm-2
1-2Wm-2
5%
unspecified
unspecified
unspecified
Standards/
References
See EOV
Specification
Sheets
at
www.ioc-goosoopc/obs/ecv.php
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
Ocean ECV Product Requirements (continued)
ECV
Products
Frequency
Resolution
Accuracy
Oxygen
Interior ocean Oxygen
concentration
Interior
ocean
Concentrations of silicate,
phosphate, nitrate
Interior ocean carbon
storage. At least 2 of:
Dissolved
Inorganic
Carbon
(DIC),
Total
Alkalinity (TA) or pH
pCO2 (to provide Air-sea
flux of CO2)
Weekly to Decadal
3-20° degrees
0.5 uM - 2 uM
decadal
Every 20°
decadal
Every 20°
PO4: ±0.05 (μM)
NO3: ±0.03 (μM)
Si: ±0.1 (μM)
TA/DIC ±2 μM
pH ±0.005
Weekly to decadal
Transient Tracers
Interior ocean CFC-12,
3
CFC-11, SF6, tritium, He,
14 39
C, Ar
Annual to decadal
Every 10°, (Denser
in
the
coastal
domain, surface)
Every 20°
Nitrous Oxide
N2O (Interior ocean and
air-sea flux)
Water Leaving Radiance
Chlorophyll-a
Concentration
Phytoplankton
Zoo plankton
Coral Reefs,
Mangrove
Forests,
Seagrass
Beds,
Macroalgal Communities
Annual to decadal
Every 20°
Daily
Weekly averages
4 km
4 km
Nutrients
Inorganic Carbon
Ocean Colour
Plankton
Marine
Properties
Habitat
±2 μatm
CFCs and SF6 ±1%
Tritium ±0.5%, 0.005 TU
3
δ He ±0.15%
14
C ±0.4%
discrete samples: ~±5%;
cont. sampling: <±1%
5% (blue & green wavelengths)
30%
Requirements under assessment by GOOS Biology Panel
4555
4556
4557
- 255 -
Stability
0.5%
3%
Standards/
Reference
See
http://www.ioccp
.org/index.php/fo
o
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4558
Table 24 Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements
ECV
Notes
Products
River
Discharge
River discharge
Volume
of
Water Level
water flowing
through a given Flow Velocity
cross-section of
a waterway
Cross-section
Resolution
Accuracy
Stability
Daily
Daily
Few times per year
for station calibration
Few times per year
for station calibration
Per river
100m
10 % (relative)
10 cm
1 cm/yr
Per river
10 % (relative)
Per river
10 % (relative)
Monthly
100 km
10cm
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Per well
Per well
Per well
Per well
Per well
Lake water level
Daily.
100 m
Water Extent
Daily
20 m
1 cm
10 % (relative)
10 % (relative)
1 cm
tbd
3 cm for large lakes,
10 cm for the remainder
10 % (relative)
5% (for 70 largest lakes)
Weekly
300 m
1K
0.1 K/decade
Monthly
Daily
100m
300 m
1-2 cm
10 %
1 % /decade
Weekly
300 m
30 %
1 %/decade
Daily
1-25 km
0.04 m /m
Daily
Daily
1-25 km
1-25 km
90 %
90 %
Daily
1-25 km
0.04 m /m
Groundwater
volume
change
Changes
in Groundwater level
Groundwater recharge
Groundwater groundwater
resources
Groundwater discharge
Wellhead level
Water quality
Lakes
Changes
variability
lakes
Standards/
References
Frequency
and
Lake
surface
water
in
temperature
Lake ice thickness
Lake Ice Cover
Lake Colour (Lake Water
Leaving Reflectance)
Surface soil moisture
Changes
and
Freeze/thaw
Soil Moisture variability in soil
Surface inundation
moisture
Root-zone soil moisture
4559
- 256 -
ISO/TC 113:
WMO (2010)
WMO
(2008a)
WMO (2009)
ISO/TC 147
ISO
566718:2001 part
18
tbd
3
3
1 cm/decade
5%/%/decade
3
3
3
3
0.01 m /m /year
tbd
tbd
3
3
0.01 m /m /year
WMO (2006,
2008a)
WMO
(2008b)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements (Continued)
ECV
Snow
Notes
Products
area, changes
Area covered by snow
and variability in
snow cover
Changes
in
glaciers (Stereo
optical imagery,
Synthetic
Aperture Radar,
Glaciers
Satellite
altimetry
and
Satellite
gravimetry are
all used.)
Changes in ice
sheets and ice
Ice
Sheets shelves (Gravity
and
ice mission, laser
shelves
altimetry,
Synthetic
Aperture Radar)
Changes
and
Permafrost
variability
in
Permafrost
Frequency
Resolution
Accuracy
Daily
5% (maximum error of
omission and commission in
snow area); location accuracy
1km (100m in complex
better than 1/3 IFOV with
terrain)
target IFOV 100 m in areas of
complex terrain, 1 km
elsewhere
1km (100m in complex
10mm
terrain)
1km
10mm
snow depth
Daily
snow water equivalent
Daily
Annual (at end of
Horizontal 15-30m
5%
ablation season)
Horizontal 30m-100m
Decadal
2m/decade
Vertical 1m
Horizontal 30m-100m
Decadal
.2m
Vertical 1m
Glacier area
Glacier elevation change
Glacier topography
Glacier mass change
seasonal to annual
2
Vertical: 0.01m or 10kg better than 200kg/m /year
(the latter at end of
(at point location)
(glacier-wide)
ablation period)
Surface Elevation Change
Ice velocity
30 days
30 days
Horizontal 100m
Horizontal 100m
0.1m/year
0.1m/year
Ice mass change
30 days
Horizontal 50km
10km /year
Grounding line location and
yearly
thickness
Horizontal 100 m
Vertical 10 m
1m
Thermal
State
Permafrost
Active Layer Thickness
Sufficient
sites
to
0.1K
characterise each bioclimate zone
2cm
of
Daily to weekly
4560
4561
- 257 -
Stability
4% (maximum error of
omission
and
commission in snow
area);
location
accuracy better than
1/3 IFOV with target
IFOV 100 m in areas of
complex terrain, 1 km
elsewhere
Standards/
References
WMO (2008c)
IGOS (2007),
IACS/UNESCO
, 2009
10mm
10mm
1m/decade
1m/decade
0.1m/year
0.1m/year
3
3
10km /year
10 m
IGOS (2009)
Paul et al.
(2009)
Zemp et al.
(2013)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4562
Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements (Continued)
ECV
Notes
Products
Frequency
Fraction of
maps
of FAPAR
for
Absorbed
Maps
for modelling
Photosynthet modelling and
Daily
ically Active adaptation
maps
of FAPAR
for
Radiation
adaptation
(FAPAR)
maps of LAI for modelling
Maps
for
modelling and
Leaf
Area adaptation
Daily
Index (LAI)
maps of LAI for adaptation
Resolution
Accuracy
Stability
200/500 m
max(10%; 0.05)
max(3%; 0.02)
50m
max(10%; 0.05)
max(3%; 0.02)
max(15%)
max(10%; 0.25)
50m
max(5%; 0.0025)
max(1%; 0.001)
50m
max(5%; 0.0025)
max(1%; 0.001)
200/500m
max(5%; 0.0025)
max(1%; 0.001)
200/500m
max(5%; 0.0025)
max(1%; 0.001)
1 km
1K
<0.1K/decade
Standards/
References
250m
50m
Maps of DHR albedo for
Maps
for adaptation
Daily
modelling and Maps of BHR albedo for
adaptation
adaptation
Albedo
Maps of DHR albedo for
modelling
Daily
Maps of BHR albedo for
modelling
A measure of
Land Surface the
skin Maps of land surface
3 hour
Temperature temperature of temperature
the surface
Aboveground
biomass
above-ground
biomass (AGB)
maps of AGB
Annual
500m-1km (based on < 20% error for biomass
100-200m
values > 50 t/ha, and 10 t/ha 10%
observations)
for biomass values ≤ 50 t/ha
4563
- 258 -
No
agreed
standards but
see: GOFCGOLD
(2015b)
GFOI (2013)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4564
Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements
ECV
Notes
Products
maps of land cover
Frequency
Annual
Resolution
Accuracy
250m
15% (maximum error of
omission and commission in
mapping individual classes),
location accuracy better than
1/3 IFOV with target IFOV
250 m
10 - 30m
5% (maximum error of
omission and commission in
mapping individual classes),
location accuracy better than
1/3 IFOV with target IFOV
10-30 m
Land cover type
and change
Land cover
Maps of high resolution
5 year
land cover
Land use and Maps of key IPCC land use,
1-10
years
land
related changes and land
historical data)
management
management types
Soil Carbon
%Carbon in soil
5 - 10 year
Mineral soil bulk density to
Soil
carbon
5 - 10 year
30 cms and 1m
stocks
and
Peatlands total depth of
changes
profile, area and location 5- 10 year
20% (maximum error of
omission and commission in
(incl. 10-1000 m (depending
mapping individual classes),
on time period)
location accuracy better than
1/3 IFOV with target IFOV
20 km
20 km
2 m vertical 20 m
10%
horizontal
4565
4566
4567
- 259 -
Stability
15% (maximum error
of
omission
and
commission in mapping
individual
classes),
location
accuracy
better than 1/3 IFOV
with target IFOV 250 m
5% (maximum error of
omission
and
commission in mapping
individual
classes),
location
accuracy
better than 1/3 IFOV
with target IFOV 10-30
m
20% (maximum error
of
omission
and
commission in mapping
individual
classes),
location
accuracy
better than 1/3 IFOV
with target IFOV
Standards/
References
No
agreed
standards but
see
GLCN
(2014) and
GOFC-GOLD
(2015a)
IPCC (2006)
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4568
Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements (Continued)
ECV
Fire
Notes
Products
Frequency
Resolution
Burnt Areas
24 hours
30m
Monitoring
of Active fire maps
wildfires
(both
natural
and
anthropogenic)
Fire radiative power
Amounts of fresh
water used by
volume of water per year
humans for all
uses
Emissions from fossil fuel
use, industry, agriculture
Fluxes
of
and waste sectors.
greenhouse
Emissions/ removals by
gases
from
IPCC land categories
anthropogenic
Estimated fluxes
by
sources including
inversions of observed
Anthropogenic fossil
fuel
atmospheric composition
Greenhouse Gas emissions
- continental
Fluxes
Estimated fluxes
by
inversions of observed
atmospheric composition
- national
Hi-res
CO2
column
concentrations
to
monitor point sources
Anthropogenic
Water Use
Accuracy
6 hours at all latitudes
from Polar-Orbiting and 0.25-1 km (Polar);
1
hour
from 1-3 km (Geo)
Geostationary
6 hours at all latitudes
from Polar-Orbiting and 0.25-1 km (Polar)
1
hour
from 1-3 km (Geo)
Geostationary
15% (error of omission and
commission), compared to
30 m observations
5% error of commission
10% error of omission
Based
on
per-fire
comparisons for fires above
target
threshold of 5
MW/km² integrated FRP
10% integrated over pixel.
Based on target detection
threshold of 5 MW/km² and
with the same detection
accuracy as the Active Fire
Maps.
Annual
100 km
Annual
By country
sector
Annual
By country/region
Globally 15%
Nationally 20%
Annual
1000 - 10,000 km
10%
and Globally 5%
Nationally 10%
Annual
100-1000 km
30%
4 hourly
1 km
1ppm
- 260 -
Stability
Standards/
References
None
IPCC (2006)
IPCC (2013)
Maps
for
modelling
and
adaptation
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4569
Terrestrial ECV Product Requirements (Continued)
4570
ECV
Latent
Sensible
fluxes
Notes
Products
Frequency
Resolution
Accuracy
and Maps of latent
Heat and sensible heat TOPC is considering the practicality of this being an ECV and, if so, what the requirements might be.
fluxes
4571
- 261 -
Stability
Standards/
References
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4572
Box A.1 - Terrestrial Standards: References.
CEN (2010) Hydrometry - Measurement of snow water equivalent using snow mass registration devices. CEN/TR
15996:2010, Brussels.
FAO (2000) Land Cover Classification System. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GFOI (2013) Integrating Remote-sensing and Ground-based Observations for Estimation of Emissions and Removals of
Greenhouse Gases in Forests: Methods and Guidance Pub: GEO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014. ISBN 978-92-990047-4-6.
GLCN (2014) Global Land Cover Network (GLCN) Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), see http://www.glcn.org/
GOFC-GOLD (2015a) See http://www.gofcgold.wur.nl/
GOFC-GOLD (2015b) REDD+ Sourcebook November COP21 Edition, November 2015
IACS/UNESCO, (2009) International Classification of Seasonal Snow on the Ground,
IGOS (2007a) WMO/TD -No. 1405. 100 pp. CEN, 2010, Hydrometry - Measurement of snow water equivalent using snow
mass registration devices. CEN/TR 15996:2010, Brussels.
IGOS, (2007b). Integrated Global Observing Strategy Cryosphere Theme Report - For the Monitoring of our Environment
from Space and from Earth. Geneva: World Meteorological Organization. WMO/TD -No. 1405. 100 pp.
IPCC (2006) 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Prepared by the National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories Programme, Eggleston H.S., Buendia L., Miwa K., Ngara T. and Tanabe K. (eds). Published: IGES, Japan
ISO 5667-18:2001 part 18 Guidance on sampling of groundwater at contaminated sites. Manual methods for the
measurement of a groundwater level in a well.
ISO/TC 113 ISO/Technical Committee 113: A1:AD21 61 published ISO standards related to the TC and its Subcommittees
ISO/TC 147 ISO/TC 147/SC 6 N 120, Guidance on the sampling of groundwater;
ISO 5667-18:2001 part 18 Guidance on sampling of groundwater at contaminated sites.
Östrem G. and M. Brugmann, 1991, Glacier Mass Balance Measurements. A manual for field and office work. National
Hydrology Research Institute (Canada), Science Report No. 4, 224 pp.
Paul, F., Barry, et al. (2009): Glacier mass -balance measurements: a manual for field and office work, NHRI Science Report.
224 pp.
WMO (2006) Technical Regulation Vol.lII, Hydrology, 2006 edition, Basic Documents №2 ,
WMO (2008a) Guide to Hydrological Practice, WMO, № 16, Sixth edition, 2008
WMO (2008b) WMO Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (Chapter 11).
WMO (2008c) Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of ob servation, WMO-No. 8, (Updated in 2010 and
2012).
WMO (2009) Guide to Hydrological Practices, Volume II: (WMO 168)
WMO (2010) Manual on Stream Gauging, Vol. I & 2: (WMO 1044)
- 262 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4573
ANNEX B:
Basic Terminology for Data Records Related to Climate
4574
Adapted from Dowell et al 2013
4575
Basic Terminology for Data Records Related to Climate
4576
4577
4578
An understanding of the terminology used in reference to climate related data sets is important to easily
communicate the correct meanings and intentions. Therefore this box lists established definitions with
respect to data records in general, and satellite data records in particular.
4579
4580
4581
An Essential Climate Variable (ECV) is one or more variables that are associated with climate variation and
change as well as the impact of climate change onto Earth (e.g. sea surface temperature). GCOS has defined
a set of ECVs for three spheres, atmospheric, terrestrial and oceanic (GCOS-82, 2003).
4582
4583
4584
4585
4586
A Climate Data Record (CDR) is a series of observations over time that measures variables believed to be
associated with climate variation and change. These changes may be small and occur over long time
periods (seasonal, interannual, and decadal to centennial) compared to the short -term changes that are
monitored for weather forecasting. Thus a CDR is a time series of a climate variable that tries to account for
systematic errors and noise in the measurements (NRC, 2004).
4587
4588
4589
4590
4591
4592
4593
The term Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) denotes a well-characterized, long-term data record,
usually involving a series of instruments, with potentially changing measurement approaches, but with
overlaps and calibrations sufficient to allow the generation of products that are accurate and stable in both
space and time to support climate applications (NRC, 2004). FCDRs are typically calibrated radiances,
backscatter of active instruments, or radio occultation bending angles. FCDRs also include the ancillary data
used to calibrate them. The term FCDR has been adopted by GCOS and can be considered as an
international consensus definition.
4594
4595
4596
4597
The term ECV Product denotes the counterpart of the FCDR in geophysical space (NRC, 2004). It is closely
connected to the ECVs but strictly covers exactly one variable whereas an ECV can encompass several
variables. For instance the ECV cloud property includes at least five different geophysical variables where
each of them constitutes an ECV Product.
4598
Basic Terminology for Definitions of Metrological Quantities 1
1
BIPM 2008 GUM 1995 with minor corrections. Evaluation of measurement data — Guide to the
expression of uncertainty in measurement Évaluation des données de mesure —Guide pour l’expression de
l’incertitude de mesure JCGM 100:2008
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4599
4600
4601
4602
Accuracy is defined as the “closeness of the agreement between a measured quantity value and a true
quantity value of the measurand”. The concept ‘measurement accuracy’ is not a quantity and is not given a
numerical quantity value. A measurement is said to be more accurate when it offers a smaller
measurement error.
4603
4604
4605
4606
Precision is defined as the closeness of agreement between indications or measured quantity values
obtained by replicate measurements on the same or similar objects under specified conditions.
Measurement precision is usually expressed numerically by measures of imprecision, such as standard
deviation, variance, or coefficient of variation under the specified conditions of measurement.
4607
4608
4609
4610
Measurement error is defined as a measured quantity value minus a reference quantity value. It consists of
the systematic measurement error and the random measurement error. The systematic component
remains constant or varies in a predictable manner in replicate measurements. The random component
varies in an unpredictable manner in replicate measurements.
4611
Bias is defined as an estimate of the systematic measurement error.
4612
4613
4614
4615
4616
4617
Uncertainty of a measurement is a non-negative parameter characterizing the dispersion of the quantity
values being attributed to a measurand, based on the information used. The uncertainty is often described
by a random and a systematic error component, whereby the systematic error of the data, or measurement
bias, is the difference between the short-term average measured value of a variable and the best estimate
of its true value. The short-term average is the average of a sufficient number of successive measurements
of the variable under identical conditions such that the random error is negligible.
4618
4619
4620
Metrological traceability is the property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a
reference through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement
uncertainty.
4621
4622
4623
4624
4625
4626
Stability may be thought of as the extent to which the accuracy remains constant with time. Over time
periods of interest for climate, the relevant component of total uncertainty is expected to be its systematic
component as measured over the averaging period. Stability is therefore measured by the maximum
excursion of the difference between a true value and the short- term average measured value of a variable
under identical conditions over a decade. The smaller the maximum excursion, the greater the stability of
the data set.
4627
4628
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4629
Review Version 25 June 2016
Appendices
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4631
APPENDIX 1UNFCCC SBSTA Conclusions on Research and Systematic Observation
Up to SBSTA 44
4632
Conclusions adopted by SBSTA and SBI
4633
SBSTA 11 (FCCC/SBSTA/1999/14)
4630
4634
4635
105. At its 10th meeting, on 1 November, having considered a proposal by the Chairman,
the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:
4636
4637
4638
(a)
The SBSTA took note of the information provided by the secretariat on
research and systematic observation in documents FCCC/SBSTA/1999/10,
FCCC/SBSTA/1999/13/Add.2 and FCCC/SBI/1999/11;
4639
4640
4641
(b)
The SBSTA recommended a draft decision for adoption by the COP at its
fifth session (FCCC/CP/1999/L.4 and Add.1). For the final text of the decision adopted by
the COP, see decision 5/CP.5; and
4642
4643
(c)
The SBSTA took note with appreciation of the statements made by the
representatives of the GCOS, the GOOS and the GEF.
4644
SBSTA 12 (FCCC/SBSTA/2000/5)
4645
4646
59.
At its 7th meeting, on 16 June, having considered a proposal by the Chairman, the
SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:
4647
4648
4649
4650
4651
4652
(a)
The SBSTA welcomed the statement made by the Chairman of the IPCC on
the status of preparation of the Third Assessment Report and key conclusions from the
special report on emission scenarios. It noted the progress made in the preparation of the
Third Assessment Report, and expressed appreciation to the IPCC for organizing a number
of informative side events and presentations of special reports, as well as for its valuable
contribution to the official SBSTA meetings;
4653
4654
4655
(b)
The SBSTA urged Parties and organizations in a position to do so to continue
their financial support to the IPCC, to enable it to complete the Third Assessment Report in
a timely manner. It also urged Parties to ensure the scientific integrity of the IPCC process;
4656
4657
4658
(c)
The SBSTA welcomed the report made by the Director of the GCOS
secretariat, on behalf of the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda, on progress in
responding to decision 5/CP.5 and on recent developments in the global observing systems;
4659
4660
4661
4662
4663
(d)
The SBSTA noted the efforts already made by the GCOS secretariat to
organize regional workshops in the South Pacific and Africa to identify priority capacitybuilding needs of developing countries related to their participation in systematic
observation. The SBSTA expressed appreciation to those Parties and organizations which
provided support to the workshops;
4664
4665
4666
4667
4668
4669
(e)
The SBSTA welcomed the information provided by the GCOS secretariat in
response to the invitation contained in decision 5/CP.5, to consider the need for an
intergovernmental process for global observing systems. It noted the recommendation that
no new intergovernmental mechanism is needed at this time, but that the existing
intergovernmental mechanisms, including those available to GCOS and its partners, should
be used more efficiently;
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4670
4671
4672
4673
4674
(f)
The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to report periodically on its
activities related to decision 5/CP.5, as well as on developments in the global observing
systems for climate at its further sessions. It noted the appeal for additional resources by the
GCOS secretariat. The SBSTA urged Parties to contribute financial support to the work of
the GCOS secretariat to enable it to continue its activities, in response to decision 5/CP.5;
4675
4676
4677
(g)
The SBSTA welcomed the cooperation between the secretariat and United
Nations bodies and other conventions. It noted with appreciation the reports by
representatives of the WHO, the Ramsar Convention, and the UNDP;
4678
4679
4680
(h)
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to continue to explore areas of
cooperation on substantive matters with these and other United Nations agencies and
conventions, and to inform it at subsequent sessions of progress achieved.
4681
SBSTA 14 (FCCC/SBSTA/2001/2
4682
Cooperation with scientific organizations
4683
4684
4685
4686
4687
(a)
The SBSTA took note of the completion of the IPCC Third Assessment
Report (TAR) and commended the IPCC on the high quality of its scientific work. It also
expressed its appreciation for the special presentations on the findings of the TAR made
during the resumed sixth session of the COP. It requested the secretariat to put the TAR
and the IPCC synthesis report on the agenda of the fifteenth session of the SBSTA;
4688
4689
4690
4691
4692
4693
(b)
The SBSTA took note of the report made by the Director of the Global
Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat, on behalf of the agencies participating in
the Climate Agenda, on activities relating to decision 5/CP.5. 1 It noted that support is
needed for GCOS workshops that are planned for the Caribbean and Central America and
Asia regions in 2002. The SBSTA took note of the prospectus provided by the GCOS
secretariat on a second assessment of the adequacy of the global climate observing system;
4694
4695
4696
4697
SBSTA 15 (FCCC/SBSTA/2001/8)
41.
At its 5th meeting, on 6 November, having considered a proposal by the Chairman,
the SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:
Cooperation with scientific organizations
4698
4699
4700
4701
(a)
The SBSTA welcomed the statement by the Director of the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS) secretariat, on behalf of the agencies participating in the Climate
Agenda, regarding its activities relating to decisions 14/CP.4 and 5/CP.5. It further noted
the information provided by GCOS contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2001/MISC.9;
4702
4703
4704
4705
4706
(b)
The SBSTA noted with concern the ongoing deterioration of global
observation systems for climate, as was also emphazised in the IPCC TAR. It encouraged
GCOS to continue to address this problem, working with its sponsors and its partners in
global observation systems as well as through capacity-building programmes such as the
System for Analysis, Research and Training (START);
1
For the full text of the decision adopt ed by the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session, see document
FCCC/CP/1999/6/Add.1.
