Land Cover Side Event: Harmonized Pathways Towards Policy Needs Gary Geller, GEO Senior Expert Biodiversity and Ecosystems 9 November 2015, Mexico City

Objectives Explore and identify paths towards greater “harmonization” Explore and identify ways to improve utilization of –Existing LCLU datasets –Observations (all types) Identify potential collaborators for UNSD Foster increased dialogue among all parties Harmonization broadly defined: activities, collaborations, observations, LC classes, validation…

Outputs and Outcomes Identification of key players Identification of key issues Thoughts on addressing key issues Guidance for GEO Land Cover task Starting point for future discussions

Approach Lay out basics –Players –Existing data –User needs Focus on discussion –Not on details of existing data or needs –Roundtable approach –Details online GEO role –Facilitate, foster collaboration, convene

Questions… What are the specific causes of limited harmonization? What are the options for addressing these? What user requirements are shared among many users? How well are these requirements being met? What is missing and why? What concrete steps should be taken?

Agenda

Questions for Data Users What problem are you trying to solve? What do you need to know about land cover? What update frequency do you need? Do current Land Cover datasets meet your needs? If not—what is missing?

Questions for Data Providers When you selected your legend—what were your criteria? Whose needs was the legend designed for? What are your thoughts on how to create a more “harmonized” legend? How accurate is the product? Will your data processing be operationalized?

The Way Forward What are the specific causes of limited harmonization? What are the options for addressing these? What user requirements are shared among many users? How well are these requirements being met? What is missing and why? What concrete steps should be taken?

11 Thank you!