Global Climate Observing System GCOS – Status and Plans

1. Global Climate Observing SystemGCOS – Status and Plans Carolin Richter Director, GCOS Secretariat 28th CEOS Plenary, Tromsø, Norway 29-30 October 2014

2. Sponsors and Partners GCOS assesses progress and requirements, advises on implementation, and reports to UNFCCC on the status of observing systems for climate. GEOSS

3. StatusAchievements & Expert Panels

4. Achievements in the past 20 years We know what needs to be measured to monitor climatechange and we have identified dedicated networks and measuring systems.  » made progress in Implementation Plan and its Satellite Supplement. Implementation Plans We know about how well the GCOS` ”agents of implementations “ made progress in following the recommended actions of the Implementation Plan and its Satellite Supplement. Progress & Adequacy Reports We know how much it would cost to observe all required ECVs. 2.5 Billion USD per year We achieved that space agencies, National Meteorological Services and Governments represented at the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change respond to GCOS requirements and contribute to its implementation. Joint CEOS-CGMS WG Climate, WMO Monitoring of GUAN and GSN, GCOS reporting to SBSTA We are managing a system improvement trust fund which enables us to renovate climate stations which are not operational anymore. GCOS Coordination Mechanism

5. Overview of atmospheric products GCOS Surface Network (GSN) Air Temperature, Pressure Water Vapour Wind speed and direction Radiation Budget GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) New network, hybrid observing system composed out of research and operational sites. Monitoring of vertical profiles of atmospheric ECVs. Table credit of: J.-L. Fellous, CEOS WGClimate, Asheville, NC, USA 5

6. Overview of oceanic products Surface ECVs from in-situ systems only: Current, Ocean acidity, Carbon dioxide partial pressure, Phytoplankton Sub-Surface ECVs from in-situ systems only: Temperature, Salinity, Current, Nutrients, Carbon dioxide partial pressure, Ocean acidity, Oxygen, Tracers Deep Ocean Strategy Explore the «Blue Planet» Table credit of: J.-L. Fellous, CEOS WGClimate, Asheville, NC, USA 6

7. Overview of terrestrial products ECVs from in-situ systems only: Soil Carbon, River discharge, Water Use, Ground Water, Permafrost International Surface Temperature Initiative (ISTI) www.surfacetemperatures.org Explore the «White Continent» Table credit of: J.-L. Fellous, CEOS WGClimate, Asheville, NC, USA 7

8. Review of the GCOS programme(2013 – 2014)

9. Review Process 2013-2014 • Aims: • to review its objectives, ToR and MoU • to assess the added value of the GCOS programme • to take account of institutional changes, and evolving needs for observation • Process: • Independent review board of experts (nominated by sponsors) under the chairmanship of Dr Wolfgang Kusch • Community input through surveys • Outcomes • Synthesis report, including a list of 18 recommendations, has been published in March 2014

10. Recommendations of the Review Strategic Recommendations: Mission Statement, Cooperation between sponsors and GCOS Secretariat, terrestrial climate observations, strategic approach to capacity building, joint strategic plan to define the functions of GCOS in GFCS, ECV concept. Partnerships: relations with GEO, PROVIA, Future Earth, GFCS Memorandum of Understanding: Revision available for WMO Congress in May 2015.

11. Plans (2014 – 2016)

12. GCOS supports the Global Framework for Climate Services

13. Future Questions for Climate Services • What needs to be observed to support climate services? • What observations help to make the right decisions on adaptation and mitigation measures? • What observations are needed to assess impacts of adaptation and mitigation actions?

14. GCOS Continuous Improvement & Assessment Cycle The GCOS programme has started the process for: • a 2015 report on the progress and status of climate observation • a new “Implementation Plan” in 2016, which should identify: • continuing and new requirements, including a restatement of the rationale for the list of ECVs and possible amendment of the list • the adequacy of present arrangements for meeting the requirements • the additional actions needed, with indicative costs, performance indicators and potential agents for implementation • statements of specific requirements for products • from both in situ networks and the space-based component • and from integration of the data provided by both either embedded in the main Plan or as separate supplement(s)

15. Input to the new assessment Content will be based on various inputs, including from: • 2011 WCRP Conference and 2013 SPARC Data Workshop • 2013/2014 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report • 2013/2014 national reporting to UNFCCC on systematic observation • 2014 EUMETSAT/WCRP Climate Symposium • WMO (GFCS, WIGOS), IOC (GOOS) and post-2015 GEO planning • CEOS/CGMS/WMO initiatives (Architecture, Inventory of datasets) • other assessments of requirements (GEO, ESA-CCI) • assessments by GCOS/WCRP panels • dedicated GCOS workshops (on adaptation and mitigation needs) • an open review