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Review Version 25 June 2016
4707
4708
4709
4710
4711
4712
4713
4714
4715
(c)
The SBSTA endorsed the preparation by the GCOS secretariat of a second
report on the adequacy of the global climate observing systems. It noted the necessity for
the report to address the needs of the Convention for climate-relevant observations,
including those associated with the development of adaptation strategies. The SBSTA
invited the GCOS secretariat, in its preparation of the adequacy report, to take into account
relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties on capacity building, technology transfer
and adaptation. It also invited the GCOS secretariat to consider in its report an integrated
approach to global climate observation systems, including the exploitation of new and
emerging methods of observation;
4716
4717
4718
4719
4720
4721
4722
4723
(d)
The SBSTA noted the need to complete the adequacy report in the shortest
possible time in order to provide a framework for further work to improve global
monitoring systems. It invited the GCOS secretariat to prepare, in time for consideration by
the SBSTA at its sixteenth session, an interim report on the synthesis and analysis of
national reports from Parties provided in accordance with decision 5/CP.5. It encouraged
the GCOS secretariat to complete the final adequacy report by the eighteenth session of the
SBSTA in order to enable substantive consideration of the report to take place at the ninth
session of the COP;
4724
4725
4726
4727
4728
4729
4730
4731
4732
(e)
The SBSTA also noted the completion of two regional workshops in the
South Pacific and Africa to identify priority capacity-building needs of developing countries
in relation to their participation in systematic observation. It invited the GCOS secretariat to
make the follow-up regional action plans available to the SBSTA for consideration at its
sixteenth session, with a view to recommending a draft decision on this matter for
consideration by the COP at its eighth session. It encouraged the GCOS secretariat, through
continued collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the
Global Environment Facility (GEF), to expedite the remaining programme of regional
workshops;
4733
4734
4735
(f)
The SBSTA urged Parties to work in collaboration with the GCOS secretariat
in formulating project proposals to correct deficiencies in global observing systems for
climate, including related data management;
4736
Cooperation with other conventions
4737
4738
4739
4740
4741
4742
(a)
The SBSTA reaffirmed the need for enhanced cooperation between the
UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with the aim of ensuring the
environmental integrity of the conventions and promoting synergies under the common
objective of sustainable development, in order to avoid duplication of effort and use
available resources more efficiently;
4743
4744
4745
4746
4747
4748
4749
4750
(b)
The SBSTA took note of the information provided in documents
FCCC/SBSTA/2001/MISC.7 and FCCC/SBSTA/2001/MISC.8 and Add.1 and 2. It
welcomed an oral report provided by the secretariat relating to the work of a joint liaison
group between the secretariats of the UNFCCC, the CBD and the UNCCD, and the
information provided by the representatives of the CBD and UNCCD secretariats. The
SBSTA also welcomed information on the pilot assessment of the interlinkages between
climate change and biological diversity which was launched by the CBD last March, and
expressed its interest in learning about how this work is proceeding;
4751
4752
4753
4754
(c)
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the report provided by the IPCC on the
preparations under way to develop a technical paper, in response to a request from the CBD,
on the interlinkages between climate change, biodiversity and desertification. It encouraged
the IPCC to make the findings of this report available to the SBSTA at its next session;
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4756
4757
48.
At its 7th meeting, on 13 June, having considered a proposal by the Chair, the
SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:
4758
4759
4760
4761
(a)
The SBSTA took note of the interim report by the GCOS secretariat on the
synthesis and analysis of national reports on global climate observing systems from Parties,
and other information relevant to the implementation of decision 5/CP.5 provided in
document FCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.10;
4762
4763
4764
4765
4766
4767
4768
4769
4770
4771
(b)
The SBSTA urged Annex I Parties and invited non-Annex I Parties that have
not yet done so to submit their detailed reports on systematic observation. 1 The initial
analysis of national reports drew attention to several themes such as the importance of
establishing national coordination mechanisms for systematic observations across all
climate regimes, including for terrestrial observing systems. The SBSTA also noted that
many Parties had found the process of preparing the national reports to be a useful means of
drawing attention to both the deficiencies in observing systems in key areas and the
diversity of data and systems that do exist, many established for research purposes. The
SBSTA encouraged Parties to give continuing operational support to relevant research
systems;
4772
4773
4774
4775
4776
4777
(c)
The SBSTA welcomed the involvement of a broader range of experts,
particularly from developing countries, including those associated with the IPCC, in the
preparation by GCOS of the second report on the adequacy of the global climate observing
systems. The SBSTA stressed the importance of achieving an integrated global climate
observing system that would facilitate identification of observed trends and changes in the
global climate system and inform key policy decisions;
4778
4779
4780
4781
4782
4783
(d)
The SBSTA noted the information submitted by the GCOS secretariat on the
progress made in the implementation of the programme of regional workshops to address
priority capacity-building needs of developing countries in relation to their participation in
systematic observation and the follow-up regional action plans. The SBSTA urged the
GCOS secretariat to complete the remaining programme of regional workshops 2 as early as
possible;
4784
4785
4786
4787
4788
4789
4790
4791
4792
4793
4794
(e)
The SBSTA welcomed the submission of action plans emanating from the
regional workshops and noted the urgency of moving these plans forward into
implementation. It encouraged Parties in cooperation with the GCOS secretariat to explore
the full range of funding options that might assist the implementation of the plans,
including the GEF, donor support such as through partnership arrangements, and
international aid programmes directed at capacity-building, technology transfer, education
and training, and recommended the involvement of representatives of potential funding
bodies in the development of the implementation plans. The SBSTA invited the GEF to
report on its progress and/or plans in this regard, including on the provision of financial
support, in the context of its report to the Conference of Parties at its eighth and subsequent
sessions;
1
In accordance with the reporting guidelines contained in document FCCC/CP/1999/7.
2
The regional workshop programme is as follows: completed workshops: Pacific Island (2000), Southern and
Eastern Africa (2001), Caribbean and Central America (2002); planned workshops: South -East Asia (late 2002), West Africa, South
America, South-West Asia, Mediterranean basin, Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. R efer to the GC OS web site
http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/GCOS_RWP.htm for further information.
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4795
4796
4797
4798
(f)
The SBSTA noted, on the basis of the preliminary analysis of national
reports, the outcomes of the regional workshops and the information provided by the GCOS
Science Panels, that serious deficiencies continue to exist in global observing systems for
climate. The SBSTA urged Parties to give priority to:
4799
4800
4801
(i)
Remedying first the deficiencies in traditional monitoring systems, and also
taking advantage of the increasing contribution of new and emerging technologies,
such as space-based systems, as a complementary source of climate data;
4802
4803
(ii)
Adhering to the climate monitoring principles provided in the UNFCCC
guidelines for reporting;
4804
4805
(iii) Exchanging data, providing data to international data centres and securing
access to data and products from international data centres;
4806
4807
(iv) Enhancing capacity to access, communicate and use data to inform
decision-making processes;
4808
4809
4810
4811
4812
(g)
The SBSTA urged Annex I Parties to contribute support for addressing the
priority requirements to improve the deficiencies in global observing systems for climate.
In this context, the SBSTA welcomed the announcement by the Government of the United
States of America of a contribution of US$ 4 million to improving climate observing
systems in developing countries.
4813
SBSTA 17 (FCCC/SBSTA/2002/13)
4814
4815
45.
At its 6th meeting, on 29 October, having considered a proposal by the Chair, the
SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:
4816
4817
4818
(a)
The SBSTA took note of the information provided in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17 and of submissions from Parties contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.15 and Add.1;
4819
4820
4821
(b)
The SBSTA noted the statement made by the Global Climate Observing
System (GCOS) secretariat and the progress being made on activities relating to decision
5/CP.5;
4822
4823
4824
4825
4826
4827
4828
(c)
The SBSTA welcomed the statements made by the representatives of the
World Climate Research Programme, the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme
and the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change,
and by the Chair of the IPCC, on the current activities of their organizations. The SBSTA
also took note with appreciation of the presentations made by the representatives of these
organizations, the International Group of Funding Agencies and the IEA, and by IPCC
experts, at the special side event;
4829
4830
4831
4832
(d)
The SBSTA welcomed the exchange of views during the special side event.
The following main issues were recognized as being important in the context of a dialogue
among the IPCC, the international research programmes represented at the meeting, and the
SBSTA:
4833
4834
4835
(i)
The independence of the IPCC and those international research programmes,
and their willingness to respond to the scientific challenges posed by the Convention
and the Third Assessment Report (TAR);
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4836
4837
(ii)
The role of the IPCC in conducting regular assessments of climate change
knowledge, and in providing the results of these to the SBSTA;
4838
(iii)
4839
4840
4841
(iv) The needs for stronger links between international and regional research
programmes, and to enhance the contribution of developing country scientists to
research efforts;
4842
4843
(v)
The timeline for new research in the context of the Fourth Assessment Report
of the IPCC, notably the aim to make the report available in 2007;
4844
4845
4846
4847
4848
4849
4850
4851
4852
(e)
The SBSTA noted that the special side event demonstrated that considerable
research was being undertaken by the international research community to address the
research recommendations of the IPCC TAR. However, the special side event highlighted
that a more coordinated and multidisciplinary approach was needed to address research on
cross-cutting issues such as the relationship between climate change, sustainable
development and equity, stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, and
uncertainty, noting that Parties have raised other important research issues as reported in
document FCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.15 and Add.1, and synthesized in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17;
4853
4854
4855
4856
4857
4858
4859
4860
(f)
The SBSTA noted the importance of an integrated international effort on
research and systematic observation and of assessments by the IPCC to provide information
for the ongoing work of the Convention. The SBSTA agreed on the need to engage
developing country scientists more actively in climate change research efforts. The SBSTA
noted, and decided to consider at future sessions, the need to support endogenous capacitybuilding for research and systematic observation in developing countries. It invited the SBI
to take note of, and consider at future sessions, such needs, particularly in the context of
decision 2/CP.7;
4861
4862
(g)
The SBSTA decided to regularly consider issues related to research on
climate change at its future sessions in order:
4863
4864
(i)
To inform Parties about on-going and planned activities of the international
and intergovernmental research programmes through periodic briefings;
4865
4866
(ii)
To provide a forum for consideration of research needs and priorities and
ways and means for addressing them;
4867
4868
4869
4870
4871
(iii) To communicate these research needs and priorities to the scientific
community. As a first step, the SBSTA requested the secretariat to forward
documents FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17, and FCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.15 and
Add.1 to the international, intergovernmental and regional research programmes and
the IPCC for their information and consideration, and to invite their views;
4872
4873
4874
4875
(h)
The SBSTA welcomed the first compilation and synthesis of the national
reports on global observing systems for climate from Annex I Parties, provided in
document FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.15. It encouraged Parties which have not done so to
submit their national reports as soon as possible;
4876
4877
4878
4879
(i)
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to organize intersessional consultations,
immediately before SBSTA 18, on the second report on the adequacy of the global climate
observing systems under preparation by the GCOS secretariat. These consultations should
facilitate the exchange of views on the use of this report, together with the national reports,
The increased collaboration among international research programmes;
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4880
4881
4882
4883
for identifying gaps and priorities for actions to improve global observing systems for
climate. It also requested the secretariat to report on the results of the consultations at its
eighteenth session. The SBSTA recalled its conclusions at its fifteenth session to have
substantive consideration of the adequacy report at the ninth session of the COP;
4884
4885
4886
4887
4888
4889
(j)
The SBSTA noted that regional workshops organized by the GCOS
secretariat on the implementation of decision 5/CP.5 are leading to specific proposals to
address the deficiencies in global observing systems for climate in developing countries. It
invited the SBI to take note of the need to fund those aspects of the proposals relating to the
global system and to consider at future sessions possible financial implications of such
needs, including in its guidance to the financial mechanism of the Convention;
4890
4891
4892
4893
(k)
The SBSTA took note of a proposal from Australia for a voluntary GCOS
fund to support high priority needs relating to global observing systems for climate. It
noted that many of these needs are in developing countries. The SBSTA encouraged the
GCOS steering committee to explore this proposal at its future sessions.
4894
SBSTA 18 (FCCC/SBSTA/2003/10)
4895
4896
39.
At its 5th meeting, on 12 June, having considered a proposal by the Chair, the
SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:1
4897
4898
4899
(a)
The SBSTA welcomed the second adequacy report prepared under the
guidance of the GCOS steering committee, and acknowledged the work of those involved
in its preparation;
4900
4901
4902
(b)
The SBSTA took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2003/9 and welcomed the
oral report of the Chair of the SBSTA on the exchange of views and the presentations given
at the pre-sessional consultations organized by the secretariat;
4903
4904
4905
4906
4907
4908
4909
(c)
The SBSTA noted that the second adequacy report provides an opportunity to
build momentum among governments to improve the global observing systems for climate,
but that work remains to be done to identify priorities for actions, to remedy deficiencies
within the domain-based networks, and to estimate the cost implications. It noted that
approaches to establishing these priorities should involve a wide range of user
communities, and that the GCOS provides the global-scale context for regional and national
activities;
4910
4911
4912
4913
4914
(d)
The SBSTA noted that the GCOS steering committee report2 to the SBSTA
at its eighteenth session identified four overarching and equally high -priority
recommendations relating to observing standards and data exchange, integrated global
climate-quality products, capacity-building and systems improvements, and the issue of
reporting by Parties, and agreed to consider these recommendations in its further work;
4915
4916
4917
4918
(e)
The SBSTA noted that there have been improvements and progress in
implementing global observing systems for climate, especially in the use of satellite
information and in the provision of some ocean observations. Many components of the
global terrestrial networks are, however, still not fully implemented, the global ocean
1
Adopted as FCCC/SBST A/2003/L.4.
2
Report to SBST A 18 from the GCOS steering committee regarding the Second Report on the Adequacy of the
Global Observing Systems for Climate, available at http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html.
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4919
4920
networks lack full coverage and commitment to sustained operation, and the global
atmospheric networks are not operating with the required global coverage and quality;
4921
4922
4923
4924
(f)
The SBSTA noted that the generation and exchange of high-quality data and
products are essential to meeting the needs of the Convention. It urged Parties to address,
as a high priority, the following two types of problem that affect the availability of data, as
identified in the second adequacy report:
4925
4926
(i)
Many data are not being collected or, if collected at the national level, are not
being received by global data centres;
4927
4928
(ii)
Valuable historical data sets exist, but have not been digitized and quality controlled;
4929
4930
4931
4932
4933
4934
(g)
To better understand the barriers to improving the receipt, at global data
centres, of data from atmospheric and hydrological networks, the SBSTA invited the GCOS
secretariat to prepare, in consultation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
an analysis of specific problems and of options to remedy them, for consideration by the
SBSTA at its twentieth session. The SBSTA further invited the GCOS secretariat to
comment, in its report, on the accessibility of data from global data centres;
4935
4936
4937
4938
4939
(h)
The SBSTA also noted that the global observing systems for climate are not
designed to meet all of the needs of the community concerned with climate change impacts.
To address this and related issues, future planning activities by Parties and
intergovernmental organizations should examine the potential to enhance links with, o r
establish, specialized networks in regions vulnerable to climate change;
4940
4941
4942
4943
4944
4945
4946
4947
4948
(i)
The SBSTA requested Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September
2003, views on the priorities for actions arising from the second adequacy report,
with particular reference to the above-mentioned GCOS steering committee report to
the SBSTA at its eighteenth session, as a further step towards the development by
the GCOS secretariat of an implementation plan for integrated global observations
for climate, and requested the secretariat to compile these submissions. The SBSTA
also requested the GCOS secretariat to prepare a synthesis of these submissions and
to forward this synthesis to the secretariat for consideration by the SBSTA at its
nineteenth session;
4949
4950
(ii)
The SBSTA agreed to consider, at its nineteenth session, a draft decision,1
with the aim of forwarding it for adoption by the COP at its ninth session;
4951
4952
4953
4954
4955
4956
(iii) The SBSTA recalled its conclusions at its seventeenth session
(FCCC/SBSTA/2002/13, para. 45 (g) (iii)) to invite views from the scientific
community on activities relating to the research priorities identified in documents
FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17 and FCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.15 and Add.1. It
requested the secretariat to contact relevant organizations and invite them to provide
the requested information to the SBSTA at its nineteenth session. 2
1
Adopted as FCCC/SBST A/2003/L.4/Add.1 as amended orally at the 5 th meeting.
FCCC/SBST A/2003/10/Add.1.
For final text see
2
During the closing plenary, upon a request by the Chair, t his paragraph, which was forwar ded by the contact
group under agenda item 3, was included in the conclusions of this item.
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4958
4959
40.
At its 5th meeting, on 9 December, having considered a proposal by the Chair, the
SBSTA adopted the following conclusions:1
4960
4961
4962
4963
4964
(a)
The SBSTA took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2003/MISC.10 and
Add.1, containing submissions from Parties on priorities for actions arising from The
Second Report on the Adequacy of the Global Observing Systems for Climate in Support of
the UNFCCC (second adequacy report)2 and the related GCOS steering committee report3
to the SBSTA at its eighteenth session;
4965
4966
4967
(b)
The SBSTA also took note of the synthesis of the above-mentioned
submissions prepared by the GCOS secretariat and contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2003/MISC.12;
4968
4969
4970
4971
4972
4973
4974
4975
(c)
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to organize, at the twentieth session of
the SBSTA, a side event, similar to that held at the seventeenth session of the SBSTA, on
ongoing and planned research initiatives to address the research recommendations of the
Third Assessment Report (TAR) of the IPCC. It requested the secretariat to invite active
participation of representatives of the IPCC and international research programmes and
bodies, such as the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the International
Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and the International Human Dimensions
Programme (IHDP);
4976
4977
4978
4979
4980
(d)
Recalling the conclusions of its seventeenth session, the SBSTA invited the
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), in considering funding options, including its
guidance to the financial mechanism of the Convention, to give appropriate consideration
to addressing the priority needs identified in the regional action plans in relation to global
observing systems for climate;
4981
4982
(e)
The SBSTA recommended a draft decision on this
(FCCC/SBSTA/2003/L.17/Add.1) for adoption by the COP at its ninth session. 4
4983
subject
SBSTA 20 (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/6)
96.
The SBSTA recognized with appreciation the progress made by the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS) secretariat, under the guidance of the GCOS steering
committee, in the development of the 5- to 10-year implementation plan for the integrated
global observing systems for climate, 5 in particular the publication of the draft
4984
4985
4986
4987
1
Adopted as FCCC/SBST A/2003/L.17.
2
Available as report no. GCOS-82 at http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html
3
Report to SBST A-18 from the GCOS Steering Committee regarding the Second Report on the Adequacy of the
Global Observing Systems for Climate, available at http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html
4
For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2003/6/Add.1, decision 11/CP.9.
5
See decision 11/CP.9.
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1
4988
4989
4990
implementation plan for open review. It urged the GCOS secretariat, in finalizing this
plan, to clearly identify priorities for actions, taking into account the views expressed by
Parties and relevant international programmes and bodies.
4991
4992
4993
4994
4995
4996
97.
The SBSTA noted the progress made by the ad hoc Group on Earth Observations
(GEO) to develop a 10-year implementation plan for a global Earth observation system of
systems (GEOSS). It welcomed the collaboration between GCOS and GEO in developing
their respective implementation plans and urged both bodies to integrate them to the extent
possible. The SBSTA emphasized the need to treat global climate monitoring as a priority
within GEOSS.
4997
4998
4999
98.
The SBSTA welcomed the progress made in the regional workshop programme run
by the GCOS secretariat. It encouraged Parties to continue to pursue the implementation of
elements of the regional action plans developed under this programme.
5000
5001
5002
5003
5004
99.
The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to report on progress made in
implementing the regional action plans in relation to global observing systems for climate,
including support from the financial mechanism of the Convention and other bilateral and
multilateral agencies and mechanisms, for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty -first
session and subsequent sessions as appropriate.
5005
5006
5007
5008
100. The SBSTA noted the ongoing development of the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism
to address priority needs for improvements in global observing systems for climate in
developing countries, in particular the plans to develop an inventory of donor activities
relating to global observing systems for climate.
5009
5010
5011
5012
5013
5014
5015
101. The SBSTA noted the preliminary report on data exchange problems provided by
the GCOS secretariat.2 Reinforcing its conclusions at its eighteenth session, the SBSTA
invited the GCOS secretariat, in consultation with the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), to provide the full report on this issue for consideration by the SBSTA at its
twenty-second session. The SBSTA particularly encouraged the inclusion of options to
remedy existing data exchange problems and advice on problems associated with the
accessibility of data by and from global data centres.
5016
5017
5018
5019
5020
102. The SBSTA welcomed the exchange of views among representatives of government
research programmes and international programmes and bodies during the event requested
by the SBSTA,3 and held at the twentieth session of the SBSTA, on research in response to
the recommendations of the Third Assessment Report of the IPCC. The following were
noted as requiring further consideration:
5021
5022
(a)
The need to assess the adequacy of research activities and their international
coordination to meet the needs of the Convention
5023
5024
5025
(b)
The importance of social as well as natural sciences, and the interaction
between the two, in responding to the research needs arising from the assessment reports of
the IPCC
1
The draft Implementation Plan for the Global Observing Systems for Climate is available from the web site of the
GCOS secretariat at <http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html>.
2
The preliminary summary report Analysis of Data Exchange Problems in Global Atmospheric and Hydrological
Networks is available from the web site of the GCOS secretariat at <http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html>.
3
See document FCCC/SBST A/2003/15, paragraph 40 (c).
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5026
5027
5028
5029
5030
(c)
The enhancement of the capacity of developing countries to contribute to and
participate in global climate change research efforts, such as those coordinated by the
World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the International Geosphere–Biosphere
Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme (IHDP) and
DIVERSITAS.
5031
5032
5033
5034
5035
5036
5037
5038
103. The SBSTA requested Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September 2004,
their views on how to adequately address the main issues arising from the event requested
by the SBSTA,1 in particular those mentioned in paragraph 102 above, for consideration by
the SBSTA at its twenty-first session. The SBSTA requested Parties to submit to the
secretariat additional views on this subject by 24 January 2005 for consideration by the
SBSTA at its twenty-second session. It requested the secretariat to compile both sets of
submissions into miscellaneous documents and to prepare a synthesis of all the views of
Parties for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty-second session.
5039
SBSTA 21 (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/13)
5040
5041
5042
5043
100. The SBSTA took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2004/MISC.14 containing views
from Parties on issues from the research event at the twentieth session of the SBSTA. The
SBSTA agreed to consider in depth at its twenty-second session (May 2005) the issues
relating to the research needs of the Convention.
5044
5045
5046
5047
5048
5049
101. The SBSTA welcomed document FCCC/SBSTA/2004/MISC.16 containing the
executive summary of the Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for
Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the implementation plan)
prepared by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) secretariat under the guidance
of the GCOS steering committee.2 According to this plan, priority for climate should be
given to the following actions:
(a)
5050
Improving in situ and key satellite observation networks
5051
5052
(b)
Generating integrated global climate products for atmospheric, oceanic and
terrestrial domains
5053
5054
(c)
Enhancing the participation of the least developed countries and small island
developing States
5055
5056
(d)
Improving access by all Parties to global climate data for essential climate
variables and climate products
5057
5058
(e)
Strengthening national, regional and international infrastructure relating to
global observing systems for climate.
5059
5060
5061
5062
5063
102. The SBSTA stressed that effective implementation of this plan, including the full
consideration of the needs of developing countries to enhance their capacity to effectively
use observation data and climate products, can provide relevant information on climate
variability and climate change that would contribute to developing adaptation and
mitigation responses. It emphasized that coordinated and concentrated efforts by
1
See document FCCC/SBST A/2003/15, paragraph 40 (c).
2
Available as report no. GCOS-92 at: <http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html>.
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5065
governments and relevant international organizations are required to fully implement this
plan.
5066
5067
5068
5069
5070
5071
103. The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat, in conjunction with the GCOS sponsoring
agencies,1 to report to the SBSTA at its twenty-third session (November 2005) and, as
required, at subsequent sessions, on how the actions identified in the implementation plan
have been incorporated in the agencies’ own plans and actions. It also invited the GCOS
secretariat to prepare a synthesis report on this matter by the twenty-fourth session of the
SBSTA (May 2006).
5072
5073
5074
104. The SBSTA encouraged Parties to incorporate actions supporting the
implementation of the implementation plan in their national plans and actions relating to
global climate observing systems.
5075
5076
5077
5078
5079
5080
105. The SBSTA invited all Parties to report on their activities as specified in paragraph
104 above, including those in relation to the priorities referred to in paragraph 101 above,
in their detailed reports on systematic observation, in accordance with the guidelines
contained in document FCCC/CP/1999/7, and pursuant to decision 5/CP.5. It also
encouraged Parties to provide additional information in accordance with the supplementary
reporting format.2
5081
5082
5083
5084
106. The SBSTA welcomed the emphasis given by the implementation plan to enhancing
the participation of developing countries in the global observing systems for climate. It
noted that this is consistent with actions identified in decision 5/CP.7 in relation to the
adverse effects of climate change.
5085
5086
5087
5088
107. The SBSTA welcomed the progress made in the programme of the GCOS regional
workshops. It encouraged Parties to continue to pursue the implementation of priority
elements of the regional action plans developed under this programme, taking into account
priorities identified in the implementation plan, and referred to in decision 4/CP.9.
5089
5090
5091
5092
5093
5094
5095
5096
5097
5098
108. The SBSTA welcomed the progress made by the ad hoc Group on Earth
Observations (GEO) to develop a 10-year implementation plan for a Global Earth
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS); it appreciated the collaboration and encouraged
the continuation of the essential coordination between GCOS and GEO. It noted that
governments and international organizations involved in GEO have recognized the need to
give coordinated attention to the needs and capacity of developing countries to access earth
observation data and products. The SBSTA invited GEO, in cooperation with the GCOS
secretariat, to incorporate the relevant actions in the implementation plan into the GEOSS
10-year implementation plan. The SBSTA noted that participation in GEO is open to all
Parties.
5099
5100
5101
109. The SBSTA decided to forward a draft decision on the implementation of the global
observing system for climate (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/L.24/Add.1) for adoption by the COP at
its tenth session.3
1
The World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNEP and the International Council for Science.
2
T he supplementary reporting format can be found at: <http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/Supp-Guidance-2000.pdf>.
3
For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2004/10/Add.1, decision 5/CP.10.
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SBSTA 22 (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/4)
5103
5104
5105
5106
74.
The SBSTA took note of documents FCCC/SBSTA/2004/MISC.14 and
FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.1 containing views on issues from the research event at the
twentieth session of the SBSTA, and document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/3 containing a
synthesis of these views.
5107
5108
5109
5110
5111
5112
5113
5114
5115
5116
75.
The SBSTA welcomed efforts of the national, regional and international global
change research programmes to further promote and coordinate research in response to the
needs of the Convention, and invited them to provide periodic updates on their scientific
activities. In this respect, the SBSTA also welcomed the establishment of the Earth System
Science Partnership by the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme, the
International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change, the World
Climate Research Programme and DIVERSITAS, and the efforts of these programmes and
of regional institutions and networks including, but not limited to, the Asia–Pacific
Network for Global Change Res earch and the Inter American Institute for Global Change
Research.
