Framework for terrestrial climate- related observations (TCF)

TCF - Issue: “..the climate observing system in the Terrestrial Domain remains the least well-developed component of the global system, whilst at the same time there is increasing significance being placed on terrestrial data for climate forcing and understanding, as well as for impact and mitigation assessment..” (GCOS IP, 2004)

TCF - GCOS Recommendation: “..A key requirement for successful implementation of this Plan is the urgent establishment of an international body for climate observations for the Terrestrial Domain by the relevant international organizations..” “Key Action 9: The relevant intergovernmental organizations including WMO, FAO, UNEP, and ICSU need to create a mechanism for establishing standards, regulatory material and guidelines for terrestrial observing systems.” (GCOS IP, 2004)

TCF - Task: “the sponsoring agencies of the Global Climate Observing System, and in particular those of the Global Terrestrial Observing System, in consultation with other 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 ” (Conference of the Parties on its Ninth Session, Milan, Italy, 1-12 December 2003) “.. to expand the comprehensiveness of current networks, facilitate exchange of data, and provide strategic direction to the terrestrial climate sector” (GEO Climate Task CL-06-03)

TCF - Considerations  Because of the global character of climate change, an ongoing “operational” system will require the collective involvement of governments in the observing, processing and archiving activities at the national level  TCF may need to be undertaken “jointly by” or “in coordination with” several intergovernmental or international organizations that have legitimate interest in terrestrial observations and/or need them to fulfill their mandate  A TCF should be responsive to a broad range of user groups or their representatives; and facilitate revisions in response to changing requirements and technologies  TCF could be successful only if individual countries approve it and adopt compliance with the resulting guidance materials, standards, reporting guidelines and products  The complexity of the issues may require a progressive set of actions that leads toward governmental consensus and concerted action

Review of current practice: Intergovernmental organization model  “Subsidiary body” of an intergovernmental organization – Strong links to national governments. Easier to achieve national compliance with decisions by international body – High administrative overhead, limited flexibility, large bureaucracy  Examples: Technical Commissions (WMO), JCOMM (IOC/WMO)

Review of current practice: Intergovernmental organization model (cont’d)  “Programme” co-sponsored by intergovernmental / international organizations –Reports to the decision bodies of the co-sponsoring organizations. Impact of reporting seems to vary with several factors –Since it is a creation of UN agencies, the Programme operates under rules ultimately approved by the member nations  Examples: GCOS, GTOS, GOOS

Review of current practice: International organization model  A “non-governmental association” of national institutions supported by a central secretariat – Objectives resemble those of members but at global level – Set up subsidiary bodies as required (e.g., Technical Committees) – Strengths (ISO): well established, successful track record with tested procedures; less bureaucratic, more flexible – Weaknesses (ISO): limited access to UN agency bodies; informal only access to national terrestrial observation entities. Limited involvement in environmental observation topics. Process can be slow and costly.  Examples: International Organization for Standardization (ISO; members are national standards bodies), International Council for Science (ICSU; national scientific bodies)

TCF – desirable characteristics  A review of the characteristics of successful international mechanisms highlights several conditions that support their success and impact: – a mechanism for input from individual countries – a means for coordination at international level with groups or organizations with similar interests – a mechanism for arriving at a international scientific or technical consensus – a means for conveying the consensus to the national level for action; – a strategy that will ensure financial and in-kind support by national governments; – a communication strategy to raise the profile of the work and raise extra- budgetary resources; – responsive to changing requirements

COP – Decision 7. 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 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). SBSTA 23rd session Montreal, 28 November to 6 December 2005.

ICPC Interagency Coordination and Planning Committee for GEO/GEOSS Replaces Sponsors Group for the Global Observing Systems (G3OS) FAO, IOC, UNESCO, UNEP and WMO and ICSU as an observer (WHO has been invited to join). Established by United Nations Executive Heads to enable a coordinated response to GEO-related issues. Planning UN response to GEOSS implementation (among others); and to strengthen UN Agency role in the work plan. Assisting the development of a joint mechanism for a framework for terrestrial observations (reviewing potential models; use existing processes; 13 terrestrial ECVs from the GCOS Implementation Plan should be given priority but all key terrestrial variables should be eventually considered).

Challenges  Establishing a new mechanism will require an international consensus- a lengthy process  An effective mechanism will require new financial resources  Information about ECVs dispersed, at various stages of development, and involving different communities

Future plans  Present results of further development of the framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate to SBSTA/COP in May 2007 (after consultation…)  Formulate next steps on the basis of SBSTA/COP decision

Thank you GTOS Secretariat tel: fax:

Climate - related terrestrial observations  Identified in the GCOS Implementation Plan (2004): 13 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs): – Albedo – Biomass – Fire disturbance – Fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) – Glaciers and ice caps – Ground water – Lake levels – Land cover (including vegetation type) – Leaf area index – Permafrost and seasonally-frozen ground – River discharge – Snow cover – Water use