16. Timeline of work for 2014-2016 Discussed at scoping meeting, and reviewed by “management” in April 2014 • 2014 panel sessions considered ECV/EOV tables • Most ECV entries for Atmosphere and Land are complete or in progress • EOV tables (more technical in content) have been revised and are being populated • Workshops (GCOS: Aspects of mitigation and Atmospheric observing networks; WCRP /IPCC: AR5 follow up) have been held • 2nd Meeting on Status Report, 30 September 2014 • Drafting to be undertaken, November 2014 – February 2015 • GCOS/IPCC/UNFCCC Workshop, 10-12 February 2015 (moved from Nov 2014) • AOPC/TOPC sessions, to be held in part jointly, 16-20 March 2015; OOPC in April • Expert Workshop to consider Report (2 days) and IP (3 days), Jan/April/May 2015 • Report in draft for open review by end of May, and finalised August/September • Completion may require a meeting of panel/secretariat representatives

17. Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change GCOS, jointly with WMO, IOC of UNESCO, UNEP and DECC has organized a workshop to discuss Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change. Sectors: Water Resources Coastal Zones Health Forestry Agriculture Energy Transport Cross-cutting issues: Risk Management Early Warning Systems Research, Modeling and Assessment Data Rescue and Management

18. Observations for Climate Change Mitigation GCOS, in collaboration with the Land Cover Project Office from the Global Observation for Forest Cover and Land Dynamics (GOFC-GOLD), has organized an international workshop to consider the climate observation requirements to support actions for climate change mitigation. • Focus on Land Use (Agriculture) and Forest • Representatives from UNFCCC, FAO, ICRAF, ESA, IPCC, etc. Workshop website: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/index.php?name=ObservationsforMitigation

19. Upcoming GCOS event “Enhancing observations to support preparedness and adaptation in a changing climate – Learning from the Fifth IPCC Assessment Report (AR5)” 10-12 February 2015 UNFCCC, Bonn, Germany • Considers observational and research needs for adaptation to climate change and variability, and aims to enhance systematic observations, especially in developing countries. • Focus on analysis needs for water, agriculture and food security, and disaster risk reduction. • Will build on findings from IPCC AR5 and the GCOS Workshop on ‘Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change’, held at the DWD in Offenbach from 26-28 February 2013.

20. Upcoming GCOS event Tentative Title: Global Climate Observations – the Road to the Future GCOS Science Conference Late 2015/ Early 2016 • Status of the Global Observation Systems for Climate • ECVs in the context of scientific challenges • Conference will launch the New Implementation Plan

21. Final Slide – Coordination of Climate Observing Systems

22. The Importance of Climate Observations

23. Co-sponsored GCOS/WCRP panels & related interactions Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) • New AOPC Chair Mr Kenneth Holmlund (EUMETSAT), and Vice-Chair Mr Albert Klein-Tank (KNMI) • Back-to-back meeting with TOPC from 16-20 March 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. • Platform for discussions on the climate-components of existing research and operational atmospheric observing systems and the related programmes, including important cross-cutting links to the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) as well as to the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme. • Focus is on the GCOS Surface Network (GSN), the GCOS Upper-Air Network (GUAN) and the GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) – ‘Workshop on the review of the GCOS Surface Network (GSN), the GCOS Upper-Air Network (GUAN), and related atmospheric networks’ was being held in April 2014. • Future considerations: - strengthen relationship with other committees/initiatives (e.g. GFCS, CGMS, ESA-CCI, - stronger synergies between ground-based/in-situ and satellite-based observations - discussion about ECVs (fit for purpose, parameters needed, etc.)

24. Co-sponsored GCOS/WCRP panels & related interactions Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) • Co-Chairs: Dr Mark Bourassa (University of Florida, US), and Dr Toshio Suga (Tohuku University, Japan) • Due to a restructuring of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) that follows the Framework for Ocean Observations (FOO), GOOS has – similar to the structure of GCOS – three expert panels for ocean physical observations (OOPC), biogeochemical observations (IOCCP), and biological observations (formed in November 2013). • Tropical Pacific Observing System (TPOS) workshop, organized by NOAA and JAMSTEC, was held at Scribbs Institute from 27-30 January 2014, and discussed the potential of existing (i.e. Argo, satellite observation) and new technologies (i.e. profiling floats, gliders) in the region. • Future challenges: - strengthen collaboration with GOOS sibling panels (biogeochemistry, and biology) - strengthen collaboration with GCOS panels – potential back-to-back meeting with AOPC in 2016?

25. Co-sponsored GCOS/WCRP panels & related interactions Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC) • Chair: Prof Konrad Steffen (Director, WSL) • Back-to-back meeting with AOPC from 16-20 March 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. • Strong partnerships with the Global Terrestrial Networks (GTNs) on lakes, permafrost, glaciers, rivers, and hydrological issues. • Joint workshop of GCOS and GOFC-GOLD on ‘Observations for Climate Change Mitigation’ in May 2014, which did focus on engaging the agriculture mitigation community, representatives from the climate modelling and integrated impact assessment community, etc. • Future challenges: - how to connect different ECVs, need to define a common integrator - accuracy requirements for time series of 10+ years need to be discussed - finding key data centres for ECVs like ice sheets, albedo, etc. - financing workshops to gather communities around cross-cutting ECVs - definition new terrestrial ECVs - re-activation of the GTOS partnership/support – or find new supporting partners