5117
5118
5119
5120
5121
76.
The SBSTA also welcomed the endorsement of the 10-year Implementation Plan at
the third Earth Observation Summit in February 2005 which established the Global Earth
Observation System of Systems as an important development in systematic observation to
contribute to the enhancement of climate change research, as well as the continuing
contribution of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) to this process.
5122
5123
5124
5125
77.
The SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 January 2006,
information on identified research needs and priorities relating to the Convention, including
information relating to the enhancement of the capacity of developing countries to
contribute to and participate in climate change research.
5126
5127
5128
5129
5130
5131
5132
78.
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to prepare a synthesis report of the research
needs and priorities relating to the Convention, identified in documents
FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17 and FCCC/SBSTA/2005/3, in submissions by Parties referred
to in paragraph 77 above, in national communications, and in the Third Assessment Report
of the IPCC and to make this synthesis report available to Parties and to relevant regional
and international climate change research programmes before the twenty -fourth session of
the SBSTA (May 2006).
5133
5134
79.
The SBSTA agreed to consider the synthesis report referred to in paragraph 78
above at its twenty-fourth session.
5135
5136
5137
5138
5139
5140
5141
80.
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to organize a special side event during its
twenty-fourth session with the objective of enhancing communication between climate
change research organizations and the SBSTA. It requested the secretariat to invite Parties
and relevant climate change research programmes and institutions to the special side event
to inform participants on their activities relating to addressing the research needs of the
Convention, including activities to enhance the participation of developing countries in
climate change research.
5142
5143
5144
5145
5146
5147
81.
The SBSTA stressed the need to continue to work towards enhancing the research
capacity of developing countries and hence their contribution to national, regional and
international climate change research efforts. The SBSTA welcomed activities by
governments, including those undertaken on a bilateral basis, and by organizations, aimed
at enhancing the contributions by experts from developing countries to international climate
change research, and called for furthering such efforts.
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5148
5149
5150
5151
82.
The SBSTA noted that improved scientific understanding of climate change can
inform the development of technologies for mitigation and adaptation being addressed by
the SBSTA as part of its consideration of matters relating to technology development and
transfer and elsewhere under the Convention.
5152
5153
83.
The SBSTA decided to recommend a draft decision1 on research needs relating to
the Convention for adoption by the COP at its eleventh session (December 2005).
5154
5155
5156
87.
The SBSTA expressed its gratitude to the IPCC and to the TEAP of the Montreal
Protocol for the completion of the IPCC/TEAP special report.2 The SBSTA noted with
appreciation the high quality of this report.
5157
88.
5158
5159
5160
(a)
Provides a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the effects of ozonedepleting substances and their hydrofluorocarbon/perfluorocarbon substitutes on the global
climate system and the ozone layer;
5161
5162
5163
5164
5165
5166
5167
(b)
Provides useful information regarding halocarbons, ozone depletion and
climate change; the production, banks and emissions of ozone-depleting substances and
their substitutes; and the reduction of GHG emissions through a variety of options,
including improved containment of substances, reduced charge of substances in equipment,
end-of-life recovery and recycling or destruction of substances, increased use of alternative
substances with a reduced or negligible global warming potential, and
not-in-kind technologies.
5168
5169
89.
The SBSTA encouraged Parties to use the information contained in the IPCC/TEAP
special report when developing and implementing national climate change strategies.
5170
5171
5172
5173
5174
5175
90.
The SBSTA recalled decision 12/CP.8, which encouraged Parties to work towards
continuing research and development of technologies that safeguard the ozone layer while
at the same time contributing to the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and the
Convention. The SBSTA noted the continuing need for research, measurement and
systematic observation relevant to the ozone layer, the global climate system and potential
interrelations.
5176
5177
5178
5179
91.
The SBSTA welcomes information, as appropriate, by its twenty-fourth session
(May 2006), from the secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer and for its Montreal Protocol, on any consideration of the IPCC/TEAP special report
by the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
5180
5181
5182
5183
5184
92.
The SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 13 February 2006, their
views on aspects of the IPCC/TEAP special report relevant to the objective of the
Convention. It requested the secretariat to compile these views into a miscellaneous
document for consideration at its twenty-fourth session with a view to finalizing the
consideration of this agenda item.
5185
5186
93.
The SBSTA welcomed the report on progress made towards implementing the initial
ocean climate observing system, prepared by the secretariat of the Global Ocean Observing
The SBSTA noted that the IPCC/TEAP special report:
1
FCCC/SBST A/2005/L.6/Add.1. For the final text see FCCC/SBST A/2005/4/Add.1, pages 32 –33.
2
T his report was prepared in response to an invitatio n in decision 12/CP.8.
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5187
5188
5189
System of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in cooperation with the GCOS, and
presented in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.5.
5190
5191
5192
94.
The SBSTA also welcomed the final report on the analysis of data exchange issues
in global atmospheric and hydrological networks 1 provided by the GCOS secretariat in
consultation with the World Meteorological Organization.
5193
5194
5195
5196
5197
5198
95.
The SBSTA agreed to consider the reports referred to in paragraphs 100 and 101
above in the context of its consideration of the Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC at its twenty-third session
(December 2005). It invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September 2005,
their views on these reports, and requested the secretariat to compile these submissions into
a miscellaneous document.
5199
SBSTA 23 (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/10)
5200
5201
5202
5203
87.
The SBSTA took note of the submissions from Parties on the report on progress
made towards implementing the initial ocean climate observing system, and on the final
report on the analysis of data exchange issues in global atmospheric and hydrological
networks, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.15 and Add.1.
5204
5205
5206
5207
5208
5209
5210
5211
5212
5213
5214
88.
The SBSTA welcomed with appreciation the report from the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS) secretariat on progress with the Implementation Plan for the
Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as
the GCOS implementation plan) contained in document FCCC/SBSTA /2005/MISC.14; the
report from the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) on preparing a
coordinated response from space agencies involved in global observations to the needs
expressed in the GCOS implementation plan, contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.17/Rev.1; and a progress report on developing a framework for
the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate, prepared by the Global Terrestrial Observing System
(GTOS) secretariat and contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.16.
5215
5216
5217
89.
The SBSTA noted that there is now an excellent foundation upon which to improve
the global observing systems for climate. It urged Parties to further implement the GCOS
implementation plan, including the capacity-building elements.
5218
5219
90.
The SBSTA urged those Parties that have not already done so to designate GCOS
national coordinators and GCOS national focal points.
5220
5221
5222
5223
5224
5225
91.
The SBSTA welcomed the information in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.14,
that almost all of the international agencies identified in the GCOS implementation plan
have formally or informally acknowledged their roles in the GCOS implementation plan
and are actively engaged in developing and/or refining their specific work plans. This
commitment to action represents a substantial degree of international consensus and
support for the GCOS implementation plan.
5226
5227
92.
The SBSTA welcomed and accepted the offer from the CEOS, on behalf of the
Parties supporting space agencies involved in global observations, to provide a detailed
1
Available as document WMO/DT 1255 GCOS96 at <http://www.wmo.int/web/gcos/gcoshome.html>.
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5228
5229
report on a coordinated response to the needs expressed in the GCOS implementation plan
at SBSTA 25 (November 2006).
5230
5231
5232
5233
5234
5235
93.
The SBSTA welcomed the efforts by the GTOS secretariat to develop a framework
for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate and encouraged the GTOS to continue its work. It also
called on the GTOS secretariat to assess the status of the development of standards for each
of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain. The SBSTA invited the GTOS
secretariat to report on its progress by SBSTA 26 (May 2007).
5236
5237
5238
94.
The SBSTA requested the GCOS secretariat to provide a comprehensive report at its
thirtieth session (June 2009) on progress with the GCOS implementation plan, in addition
to the regular reporting requested by the COP in decision 5/CP.10.
5239
5240
5241
5242
95.
The SBSTA noted that the report referred to in paragraph 94 would be heavily
dependent upon obtaining timely information on national implementation activities.
Therefore, the SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September 2008,
additional information on their national activities with respect to implementing the plan.
5243
5244
5245
5246
5247
5248
96.
The SBSTA welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Group on Earth Observations
(GEO) and invited the GCOS and the GEO to continue to coordinate closely on the
implementation of the GCOS implementation plan and the Global Earth Observation
System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-year implementation plan. The SBSTA encouraged
Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) to facilitate the
participation of developing country Parties in implementation activities wherever possible.
5249
5250
5251
5252
5253
5254
97.
The SBSTA agreed to revise the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate
change observing systems”1 in order to reflect priorities of the GCOS implementation plan
and incorporate the reporting on essential climate variables. Parties also noted the need to
revise the more comprehensive supplementary reporting format.2 The SBSTA agreed to
consider this issue at its twenty-fifth session. It invited the GCOS secretariat to submit to
the SBSTA, by September 2006, a proposal on ways and means to address these needs.
5255
5256
5257
5258
5259
5260
98.
The SBSTA noted the importance of the oceanic observations in contributing to
meeting the needs of the Convention. The SBSTA requested Parties in a position to do so
to address the need for continued, sustained and enhanced support for the implementation
of the global ocean observing system for climate. It noted in particular the need for
sustained support to operationalize the system and need for the collection and archiving of
marine data and metadata.
5261
5262
5263
5264
5265
99.
The SBSTA reiterated that data exchange is fundamental to the needs of the
Convention. It noted with concern that many of the problems of data exchange, as referred
to in the final report on the analysis of data exchange issues in global atmospheric and
hydrological networks, 3 still remain. The SBSTA urged Parties to implement the possible
remedy options identified in that report.
1
FCCC/CP/1999/7, chapter III.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2000/14, paragraph 59.
<http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/Supp-Guidance-2000.pdf>.
3
T he
supplementary
reporting
format
can
be
found
Available as document GCOS-96 (WMO/T D No.1255) at <http://www.wmo.int/web/gcos/gcoshome.html>.
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5266
5267
5268
5269
5270
100. The SBSTA urged Parties and invited relevant intergovernmental organizations and
international bodies, such as the World Meteorological Organization and the International
Council for Science, to provide active support to international data centres in their efforts to
obtain permission from countries for the release of the data and the rescue of historical
climate records.
5271
5272
5273
101. The SBSTA noted that the regional workshop programme will be completed in early
2006. It invited the GCOS secretariat, in cooperation with the Regional Workshop
Advisory Committee, to report on the results of the programme at its twenty-fifth session.
5274
5275
5276
5277
5278
102. The SBSTA reiterated the need to strengthen capacities in the field of climate
observations, data analysis and data management. The SBSTA also reiterated the
importance of, and continued need for, capacity-building, including through the GEO, the
GCOS cooperation mechanism, and regional activities, to enable developing countries to
apply climate observations, inter alia, for impact assessment and preparation for adaptation.
5279
SBSTA 24 (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/5)
5280
5281
5282
5283
5284
5285
5286
5287
5288
38.
The SBSTA took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.3 and Add.1
containing views from Parties on identified research needs and priorities relating to the
Convention, including information relating to the enhancement of the capacity of
developing countries to contribute to and participate in climate change research. It also
took note of document FCCC/SBSTA/2006/INF.2 containing a synthesis on research needs
and priorities relating to the Convention identified in the above-mentioned document, in
documents FCCC/SBSTA/2002/INF.17 and FCCC/SBSTA/2005/3, in national
communications, and in the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).
5289
5290
5291
39.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the regional and international climate
change research programmes for the information provided during the special side event on
research needs relating to the Convention held during its twenty-fourth session.
5292
5293
5294
40.
The SBSTA noted the information provided1 by these programmes on their current
activities to address the research needs of the Convention, including ongoing efforts to
enhance the capacity and participation of developing countries in climate change research.
5295
5296
5297
5298
5299
5300
5301
41.
In this regard, and as reflected in decision 9/CP.11, the SBSTA invited these
programmes to provide, together or separately, to the SBSTA, before its twenty -fifth
session (November 2006), a short summary report or reports drawing on the abovementioned special side event, including identification of any gaps in their research
programmes with respect to the research needs of the Convention, as viewed by Parties, for
example in document FCCC/SBSTA/2006/INF.2, and considering options for addressing
these needs.
5302
5303
5304
5305
5306
42.
Recognizing the important role that regional networks can play, and are playing, in
the Americas and the Asia–Pacific in strengthening engagement of developing countries in
climate change research, the SBSTA noted with appreciation the ongoing efforts to
establish a regional climate change research network for Africa, and encouraged Parties to
support and further develop these regional networks.
1
The presentations provided by the regional and international research programmes can be found on the UNFCCC
website at: <http://unfccc.int/methods_and_science/research_and_systematic_observation/items/3461.php>.
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5307
5308
5309
5310
43.
The SBSTA recognized the importance of improving the quality, availability and
exchange of data from systematic observation and their integration into data sets
appropriate for research activities. The SBSTA recalled the need for all Parties to continue
supporting and strengthening systematic observation.
5311
5312
44.
The SBSTA noted the continued need to improve communication of scientific
information on climate change to policymakers and the general public.
5313
5314
5315
45.
The SBSTA also noted the need for enhancing two-way communication and
cooperation between the Parties and regional and international research programmes to
meet the research needs of the Convention.
5316
5317
5318
5319
5320
5321
5322
5323
5324
5325
5326
46.
The SBSTA agreed to explore how it might facilitate a more effective dialogue
between Parties and the regional and international climate change research programmes, in
the context of decision 9/CP.11. The SBSTA invited Parties and these programmes to
submit to the secretariat, by 23 February 2007, their views on this subject, for consideration
by the SBSTA at its twenty-sixth session (May 2007). To further facilitate the
development of the dialogue, the SBSTA asked the secretariat to organize a meeting for an
informal discussion among Parties at the twenty-sixth session of the SBSTA and to invite
the representatives of these programmes and the IPCC to participate. The SBSTA noted
that consideration should be given, inter alia, to holding a workshop by or during the
twenty-eighth session of the SBSTA (June 2008) to facilitate an in-depth exchange of
views on the research needs of the Convention.
5327
SBSTA 25 (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/11)
5328
5329
5330
5331
5332
5333
95.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the GCOS secretariat for preparing a
proposal for the possible revision of the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate
change observing systems” (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.12) to reflect priorities of the
GCOS implementation plan.1 The SBSTA noted the usefulness of this proposal and its
extensive review by scientific and government experts, and agreed to consider the revised
guidelines2 at its twenty-seventh session, for adoption by the COP at its thirteenth session.
5334
5335
5336
5337
5338
5339
5340
5341
5342
96.
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the report on the results of the regional
workshop programme submitted by the GCOS secretariat (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.13).
It welcomed the considerable achievement that finalization of the regional action plans
produced under this programme constitutes, and the excellent basis they provide for further
action at the regional level. The SBSTA encouraged Parties and relevant organizations to
make use of the results of the regional workshop programme, and to continue to advance
the implementation of the actions outlined in the regional action plans. It urged Parties and
relevant organizations in a position to do so to continue to mobilize resources to address
priorities identified in those plans.
5343
5344
5345
5346
97.
The SBSTA re-emphasized the importance of in-situ observation networks and
activities that deliver sustained observation infrastructure and encouraged collaboration
with, inter alia, national meteorological and hydrological services, including for the
implementation of the regional action plans referred to in paragraph 96 above.
1
<http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/Implementation_Plan_(GCOS).pdf>.
2
As contained in FCCC/SBST A/2006/MISC.12 or in any updated version of this document, as appropriate, based
on further comments provided to the GCOS secretariat by scientific and government experts.
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5347
5348
5349
5350
5351
5352
5353
5354
98.
The SBSTA took note of the information provided by the GCOS secretariat on the
follow-up African implementation strategy meeting organized by the GCOS secretariat in
April 2006 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It recognized that this meeting has resulted in the
creation of an integrated, multipartner programme (Climate for Development in Africa)
addressing climate observation, climate risk management and climate policy needs in
Africa.1 It encouraged Parties in a position to do so to contribute to the implementation of
this programme and urged that similar activities and research, as appropriate, be extended
in a timely manner to other regions where activity has been slow to begin.
5355
5356
5357
5358
5359
5360
5361
5362
5363
5364
99.
The SBSTA welcomed the report submitted by the United States of America on
behalf of CEOS (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.14), which describes the coordinated response
by space agencies involved in global observations to the needs expressed in the GCOS
implementation plan. The SBSTA invited the Parties that support space agencies to enable
these agencies to implement, to the extent possible, the actions identified in the CEOS
report and to continue responding in a coordinated manner through CEOS to the efforts to
meet these needs. The SBSTA encouraged the GCOS and CEOS to continue their
partnership for linking space-based capabilities with global climate observing requirements
and encouraged Parties to improve access to space-based climate observations to all
interested Parties.
5365
5366
5367
5368
5369
5370
100. The SBSTA reiterated the increasing importance of further integration and
coordination of earth observations in order, inter alia, to allow for integrated global analysis
products for monitoring climate change, and to provide the input to, and validation o f,
climate models that would enable improved climate change projections. These elements
will advance the scientific basis for Parties to respond to climate change, including through
adaptation.
5371
5372
5373
101. The SBSTA encouraged Parties to further promote their national activities related to
GCOS and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, and to note the close
relationship among those activities.
5374
SBSTA 26 (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4)
5375
5376
5377
5378
5379
5380
5381
5382
5383
5384
5385
42.
The SBSTA took note of the views from Parties on how the SBSTA might facilitate
a more effective dialogue between Parties and regional and international climate change
research programmes in the context of decision 9/CP.11 (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.7). It
expressed its appreciation to the regional and international climate change research
programmes
and
organizations
for
their
views
on
this
subject
(FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.8) and for the summary reports provided in response to the
invitation of the SBSTA (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/5, para. 41), drawing on the special side
event on research needs relating to the Convention that was held during the twenty-fourth
session of the SBSTA (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.15) and on the synthesis report on
research needs and priorities, which includes views by Parties on this matter
(FCCC/SBSTA/2006/INF.2).
5386
5387
43.
The SBSTA welcomed the exchange of views among Parties, the representatives of
regional and international climate change research programmes and organizations 2 and the
1
<http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/scXIV/26_Addis_Ababa_Report.pdf>.
2
Earth System Science Partnership, World Climate Research Programme, International Geosphere–Biosphere
Programme, International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental
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5388
5389
5390
5391
5392
5393
IPCC during the informal meeting held on 8 May 2007 in Bonn, Germany, on how the
SBSTA might facilitate a more effective dialogue between Parties and regional and
international climate change research programmes and organizations (hereinafter referred to
as research programmes and organizations) in the context of decision 9/CP.11. The SBSTA
re-emphasized that the IPCC remains the primary provider of scientific, technical and
socio-economic information to the Convention through its full range of reports.
5394
5395
5396
5397
5398
44.
The SBSTA agreed to develop and maintain the dialogue between Parties and
research programmes and organizations , in the context of decision 9/CP.11. The SBSTA
would welcome the continued participation by the Earth System Science Partnership and its
member programmes, and by regional climate change research programmes and
organizations in this dialogue.
5399
5400
5401
5402
5403
5404
45.
The SBSTA further agreed that its role in this context should be facilitative and not
prescriptive. In this regard, the SBSTA acknowledged the independence of research
programmes and organizations in setting their research priorities. It also agreed that
various approaches, within and outside the UNFCCC process (e.g. informal events,
workshops, side events), could be used to ensure the effectiveness and flexibility of this
dialogue.
5405
5406
5407
5408
46.
The SBSTA noted the importance of this dialogue also to identify research gaps and
research capacity constraints in developing countries and to consider possible opportunities
to address these gaps and capacity constraints in order to enable developing countries to
play a more active role in regional and international climate change research.
5409
5410
5411
47.
The SBSTA invited relevant research programmes and organizations to regularly
inform the SBSTA of developments in research activities relevant to the needs of the
Convention, including:
5412
5413
5414
(a)
Emerging scientific findings;
(b)
Research planning activities, including those undertaken in response to key
uncertainties and research needs identified by the IPCC or raised by Parties;
5415
(c)
Research priorities, and gaps in the implementation of these priorities;
5416
(d)
Research capacity-building activities, particularly in developing countries;
5417
(e)
Regional climate change research networks;
5418
(f)
Relevant communication issues.
5419
5420
5421
48.
The SBSTA requested the secretariat to invite these research programmes and
organizations to consider these issues in an informal discussion at the twenty-eighth session
of the SBSTA (June 2008).
5422
5423
5424
5425
49.
The SBSTA again urged Parties to further strengthen the activities of research
programmes and organizations, and encouraged Parties to consider the research priorities as
identified by research programmes and organizations in developing their national
programmes.
5426
5427
5428
5429
50.
The SBSTA noted the importance of research activities that contribute to the work
of the Convention, including activities undertaken as part of the Nairobi work programme,
such as the in-session workshop on climate modelling, scenarios and downscaling to be
held at the twenty-eighth session of the SBSTA.
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51.
The SBSTA welcomed the oral statement delivered on behalf of the GTOS
secretariat and the progress reports by the GTOS secretariat on the development of a
framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for
terrestrial observing systems for climate, and on the assessment of the status of
development of standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial
domain (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.6). The SBSTA agreed to consider these reports, as
well as any updates received by the GTOS secretariat, at its twenty-seventh session when it
considers issues relating to systematic observation.1
5430
5431
5432
5433
5434
5435
5436
5437
5438
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SBSTA 27 (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/16)
5439
5440
33.
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the oral statements by the Chair of the Steering
Committee of the GCOS and the Director of the GTOS secretariat.
5441
5442
5443
34.
The SBSTA expressed its gratitude to the GCOS secretariat for its updated proposal2
for the possible revision of the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change
observing systems”.
5444
5445
5446
5447
35.
Having considered the GCOS proposal, the SBSTA decided to recommend a draft
decision containing revised UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change
observing systems for adoption by the COP at its thirteenth session (for the text of the
decision, see FCCC/SBSTA/2007/L.14/Add.1).3
5448
5449
5450
5451
5452
5453
36.
The SBSTA recalled its request 4 to the GCOS secretariat to provide, for
consideration by the SBSTA at its thirtieth session, a comprehensive report on progress
with the GCOS implementation plan. It also recalled its invitation to Parties 5 to submit to
the secretariat, by 15 September 2008, additional information on their national activities
with respect to implementing the plan, and encouraged Parties to use the guidelines
mentioned in paragraph 35 above when providing that information.
5454
5455
5456
5457
5458
5459
37.
The SBSTA expressed concern that the regional action plans developed under the
GCOS regional workshop programme remain largely unimplemented, and encouraged
international organizations and development partners to provide further technical and
financial support through existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes in
order to advance implementation of priority elements identified in the GCOS regional
action plans.
5460
5461
5462
38.
The SBSTA encouraged the GCOS secretariat, when preparing the report mentioned
in paragraph 36 above, to consider, as appropriate, information on progress in
implementing the regional action plans.
1
In line with the recommendations by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its twenty -fourth session
(FCCC/SBI/2006/11, para. 109 (a)), the topics under the research and systematic observation item are differentiated and consi dered
by the SBST A on an alternating basis.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2007/MISC.26.
3
For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.1, decision 11/CP.13.
4
FCCC/SBST A/2005/10, paragraph 94
5
FCCC/SBST A/2005/10, paragraph 95.
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5463
5464
5465
5466
5467
5468
39.
The SBSTA welcomed the progress report on the assessment of the status of the
development of standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial
domain prepared by the GTOS secretariat in response to an invitation by the SBSTA at its
twenty-third session.1 The SBSTA encouraged the GTOS secretariat and the sponsoring
agencies of GTOS to finalize the assessment and invited the GTOS secretariat to report to
the SBSTA on progress at its twenty-ninth session.
5469
5470
5471
5472
5473
5474
5475
5476
5477
40.
The SBSTA welcomed the efforts by the GTOS secretariat to develop a framework
for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate, in response to decision 11/CP.9. The SBSTA welcomed the
progress report by the GTOS secretariat on this matter and took note of the different
options for such a framework presented therein.2 The SBSTA encouraged the GTOS
secretariat and the sponsoring agencies of GTOS to continue developing the framework in
the way they consider most appropriate, making use of existing institutional bodies and
processes, where appropriate, and taking into account that such a framework should meet
the following criteria:
(a)
5478
Standards should be developed on a scientifically sound basis;
5479
5480
(b)
The framework should provide for the involvement of governments in the
development of standards and guidance materials and in their implementation;
5481
5482
(c)
Access to those standards and guidance materials should be free and
unrestricted;
5483
5484
5485
(d)
The process for developing the standards and guidance materials and the
operation of the framework should be cost-effective and sustainable and take into account
existing standards and guidance materials;
5486
5487
(e)
The framework should be flexible in view of future needs and developments
in this area.
5488
5489
5490
5491
5492
5493
5494
41.
The SBSTA commended the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)
and the Parties supporting space agencies on the progress made in 2007 in implementing
actions in response to the GCOS implementation plan, and looks forward to continued
progress during 2008. The SBSTA invited the CEOS to provide an updated progress report
by its twenty-ninth session. The SBSTA noted the continued close working relationship
between GCOS and the CEOS for linking space-based capabilities with global climate
observing requirements.
5495
5496
5497
5498
5499
42.
The SBSTA welcomed the Cape Town Declaration3 adopted at the Group on Earth
Observations Ministerial Summit, which recognizes the important contribution the Global
Earth Observation System of Systems can make in response to the needs of the Convention
and the growing need to further enhance such contributions. The SBSTA noted that such
contributions will be made mainly through GCOS.
