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| Global Climate Observing System Steering Committee | |
|---|---|
| Name | Global Climate Observing System Steering Committee |
| Formation | 1992 |
| Type | Intergovernmental advisory body |
| Headquarters | Geneva |
| Parent organization | World Meteorological Organization |
| Region served | Global |
Global Climate Observing System Steering Committee
The Global Climate Observing System Steering Committee provides strategic direction for the Global Climate Observing System, linking observational planning across atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and cryospheric domains. It convenes experts to coordinate implementation of observational networks and standards with international bodies to support assessments, modeling and adaptation. The committee interacts with scientific panels, national agencies and intergovernmental mechanisms to sustain long-term climate data records.
The Steering Committee functions as the executive advisory group coordinating the World Meteorological Organization, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Environment Programme, Group on Earth Observations, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change efforts to maintain interoperable climate observations. It guides connections among the Global Ocean Observing System, Global Atmosphere Watch, Global Terrestrial Observing System, Global Cryosphere Watch, and Global Hydrological Cycle Observing System to meet requirements from the IPCC Assessment Reports, UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The committee liaises with research entities such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Met Office, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Origins trace to initiatives by the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in response to scientific calls from the Royal Society, National Research Council (United States), and the International Council for Science. Early milestones include coordination with the World Climate Programme, establishment amid discussions at the Earth Summit (1992), and alignment with the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) implementation plans advocated by Christiana Figueres-era climate diplomacy and policy dialogues at the United Nations General Assembly. The committee evolved through consultations with bodies such as the Global Atmosphere Watch, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, and the World Weather Watch, adapting to technological advances from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and Sentinel satellite series as well as in situ networks like Argo (oceanography), Global Drifter Program, and FluxNet. Major reports influencing development include assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and synthesis work by the Global Ocean Commission.
Governance links to the World Meteorological Congress and oversight by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination through relationships with agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Membership comprises nominated representatives from national meteorological services including UK Met Office, Météo-France, Deutscher Wetterdienst, regional bodies like the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and research institutions including NOAA, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, CSIRO, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory. Ex officio seats often include delegates from the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The committee consults with scientific panels such as the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, International Arctic Science Committee, and advisory groups from the Global Climate Observing System Panels.
The committee sets priorities for sustained observations to inform the IPCC Assessment Reports, Global Stocktake (UNFCCC), and national reporting to the UNFCCC. It endorses observing system standards promoted by the International Organization for Standardization and supports calibration and validation efforts with partners like the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and Committee on Earth Observation Satellites. Responsibilities include gap analyses, coordinated implementation planning with Group on Earth Observations and World Data System, and advising on capacity building in collaboration with the World Bank, Green Climate Fund, and regional development banks such as the Asian Development Bank. The committee fosters data stewardship aligned with GEOSS principles and works with archives like the National Centers for Environmental Information and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Key initiatives coordinated or influenced by the committee include sustained support for Argo (oceanography), expansion of the Global Climate Reference Network, improvements to satellite continuity via missions like Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, and integration of surface networks such as Global Observing System stations. It advances thematic elements: atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring with networks like the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment, ocean heat content monitoring linked to Scripps Institution of Oceanography programs, cryosphere observing through International Arctic Buoy Programme and International Polar Year legacies, and terrestrial flux measurements via FluxNet. Cross-cutting efforts engage initiatives like the Global Earth Observation System of Systems and the Global Framework for Climate Services.
The committee maintains partnerships with intergovernmental entities Group on Earth Observations, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, and finance partners such as the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility. Scientific collaborations include NASA, NOAA, European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Canadian Space Agency, CSIRO, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and university consortia like Imperial College London and University of Oxford. It engages stakeholders from regional bodies including the Caribbean Community, Pacific Islands Forum, and African Union to address observational capacity. Private sector links encompass satellite operators and data services such as EUMETSAT and commercial providers active in Copernicus implementations.
Through guidance to the UNFCCC, input to the IPCC, and contributions to the Global Stocktake (UNFCCC), the committee has influenced national climate monitoring policies, investment in observing infrastructure by agencies like NOAA and Environment and Climate Change Canada, and donor priorities within the World Bank and Green Climate Fund. Its recommendations inform compliance with reporting under the Paris Agreement and underpin adaptation planning referenced in Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction documents and national adaptation plans submitted to the UNFCCC. The committee’s coordination has improved data availability for operational centers such as ECMWF and research synthesis centers including IPCC author teams, supporting international assessments and negotiations.
Category:Climate monitoring organizations