1
As mandated, the GT OS secretariat provided a progress report on this matter to the SBST A at its twenty-sixth
session (FCCC/SBST A/2007/MISC.6). It provided an update to this report prior to the twenty-seventh session of the SBST A
(FCCC/SBST A/2007/MISC.27).
2
See footnote 1
3
Available at <http://earthobservations.org/>.
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5500
5501
5502
5503
5504
5505
5506
43.
The SBSTA noted that systematic and continuous observations have significantly
contributed to the key findings of the AR4 of the IPCC and play an integral and
increasingly important role in monitoring and assessing impacts of, and in supporting
adaptation to, climate change, as well as in contributing to the reduction of uncertainties.
The SBSTA noted the importance of robust scientific information derived from the state-ofthe-art observing technologies as well as conventional observations for supporting scientific
assessment to inform action to address climate change.
5507
5508
5509
5510
5511
5512
5513
5514
5515
44.
The SBSTA was informed of the workshop organized by GCOS, the World Climate
Research Programme and the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme, 1 held in
Sydney, Australia, in October 2007, which examined, among other issues, requirements for
future systematic observations resulting from the findings of the IPCC AR4. The workshop
reinforced the importance of sustaining the long-term operation of the climate observing
systems which provide the essential climate variables set down in the GCOS
implementation plan and highlighted the need for Parties to share their data freely. The
SBSTA noted that such efforts are particularly urgent in developing countries; however, it
was noted that a number of areas also need to be addressed in developed countries.
5516
SBSTA 29 (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/13)
5517
5518
5519
5520
52.
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the oral statement delivered by the Director of
the GTOS secretariat and the statement delivered on behalf of the CEOS. The SBSTA also
noted with appreciation a statement delivered by the Chair of the GCOS Steering
Committee.
5521
5522
5523
5524
5525
5526
5527
53.
The SBSTA welcomed the report prepared by the GTOS secretariat on progress
made in assessing the status of the development of standards for each of the essential
climate variables in the terrestrial domain, which includes information on the framework
for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate.2 The SBSTA also welcomed the updated report submitted
by CEOS on progress made by space agencies involved in global observations in
implementing actions in response to the GCOS implementation plan. 3
5528
5529
5530
5531
5532
5533
5534
54.
The SBSTA agreed to defer consideration of these reports to its thirtieth session,
when it will also consider the comprehensive report on progress with the GCOS
implementation plan that the GCOS secretariat is expected to provide to the SBSTA at that
session. The SBSTA recalled its invitation to Parties to provide additional information on
their national activities with respect to implementing the GCOS implementation plan.4 It
noted that 21 Parties have provided such information5 and encouraged those that have not
yet done so to submit this information by 30 January 2009.
1
Workshop titled “ Future climate change research and observations: GCOS, WCRP and IGBP learning from the
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report”.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2008/MISC.12.
3
FCCC/SBST A/2008/MISC.11.
4
See FCCC/SBST A/2005/10, paragraphs 94 and 95, and FCCC/SBST A/2007/16, paragraph 36.
5
Information
received
by
Parties
has
been
posted
on
the
<http://unfccc.int/methods_and_science/research_and_systematic_observation/items/4499.php>.
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website
at
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5535
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SBSTA 30 (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/3)
5536
5537
5538
5539
5540
5541
5542
5543
5544
47.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the regional and international climate
change research programmes and organizations (hereinafter referred to as research
programmes and organizations) and to the IPCC for the valuable updated information on
developments in research activities and on emerging scientific findings relevant to the
Convention. This information was provided during the meeting that took place during
SBSTA 30 as part of the research dialogue in the context of decision 9/CP.111 and in the
submissions compiled in document FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.5. The SBSTA took note of
a list prepared by the secretariat of international and regional programmes and
organizations active in areas of research relevant to climate change. 2
5545
5546
5547
5548
5549
5550
5551
5552
5553
48.
The SBSTA affirmed the valuable role of the research dialogue in providing new
scientific information that emerges from climate change research in between publication of
the IPCC Assessment Reports. It also noted the importance of such information for
informing deliberations within the UNFCCC process. The SBSTA invited the research
programmes and organizations to continue to provide, as part of the research dialogue,
information on developments in the research activities outlined in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4, paragraph 47 (a–f). It requested the secretariat to make the
presentations that are given as part of the dialogue available on the UNFCCC website in
such a way that they can be reached by a wide audience.
5554
5555
5556
5557
5558
5559
49.
The SBSTA agreed that meetings under this dialogue should be continued, during
the thirty-second and subsequent sessions of the SBSTA, and organized in such a way that
more time is devoted both to in-depth consideration by Parties of new scientific findings
and developments in research activities and to presentations by Parties. The SBSTA
requested the secretariat to make arrangements accordingly when organizing meetings
under the dialogue.
5560
5561
5562
5563
50.
The SBSTA invited Parties to provide to the secretariat, by 22 March 2010, their
views on topics to be discussed at the dialogue meeting to take place during SBSTA 32,
taking into account developments in research activities outlined in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4, paragraph 47 (a–f).
5564
5565
5566
5567
51.
The SBSTA welcomed the information from the IPCC regarding its plans for the
Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). It recalled its conclusions from its twenty -ninth session,
which noted that Parties may provide information on scientific and technical questions that
they wish to be considered in the AR5 process through their IPCC focal points. 3
5568
5569
5570
52.
The SBSTA encouraged the research programmes and organizations to continue to
undertake further studies to enhance the understanding of climate change and to address
key uncertainties identified in the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, and to enhance
1
Alongside the IPCC, the following research programmes and organizations were represented at the meeting: the
Earth System Science Partnership, the World Climate Research Programme, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, the
International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change, DIVERSIT AS, the International Alliance of
Research Universities, ST ART (Global Change System for Analysis, Research and T raining), the Inter-American Institute for Global
Change Research, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research and the Seventh Framework Programme of the European
Community and associated countries. Further information and presentations are available at <http://unfccc.int/3461.php>.
2
Available at <http://unfccc.int/3461.php>.
3
FCCC/SBST A/2008/13, paragraph 85.
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5571
5572
5573
their efforts towards greater integration of climate-related research across all disciplines. It
also encouraged the research programmes and organizations to further enhance their
activities relating to developing countries.
5574
5575
5576
5577
53.
The SBSTA encouraged Parties and research programmes and organizations to
enhance their existing efforts to build capacity for research in developing countries, in
particular those aimed at supporting adaptation efforts such as those identified as part of the
ongoing activities of the Nairobi work programme.
5578
5579
5580
5581
5582
5583
5584
5585
5586
5587
5588
54.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation for the report on progress with t he
Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the
UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the GCOS implementation plan) prepared by the
secretariat of GCOS under the guidance of the GCOS Steering Committee, and for the
synthesis report on national information on systematic observations for climate.1 It noted
the significant progress made in the implementation of the various observing systems
relevant to the Convention, but also noted that limited progress has been made in filling
gaps in in-situ observing systems in developing countries and that the funding available for
many important systems is small in relation to what is needed. The SBSTA noted that
according to the GCOS progress report, priority should be given over the n ext five years to
the following:
5589
5590
(a)
The urgent need for funding support for implementation of the GCOS
regional action plans developed during 2001–2006;
5591
5592
(b)
Immediate attention to the design and implementation of the national and
local-scale networks needed for impact assessment and adaptation to climate change;
5593
5594
5595
(c)
The appointment of GCOS national coordinators in many more than the
present 14 countries that have well-established national coordination arrangements for
climate observations;
5596
5597
(d)
Much stronger and higher-level commitment of Parties to the GCOS
cooperation mechanism for supporting GCOS implementation in developing countries;
5598
5599
5600
(e)
Finding new mechanisms for ensuring sustained long-term operation of
essential in situ networks, especially for the oceanic and terrestrial domains, that are
presently supported by project-timescale research funding;
5601
5602
(f)
Strong support for the further development and promulgation of
observational standards for the full range of terrestrial climate variables;
5603
5604
(g)
Continued encouragement for the coordinated implementation and long-term
continuity of the cross-cutting space-based component of GCOS;
5605
5606
(h)
Strong support for the observational and research-based “Global Framework
for Climate Services” proposed for endorsement by World Climate Conference-3;
5607
5608
5609
(i)
Reaffirmation of the value of detailed national reports on systematic
observations under the UNFCCC as a mechanism for fostering, focusing and guiding
GCOS implementation at the national level.
1
FCCC/SBST A/2009/MISC.7 and Add.1.
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5610
5611
5612
5613
5614
55.
The SBSTA urged Parties and invited relevant United Nations agencies and
international organizations to take steps to address the priorities and gaps identified in the
GCOS progress report, in particular the implementation of the GCOS regional action plans,
and ensuring a sustained long-term operation of in situ networks, especially for the oceanic
and terrestrial domains.
5615
5616
56.
The SBSTA stressed that addressing these priorities would help countries to adapt to
climate change on a basis of sound data and information.
5617
5618
5619
5620
5621
57.
The SBSTA noted that an updated GCOS implementation plan that takes into
account emerging priorities, such as the need for data for adaptation, may assist in
continuing progress with GCOS implementation. It therefore invited the GCOS secretariat
to prepare, under the guidance of the GCOS Steering Committee, an update of the GCOS
implementation plan before its thirty-third session.
5622
5623
5624
5625
5626
5627
58.
The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to include, in this updated GCOS
implementation plan, a breakdown of costs involved. The costs should be broken down by
region, observing system and between developed and developing countries. The SBSTA
invited the GCOS secretariat to provide a provisional updated implementation plan in
conjunction with a provisional estimation of costs, before COP 15, and requested the
secretariat to make this information available as a miscellaneous document.
5628
5629
5630
5631
5632
59.
The SBSTA welcomed the support given to the GCOS secretariat. The SBSTA
noted the overall expected increase in workload for the GCOS secretariat that would
emerge from addressing the priorities and gaps identified in the GCOS progress report. It
therefore invited all of the GCOS sponsoring agencies 1 to consider ways to provide
adequate resources for supporting this work.
5633
5634
5635
5636
5637
5638
60.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation for the updated progress report by the
secretariat of GTOS on progress made in assessing the status of the development of
standards for each of the essential climate variables (ECVs) in the terrestrial domain and on
the framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines
for terrestrial observing systems for climate2 which was further developed following the
guidance of the SBSTA at its twenty-seventh session.3
5639
5640
5641
5642
5643
5644
5645
5646
61.
The SBSTA welcomed the proposal contained in the updated progress report for a
joint terrestrial framework mechanism between relevant agencies of the United Nations and
the International Organization for Standardization, and encouraged the GTOS secretariat
and the GTOS sponsoring agencies to implement the framework. The SBSTA also invited
the GTOS secretariat and the GTOS sponsoring agencies to elaborate a work plan for
developing observational standards and protocols for the 13 terrestrial ECVs assessed. It
invited the GTOS secretariat to report on the results of the implementation of the
framework and its elaboration of the work plan at SBSTA 33.
5647
5648
62.
The SBSTA expressed its appreciation for the updated report provided by CEOS, on
behalf of Parties that support space agencies involved in global observations, to the SBSTA
1
WMO, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the Un ited Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Council for Science.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2009/MISC.8, which supersedes FCCC/SBST A/2008/MISC.12.
3
FCCC/SBST A/2007/16, paragraph 40.
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1
5649
5650
5651
5652
5653
at its twenty-ninth session. It welcomed the progress made by those agencies in
responding to the GCOS implementation plan and the support of CEOS to the space-based
observations of GCOS. The SBSTA further welcomed the commitment by CEOS member
agencies to work towards improved availability of current and future data for forest carbon
monitoring, as expressed in a statement delivered by a representative of CEOS.
5654
5655
5656
5657
5658
5659
5660
5661
63.
The SBSTA encouraged coordinated implementation of the cross -cutting spacebased components of GCOS to continue over the long term, including the continued
coordinated response to the needs identified in the GCOS implementation plan through
CEOS. It also encouraged CEOS and the Parties that support space agencies involved in
global observations to continue and if possible accelerate development of methodologies,
and validation and inter-comparison of satellite-based applications for the terrestrial
domain. The SBSTA invited CEOS to report at its thirty-third session on progress made in
its efforts to meet the relevant needs of the Convention.
5662
5663
5664
5665
5666
64.
The SBSTA invited the participants of the forthcoming World Climate Conference3, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31 August to 4 September 2009, to take note of
the needs of the Convention, in particular with respect to research and systematic
observation. It invited WMO to provide information on the outcome of the conference to
inform the work under the Convention.
5667
5668
5669
5670
5671
5672
5673
65.
The SBSTA invited the AWG-LCA to note the importance of research and
systematic observation in underpinning the implementation of the Convention. The SBSTA
also invited the AWG-LCA to note that such research and systematic observation needs to
be strengthened, particularly in developing countries. The SBSTA emphasized that any
enhanced action on adaptation should take into account the need to strengthen adaptationrelated research and systematic observation. The AWG-LCA is invited to take into account
such needs in its deliberations.
5674
5675
66.
The SBSTA agreed to recommend a draft decision on this matter for adoption by the
COP at its fifteenth session.2
5676
SBSTA 31 (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8)
5677
5678
5679
39.
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the oral statements delivered by the Deputy
Secretary-General of WMO, the Chair of the GCOS Steering Committee, and the statement
delivered on behalf of CEOS.
5680
5681
5682
40.
The SBSTA welcomed the provisional updated Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC,3 provided by the secretariat of
GCOS in response to an invitation by the SBSTA at its thirtieth session. 4
5683
5684
5685
41.
The SBSTA also welcomed the information on the outcome of World Climate
Conference-3, 1 held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31 August to 4 September 2009,
provided by WMO in response to an invitation by the SBSTA at the same session. 2
1
FCCC/SBST A/2008/MISC.11.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2009/L.6/Add.1. For the final text see FCCC/SBST A/2009/3/Add.1.
3
FCCC/SBST A/2009/MISC.12.
4
FCCC/SBST A/2009/3, paragraphs 57 and 58.
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42.
The SBSTA decided to recommend draft conclusions on this matter for adoption by
the COP at its fifteenth session.3
5686
5687
5688
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5689
5690
5691
5692
5693
43.
45. The SBSTA took note of the views submitted by Parties on topics for
discussion at the research dialogue meeting convened during SBSTA 324 and expressed its
appreciation to Parties for providing, during that dialogue meeting, their views on research
needs and priorities, in particular those related to reducing uncertainties and gaps in
scientific knowledge relevant to the needs of the Convention.
5694
5695
5696
5697
5698
5699
44.
46. The SBSTA welcomed the updated information on developments in research
activities and emerging scientific findings relevant to the needs of the Convention provided
by the regional and international climate change research programmes and organizations
(hereinafter referred to as research programmes and organizations), as well as the
information provided by the IPCC on its activities, in particular on the process leading to
the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and its Synthesis Report. 5
5700
5701
5702
5703
5704
5705
5706
5707
45.
47. The SBSTA recalled the valuable role that the research dialogue is playing in
informing deliberations within the UNFCCC process, and agreed that it should be
continued at SBSTA 34 and beyond. It encouraged research programmes and organizations
to continue to provide, for consideration under the research dialogue in the future,
information on developments in research activities outlined in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2007/4, paragraph 47 (a–f), taking into account views expressed by Parties,
priorities emerging within the UNFCCC process and activities undertaken in support of the
IPCC towards the preparation of the AR5.
5708
5709
5710
46.
48. The SBSTA noted the need to further enhance interaction between the science
and policy communities by strengthening the research dialogue. Possible ways to enhance
the effectiveness of the dialogue in the future may include:
5711
5712
47.
(a) Better identification and communication of research themes and topics of
interest to policymakers;
5713
5714
48.
(b) Greater opportunities for developing countries to present research results and
related capacity-building activities;
5715
49.
(c)
Further activities to share information;
1
<http://www.wmo.int/pages/gfcs/index_en.html>.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2009/3, paragraph 64.
3
For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2009/11, chapter VII. G.
4
FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.4.
5
This information was provided in submissions contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.6, as well as in
the presentations given during the research dialogue meeting. T he IPCC and the following research programmes and organizations
were represented at the meeting: the Earth System Science Partnership, the World Climate Research Programme, the International
Geosphere–Biosphere Programme, the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change, ST ART
(Global Change System for Analysis, Research and T raining), the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research and the Seventh
Framework Programme of the European Union and associated countries. Presentations and further information are available at
<http://unfccc.int/items/5609.php>.
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5716
5717
50.
(d) Identification of additional ways to communicate research outcomes and
findings to Parties.
5718
51.
5719
5720
5721
5722
5723
52.
(a) Organize a workshop, in conjunction with its thirty-fourth session, subject to
the availability of resources and under the guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA, to allow
further in-depth consideration to be given to issues addressed in the research dialogue, and
to prepare a report on the workshop to be made available for consideration by the SBSTA
at its thirty-fourth session;
5724
5725
53.
(b) Consider ways to make available on its website information from the research
programmes and organizations.
5726
5727
5728
5729
5730
5731
54.
50. The SBSTA invited Parties to provide to the secretariat, by 20 September
2010, their views on the issues referred to in paragraphs 48 (a–d) and 49 (a) and (b) above,
and requested the secretariat to make these available as a miscellaneous document by
SBSTA 33. It further requested the secretariat to provide information to Parties prior to
SBSTA 34 on the themes to be presented at the research dialogue meeting and at the
workshop referred to in paragraph 49 (a) above.
5732
5733
55.
51. The SBSTA invited research programmes and organizations to provide
updated information on emerging scientific findings and research outcomes at SBSTA 33.
5734
5735
5736
5737
5738
5739
56.
52. The SBSTA noted the challenges of communicating research results, including
indication of level of confidence and uncertainty, effectively to end-users and to a wider
audience, including the media and the public. In this regard, the SBSTA welcomed the
progress made in the development of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)
under WMO and its partner organizations. It invited WMO to report, under the research
dialogue, on progress made in the development of the GFCS.
5740
5741
57.
53. The SBSTA recognized the need to engage observation programmes in the
research dialogue.
5742
5743
5744
58.
54. The SBSTA encouraged the enhancement of existing efforts by Parties and
research programmes and organizations to build research capacity in developing countries,
including by strengthening research at regional climate centres.
5745
49.
In this regard, the SBSTA requested the secretariat to:
SBSTA 33 (FCCC/SBSTA/2010/13)
5746
5747
38. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the statements delivered by representatives of the
GCOS, GTOS and GOOS, as well as the statement delivered by Brazil on behalf of CEOS.
5748
5749
5750
5751
39. The SBSTA welcomed the Update of the Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the
2010 updated GCOS implementation plan),1 submitted by the secretariat of GCOS and
prepared under the guidance of the GCOS Steering Committee. 2
1
A summary of this updated plan is contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.9. The full report is
available at <http://unfccc.int/items/3462.php>.
2
See decision 9/CP.15 and the conclusions of the SBST A at its thirtieth session (FCCC/SBST A/2009/3, paras. 57
and 58).
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5752
5753
5754
5755
40. The SBSTA noted the sound assessment of requirements for climate-related
observations that this plan provides and its enhanced focus on adaptation, in particular the
identification of needs for improving land and coastal networks for observations relevant to
vulnerability assessments and adaptation, with specific emphasis on developing countries.
5756
5757
5758
5759
41. The SBSTA urged Parties to work towards full implementation of the 2010 updated
GCOS implementation plan and to consider, within the context of their national
capabilities, what actions they can take at the national, regional and international levels to
contribute to the implementation of the plan.
5760
5761
5762
5763
5764
5765
5766
5767
42. The SBSTA further encouraged Parties to increase consideration of GCOS-related
implementation in relevant national and regional activities, such as those undertaken by
regional centres and national meteorological and hydrological, terrestrial and
oceanographic services and those undertaken in the context of adaptation. In this regard, the
SBSTA encouraged Parties and relevant organizations to increase coordination of relevant
activities and to build upon and enhance existing national and regional centres with the aim
of facilitating implementation of the GCOS regional action plans and strengthening
observation networks.
5768
5769
5770
5771
43. The SBSTA further noted the importance of historical observations as the basis for
analysis and reanalysis and encouraged Parties and relevant organizations to increase their
data rescue and digitization of historical observations and to establish and strengthen
international coordination initiatives for these activities.
5772
5773
5774
5775
5776
5777
5778
5779
44. The SBSTA encouraged Parties, when providing information related to systematic
observation in their detailed technical reports on systematic observations provided in
conjunction with their national communications and in line with relevant reporting
guidelines,1 to take into consideration the new requirements identified in the 2010 updated
GCOS implementation plan, in particular the new essential climate variables (ECVs). The
SBSTA noted that any future revision of relevant UNFCCC reporting guidelines, in
particular those on global climate change observing systems, should take into account the
new elements identified in that plan.
5780
5781
5782
5783
5784
5785
5786
5787
5788
5789
45. The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to report on progress made in the
implementation of the 2010 updated GCOS implementation plan on a regular basis, at
subsequent sessions of the SBSTA, as appropriate. In this regard it encouraged the GCOS
to review, in broad consultation with relevant partners, the adequacy of observing systems
for climate, such as by updating the Second Report on the Adequacy of the Global
Observing Systems for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC.2 It noted the usefulness of
updating the GCOS implementation plan on a regular basis, so as to take into consideration
developments under the Convention and their related observational needs. The SBSTA
agreed to consider, at its thirty-fifth session, issues related to the timing of GCOS
contributions to the SBSTA.
5790
5791
5792
46. The SBSTA noted the relevance of global climate observations for climate research,
prediction and services. In this regard, the SBSTA recalled the outcome of World Climate
Conference-3, inter alia the call for major strengthening of the GCOS and all its
1
Decision 11/CP.13, which adopted the revised “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate observing
2
Available at <http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=Publications>.
systems”.
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5793
5794
components and associated activities, as one of the essential elements of the Global
Framework for Climate Services.
5795
5796
5797
5798
5799
5800
5801
47. The SBSTA welcomed the report by the GTOS1 on the framework for climate-related
terrestrial observations and the workplan on the development of standards and protocols for
the terrestrial ECVs assessed. It encouraged the GTOS to continue coordinating the
development of methodologies for climate-related terrestrial observations and to continue
working with its sponsors2 and the International Organization for Standardization, and in
broad consultation with relevant partners, towards implementation of that workplan,
including through mobilization of the necessary resources.
5802
5803
48. The SBSTA encouraged Parties, in close cooperation with the GTOS, to support and
facilitate the development of terrestrial standards and to improve their terrestrial networks.
5804
5805
5806
49. The SBSTA also noted the increased usefulness of the terrestrial ECVs beyond
observations of climate change, such as for biodiversity and desertification, and encouraged
the GTOS to increase synergy with ongoing relevant initiatives.
5807
5808
50. The SBSTA invited the GTOS to report at the thirty-fifth session of the SBSTA on
progress made on the matters referred to in paragraphs 47–49 above.
5809
5810
5811
51. The SBSTA noted that the future workplan of GOOS includes emerging ECVs on
ocean chemistry and ecosystems and noted the relevance of these variables in tracking the
impacts of climate change and acidification on ocean ecosystems.
5812
5813
5814
5815
5816
52. The SBSTA welcomed the coordinated response by the CEOS 3 to the relevant needs of
the GCOS implementation plan and those of the Convention, and the progress and
commitment by space agencies involved in climate observations to address the space-based
component of the GCOS and improve climate monitoring capabilities from space on a
sustained basis.
5817
5818
5819
5820
5821
53. The SBSTA encouraged Parties that support space agencies involved in global
observations to continue, through CEOS, cooperation with and support to the GCOS and to
respond to the relevant needs identified in the 2010 updated GCOS implementation plan. It
invited the CEOS to provide, by SBSTA 37, an updated report on progress made on major
achievements in relevant areas.
5822
5823
5824
5825
5826
5827
5828
5829
54. The SBSTA emphasized the important role of high-quality climate observations in
underpinning climate change research, modelling and strengthening the robustness of the
scientific knowledge, including that of assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC). It noted the critical importance of such information for supporting
decision-making on climate change policies, including in the context of long -term
cooperative action on climate change and the review of the adequacy of the long-term goal
currently under consideration under the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative
Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA).
1
A summary of this report is contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.10. The full report is available at
<http://unfccc.int/items/3462.php>.
2
These are FAO, the International Council for Science, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.
3
A summary of this report is contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.11. The full report i s available at
<http://unfccc.int/items/3462.php>.
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5830
5831
5832
5833
55. The SBSTA emphasized the urgent need to secure funding to meet the essential needs
for global climate observations under the Convention on a long-term basis. In this regard
the SBSTA noted the information related to additional funding requirements identified in
the updated 2010 GCOS implementation plan.
5834
5835
5836
56. The SBSTA further urged Parties in a position to do so, and invited relevant
organizations, to provide the support needed to strengthen observation networks and
capabilities in developing countries, especially the LDCs and SIDS.
5837
5838
57. The SBSTA invited the SBI to consider the funding needs referred to in paragraphs 55
and 56 above at its thirty-fourth session under relevant agenda items, as appropriate.
5839
5840
5841
58. The SBSTA also invited the AWG-LCA to consider the funding needs referred to in
paragraph 55 above in its deliberations with the aim that adequate financial resources are
made available on a long-term basis in the future financial architecture.
5842
5843
5844
5845
5846
5847
5848
59. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the updated information on emerging scientific
findings and research outcomes provided by regional and international climate change
research programmes and organizations.1 It also took note of the views submitted by Parties
on issues related to the research dialogue, including the workshop to be held in conjunction
with SBSTA 34.2 It invited Parties to provide additional views on these matters by 31
January 2011, and requested the secretariat to make these available as a miscellaneous
document prior to SBSTA 34.
5849
SBI 34 (FCCC/SBI/2011/7)
59. The SBI noted the information related to additional funding needs identified in the 2010
updated Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) implementation plan and emphasized
the importance of ensuring that these needs be taken into account in the future financial
architecture of the Convention, recognizing that their funding is also being processed
through multiple existing channels, including those under other specialized programmes,
such as GCOS, and other conventions.
5850
5851
5852
5853
5854
5855
5856
SBSTA 35 (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/5)
5857
5858
5859
36. The SBSTA considered the views submitted by Parties on the research dialogue,
including ongoing activities, associated modalities and possible ways to enhance the
dialogue.3
5860
5861
5862
5863
5864
37. In the light of the progress made in the implementation of decision 9/CP.11, and the
success of the activities undertaken under the SBSTA research dialogue on developments in
research activities relevant to the needs of the Convention, including the related workshop
held in conjunction with the thirty-fourth session of the SBSTA, the SBSTA agreed that the
research dialogue should continue, on a regular basis, at SBSTA 36 and beyond.
1
FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.15.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.12.
3
FCCC/SBST A/2011/MISC.8 and Add.1.
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5865
5866
5867
38. The SBSTA encouraged Parties, in particular developing country Parties, and invited
regional and international research programmes and organizations active in climate change
research to utilize the research dialogue as a forum for:
5868
5869
59.
(a) Discussing needs for climate change research and research-related capacitybuilding, particularly those of developing countries, to support the work of the Convention;
5870
5871
5872
60.
(b) Conveying research findings and lessons learned from activities undertaken by
regional and international research programmes and organizations of relevance to the
Convention.
5873
5874
5875
5876
5877
39. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit, prior to a SBSTA session during which a
research dialogue would be held, their views on specific themes to be addressed at the
research dialogue meeting.1 In this regard, the SBSTA invited Parties to submit, by 5 March
2012, their views for the upcoming research dialogue to be held in conjunction with the
thirty-sixth session of the SBSTA.
5878
5879
5880
5881
5882
40. The SBSTA invited relevant regional and international research programmes and
organizations active in climate change research to provide, in the context of the research
dialogue, submissions with information on developments in their research activities
relevant to the Convention, including with respect to the long-term global goal referred to
in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 4, as appropriate.
5883
5884
5885
5886
5887
5888
5889
41. The SBSTA recalled its conclusions at its thirty-fourth session, at which the SBSTA
requested the secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to continue to support the
research dialogue, including organizing further workshops, as appropriate, in periodic
consultation with the relevant research programmes and organizations and as agreed by the
SBSTA. The objective of such workshops is to facilitate the in-depth consideration of
issues considered under the research dialogue, with a view to providing information in
support of the UNFCCC process.
5890
5891
5892
5893
5894
42. The SBSTA requested the secretariat, taking into consideration information from
relevant research programmes and organizations and the IPCC, to further enhance the
availability and visibility of scientific information relevant to the Convention on the
UNFCCC website, including through webcasts of the proceedings of any workshops under
the research dialogue.
5895
5896
5897
5898
5899
5900
5901
5902
5903
5904
5905
5906
43. The SBSTA invited Parties and regional and international research programmes and
organizations active in climate change research, including marine research, to provide
information on the technical and scientific aspects of emissions by sources, removals by
sinks, and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases, including emissions and removals from
coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal salt marshes, wetlands and
seagrass meadows, with a view to identifying and quantifying the impact of human
activities. This information would be considered as a theme for the next research dialogue,
also taking into account the submissions received in accordance with paragraph 39 above.
At its thirty-sixth session, the SBSTA may consider the need for a workshop to give indepth consideration to the themes considered in the research dialogue. The SBSTA noted
the views of Parties regarding the importance of other ecosystems with high -carbon
reservoirs, in particular terrestrial ecosystems, for example steppe, tundra and peatlands.
1
In line with the timeline for submissions from Parties for inclusion into a miscellaneous document of that
respective session.
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5907
5908
5909
5910
5911
5912
44. The SBSTA took note of the information provided by the secretariat of the Global
Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) 1 and agreed to consider this information, in
conjunction with any updates received from GTOS on this matter, as well as matters related
to the Global Climate Observing System, at its thirty-sixth session when considering
matters related to systematic observation, in line with the conclusions of the SBSTA at its
thirty-fourth session.2
5913
5914
5915
5916
5917
45. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the statement provided by WMO on the progress
towards the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). The
SBSTA recognized that the GFCS is an important initiative to underpin science-based
adaptation and to support countries in meeting the challenges of climate variability and
change.
5918
5919
5920
5921
5922
46. The SBSTA invited WMO to provide, at the thirty-seventh session of the SBSTA,
information on the outcome of the Extraordinary Session of the WMO Congress in October
2012 with respect to GFCS implementation. The SBSTA also invited WMO to provide
information, when appropriate, on the progress in the implementation of the GFCS at future
sessions in order to inform the work under the Convention.
5923
5924
5925
47. The SBSTA welcomed the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme
Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation, noting the importance of the
underlying research and systematic observations enabling the production of that report.
5926
5927
5928
5929
48. The SBSTA took note of the estimated budgetary implications of implementing the
provisions contained in these conclusions, as provided by the secretariat. The SBSTA
requested that the actions of the secretariat called for in these conclusions be undertaken
subject to the availability of financial resources.
5930
5931
5932
49. The SBSTA decided to recommend a draft decision 3 on the research dialogue for
adoption by the COP at its seventeenth session (for the text of the decision, see
FCCC/SBSTA/2011/L.27/Add.1).
5933
SBI 35 (FCCC/SBI//2011/17)
5934
5935
5936
5937
57. The SBI took note of the information submitted by Parties 4 and the information
compiled by the secretariat 5 on the support provided to developing country Parties on
activities undertaken to strengthen existing and, where needed, establish national and
regional systematic observation and monitoring networks.
5938
5939
58. The SBI also noted the report of the GEF 6 to the COP affirming that its mandate under
the LDCF and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) covers the activities identified in
1
FCCC/SBST A/2011/MISC.14.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2011/2, paragraph 56.
3
For the text as adopted, see decision 16/CP.17.
4
FCCC/SBI/2011/MISC.6.
5
FCCC/SBI/2011/INF.10.
6
FCCC/CP/2011/7.
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5941
decision 5/CP.7, paragraph 7(a)(iv), and providing information on projects it supported
relating to systematic observation and monitoring networks.
5942
5943
5944
5945
5946
59. The SBI recommended that the COP, at its seventeenth session, request the GEF, as an
operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention, under its mandate for the
LDCF and the SCCF, to continue to provide financial resources to developing countries to
strengthen existing and, where needed, establish national and regional systematic
observation and monitoring networks.
5947
SBSTA 36 (FCCC/SBSTA/2012/2)
5948
5949
38. The SBSTA took note of the views of Parties and of the progress made in developing
draft conclusions under this agenda item.
5950
5951
39. The SBSTA agreed to continue its consideration of this agenda item at its thirty-seventh
session on the basis of the draft text contained in annex II.
5952
Annex II
5953
Draft text on research and systematic observation
5954
5955
5956
5957
1. [The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) noted with
appreciation the statements delivered by representatives of the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
5958
5959
5960
5961
5962
5963
5964
5965
2. The SBSTA welcomed the plan of the GCOS Steering Committee and secretariat to
prepare, in broad consultation with relevant partners, by early 2015, a third report on the
adequacy of the global observing systems for climate1 and, by 2016, a new implementation
plan for the global observing system for climate, which would, inter alia, support the
Convention.2 The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to provide the final implementation
plan to the SBSTA in 2016 by its [45th] session, and the third adequacy report to the
SBSTA by 2015 at its [43rd] session. The SBSTA encouraged the GCOS to provide a draft
of the implementation plan to the SBSTA by its [43rd] session in 2015.
5966
5967
5968
5969
3. [The SBSTA noted that the GCOS secretariat would consider, inter alia, [emerging
observational needs for adaptation and for the provision of climate services, and] the
findings of the Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC, in the development of the third
adequacy report.]
5970
5971
4. The SBSTA welcomed the activities undertaken by the GCOS secretariat to support
efforts to address the needs for climate observations, including the preparation of an update
1
A report on the adequacy of the climate observing systems was prepared in 1998, followed by a second such
report in 2003, both of which are available at <http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=Publications>.
2
For the summary of the GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of
the UNFCCC, prepared in 2004, see document FCCC/SBST A/2004/MISC.16. For the summary of the 2010 update of the plan see
document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.9.
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5972
5973
5974
of the Satellite Supplement to the 2010 updated GCOS implementation plan. The SBSTA
invited the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) to respond to this new
supplement when reporting to the thirty-seventh session of the SBSTA on progress made.2
5975
5976
5977
5978
5. The SBSTA further welcomed the regional initiatives of the GCOS secretariat 3 in
supporting the development of and improvements to climate observation capacities. The
SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to further expand such initiatives 4 and encouraged
Parties, in a position to do so, to support these efforts.
5979
5980
5981
5982
6. The SBSTA noted that the report on progress by the Global Terrestrial Observing
System (GTOS) secretariat was not submitted to the SBSTA by its thirty-sixth session,5 and
encouraged the GTOS secretariat to submit that report to the SBSTA by its xxth session.
The SBSTA highlighted the importance of such reports for the work of the SBSTA.
5983
5984
5985
5986
5987
7. The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the GCOS sponsors 6 for the support provided
to the GCOS programme for the past 20 years, and encouraged them to continue to provide
such support. The SBSTA also welcomed the initiative by the GCOS sponsors to undertake
a review of GCOS, and invited the GCOS sponsors, through WMO, to inform the SBSTA
on the outcome of this review.
5988
5989
5990
5991
8. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the information by WMO on progress made
towards implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), including
on the draft GFCS Implementation Plan. The SBSTA invited WMO to keep the SBSTA
informed on the developments of the GFCS.
5992
5993
5994
5995
5996
9. The SBSTA noted the importance of systematic observation for vulnerability
assessments and adaptation, with specific emphasis on developing countries. The SBSTA
encouraged Parties to contribute to the identification of emerging needs for systematic
observation in the context of the Convention, in support of the activities mentioned in
paragraph 2 above.
1
Full title of the Satellite Supplement: Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for
Climate. T his report provides supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the 2010 update of the GCOS implementation
plan. T he full report is available at <http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-154.pdf>.
2
At its thirty-third session, the SBST A invited CEOS to provide, by the thirty-seventh session of the SBST A, an
updated report on progress made on major achievements in relevant areas (FCCC/SBST A/2010/13, para. 53).
3
Recent regional initiatives of the GCOS secretariat have focused on Africa and South America, as indicated by
the GCOS secretariat in its submission to the SBST A (see FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.4).
4
For example, to the Asia-Pacific region and the Caribbean.
5
At its thirty-third session, the SBST A invited the secretariat of the GT OS to report to the SBST A at its thirty -fifth
session on progress made on a n umber of matters relating to climate-related terrestrial observations (see FCCC/SBST A/2010/13,
paras. 47–50). At the thirty-fifth session of the SBST A, the GT OS secretariat provided a summary of progress
(FCCC/SBST A/2011/MISC. 14), indicating that the report invited by the SBST A at its thirty -third session would be submitted to the
SBST A at its thirty-sixth session.
6
The sponsors of GCOS are the following: WMO, the Intergovernmental O ceanographic Commission of the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Internati onal
Council for Science.
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5998
5999
10. [The SBSTA noted the potential of systematic observation for carbon monitoring, such
as for monitoring carbon fluxes in ecosystems[, and invited GCOS to consider enhancing
its activities in this regard.]]
6000
6001
6002
6003
11. [The SBSTA agreed to continue its consideration of systematic observation at its thirty seventh session, and then revert to its customary practice of focusing on research during the
first sessional period of a year and on systematic observation during the second sessional
period of a year.]
6004
6005
6006
6007
6008
6009
12. [The SBSTA welcomed the continuation of the research dialogue held during the thirty sixth session of the SBSTA. It also conveyed its appreciation to the regional and
international programs and organizations [footnote on participants] engaged in climate
change research, the IPCC and scientific experts for their active participations and
contribution to the research dialogue. The SBSTA also expressed its appreciation to Parties
for sharing their views on their research needs and priorities.]
6010
6011
6012
6013
6014
13. [SBSTA agreed to focus the next Research Dialogue at SBSTA 38. The SBSTA invited
Parties to provide, by 31 January 2013, their views on the research dialogue, including ongoing activities, associated modalities and ways to enhance the dialogue. The SBSTA
requested the secretariat to compile these submissions to a miscellaneous document for
consideration by the SBSTA at its 38th session.]
6015
6016
6017
6018
14. [SBSTA agreed to focus the next research dialogue at SBSTA 38th session on socio economic and scientific aspects of climate change. SBSTA invited Parties to submit their
views on this theme by [date] with the view to organize a workshop before SBSTA 38 to
allow in-depth consideration of this theme.]]
6019
SBSTA 37 (FCCC/SBSTA/2012/5)
6020
6021
6022
6023
36. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the statements delivered at its thirty-sixth session
by representatives of WMO, the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and at its thirty-seventh session by
representatives of WMO and CEOS.
6024
6025
6026
6027
6028
6029
6030
6031
6032
37. The SBSTA welcomed the plan of the GCOS Steering Committee and secretariat to
prepare, in broad consultation with relevant partners, by early 2015, a third report on the
adequacy of the global observing systems for climate1 and, by 2016, a new implementation
plan for the global observing system for climate, which would, inter alia, support the
Convention.2 The SBSTA invited the GCOS secretariat to provide the third adequacy report
to the SBSTA in 2015 by its forty-third session, and the final implementation plan to the
SBSTA in 2016 by its forty-fifth session. The SBSTA encouraged the GCOS secretariat to
provide a draft of the new implementation plan to the SBSTA by its forty-third session in
2015.
1
A report on the adequacy of the global climate observing systems was prepared in 1998, followed by a second
such report in 2003; they are available at <http://www. wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-48.pdf> and
<http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-82_2AR.pdf>.
2
For the summary of the GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of
the UNFCCC, prepared in 2004, see document FCCC/SBST A/2004/MISC.16. For the summary of the 2010 update of the plan, see
document FCCC/SBST A/2010/MISC.9.
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6034
38. The SBSTA noted that the GCOS secretariat would consider, inter alia, the findings of
the Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC, in the development of the third adequacy report.
6035
6036
6037
6038
6039
39. The SBSTA noted the importance of systematic observation for vulnerability
assessments and adaptation, with a specific emphasis on developing countries. It
encouraged Parties to contribute to the identification of emerging needs for systematic
observation in the context of the Convention, in support of the activities mentioned in
paragraph 37 above.
6040
6041
6042
40. The SBSTA welcomed the activities undertaken by the GCOS secretariat to support
efforts to address the needs for climate observations, including the preparation of an update
of the Satellite Supplement 1 to the 2010 updated GCOS implementation plan.
6043
6044
6045
6046
6047
6048
6049
41. The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to CEOS for its update on progress made by
space agencies providing global observations in their coordinated response to relevant
needs of the Convention.2 It noted the importance of continuing and sustaining satellite
observations on a long-term basis, and the role of CEOS in promoting full and open data
sharing, in order to support the work under the Convention. It invited CEOS to provide, by
SBSTA 41, an updated report on progress made by space agencies providing global
observations in their coordinated response to relevant needs of the Convention.
6050
6051
6052
6053
42. The SBSTA welcomed the regional initiatives of the GCOS secretariat3 in supporting
the development of and improvements to climate observation capacities. It invited the
GCOS secretariat to further expand such initiatives and encouraged Parties in a position to
do so to support these efforts.
6054
6055
6056
6057
43. The SBSTA took note of the report on progress in the development of methodologies,
standards and protocols for climate-related terrestrial observations and related matters,
which was provided by the GCOS secretariat on behalf of the Global Terrestrial Observing
System.4 The SBSTA highlighted the importance of such reports for its work.
6058
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6062
44. The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the GCOS sponsors 5 for the support provided
by them to the GCOS programme for the past 20 years, and encouraged them to continue to
provide such support. It welcomed the initiative of the GCOS sponsors to undertake a
review of GCOS, and invited the sponsors, through WMO, to inform the SBSTA on the
outcome of that review.
1
Full title of the Satellite Supplement: Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Data Products for
Climate. T his report provides supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the 2010 update of the GCOS implementation
plan. T he full report is available at <http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-154.pdf>.
2
FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.14.
3
Recent regional initiatives of the GCOS secretariat have focused on Africa and South America, as indicated by
the GCOS secretariat in its submission to the SBST A (FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.4). FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.15
4
FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.15.
5
The sponsors of the GCOS are the following WMO, the Intergovernmental Oceanograph ic Commission of the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International
Council for Science
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1
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45. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the information from WMO on the outcome of
the Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Congress, held in Geneva,
Switzerland, from 29 to 31 October 2012, with respect to the implementation of the Global
Framework for Climate Services.2 It invited WMO to provide, at SBSTA 39, information
on the outcome of the first session of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services, to
be held in July 2013. The SBSTA recommended draft conclusions 3 on this matter for
adoption by the COP at its eighteenth session.4
6070
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6072
6073
46. The SBSTA recalled the conclusions of the SBI at its twenty-fourth session 5 and
concluded that it would continue to focus its consideration on research during the first
sessional period of a year and on systematic observation during the second sessional period
of a year.
6074
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6078
47. The SBSTA welcomed the continuation of the research dialogue during SBSTA 36. It
expressed its appreciation to the representatives of regional and international research
programmes and organizations active in climate change research, and to the IPCC, for their
contributions to the dialogue.6 It also expressed its appreciation to Parties for sharing their
views on their research needs and priorities in the context of the dialogue. 7
6079
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6081
48. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 25 March 2013, their views
on possible items for consideration as part of the research dialogue during SBSTA 38 and
requested the secretariat to compile these submissions into a miscellaneous document.
6082
6083
49. The SBSTA noted the views submitted by Parties contained in document
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/MISC.2 and Add.1 and 2.
6084
6085
6086
6087
6088
50. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to organize a workshop, subject to the availability
of financial resources, to be held by SBSTA 39, to consider information on the technical
and scientific aspects of ecosystems with high-carbon reservoirs not covered by other
agenda items under the Convention, such as coastal marine ecosystems, in the context of
wider mitigation and adaptation efforts.
6089
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51. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 25 March 2013, their views
on the content of that workshop and requested the secretariat to compile these submissions
into a miscellaneous document.
1
FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.21.
2
See <http://www.wmo.int/pages/gfcs/index_en.php>.
3
Adopted as document FCCC/SBST A/2012/L.25/Add.1.
4
For the text as adopted, see FCCC/CP/2012/8, paragraph 55.
5
FCCC/SBI/2006/11, paragraph 109(a).
6
This information was provided in the submissions contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.3 and in the
presentations given during the research dialogue. For information on research programmes and organizations that contributed t o the
research dialogue, see <http://unfccc.int/6896.php>.
7
This information was provided in the submissions contained in document FCCC/SBST A/2012/MISC.2 and
Add.1 and 2 and in the presentations given during the research dialogue, see <http://unfccc.int/6896.php>.
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52. The SBSTA invited Parties and regional and international research programmes and
organizations active in climate change research to provide information on the technical and
scientific aspects of emissions by sources, removals by sinks, and reservoirs of all
greenhouse gases (GHGs), including emissions and removals from terrestrial ecosystems
such as steppe, savannah, tundra and peatlands, with a view to identifying and quantifying
the impact of human activities. This information would be considered as a theme for the
next research dialogue, also taking into account the submissions received in accordance
with paragraph 48 above.
6100
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53. The SBSTA took note of the estimated budgetary implications of the activities to be
undertaken by the secretariat pursuant to the provisions contained in paragraph 50 above.
6102
6103
54. The SBSTA requested that the actions of the secretariat called for in paragraph 50
above be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources.
6104
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6106
45.
The SBSTA invited Parties and regional and international research programmes and organizations
active in climate change research to provide information on the technical and
SBSTA 39 (FCCC/SBSTA/2013/5)
6107
6108
42.
The SBSTA noted with appreciation the statements delivered by the
representatives of the IPCC, WMO and GCOS.1
6109
6110
6111
6112
6113
6114
43.
The SBSTA also noted with appreciation the information provided by WMO
on the developments regarding the implementation of the Global Framework for
Climate Services (GFCS) and the outcome of the first session of the
Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS).2 The SBSTA invited WMO to
provide, at SBSTA 41, information on the outcome of the second session of the IBCS,
to be held in November 2014.
6115
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44.
The SBSTA also noted with appreciation the information provided by GCOS
on its recent and planned activities3 and the role of GCOS, its sponsors4 and partners
in strengthening observation networks and the provision of high -quality climate
information and data, including in the implementation of the GFCS.
6119
6120
6121
45.
The SBSTA emphasized the continued need to secure funding to meet the
essential needs for global climate observations under the Convention on a long -term
basis.5
6122
6123
46.
The SBSTA welcomed the contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth
Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCC. The SBSTA noted that the IPCC will have
1
T he statements are available on the UNFCCC website at <http://unfccc.int/7950.php>.
2
T he submission by WMO to SBST A 39 is available on the UNFCCC website at <http://unfccc.int/7482.php>.
3
T he submission by GCOS to SBST A 39 is available on the UNFCCC website at <http://unfccc.int/7482.php>.
4
The sponsors of GCOS are WMO, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Council for
Science.
5
See also document FCCC/SBST A/2010/13, paragraph 55.
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released the contributions of Working Groups II and III to the AR5 by SBSTA 40 and
the AR5 Synthesis Report by SBSTA 41. It further noted the continued key
importance of research and systematic observation to the work of the IPCC.
6127
6128
6129
6130
6131
6132
6133
6134
47.
The SBSTA emphasized the importance of systematic observation for the
UNFCCC process at large, including for advancing climate modelling at all scales and
for decision-making on adaptation. It noted that there are still gaps in critical
observational data, inter alia for the oceans, and in the networks in some parts of the
world, especially in developing countries. The SBSTA affirmed the importance of
historical data records, the need to enhance data rescue and digitization efforts and
climate monitoring. It therefore urged Parties and relevant organizations to enhance
capacity, collaboration and coordination in this area.
6135
6136
6137
6138
48.
The SBSTA also noted that a workshop on systematic observation, organized
in close collaboration with GCOS and its sponsors, could help to identify ways to
strengthen systematic observation and to enhance related capacity in developing
countries, in particular in support of adaptation planning.
A. SBSTA 41 (FCCC/SBSTA/2014/5)
6139
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6141
34. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the statements delivered by representatives of the
WMO, the GCOS secretariat, and of Japan on behalf of the CEOS and the CGMS. 1
6142
6143
35. The SBSTA welcomed the Synthesis Report of the AR5 of the IPCC and noted the
continued key importance of research and systematic observation to the work of the IPCC.
6144
6145
6146
6147
6148
6149
36. The SBSTA welcomed the report by the GCOS secretariat on its recent and planned
activities,2 including on the outcomes and recommendations of the GCOS programme
review by its sponsors, which confirmed the significance of the programme and that it
should continue. The SBSTA noted that the GCOS workshop on observations for climate
change mitigation3 contributed to a better understanding of the observational requirements
for mitigation.
6150
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6152
37. The SBSTA noted the progress made by GCOS towards the development of a status
report that will be presented at SBSTA 43 (November–December 2015), and on the new
implementation plan that will be presented at SBSTA 45 (November 2016).
6153
6154
6155
38. The SBSTA recalled the conclusions from SBSTA 37 4 and encouraged Parties to
actively engage in the review of the status report and to support the development of the new
implementation plan, including on aspects related to ocean observation and acidification.
6156
6157
39. The SBSTA recalled the conclusions from SBSTA 391 and welcomed the plans of the
GCOS secretariat to organize, in collaboration with the IPCC and the secretariat, a
1
T he statements are available at <http://unfccc.int/8744>.
2
T he submission by the GCOS secretariat to SBST A 41 is available at <http://unfccc.int/7482>.
3
The workshop was co-sponsored by the Land Cover Project Office of the Global Observation f or Forest Cover
and Land Dynamics Programme and was held from 5 to 7 May 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. T he report on the workshop is available
at <http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-185.pdf>.
4
FCCC/SBST A/2012/5, paragraph 39.
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workshop to identify ways to enhance systematic observation and related capacity,
especially in developing countries to support preparedness and adaptation in a changing
climate proposed to be held in February 2015 in Bonn, Germany. It invited the GCOS
secretariat to provide a report on the workshop by SBSTA 43.
6162
6163
6164
6165
6166
6167
40. The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to CEOS and CGMS for their updated report on
the progress made by space agencies providing global observations in their coordinated
response to relevant needs of the Convention.2 It noted the importance of continuing and
sustaining satellite observations on a long-term basis and welcomed the efforts to develop
an architecture for climate monitoring from space. It invited CEOS to report on progress at
SBSTA 43, and at subsequent sessions, as appropriate.
6168
6169
6170
6171
6172
6173
6174
6175
6176
41. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the information provided by WMO on the
developments regarding the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services
(GFCS) and the outcome of the second session of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate
Services.3 The SBSTA noted that GFCS has moved into an implementation phase and
encouraged Parties to make use of the opportunities that GFCS provides to help to address
climate variability and change at the national level, including to enhance climate
observations and monitoring, and to support the formulation and implementation of
national adaptation planning processes, as appropriate. The SBSTA invited WMO to report,
by SBSTA 43, on progress made on the implementation of GFCS.
6177
6178
6179
6180
42. The SBSTA recalled paragraphs 45 and 47 of the report on SBSTA 39 4 and
reemphasized the importance of systematic observation for the UNFCCC process at large
and the continued need to secure funding to meet the essential needs for national, regional
and global climate observations under the Convention on a long -term basis
6181
6182
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6184
6185
6186
6187
6188
6189
6190
6191
6192
6193
6194
6195
6196
6197
SBSTA 42 (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.4)
1. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) noted with
appreciation the statements delivered by the representatives of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), the World Meteorological Organization and UN-Oceans. It
noted the importance of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) for the UNFCCC process
and welcomed the outreach efforts made by the IPCC to disseminate its findings.
2. The SBSTA took note of the information submitted by Parties1 and by the regional and
international research programmes and organizations active in climate change research
(hereinafter referred to as the research programmes and organizations)2 for the seventh
meeting of the research dialogue,3 held on 4 June 2015. The information note on that
meeting prepared by the Chair of the SBSTA was welcomed by Parties.4
3. The SBSTA welcomed the research dialogue and expressed its appreciation to Parties for
sharing information and for their views on: addressing data and information gaps; and
1
FCCC/SBST A/2013/5, paragraph 48.
2
T he submission from CEOS to SBST A 41 is available at <http://unfccc.int/7482>.
3
T he submission from WMO to SBST A 41 is available at <http://unfccc.int/7482>.
4
FCCC/SBST A/2013/5.
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6199
6200
6201
6202
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6209
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6211
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Review Version 25 June 2016
lessons learned and good practices in relation to knowledge and research capacity -building,
in particular in developing countries. The SBSTA also expressed its appreciation to the
IPCC and to the research programmes and organizations for their contributions to the
research dialogue.
4. The SBSTA thanked the secretariat for the summary report,5 requested at SBSTA 40,6 on the
progress made in further enhancing the availability and visibility of scientific information
relevant to the Convention on the UNFCCC website. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to
continue its efforts to enhance the availability and visibility of such scientific information,
including in order to disseminate the findings of the AR5, and to report on progress made at a
future session of the SBSTA, as appropriate.
5. The SBSTA encouraged the scientific community to address information and research gaps
identified during the research dialogue, including scenarios that limit warming in 2100 to below
1.5 °C relative to pre-industrial levels, and the range of impacts at the regional and local levels
associated with these scenarios.
6. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit their views on possible topics for consideration at the
research dialogue to be held at SBSTA 44 (May 2016) and beyond, taking into account the
information note referred to in paragraph 2 above, via the submissions portal7 by 9 March 2016.
6218
6219
6220
7. The SBSTA also invited Parties to submit their views on themes for a possible research workshop in
conjunction with SBSTA 46 (May 2017)
6221
6222
SBSTA 43 (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/L.18)
6223
6224
6225
6226
6227
6228
6229
6230
1. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) noted with
appreciation the statements delivered by representatives of the Global Climate Observing System
(GCOS), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and Australia on behalf of the Committee on Earth
Observation Satellites (CEOS) and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites
(CGMS).1
6231
6232
6233
6234
6235
6236
2. It also noted with appreciation the report by GCOS entitled Status of the Global Observing
System for Climate (hereinafter referred to as GCOS SR 2015),2 which provides an assessment of
the adequacy of the global observing system and progress made in the implementation of the
GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the
UNFCCC (2010), the executive summary of GCOS SR 2015,3 and the draft outline of a new
GCOS Implementation Plan (hereinafter referred to as GCOS IP 2016). 4
6237
6238
6239
6240
6241
6242
6243
6244
3. The SBSTA noted the report of GCOS on the Enhancing observations to support preparedness
and adaptation in a changing climate – learning from the IPCC 5th Assessment Report workshop,
held on 10–12 February 2015 in Bonn, Germany, and welcomed the cooperation between GCOS,
the IPCC and the secretariat in organizing the workshop. 5
4. The SBSTA also noted the CEOS and the CGMS joint report on progress made by space
agencies providing global observations on their coordinated response to relevant needs of the
Convention.6
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6245
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6247
6248
5. The SBSTA noted the WMO report on relevant outcomes of the seventeenth World
Meteorological Congress, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 25 May to 12 June
2015,7 and progress made on the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services
(GFCS).8
6249
6250
6251
6. The SBSTA recognized the progress made in improving observing systems for climate, as
relevant to the Convention, and encouraged GCOS to consider the outcomes of the twenty-first
session of the Conference of the Parties when preparing the GCOS IP 2016.9
6252
6253
6254
7. The SBSTA invited GCOS to collaborate with relevant partners to continue enhancing access
to, and understanding and interpretation of, data products and information to support decisionmaking on adaptation and mitigation at national, regional and global scales.
6255
6256
6257
8. The SBSTA urged Parties to work towards addressing the priorities and gaps identified in th e
GCOS SR 2015, and invited Parties and relevant organizations to provide inputs to, and
contribute to the review of, the GCOS IP 2016.
6258
6259
9. The SBSTA welcomed the WMO supplement to the Technical guidelines for the National
Adaptation Plan process10 outlining how GFCS could provide support.
6260
6261
10. The SBSTA encouraged Parties and relevant organizations to enhance systematic
observations related to the understanding and prediction of extreme events.
6262
6263
6264
6265
6266
6267
6268
6269
6270
SBSTA 44 (FCCC/SBSTA/2016/L.17)
1. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) noted with
appreciation the statements delivered by the representatives of the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the
World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).
6271
6272
6273
6274
6275
6276
2. The SBSTA took note of the information submitted by Parties 1 for the eighth meeting of
the research dialogue,2 held on 19 May 2016, and on themes for a possible research
workshop in conjunction with SBSTA 46 (May 2017). It also noted the information note on
the eighth meeting of the research dialogue prepared by the SBSTA Chair 3 and the letter to
the SBSTA Chair from the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism
for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts. 4
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6278
6279
6280
6281
6282
6283
6284
6285
6286
6287
6288
3. The SBSTA welcomed the information that the IPCC, in response to an invitation from
the Conference of the Parties,5 will produce a special report in 2018 on the impacts of global
warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas (GHG)
emission pathways. It also welcomed the decision of the IPCC to produce two other special
reports – one on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land
management, food security and GHG fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems and the other on
climate change and oceans and the cryosphere – and a methodology report on greenhouse
gas inventories.
4. The SBSTA welcomed the eighth meeting of the research dialogue. It
expressed its appreciation to Parties, GCOS, the IPCC, WCRP, the World
Meteorological Organization and all participating research programmes and
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organizations for their contributions. It noted the usefulness of a poster session
and invited the SBSTA Chair to continue to use this modality. It requested the
SBSTA Chair to produce a summary report on the meeting, to be made available
before SBSTA 45 (November 2016).
6293
6294
6295
6296
6297
5. The SBSTA noted the importance of addressing regional climate research and
data needs. It encouraged relevant research programmes and organizations to
present their efforts, including activities they are undertaking such as regional
workshops, to identify relevant climate research and data information and gaps at
the research dialogue meeting to be held at SBSTA 46 (May 2017).
6298
6299
6300
6301
6302
6303
6. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit by 10 April 2017 their views on possible
topics for consideration at the research dialogue to be held at SBSTA 46 and
beyond, taking into account the themes and presentations already addressed at
previous research dialogue meetings and the themes suggested for future
meetings, as identified in annex I to the information note referred to in paragraph
2 above, as well as the encouragement referred to in paragraph 5 above.6
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6306
6307
7. The SBSTA took note of the estimated budgetary implications of the activities
to be undertaken by the secretariat referred to in paragraph 5 above. It requested
that the actions of the secretariat called for in these conclusions be undertaken
subject to the availability of financial resources.
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6309
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APPENDIX 2
6311
Decisions of the COP
Review Version 25 June 2016
Decisions of the COP - Systematic Climate Observations
6312
B.
6313
6314
C.
8/CP.3
Development of observational
networks of the climate system
6315
The Conference of the Parties,
6316
Recalling Article 4.1(g) and Article 5 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
6317
6318
Noting the importance of the observations, analysis and research relevant to the various components of the climate
system,
6319
6320
6321
6322
61.
1.
Expresses appreciation of the work carried out by the relevant
intergovernmental organizations, particularly the development of such o bservational
programmes as the Global Climate Observing System, the Global Ocean Observing System
and the Global Terrestrial Observing System;
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6324
62.
Recognizes the concerns raised by the relevant intergovernmental organizations with
regard to the long-term sustainability of these observational systems;
6325
6326
6327
6328
6329
63.
Urges Parties to provide the necessary resources to reverse the decline in the
existing observational networks and to support the regional and global observational
systems being developed under the Global Climate Observing System, the Global Ocean
Observing System and the Global Terrestrial Observing System, through appropriate
funding mechanisms;
6330
6331
6332
6333
64.
Requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, with the
assistance of the secretariat and in consultation with the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, to consider the adequacy of these observational systems and to report on
its conclusions to the Conference of the Parties at its fourth session.
6334
14/CP.4
6335
Research and systematic observation
6336
The Conference of the Parties,
6337
6338
Recalling Article 4.1(g)-(h) and Article 5 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and its
decision 8/CP.3,
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6341
Noting with appreciation the comprehensive report on the adequacy of the global observing systems for climate,1
prepared and coordinated by the Global Climate Observing System secretariat in the World Meteorological
Organization on behalf of organizations participating in the Climate Agenda,
6342
Noting the conclusions of the report that, inter alia, in many instances global and regional coverage is inadequate,
6343
Noting the recommendations contained in the report to improve the global observing systems for climate,
6344
6345
Noting the ongoing work of the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda and others in support o f global observing
systems for climate, including their contributions to capacity- building,
6346
Recognizing the significant national contributions made to the global observing systems for climate,
6347
6348
6349
6350
65.
1.
Urges Parties to undertake programmes of systematic observation, including
the preparation of specific national plans, in response to requests from agencies
participating in the Climate Agenda, based on the information developed by the Global
Climate Observing System and its partner programmes;
6351
6352
6353
66.
2.
Urges Parties to undertake free and unrestricted exchange of data to meet the
needs of the Convention, recognizing the various policies on data exchange of relevant
international and intergovernmental organizations;
6354
6355
6356
67.
3.
Urges Parties to actively support capacity-building in developing countries to
enable them to collect, exchange and utilize data to meet local, regional and international
needs;
6357
6358
68.
4.
Urges Parties to strengthen international and intergovernmental programmes
assisting countries to acquire and use climate information;
6359
6360
6361
6362
6363
69.
5.
Urges Parties to actively support national meteorological and atmospheric
observing systems, including measurement of greenhouse gases, in order to ensure that the
stations identified as elements of the Global Climate Observing System networks, b ased on
the World Weather Watch and Global Atmosphere Watch and underpinning the needs of
the Convention, are fully operational and use best practices;
6364
6365
6366
6367
6368
6369
70.
6.
Urges Parties to actively support national oceanographic observing systems, in
order to ensure that the elements of the Global Climate Observing System and Global
Ocean Observing System networks in support of ocean climate observations are
implemented, to support, to the extent possible, an increase in the number of ocean
observations, particularly in remote locations, and to establish and maintain reference
stations;
6370
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6372
6373
71.
7.
Urges Parties to actively support national terrestrial networks including
observational programmes to collect, exchange and preserve terrestrial data according to
the Global Climate Observing System and the Global Terrestrial Observing System climate
priorities, particularly hydrosphere, cryosphere and ecosystem observations;
6374
6375
6376
72.
8.
Requests Parties to submit information on national plans and programmes in
relation to their participation in global observing systems for climate, in the context of
reporting on research and systematic observation, as an element of national
1
Contained in document FCCC/CP/1998/MISC.2 and summarized in document FCCC/CP/1998/7.
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communications from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) and,
as appropriate, from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I
Parties);
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73.
9.
Requests the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, in
consultation with the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda, drawing inter alia on
the information provided in the second national communications from Annex I Parties and,
as appropriate, in the initial national communications from non-Annex I Parties, to inform
the Conference of the Parties at its fifth session of developments regarding observational
networks, difficulties encountered, inter alia, with respect to the needs of developing
countries and options for financial support to reverse the decline in observational networks;
6387
6388
6389
6390
6391
6392
6393
74.
10. Invites the agencies participating in the Climate Agenda, through the Global
Climate Observing System secretariat, to initiate an intergovernmental process for
addressing the priorities for action to improve global observing systems for climate in
relation to the needs of the Convention and, in consultation with the Convention secretariat
and other relevant organizations, for identifying immediate, medium-term and long-term
options for financial support; and requests the secretariat to report results to the Subsidiary
Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its tenth session.
6394
4/CP.5
6395
6397
Guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included
in Annex I to the Convention, Part II: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on
national communications
6398
The Conference of the Parties,
6399
6400
Recalling the relevant provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in particular
Articles 4, 6, 7.2, 9.2(b), 10.2, and 12 thereof,
6401
6402
Recalling its decisions 9/CP.2 and 11/CP.4 on national communications from Parties included in Annex I to the
Convention,
6403
6404
Having considered the relevant recommendations of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and
of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation,
6405
6406
6407
Noting that the revised guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex I to the
Convention annexed to decision 9/CP.2 need to be updated to improve the transparency, consistency, comparability,
completeness and accuracy of the information reported,
6408
6409
6410
75.
1.
Adopts the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by
Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, Part II: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on
national communications;1
6411
6412
6413
76.
2.
Decides that Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties)
should use Part II of the UNFCCC reporting guidelines for the preparation of their t hird
national communications due by 30 November 2001, in accordance with decision 11/CP.4;
6414
6415
77.
3.
Requests Annex I Parties to provide a detailed report on their activities in
relation to systematic observation, in accordance with the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on
6396
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6416
6417
global climate observing systems adopted by decision 5/CP.5, in conjunction with their
national communications;
6418
6419
6420
78.
4.
Urges those Annex I Parties that have not submitted their first or second
national communications, including those that were included in Annex I by decision
4/CP.3, to do so as soon as possible; 1
6421
6422
6423
79.
5.
Urges Parties included in Annex II to the Convention to assist Annex I Parties
with economies in transition, through appropriate bilateral or multilateral channels, with
technical aspects of the preparation of national communications.
6424
5/CP.5
6425
Research and systematic observation
6426
The Conference of the Parties,
6427
Recalling Articles 4.1(g), 4.1(h) and 5 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
6428
Recalling also its decisions 8/CP.3, 2/CP.4, and 14/CP.4,
6429
6430
80.
1.
Recognizes the need to identify the priority capacity-building needs related to
participation in systematic observation;
6431
6432
6433
81.
2.
Invites the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System, in consultation
with relevant regional and international bodies, including the Global Environment Facility,
to organize regional workshops on this issue;
6434
82.
6435
6436
6437
6438
83.
4.
Invites the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System to continue to
assist and facilitate the establishment of an appropriate intergovernmental process to
identify the priorities for action to improve global observing systems for climate and
options for their financial support;
6439
6440
6441
84.
5.
Requests the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System to report on
this matter to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its twelfth
session;
6442
6443
6444
6445
6446
85.
6.
Urges Parties to address deficiencies in the climate observing networks and
invites them, in consultation with the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System,
to bring forward specific proposals for that purpose and to identify the capacity -building
needs and funding required in developing countries to enable them to collect, exchange and
utilize data on a continuing basis in pursuance of the Convention;
6447
6448
86.
7.
systems;2
3.
Urges Parties to actively support and participate in these regional workshops;
Adopts the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate observing
1
See FCCC/CP/1999/7.
2
See FCCC/CP/1999/7.
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6449
6450
6451
6452
87.
8.
Invites all Parties to provide detailed reports on systematic observation in
accordance with these guidelines, for Parties included in Annex I to the Convention in
conjunction with their national communications, pursuant to decision 4/CP.5, and on a
voluntary basis for Parties not included in Annex I;
6453
6454
6455
6456
88.
9.
Invites the Convention secretariat, in conjunction with the secretariat of the
Global Climate Observing System, to develop a process for synthesizing and analysing the
information submitted in accordance with the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global
climate observing systems.
6457
11/CP.9
6458
Global observing systems for climate
6459
The Conference of the Parties,
6460
Recalling Article 4.1(g)–(h) and Article 5 of the Convention,
6461
Further recalling its decisions 14/CP.4 and 5/CP.5,
6462
6463
Having considered conclusions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its fifteenth,
sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth sessions,
6464
6465
Having considered and noted with appreciation The Second Report on the Adequacy of the Global Observing Systems
for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC,
6466
Recognizing the importance of collaboration among the sponsoring agencies of the Global Climate Observing System,
6467
6468
6469
Recognizing further the need for a clear definition of the long-term needs of the Convention and of the short-term
priorities concerning the support of systematic observation and networks, in particular taking into account the needs of
developing countries,
6470
6471
Recognizing also the value of indigenous knowledge in supplementing regional and national climate monitoring
systems,
6472
6473
Welcoming the efforts of the ad hoc Group on Earth Observations to develop a 10-year implementation plan for a
comprehensive, coordinated and sustained Earth observing system or systems,
6474
6475
6476
Welcoming further the establishment of the Global Climate Observing System Cooperation Mechanism by Members of
the sponsoring agencies of the Global Climate Observing System, under the guidance of the Global Climate Observing
System steering committee, as well as the flexible approach that has been adopted to participation in the mechanism,
6477
6478
Noting that the Global Climate Observing System Cooperation Mechanism will address priority needs for
improvements in global observing systems for climate in developing countries,
6479
6480
6481
6482
6483
89.
Requests Parties to review The Second Report on the Adequacy of the Global
Observing Systems for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (second adequacy report) within
the context of their national capabilities and to consider what actions they can take
individually, bilaterally, multilaterally and through coordinated international programmes
to address the findings, noting, in particular:
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(a)
Review Version 25 June 2016
The importance of maintaining the operation of baseline stations in the long
6484
6485
term;
6486
6487
6488
(b)
That homogeneous long-term climate records represent a national heritage
and are necessary, inter alia, to improve the basis for climate assessment and adaptation
measures;
6489
6490
(c)
The wealth of information that can be provided through the digitization,
analysis and exchange of historical information;
6491
6492
6493
(d)
The importance of adhering to applicable adopted principles of free and
unrestricted exchange of data and products, especially with respect to the set of Essential
Climate Variables as defined in the second adequacy report;
(e)
6494
90.
2.
Requests the Global Climate Observing System secretariat, under the guidance
of the Global Climate Observing System steering committee, taking into account
international and intergovernmental mechanisms, to coordinate the development of a
phased 5- to 10-year implementation plan for the integrated global observing systems for
climate, using a mix of high-quality satellite and in situ measurements, dedicated
infrastructure and targeted capacity-building, such a plan:
6495
6496
6497
6498
6499
6500
6501
The value of reporting on such actions in national communications;
(a)
To draw on the second adequacy report and the views of Parties;
6502
6503
6504
6505
6506
6507
6508
(b)
To take into consideration existing global, regional and national plans, programmes and
initiatives, such as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme and the Integrated
Global Observing Strategy partnership;
(c)
To be based on extensive consultations with a broad and representative range of scientists
and data users;
(d)
To include indicators for measuring its implementation;
(e)
To identify implementation priorities, resource requirements and funding options;
6509
6510
6511
91.
3.
Invites the Global Climate Observing System secretariat and the ad hoc Group
on Earth Observations to collaborate closely in developing their respective implementation
plans;
6512
6513
6514
92.
4.
Invites the ad hoc Group on Earth Observations to treat global climate
monitoring as a priority and to adopt a balanced approach to the application of in situ and
remote-sensing systems for climate monitoring;
6515
6516
6517
93.
5.
Invites the Global Climate Observing System secretariat to provide a progress
report on the development of the implementation plan to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific
and Technological Advice at its twentieth session;
6518
6519
6520
6521
94.
6.
Requests the Global Climate Observing System secretariat to conduct an open
review of the implementation plan before its completion and to submit the final
implementation plan to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its
twenty-first session;
6522
95.
6523
6524
96.
8.
Invites the sponsoring agencies of the Global Climate Observing System, and
in particular those of the Global Terrestrial Observing System, in consultation with other
7.
Invites Parties to participate actively in the above-mentioned review process;
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6525
6526
6527
6528
6529
6530
6531
international or intergovernmental agencies, as appropriate, to develop a framework for the
preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate, and associated data and products, taking into consideration
possible
models,
such
as
those
of
the
World
Meteorological
Organization/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Joint Commission for
Oceanographic and Marine Meteorology, and to submit a progress report on this issue to
the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh session;
6532
6533
6534
6535
6536
97.
9.
Invites the relevant national entities, in cooperation with the sponsoring
agencies of the Global Climate Observing System and other international and
intergovernmental agencies, to make available on a sustained basis a range of integrated
climate products relevant to the needs of the Convention, as identified in the second
adequacy report;
6537
6538
6539
6540
98.
10. Invites the Global Climate Observing System secretariat, in conjunction with
the Global Ocean Observing System secretariat, to provide information to the Subsidiary
Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, at its twenty-second session, on progress
made towards implementing the initial ocean climate observing system;
6541
6542
99.
11. Requests the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, when next reviewing the
guidelines for the preparation of national communications:
6543
6544
6545
100. (a) To incorporate into the guidelines the supplementary reporting format
developed by a group of Parties and made available to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific
and Technological Advice at its thirteenth session;
6546
6547
6548
6549
6550
6551
101. (b) To replace the “GCOS/GOOS/GTOS Climate Monitoring Principles”
contained in appendix II to chapter III of document FCCC/CP/1999/7 (page 108) with the
modified set agreed by the World Meteorological Organization at its Fourteenth Congress
and approved by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites at its seventeenth plenary,
to better reflect the needs and capabilities of the in situ and satellite monitoring
communities;
6552
6553
6554
6555
102. 12. Encourages all Parties to provide reports on systematic observation in
accordance with the agreed reporting guidelines, in recognition of the importance of
accurate, credible and comprehensive information on global observing systems for climate
as a basis for planning and implementing priority improvements;
6556
6557
6558
6559
6560
6561
6562
103. 13. Urges Parties in a position to do so, in particular Parties included in Annex I to
the Convention, to support, including by contributing to relevant funding mechanisms such
as the Global Climate Observing System Cooperation Mechanism, the prio rity needs,
identified in the second adequacy report and regional action plans, in developing countries,
especially the least developed countries and small island developing States, noting that
filling the gaps in baseline atmospheric networks is an urgent need that should be met
during the next two years;
6563
6564
6565
104. 14. Requests the Global Climate Observing System secretariat to include
information on the operation of the Global Climate Observing System Cooperation
Mechanism in its regular reports to the Conference of the Parties.
6566
5/CP.10
6567
Implementation of the global observing system for climate
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6568
The Conference of the Parties,
6569
6570
Having considered the recommendations of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its twenty first-session,
6571
6572
6573
105. Expresses its appreciation to the Global Climate Observing System for preparing
the Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the
UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the implementation plan);
6574
6575
6576
106. Welcomes the emphasis given in the implementation plan to enhancing the
participation of developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small
island developing States, in the global observing systems for climate;
6577
6578
6579
107. Encourages Parties to strengthen their efforts to address the priorities identified in
the implementation plan, and to implement the priority elements in the regional action plans
relating to the global observing systems for climate;
6580
6581
6582
6583
108. Encourages Parties to enhance their work and collaboration on observation of the
essential climate variables and on development of climate products to support the needs of
the Convention, including through participation in the Global Climate Observing System
cooperation mechanism;
6584
6585
6586
109. Invites Parties that support space agencies involved in global observations to request
these agencies to provide a coordinated response to the needs expressed in the
implementation plan;
6587
6588
6589
6590
110. Requests the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System to provide
information to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its twentythird session (November–December 2005) and, as required, at subsequent sessions, on how
the actions identified in the implementation plan are being implemented.
6591
11/CP.131
6592
Reporting on global observing systems for climate
6593
The Conference of the Parties,
6594
Recalling decisions 4/CP.5, 5/CP.5, 11/CP.9 and 5/CP.10,
6595
6596
6597
Noting the need to revise the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing systems”2 in order to
reflect the priorities of the Global Climate Obs erving System implementation plan and incorporate the reporting on
essential climate variables,
6598
Recognizing the proposals made by the secretariat of the Global Climate Observing System,
1
The text of decision 11/CP.13 is reproduced here together with its annex for ease of reference. T he text of the
decision can also be found in document FCCC/CP/2007/6 /Add.1.
2
See decision 5/CP.5 and document FCCC/CP/1999/7, chapter III.
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6599
6600
Having considered the recommendations of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on this matter
at its twenty-third, twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh sessions,1
6601
6602
111. Adopts the revised UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change
observing systems as contained in the annex to this decision;
6603
6604
6605
112. Decides that these revised guidelines should take effect immediately for the
preparation of detailed technical reports on systematic observations in accordance with the
provisions of decisions 4/CP.5 and 5/CP.5;
6606
6607
113. Requests Parties included in Annex I to the Convention to continue providing such
reports in conjunction with their national communications;
6608
6609
114. Invites Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention to provide such reports on
a voluntary basis.
6610
9/CP.15
6611
Systematic climate observations
6612
The Conference of the Parties,
6613
Recalling Article 4, paragraph 1(g–h), and Article 5 of the Convention,
6614
Further recalling decisions 8/CP.3, 14/CP.4, 5/CP.5, 11/CP.9, 5/CP.10 and 11/CP.13,
6615
6616
Having considered the conclusions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its thirtieth
session,
6617
6618
Noting the important role of the Global Climate Observing System in meeting the need for climate observation under
the Convention,
6619
115.
6620
6621
6622
6623
(a)
To the secretariat and sponsoring agencies of the Global Climate Observing
System for preparing the report on progress with the Implementation Plan for the Global
Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the
Global Climate Observing System implementation plan);
6624
6625
6626
(b)
To the secretariat and sponsoring agencies of the Global Terrestrial
Observing System for developing a framework for the preparation of guidance materials,
standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate;
6627
6628
6629
(c)
To the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites for its coordinated
response, on behalf of Parties that support space agencies involved in global observations,
to the needs expressed in the Global Climate Observing System implementation plan;
1
Expresses its appreciation:
FCCC/SBST A/2005/10, paragraph 97; FCCC/SBST A/2006/11, paragraph 95; and FCCC/SBST A/2007/16,
paragraph 35.
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6630
6631
116. Recognizes the significant progress made during 2004–2008 in improving the
observing systems for climate relevant to the Convention;
6632
6633
6634
6635
117. Notes that, despite the progress made, only limited advances have been made in
achieving long-term continuity for several in situ observing systems and that there are still
large areas, in Africa for example, for which in situ observations and measurements are not
available;
6636
6637
118. Also notes that not all climate information needs under the Convention are being
met;
6638
6639
6640
6641
6642
6643
119. Urges Parties to work towards addressing the priorities and gaps identified in the
report on progress with the Global Climate Observing System implementation plan, in
particular the implementation of the regional action plans that were developed during
2001–2006, and ensuring sustained long-term operation of essential in situ networks,
especially for the oceanic and terrestrial domains, including through provision of the
necessary resources;
6644
6645
120. Invites relevant United Nations agencies and international organizations to do the
same;
6646
6647
6648
121. Encourages Parties in a position to do so to support activities aimed at sustaining
climate observations over the long term in developing countries, especially the least
developed countries and small island developing States;
6649
6650
6651
6652
6653
122. Invites the Global Climate Observing System secretariat, under the guidance of the
Global Climate Observing System Steering Committee, to update, by the thirty -third
session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, the Global Climate
Observing System implementation plan, taking into account emerging needs in climate
observation, in particular those relating to adaptation activities;
6654
6655
6656
6657
6658
123. Encourages the secretariat and the sponsoring agencies of the Global Terrestrial
Observing System to implement the framework for the preparation of guidance materials,
standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate, as a joint
terrestrial framework mechanism between relevant agencies of the United Nations and the
International Organization for Standardization;
6659
6660
6661
124. Encourages the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites to continue coordinating
and supporting the implementation of the satellite component of the Global Climate
Observing System;
6662
6663
6664
6665
6666
6667
125. Urges Parties that support space agencies involved in global observations to enable
these agencies to continue to implement, in a coordinated manner through the Committee
on Earth Observation Satellites, the actions identified in the updated report of the
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites,1 in order to meet the relevant needs of the
Convention, in particular by ensuring long-term continuity of observations and data
availability.
6668
11/CP.17
1
FCCC/SBST A/2008/MISC.11.
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6670
Report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties and
additional guidance to the Global Environment Facility
6671
The Conference of the Parties,
6672
Recalling decisions 12/CP.2, 3/CP.16, 5/CP.16 and 7/CP.16,
6673
Also recalling decision 5/CP.7, paragraph 7(a)(iv),
6669
6674
6675
6676
6677
126. Taking note with appreciation of the annual report of the Global Environment
Facility to the Conference of the Parties, which provides detailed and useful information on
the wide variety of steps that the Global Environment Facility has taken to implement the
guidance of the Conference of the Parties,1
6678
6679
6680
6681
127. Recognizing the progress made by the Global Environment Facility in areas such as
piloting an approach to broaden the range of agencies and entities that are able to access
resources directly from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund and improving the
effectiveness and efficiency of the allocation of funding,
6682
6683
6684
128. Reiterating decision 7/CP.16, paragraph 5, urging the Global Environment Facility,
as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention, to increase access to
funding for activities related to Article 6 of the Convention,
6685
6686
129. Encouraging the Global Environment Facility to continue pursuing reforms to
facilitate the successful implementation of its fifth replenishment cycle,
6687
6688
6689
130. Taking note of the information provided by the secretariat of the Global
Environment Facility on financial support provided for the preparation of national
communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention, 2
6690
6691
131. Also taking note of the need to compile and consolidate past guidance provided to
the Global Environment Facility by the Conference of the Parties,
6692
6693
6694
6695
132. Further taking note that the Global Environment Facility, in its annual report to the
Conference of the Parties, affirms that its mandate under the Least Developed Countries
Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund covers activities with regard to research and
systematic observation,
6696
6697
133. Requests the Global Environment Facility, as an operating entity of the financial
mechanism of the Convention:
6698
6699
6700
6701
6702
6703
(a)
To continue to work with its implementing agencies to further simplify its
procedures and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process through which
Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I Parties) receive funding to
meet their obligations under Article 12, paragraph 1, of the Convention, with the aim of
ensuring the timely disbursement of funds to meet the agreed full costs incurred by
developing country Parties in complying with these obligations and to avoid gaps between
1
FCCC/CP/2011/7 and Add.1 and 2 and Corr.1.
2
FCCC/SBI/2010/INF.10 and FCCC/CP/2010/5 and Add.1.
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6704
6705
the enabling activities of current and subsequent national communications, recognizing that
the process of preparation of national communications is a continuous cycle;
6706
6707
6708
6709
6710
6711
6712
6713
(f)
To continue to enhance the transparency of the project review process throughout the
project cycle;
(g)
To clarify the concept of additional costs as applied to different types of adaptation projects
under the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund which seek to respond
to climate change risks;
(h)
To continue to provide financial resources to developing countries for strengthening
existing and, where needed, establishing national and regional systematic observation and monitoring
networks under the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund;
6714
6715
6716
6717
6718
134. Invites the Global Environment Facility, in the context of technology needs
assessments,1 to continue to provide financial support to other2 non-Annex I Parties as
appropriate to conduct or update their technology needs assessments, noting the availability
of the updated Handbook for Conducting Technology Needs Assessments for Climate
Change;3
6719
6720
6721
135. Requests the Global Environment Facility, in its regular report to the Conference of
the Parties, to include information on the steps it has taken to implement the guidance
provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 above;
6722
6723
6724
6725
136. Requests the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its thirty-sixth session to
consider the information submitted by the Global Environment Facility to the Conference
of the Parties at its seventeenth session on the implementation of decision 7/CP.7,
paragraph 2(a–d);
6726
6727
6728
6729
137. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, and no later than 10 weeks prior
to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and
recommendations in writing on the elements to be taken into account in developing
guidance to the Global Environment Facility.
6730
1
FCCC/SBI/2011/7, paragraph 135.
2
Noting that progress has been made in providing technical and financial support to assist 36 non -Annex I Parties
in developing and updating their technology needs assessments and that many non-Annex I Parties expressed their interest to conduct
or update their technology needs assessment.
3
<http://unfccc.int/ttclear/pdf/TNA%20HANDBOOK%20EN%2020101115.pdf>.
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6731
Conclusions adopted by COP
6732
COP 15 (FCCC/CP/2009/11)
82.
The COP noted with appreciation the outcome of World Climate
Conference-3, 172 organized by the World Meteorological Organization and its
partner organizations and held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31 August to 4
September 2009, in particular the decision to establish a Global Framework for
Climate Services to strengthen the production, availability, delivery and application
of science-based climate prediction and services.
6733
6734
6735
6736
6737
6738
6739
COP 18 (FCCC/CP/2012/8)
6740
6741
6742
50.
6743
6744
6745
6746
6747
6748
6749
55.
The COP, acting upon a recommendation by the SBSTA, 174 adopted,
conclusions on research and systematic observation, as follows, “The Conference of
the Parties noted with appreciation the outcome of the Extraordinary Session of the
World Meteorological Congress, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 29 to 31
October 2012, regarding the further implementation of the Global Framework for
Climate Services,175 which aims to strengthen the production, availability, delivery
and application of science-based climate prediction and services”.
The Chair of the SBSTA also reported that the SBSTA had recommen ded at
its thirty-seventh session draft conclusions 173 on research and systematic
observation for adoption by the COP.
6750
6751
172
<http://www.wmo.int/pages/gfcs/index_en.html>.
173
FCCC/SBST A/2012/L.25/Add.1 and see paragraph 55 below.
174
FCCC/SBST A/2012/L.25/Add.1.
175
See <http://www.wmo.int/pages/gfcs/index_en.php>.
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6752
APPENDIX 3
Review Version 25 June 2016
Resolutions of the WMO Congress and Executive Council
6753
6754
Resolution 15 (EC-64)
6755
6756
GLOBAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
6757
6758
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,
6759
6760
Noting:
6761
(1)
Resolution 13 (EC-LXII) – Global Climate Observing System,
6762
(2)
Resolution 29 (Cg-XVI) – Global Climate Observing System,
6763
6764
(3)
Resolution 48 (Cg-XVI) – Implementation of the Global Framework for Climate
Services,
6765
6766
(4)
The Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of
the UNFCCC (2010 Update) (GCOS-138, WMO/TD-No. 1523),
6767
6768
6769
6770
(5)
The Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate –
2011 Update – Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the
“Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the
UNFCCC (2010 Update” (GCOS-154),
6771
6772
6773
6774
(6)
The conclusion on research and systematic observation (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/L.27) of
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary
Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), taken at its thirty-fifth session,
held in Durban, South Africa, from 28 November to 3 December 2011,
6775
6776
Recognizing:
6777
6778
6779
(1)
The major contribution provided by the Implementation Plan and its supplemental
details to the satellite-based component as an action framework for implementing an
integrated global observing system for climate,
6780
6781
(2)
The need for the direct involvement of WMO Members, technical commissions and
Programmes in implementing many of the actions in the Plan,
6782
6783
6784
6785
(3)
The importance of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change as a mechanism whereby Members can address
deficiencies in the observing systems required to meet their commitments to the
Convention,
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Review Version 25 June 2016
6786
6787
6788
6789
6790
(4)
The development of the Global Framework for Climate Services and its need for an
observation and monitoring pillar that builds on the achievements of the Global Cl imate
Observing System (GCOS), both in relation to improved climate observing practices
and systems at the national, regional and global levels, and in sustaining productive
partnerships between WMO and the GCOS co-sponsoring agencies,
6791
6792
(5)
The reconstitution of the World Climate Programme to now include the Global Climate
Observing System,
6793
6794
(6)
The important contribution of GCOS to the development of an architecture for climate
monitoring from space,
6795
6796
6797
(7)
The essential partnership with the World Climate Research Programme and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the close relationship with the
WMO Global Atmosphere Watch Programme,
6798
6799
(8)
The implementation of the WMO Information System as a major infrastructure of WMO
for providing information,
6800
6801
Urges Members:
6802
6803
6804
(1)
To fully support and participate in the implementation of the relevant actions in the
Implementation Plan, including coordination at the national level to ensure balanced
development of national observing systems for climate;
6805
6806
6807
6808
(2)
To assist other Members in improving their systems contributing to global coverage of
the GCOS Surface Network (GSN) and GCOS Upper-air Network, GCOS Reference
Upper-air Network and, as appropriate, systems contributing to the GCOS oceanic and
terrestrial domain, and in implementing priority projects in their Regional Action Plans;
6809
6810
6811
6812
(3)
To enhance their work and collaboration on observation of the Essential Climate
Variables and on development of climate products as an important contribution to the
WMO observing programmes and the needs of users of climate information, and as
appropriate on the future Global Framework for Climate Services;
6813
6814
6815
(4)
To assist in improving basic systems for the observation of all three domains,
atmosphere, ocean and land, in developing countries through participation in the
GCOS Cooperation Mechanism;
6816
6817
6818
6819
6820
6821
6822
6823
6824
6825
(5)
To take the steps needed to provide historical data and metadata from their respective
GSN stations to the GSN archive at the National Climatic Data Center, as a Data
Collection or Production Centre within the WMO Information System, in accordance
with Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) – WMO policy and practice for the exchange of
meteorological and related data and products including guidelines on relationships in
commercial meteorological activities, Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII) – Exchange of
hydrological data and products, and the GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles, in order
to improve the dataset needed for global analysis by Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and the international climate science
community;
6826
6827
(6)
To work with the WMO Space Programme, the Committee on Earth Observation
Satellites, and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites to further
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Review Version 25 June 2016
coordinate the response to the needs expressed in the GCOS Implementation Plan
(for Members and space agencies participating in the space-based component of the
Global Observing System);
6828
6829
6830
6831
6832
6833
(7)
To support the efforts of the GCOS Secretariat to facilitate, monitor and report on the
actions of Parties and international organizations in response to the Implementation
Plan;
6834
6835
6836
(8)
To enhance their support to the GCOS Secretariat to the extent possible, through the
secondment of experts or through contributions to the Climate Observing System
Fund;
6837
6838
6839
(9)
To further improve the Regional Basic Synoptic Networks and Regional Basic
Climatological Networks and included upper-air stations, in particular in developing
and least developed countries;
6840
Requests the GCOS Secretariat:
6841
6842
6843
(1)
To collaborate appropriately with the Group on Earth Observations for the GCOS
Implementation Plan;
6844
6845
(2)
To provide assistance to Members in mobilizing resources needed to implement
relevant action plans;
6846
6847
6848
(3)
To provide information to the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and
Technological Advice as required, at subsequent sessions, on how the actions
identified in the Implementation Plan are being implemented;
6849
6850
6851
6852
6853
(4)
To continue close interaction with the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change as a high-priority activity to maintain the
strong support of the Convention for implementation and maintenance of the global
observing system for climate and to ensure that the needs of the Parties for systematic
observation are met;
6854
6855
(5)
To contribute, if required, to the considerations of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for
Implementation with regard to the funding needs for global climate observations;
6856
6857
6858
6859
6860
6861
(6)
To make every effort, in close cooperation with the other co-sponsoring organizations,
the United Nations Environment Programme, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
and the International Council for Science, to identify the resources needed to maintain
basic operations of the GCOS Secretariat and to monitor and to report on the actions
in the Implementation Plan;
6862
6863
6864
6865
6866
Requests the presidents of technical commissions and regional associations to ensure that the
relevant actions identified in the Implementation Plan are incorporated, as appropriate, in the
workplans of the commissions and in the operational plans of the associations, especially in the
implementation of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System;
6867
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Review Version 25 June 2016
6868
Requests the Secretary-General:
6869
6870
6871
(1)
To incorporate the relevant actions within the Implementation Plan into the WMO
Programmes and coordinate with the presidents of technical commissions on their
workplans;
6872
6873
6874
(2)
To assess how further partnership between GCOS and the Group on Earth
Observations that benefits Members of WMO and the Group on Earth Observations
could be enhanced and to support this partnership as required;
6875
6876
6877
6878
Urges other organizations sponsoring GCOS to provide financial support for the proper functioning
of the GCOS Secretariat and to incorporate the relevant actions with the Implementation Plan into
their programmes.
6879
_______
6880
Note: This resolution replaces Resolution 13 (EC-LXII), which is no longer in force.
6881
6882
6883
6884
6885
Resolution 6 (EC-65)
6886
6887
RESTRUCTURING OF THE WORLD CLIMATE PROGRAMME: INCLUSION OF THE
6888
PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH ON CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY,
6889
IMPACTS AND ADAPTATION AS AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT
6890
6891
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,
6892
6893
Noting:
6894
6895
6896
6897
6898
6899
(1)
That the Sixteenth World Meteorological Congress, through Resolution 18 (Cg-XVI) –
World Climate Programme, decided to structure the World Climate Programme (WCP)
in close alignment with the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and
thereby to include in it the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the World
Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and a new World Climate Services
Programme (WCSP),
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6900
6901
6902
6903
(2)
Review Version 25 June 2016
Resolution 2 (EC-LXIII) – Coordination of climate activities, concerning the need for
coordination of WMO activities in climate matters and the membership of the Executive
Council Working Group on Climate and Related Weather, Water and Environmental
Matters (ECWG-CWE),
6904
6905
Noting further:
6906
6907
6908
6909
6910
6911
(1)
That the Sixteenth Congress agreed to the request of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) to formally close the World Climate Impacts and Response
Strategies Programme (WCIRP), which was part of the erstwhile structure of WCP,
and recommended to UNEP that relevant WCIRP activities be taken up within the
UNEP Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and
Adaptation (PROVIA),
6912
6913
(2)
That the Sixteenth Congress requested the Executive Council to assess and take a
decision on the UNEP request to include PROVIA as a component of the WCP,
6914
6915
6916
6917
(3)
That PROVIA has been assessed by the Executive Council at its sixty-fourth session
and recognized as an appropriate programme to establish a firm link with the
respective governance mechanism of the User Interface Platform of GFCS, the GCOS
Steering Committee and the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee,
6918
6919
(4)
That PROVIA has been recognized and encouraged by the UNEP Governing Council
at its twenty-seventh session,
6920
6921
(5)
The assessment by the ECWG-CWE of the proposal to include PROVIA as a
component of WCP and its recommendations thereon,
6922
6923
Decides:
6924
6925
(1)
That PROVIA be included as a component of the WCP, in addition to the existing
three components GCOS, WCRP and WCSP;
6926
6927
(2)
To invite the Chair of the Steering Committee of PROVIA to represent the
Programme in the work of the ECWG-CWE on the WCP components;
6928
6929
6930
6931
Requests the Secretary-General to inform the UNEP Secretariat of this decision and help the four
components of the WCP to interact with each other effectively and contribute to the GFCS
implementation;
6932
6933
6934
Invites the Executive Director of UNEP to facilitate WMO representation in the PROVIA Scientific
Steering Committee and support PROVIA participation in the work of the ECWG-CWE.
6935
6936
- 328 -
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6937
Resolution 39 (Cg-17)
6938
GLOBAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM
Review Version 25 June 2016
6939
6940
THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL CONGRESS,
6941
Noting:
6942
6943
6944
6945
6946
(1)
The 1998 Memorandum of Understanding between WMO, the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the
International Council for Science (ICSU) concerning the Global Climate Observing
System (GCOS),
6947
6948
6949
(2)
The terms of reference of GCOS National Coordinators in the Summary Report of the
Eleventh Session of the WMO-IOC-UNEP-ICSU Steering Committee for GCOS
(GCOS-87, WMO/TD-No. 1189)), Annex XII,
6950
6951
6952
6953
6954
(3)
Decisions 11/CP.9 – Global observing systems for climate, 5/CP.10 – Implementation
of the global observing system for climate and 9/CP.15 – Systematic climate
observations, of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taken at its ninth, tenth and fifteenth
sessions, respectively,
6955
6956
(4)
The Progress Report on the Implementation of the Global Observing System for
Climate in support of the UNFCCC 2004–2008 (GCOS-129, WMO/TD-No. 1489),
6957
6958
(5)
The Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of
the UNFCCC (2010 Update) (GCOS-138, WMO/TD-No. 1523),
6959
6960
6961
6962
(6)
The Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate,
2011 update (GCOS-154); Supplement details to the satellite-based component of the
Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in support of the
UNFCCC,
6963
6964
(7)
The 10-year Implementation Plan of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems
(GEOSS) and the Group on Earth Observations 2012–2015 Workplan,
6965
6966
(8)
The Implementation Plan of the Global Framework for Climate Service s (GFCS),
annex and appendices to the Observing and Monitoring Component, 2014,
6967
Considering:
6968
6969
(1)
The increasing needs of Members and international organizations for comprehensive,
continuous, reliable climate and climate-related data and information,
6970
6971
6972
(2)
That observations made in the past have supported science-based and climate
assessments, and that climate observation must be enhanced and continued into the
future to enable users:
6973
(a)
To detect further climate change and determine its causes,
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Review Version 25 June 2016
6974
(b)
To model and predict the climate system,
6975
(c)
To assess impacts of climate variability and change,
6976
(d)
To monitor the effectiveness of policies for mitigating climate change,
6977
(e)
To support adaptation to climate change,
6978
(f)
To develop climate information services,
6979
(g)
To promote sustainable national economic development,
6980
6981
(h)
To meet other requirements under the UNFCCC and other international
conventions and agreements,
6982
6983
6984
6985
(3)
The specific observational needs of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System,
and needs from the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report and from activities of special interest to GCOS
sponsors such as Future Earth and Blue Planet,
6986
6987
6988
6989
6990
6991
6992
(4)
The objectives of GCOS as identified in the Memorandum of Understanding to support
all aspects of the World Climate Programme, which includes the World Climate
Research Programme and the Global Programme of Research on Climate Change
Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation, and relevant aspects of other climate-related
global programmes, and its essential role in underpinning the full range of climate
applications and services provided by National Meteorological and Hydrological
Services (NMHSs) and other organizations,
6993
(5)
The deficiencies in the number and availability of systematic observations of climate,
6994
6995
(6)
The need to implement and, as necessary, to update the Regional Action Plans
developed through the GCOS Regional Workshop Programme,
6996
6997
6998
(7)
The need to incorporate climate information into social and economic decision-making,
particularly in support of the United Nations sustainable development goals in
developing countries, with a special focus on Africa,
6999
7000
Recognizing:
7001
7002
7003
7004
(1) The importance of efficient coordination and interoperability across the various
component observing systems of GCOS and effective integration of in situ and
space-based observations in meeting user needs,
7005
7006
7007
(2) The stringent requirements on long-term observations of the climate system to
ensure their adequacy for climate applications,
7008
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7009
7010
7011
7012
7013
Review Version 25 June 2016
(3)
The unique opportunities for coordinated national and international reliable physical,
chemical and biological observation of Essential Climate Variables across the
atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial domains, including hydrological and carbon cycles
and the cryosphere, provided through the joint sponsorship of GCOS by WMO, IOC,
UNEP and ICSU,
(4)
The new opportunities for increased international support, enhanced interoperability
and improved integration opened up by the prospect of embedding the GCOS system
of systems within the emerging operational structure of the Global Earth Observation
System of Systems,
7014
7015
7016
7017
7018
7019
7020
(5)
The fundamental importance of GCOS to the Global Framework for Climate Services,
7021
7022
Recognizing with appreciation:
7023
7024
7025
7026
(1)
7027
7028
7029
(2) The critical role of the Executive Council, technical commissions and regional
associations in coordinating the implementation of the WMO component systems of
GCOS,
7030
7031
(3)
The substantial achievements of Members in implementing their climate observing
systems in support of both national needs and the international objectives of GCOS,
7032
7033
7034
(4)
The close collaboration among the co-sponsors of GCOS and with the Steering
Committees and Secretariats of their other jointly sponsored observing systems, the
Global Ocean Observing System and the Global Terrestrial Observing System,
7035
7036
(5)
The support provided by a range of national and international donor organizations for
GCOS planning and implementation,
The important contribution of the GCOS Steering Committee and its panels in
providing scientific and technical guidance to WMO and other sponsoring and
participating organizations for the planning, implementation and further development of
GCOS,
7037
7038
7039
Reaffirms the continuing strong commitment of WMO to the objectives of GCOS and support for
its implementation in order to meet the full range of user needs;
7040
7041
7042
7043
Decides to strengthen and to continue GCOS as a programme of the Organization as regulated by
the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding with partners such as IOC, UNEP and ICSU, and as
regulated by new memorandums of understanding agreed by international sponsors;
7044
- 331 -
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7045
7046
7047
7048
Review Version 25 June 2016
Recalling the GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles for effective monitoring of the climate system as
stated in the Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for climate and adopted by the
Fourteenth World Meteorological Congress in Resolution 9 (Cg-XIV) – GCOS Climate Monitoring
Principles,
7049
7050
Urges Members:
7051
7052
7053
7054
(1)
To strengthen their national atmospheric, oceanographic and terrestrial climate
observing networks and systems, including networks and systems for the hydrological
and carbon cycles and the cryosphere within the framework of GCOS and in support of
user needs;
7055
7056
7057
7058
7059
(2)
To assist developing countries to strengthen their observing networks, to improve their
capacity to acquire climate-relevant data, and to enhance their provision of climate
services by implementing projects in the 10 GCOS Regional Action Plans, and by
contributing to the implementation of the ClimDev Africa Programme and to similar
initiatives in other regions;
7060
7061
7062
7063
7064
(3)
To ensure, to the extent possible, the long-term continuity of the critical space-based
components of GCOS, including the generation and dissemination of the satellite based climate data and products based on the Essential Climate Variables that are
required to meet the needs of NMHSs, the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC,
IPCC and other users of climate services;
7065
7066
7067
7068
(4)
To establish GCOS National Committees and to identify GCOS National Coordinators
in order to facilitate coordinated national action on observing systems for climate,
taking into account the joint international sponsorship of GCOS and the evolving
international arrangements for GEOSS and GFCS;
7069
7070
7071
7072
7073
(5)
To ensure that their delegations to sessions of the Conference of the Parties to
UNFCCC and its subsidiary bodies are properly informed of the key role played by
NMHSs in implementing and operating observing systems necessary to meet national
obligations under the Convention, for example through the inclusion in national
delegations of representatives of NMHSs;
7074
7075
7076
7077
7078
7079
(6)
To encourage their NMHSs to provide effective leadership in the preparation of
national reports to the UNFCCC on their activities with regard to systematic
observation of the global climate system, including the identification of gaps, using
revised UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate observing systems that reflect
the priorities of the GCOS Implementation Plan and which incorporate reporting on the
Essential Climate Variables identified therein;
7080
7081
7082
7083
7084
(7)
To enhance their support to the GCOS Secretariat, through secondment of experts
and through contributions to the Climate Observing System Fund or to specific
planning and implementation mechanisms, so as to enable the Secretariat to support
the full range of implementation agents in its efforts to establish an effectively
operating GCOS programme;
7085
7086
Requests the Executive Council:
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Review Version 25 June 2016
7087
7088
(1)
To keep the progress of GCOS under regular review and to provide support and
guidance on its further development and implementation;
7089
7090
(2)
To advise and assist Members, sponsoring bodies and other international
organizations in the implementation of global observing systems for climate;
7091
Requests the technical commissions:
7092
7093
(1)
To lead the development and implementation of the components of GCOS for whic h
they are responsible in the light of advice from the GCOS Steering Committee;
7094
7095
7096
(2)
To contribute to the UNFCCC Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and
adaptation to climate change, in particular to the elements of the programme related to
data and observations;
7097
7098
7099
(3)
To coordinate activities on climate observations with GFCS and GEOSS and to
establish clear mandates with respect to the responsibilities of GCOS, GFCS and
GEOSS in the field of climate observations.
7100
7101
7102
7103
Requests the regional associations to foster effective, coordinated implementation of GCOS at the
regional level, in close consultation with the regional counterparts of the other international
sponsors of GCOS;
7104
7105
7106
Invites the GCOS Steering Committee to continue to provide broadly based strategic advice to all
relevant WMO bodies on the implementation and further development of GCOS;
7107
7108
Requests the Secretary-General, within the regular budget allocation:
7109
7110
(1)
To support the further planning, development and implementation of GCOS, followi ng
the recommendations of the GCOS Implementation Plan;
7111
7112
7113
(2)
To encourage and assist Permanent Representatives of Members to take the lead in
the establishment of GCOS National Committees and the designation of GCOS
National Coordinators;
7114
7115
(3)
To bring the present resolution to the attention of all concerned, including co -sponsors
of GCOS.
7116
7117
_______
7118
7119
Note: This resolution replaces Resolution 29 (Cg-XVI), which is no longer in force.
- 333 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
7120
APPENDIX 4:
Contributors
7121
To be completed after the review and including those who contributed to the review.
- 334 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
7122
APPENDIX 5:
7123
NOTE #N/A = to be completed
Review Version 25 June 2016
Glossary of Acronyms
AATSR
Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer http://www.leos.le.ac.uk/AATSR/
ACE-FTS
Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer
http://www.ace.uwaterloo.ca/instruments_acefts.html
ACRE
Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth http://www.met-acre.org/
ADCP
acoustic Doppler current profiler
ADM-Aeolus
Atmospheric Dynamic Mission (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Eart
h_Explorers/ADM-Aeolus
AERO-SAT
International Satellite Aerosols Science Network
AERONET
Aerosol Robotic NETwork http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov/
AFOLU
Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use
AGAGE
Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment
AGB
Above Ground Biomass
AIRS
Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (NASA) http://airs.jpl.nasa.gov/
ALOS
Advanced Land Observing Satellite http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/alos/
AMDAR
Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay
AMSR
Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer
AMSU
Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit http://www.remss.com/missions/amsu
AOD
aerosol optical depth
AOPC
Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (GCOS)
http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=AOPC
AQUASTAT
global water information system (FAO)
http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/main/index.stm
ARCTICROOS
Arctic Regional Ocean Observing System (http://www.arctic-roos.org/)
ARF
Aerosol Radiative Forcing
ASAR
#N/A
ASCAT
Advanced SCATcatterometer (EUMETSAT)
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/CurrentSatellites/Metop/MetopDesign/A
SCAT/index.html
ASTER
Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (NASA)
https://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/
ATMS
Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (NASA) http://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/atms.html
ATSR
Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ESA)
AVHRR
Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA)
http://noaasis.noaa.gov/NOAASIS/ml/avhrr.html
AWG
#N/A
- 335 -
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Review Version 25 June 2016
AWI
Alfred Wegener Institute
BAS
British Antarctic Survey
BGC
Biogeochemistry
BHR
Bi-Hemispherical Reflectance
BIOMASS
selected future ESA Earth Explorer Mission
BON
#N/A
BOUSSOLE
Buoy for the Acquisition of Long-term Optical Time Series http://www.obsvlfr.fr/Boussole/html/home/home.php
BP
British Petroleum plc
BRDF
#N/A
BRF
Biderectional Reflectance Factor
BRSN
#N/A
BSRN
Baseline Surface Radiation Network http://www.knmi.nl/bsrn/
BUFR
binary universal form for the representation of meteorological data
CALM
Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring
CARIBIC
#N/A
CAS
Commission for Atmospheric Science (WMO)
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity https://www.cbd.int/
CBS
Commission for Basic Systems (WMO)
CCI
Climate Change Initiative (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Space_for_our_climate/ESA_s_Clim
ate_Change_Initiative_CCI
CDIAC
Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center http://cdiac.ornl.gov/oceans/
CDOM
Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter
CDR
Climate Data Record
CEOS
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites http://www.ceos.org
CERES
Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (NASA) http://ceres.larc.nasa.gov/
CFC
chlorofluorocarbon
CG
line 71
CGMS
Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites http://www.cgms-info.org
CH4
methane
CIMO
Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observations (WMO)
https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/CIMO/AboutCIMO.html
CIRES
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
http://cires.colorado.edu/about/noaa/
CLARREO
Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (proposed NASA mission)
CLIC
Climate and Cryosphere
CLIMAT
#N/A
CLIVAR
#N/A
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CLM
#N/A
CMSAF
Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring
http://www.cmsaf.eu/EN/Home/home_node.html
CMUG
Climate Modelling User Group
CNES
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales https://cnes.fr/
CO
carbon monoxide
CONAE
Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales
CONTRAIL
Comprehensive Observation Network for TRace gases by AIrLiner
http://www.cger.nies.go.jp/contrail/contrail.html
COP
Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC)
COSMIC
Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate
http://www.cosmic.ucar.edu/
CP
#N/A
CPR
continuous plankton recorder
CTD
conductivity temperature depth
CWE
#N/A
DAC
Data Assembly Center
DARF
Direct Aerosol Radiative Forcing
DBCP
Data Buoy Cooperation Panel http://www.jcommops.org/dbcp/
DEM
digital elevation model
DHR
Directional hemispherical reflectance
DIC
dissolved organic carbon
DIVERSITAS
#N/A
DKD
#N/A
DMC
#N/A
DMN
#N/A
DOI
Digital Object Identifier
DOOS
Deep Ocean Observing Strategy
DSM
Digital Surface Model
DTM
Digital Terrain Model
DWD
Deutscher Wetterdienst http://www.dwd.de/
EBV
Essential Biodiversity Variable
EC
#N/A
ECMWF
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts http://www.ecmwf.int
ECV
Essential Climate Variable
ECWG
#N/A
EMEP
European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme
EN
#N/A
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ENSO
El Niño - Southern Oscillation
ENVISAT
Environmental Satellite (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Envisat
EOV
Essential Ocean Variable
ERB
Earth Radiation Budget
ERF
Effective Radiative Forcing
ERS
European Remote-Sensing Satellite
ESA
European Space Agency http://www.esa.int
ESRL
NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
ETM+
Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (Plus) https://lta.cr.usgs.gov/LETMP
ETWCH
Expert Team on Waves and Coastal Hazard Forecasting Systems
EU
European Union
EUM
#N/A
EUMETNET
grouping of 31 European National Meteorological Services http://www.eumetnet.eu/
EUMETSAT
European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
http://www.eumetsat.int
EURD
#N/A
EWH
Equivalent Water Height
FAO
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations http://www.fao.int
FAPAR
fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation
FCCC
#N/A
FCDR
Fundamental Climate Data Record
FD
#N/A
FLASH-B
Fluorescent Advanced Stratospheric Hygrometer for Balloon
FLUXNET
Flux and Energy Exchange Network http://fluxnet.ornl.gov/introduction
FOO
Framework for Ocean Observing
FRA
Forest Resource Assessment
FRP
fire radiative power
FTIR
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry
FTS
#N/A
GACS
Global Alliance of Continuous Plankton Recorder Surveys http://www.globalcpr.org/
GALION
GAW Aerosol Lidar Observation Network
GAW
Global Atmosphere Watch programme focused on atmospheric composition (WMO)
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/gaw_home_en.html
GCF
GCOS Cooperation Fund
GCM
GCOS Cooperation Mechanism
GCMP
GCOS Climate Monitoring Principle
GCOM-C
Global Change Observation Mission - Climate http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/gcom_c/
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GCOS
Global Climate Observing System http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/
GCRMN
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
GCW
Global Cryosphere Watch http://globalcryospherewatch.org/
GDPFS
Global Data Processing and Forecasting Systems
GEDI
Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (NASA lidar system)
http://science.nasa.gov/missions/gedi/
GEF
Global Environment Facility
GEMS
Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer
http://www.ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=319
GEO
Group on Earth Observations https://www.earthobservations.org/index.php
GEOSS
GEO System of Systems http://www.geoportal.org/web/guest/geo_home_stp
GERB
Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget instrument (Meteosat)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Meteosat_Second_Generation/GER
B
GEWEX
Global Energy and Water Exchanges project of WCRP http://www.gewex.org
GFCS
Global Framework for Climate Services http://gfcs.wmo.int/
GFED
Globa Fire Emission Database
GFMC
Global Fire Monitoring Center http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/
GFOI
Global Forest Observation Initiative
GGMS
Global Groundwater Monitoring Information System
GHG
greenhouse gas
GI
#N/A
GLC2000
Global Land Cover database for the year 2000 (EU)
GLCN
Global Land Cover Network (FAO) http://www.glcn.org/index_en.jsp
GLIMS
Global Land Ice Measurements from Space http://www.glims.org/
GLODAP
Global Ocean Data Analysis Project
GLOSS
Global Sea Level Observing System http://www.gloss-sealevel.org/
GNSS
Global Navigation Satellite System http://egnos-portal.gsa.europa.eu/discover-egnos/aboutegnos/what-gnss
GO-SHIP
Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program http://www.go-ship.org/
GOA-ON
Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network http://goa-on.org/
GOFC-GOLD
Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics http://www.fao.org/gtos/gofc-gold/
GOOS
Global Ocean Observing System http://www.ioc-goos.org/
GOS
#N/A
GOSAT
Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (Japan) http://www.gosat.nies.go.jp/
GOSIC
Global Observing Systems Information Center http://www.gosic.org/
GPCC
Global Precipitation Climatology Centre https://www.dwd.de/EN/ourservices/gpcc/gpcc.html
GPCP
Global Precipitation Climatology Project http://precip.gsfc.nasa.gov/
GPM
Global Precipitation Measurement (NASA)
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http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GPM/main/index.html
GPS
Global Positioning System http://www.gps.gov/
GRACE
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (NASA) http://www.csr.utexas.edu/grace/
GRDC
Global Runoff Data Centre (Federal Institute of Hydrology, Germany)
http://www.bafg.de/GRDC
GRUAN
GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network
https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=GRUAN
GSICS
Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System http://gsics.wmo.int/
GSN
GCOS Surface Network https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/gosic/global-climate-observing-systemgcos/gcos-surface-network-gsn-program-overview
GTN-G
Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers http://www.gtn-g.org/
GTN-GW
Global Terrestrial Network for Groundwater: the GGNM acts as GTN-GW
GTN-H
Global Terrestrial Network - Hydrology http://www.gtn-h.info/
GTN-L
Global Terrestrial Network - Lakes
GTN-P
Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost http://gtnp.arcticportal.org/
GTN-R
Global Terrestrial Network for River Discharge
http://www.bafg.de/GRDC/EN/04_spcldtbss/44_GTNR/gtnr_node.html
GTn-SM
Global Terrestrial Network for Soil Moisture: the ISMN act as GTN-SM
GTOS
Global Terrestrial Observing System http://www.fao.org/gtos/
GTS
Global Telecommunication System (WMO)
http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/TEM/GTS/index_en.html
GUAN
GCOS Upper-Air Network
GVAP
EUMETNET EIG GNSS water vapour programme
GW
#N/A
HAB
Harmful algal bloom
HCHO
formaldehyde
HF-radars
High Frequency Radar
HMEI
Hydro-meteorological Equipment Industry
HOAP
#N/A
HWSD
Harmonized World Soil Database
HYDROLARE
hydrology database on lakes and reservoirs http://hydrolare.net/
HYDROWEB
hydrology database (LEGOS) http://ctoh.legos.obs-mip.fr/products/hydroweb
IACS
International Association of Cryospheric Sciences http://www.cryosphericsciences.org/
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency https://www.iaea.org/
IAGOS
In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System http://www.iagos.org/
IASI
Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (EUMETSAT)
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/CurrentSatellites/Metop/MetopDesign/IA
SI/index.html
IBCS
#N/A
ICOADS
International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (NOAA) http://icoads.noaa.gov/
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ICOS
Integrated Carbon Observation System (EU) https://www.icos-ri.eu/
ICSU
International Council for Science http://www.icsu.org/
IEA
International Energy Agency
IEDRO
International Environmental Data Rescue Organization
IFOV
instantaneous field of view
IGACO
Integrated Global Atmospheric Chemistry Observations
IGBP
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme http://www.igbp.net/
IGMETS
International Group for Marine Ecological Time Series
IGOS
Integrated Global Observing Strategy http://www.fao.org/gtos/igos/
IGRAC
International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre http://www.un-igrac.org/
IHDP
#N/A
IHP
International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO)
II
#N/A
III
#N/A
IIOE
International Indian Ocean Expedition http://global-oceans.org/site/2nd-international-indianocean-expedition
ILSTE
International Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity Working Group
ILTER
International Long-Term Ecological Research
IMS
Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (NOAA)
http://www.natice.noaa.gov/ims/
INARCH
International Network for Alpine Research Catchment Hydrology
INF
#N/A
INM
#N/A
INPO
International Network of Permafrost Observatories
INSITU
#N/A
INWEH
#N/A
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO) http://ioc-unesco.org/
IOCCG
International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group http://www.ioccg.org/
IOCCP
International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project http://www.ioccp.org/
IODE
International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IOC) http://www.iode.org/
IP
#N/A
IPA
International Permafrost Association
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch/
IR
infrared
IRDR
#N/A
IRIMO
#N/A
IRIS
Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (NASA)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/iris/spacecraft/index.html
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IS
#N/A
ISCCP
International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project http://isccp.giss.nasa.gov/
ISMN
International Soil Moisture Network http://ismn.geo.tuwien.ac.at
ISO
International Organization for Standardization http://www.iso.org/iso/home.html
ISRIC
#N/A
ISRO
#N/A
ISS
International Space Station http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
ISSC
#N/A
IVOS
#N/A
IWMI
#N/A
JAXA
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency http://global.jaxa.jp/
JCOMM
Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology
http://www.jcomm.info/
JCOMMOPS
JCOMM in situ Observing Platform Support Centre http://www.jcommops.org/new/
JLG
Joint Liaison Group
JMA
Japan Meteorological Agency http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
JPL
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA)
JPSS
Joint Polar Satellite System (NOAA) http://www.jpss.noaa.gov/
LADCP
Lowered ADCP
LAI
leaf area index
LC
Land Cover
LCA
#N/A
LCLUC
NASA’s Land-Cover and Land-Use Change programme
LCML
Land Cover Meta Language
LDCF
#N/A
LEGOS
Laboratory of studies on Spatial Geophysics and Oceanography
LGAC
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation
LPDAAC
Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center
LPV
Land Product Validation
LS
Lower Stratisphere
LSA
#N/A
LSRT
Land surface radiometric temperature
LST
land-surface temperature
LTER
Long Term Ecological Research Network http://www.lternet.edu/
LULUCF
Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
LXII
#N/A
LXIII
#N/A
MAIA
#N/A
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MARS
Meteorological Archival and Retrieval System (ECMWF)
MAXDOAS
Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy
MEA
#N/A
MEMENTO
MarinE MethanE and NiTrous Oxide database
MERIS
Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (on Envisat)
https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/esa-operational-eomissions/envisat/instruments/meris
MESA
Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa Porgramme
METAR
meteorological terminal aviation routine weather report
MGD
Method and Guidance Document
3MI
multiviewing, multichannel, multipolarization imager dedicated to aerosol measurement
MISC
#N/A
MISR
Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (NASA) https://www-misr.jpl.nasa.gov/
MLS
Microwave Limb Sounder https://mls.jpl.nasa.gov/index-eos-mls.php
MOBY
Marine Optical Buoy https://moby.mlml.calstate.edu/
MODDRFS
MODIS Dust Radiative Forcing in Snow algorithm
MODE-S
Secondary Survellaince Radar Process
MODIS
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (NASA) http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/
MODLAND
Modis Land
MOZAIC
Measurements of OZone, water vapour, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides by in-service
AIrbus airCraft http://www.iagos.fr/web/rubrique2.html
MRV
Measuring, Reporting and Verification
MSU
Microwave Sounding Unit (NOAA) http://www.remss.com/missions/amsu
MTG EURD
Meteosat Third Generation End-User Requirements Document
MUS
ACTION G11 correct cost
MW
microwave
NA
Not Available
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/
NCDC
National Climatic Data Center http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/
NCEI
National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA) http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov
NDACC
Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change
http://www.ndsc.ncep.noaa.gov/
NDSC
Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change
NEON
National Ecological Observatory Network http://www.neoninc.org/
NESDIS
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/
NEXRAD
Next Generation Weather Radar https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/radar-data/nexrad
NG
NHMS
#N/A
NILU
World Data Centre for Aerosols
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NIR
near infrared
NISAR
NASA-ISRO SAR Mission http://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/
NMHS
National Meteorological and Hydrological Service
NMS
National Meteorological Service
NMVOC
non-methane volatile organic compound
N2O
nitrous oxide
NO2
nitrogen dioxide
NOAA
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov
NPP/JPSS
National Polar-orbiting Partnership/Joint Polar Satellite System
NRC
Annex B
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
NSIDC
National Snow & Ice Data Center http://nsidc.org/
NWP
Numerical Weather Prediction
OC
#N/A
OCO
Orbiting Carbon Observatory (NASA) http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/
OCR
ocean colour radiance
OH
hydroxide
OLCI
Ocean and Land Colour Imager on Sentinel-3
OLR
Outgoing Longwave Radiation
OMPS
Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (NASA) http://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/omps.html
OOPC
Ocean Observations Panel for Climate
https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=OOPC
OSCAR
Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool (WMO) http://www.wmosat.info/oscar/
OSHF
Ocean Surface Heat Flux
OSS
Ocean Surface Stress
PACE
Platform for Attitude Control Experiments
PALSAR
Phased Array type L-band SAR (Japan) http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/about/palsar.htm
PANDORA
Spectrometer System
PAR
photosynthetically active radiation
PFR
Precision Filter Radiometer
PFT
#N/A
PM
Particulate Matter
PMR
Pressure Modulator Radiometer (NOAA)
POC
Particulate Organic Carbon
POSEIDON
#N/A
PROBA
PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Proba_Missions
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PROVIA
Programme of Research on Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation
http://www.unep.org/provia/
QA4EO
Quality Assurance framework for Earth Observation
QA/QC
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
QC
#N/A
QPE
quantitative precipitation estimation
RA
#N/A
Ramsar
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
RBCN
Regional Basic Climatological Network http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/ois/rbsnrbcn/rbsn-rbcn-home.htm
RBON
Regional basic Observing Network
RBSN
Regional Basic Synoptic Network http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/ois/rbsn-rbcn/rbsnrbcn-home.htm
RDA
Research Data Alliance
RECLAIM
RECovery of Logbooks And International Marine data
REDD-plus
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation,
sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing
countries (UNFCCC) http://unfccc.int/land_use_and_climate_change/redd/items/7377.php
RH
Relative Humidity
RO
radio occultation
ROOS
#N/A
RRR
Rolling Review of Requirements (WMO)
SAC
#N/A
SADCP
#N/A
SAEON
#N/A
SAF
Satellite Application Facility (EUMETSAT)
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Satellites/GroundSegment/Safs/index.html
SAGE III
Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (NASA) http://sage.nasa.gov/missions/about-sageiii-on-iss/
SAOCOM
#N/A
SAOZ
#N/A
SAR
Synthetic Aperture Radar http://www.radartutorial.eu/20.airborne/ab07.en.html
SARAH
#N/A
SAT
#N/A
SAVS
#N/A
SBI
#N/A
SBSTA
#N/A
SC
#N/A
SCAMS
Scanning Microwave Spectrometer (NASA) http://www.wmosat.info/oscar/instruments/view/468
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SCAR
#N/A
SCCF
#N/A
SCIAMACHY
SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY
SCOPE-CM
Sustained, Coordinated Processing of Environmental Satellite data for Climate Monitoring
http://www.scope-cm.org/
SCOR
Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research http://www.scor-int.org/
SDG
Sustainable Development Goal
SG
#N/A
SGLI
Second Generation Global Imager
SHADOZ
Southern Hemisphere ADditional OZonesondes http://croc.gsfc.nasa.gov/shadoz/
SI
International System of Units
SLP
Surface Level Pressure
SMAP
Soil Moisture Active Passive (NASA) http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/description/
SMOS
Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (ESA)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/The_Living_Planet_Programme/Eart
h_Explorers/SMOS
SMR
#N/A
SNOTEL
SNOwpack TELemetry network http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/
SOCAT
Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas http://www.socat.info/
SOCOM
Surface Ocean CO2 Mapping intercomparison project
SOGE
System for observation of halogeneted GHG in Europe
SOOP
Ship Of Opportunity Programme
https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/amp/mmop/JCOMM/OPA/SOT/soop.html
SOOS
Southern Ocean Observing System http://www.soos.aq/
SOT
Ship Oberservation Team (JCOMM)
SPARTAN
#N/A
SPOT
Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (CNES) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPOT_(satellite)
SR
#N/A
SRB
Surface Radiation Budget
SRTM
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
SSH
Sea Surface Height
SSM/I
Special Sensor Microwave Image (DMSP satellites) http://www.remss.com/missions/ssmi
SSM/S
Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (DMSP satellites)
https://nsidc.org/data/docs/daac/ssmis_instrument/
SSM/T
Special Sensor Microwave/Temperature profiler (NASA) http://www.wmosat.info/oscar/instruments/view/535
SSS
sea-surface salinity
SST
Sea Surface Temperature
SVP
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SVPB
#N/A
SWE
Snow Water Equivalent
SWIR
Short-wave infrared Imagery
SWOT
Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission (NASA/CNES)
https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/
SYNOP
Surface Synoptic Observation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SYNOP
TAC
Traditional Alphanumerical Codes
TAMDAR
Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAMDAR
TAO
Tropical Atmosphere Ocean project http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/
TCCON
Total Carbon Column Observing Network http://www.tccon.caltech.edu/
TEMPO
Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution
TOPC
Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (GCOS)
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/?name=TOPC
TOPEX/Posei
don
Topography Experiment/Poseidon (CNES-NASA) https://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/topex/
TPOS
Tropical Pacific Oberving System
TPW
Total Precipitable Water
TRITON
Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network (Japan/United States) https://www.sprep.org/pigoos/the-tao-triton-array
TRMM
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/
TROPOMI
TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (ESA/EU) http://www.tropomi.eu/
TRUTHS
Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial- and Helio-Studies (United Kingdom)
http://www.npl.co.uk/truths
TSM
Total Suspendent Sediments
TTD
Transit Time Distribution
UA
Upper Air
UAV
Unmanned Aerail Vehicle
UCAR
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
UK
United Kingdom
ULS
upward-looking sonar (on submarines)
UN
United Nations
UNCCD
UN Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environmental Programme
UNESCO
nited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization http://en.unesco.org/
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/2860.php
UNISDR
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
UN-REDD
United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation
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USA
United States of America
USGS
United States Geological Survey http://www.usgs.gov/
UT
Upper Troposphere
UT/LS
Upper Troposphere Lower Startosphere
UV
Ultraviolete
VIIRS
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NASA/NOAA) http://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/viirs.html
VIS
visible
VOS
Voluntarty Observing Ships
WCRP
World Climate Research Programme http://www.wcrp-climate.org
WCSP
#N/A
WDC
World Data Centre http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/GCDS_5.php
WDCGG
WDC for Greenhouse Gases (Japan) http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/wdcgg/
WG
Working Group
WGCV
Working Group on Calibration & Validation (CEOS)
http://ceos.org/ourwork/workinggroups/wgcv/
WGMS
World Glacier Monitoring Service http://wgms.ch/
WHO
World Health Organization
WIGOS
WMO Integrated Global Observing System
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/wigos/index_en.html
WIS
WMO Information System http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WIS/
WMO
World Meteorological Organization http://www.wmo.int
WOUDC
World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (Canada) http://woudc.org/
WRCP
World Climate Research Programme http://www.wcrp-climate.org
WRDC
World Radiation Data Centre (Russian Federation) http://wrdc.mgo.rssi.ru/
WRMC
World Radiation Monitoring Center (BSRN) http://www.bsrn.awi.de/
WWW/GOS
Global Observing System of the World Weather Watch programme (WMO)
XBT
expendable bathythermograph
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathythermograph#Expendable_bathythermograph
XCTD
expendable CTD
7124
7125
- 348 -
DRAFT – Do not quote or cite
Review Version 25 June 2016
7126
- 349 -