1. Carbon side session with WGs and VCs
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
Carbon side session with WGs and VCs
Mark Dowell (EC-JRC)
Oxford, UK
14th-15th September 2016

2. Carbon Session Agenda
Introduction and proposed approach to addressing the CEOS Carbon Strategy CEOS Actions - M.Dowell
Short (10 min) presentations by first round of Carbon Strategy activities (WG and VCs proposing initial projects)
Discussion on additional possible "projects" cross cutting WGs and VCs - All
Discussion on CEOS CGMS collaboration/coordination on Carbon/CO2 S.Briggs
Additional topics: mapping agency carbon projects/programmes, GEOCarbon engagement, dedicated multi- day meeting in 2017, agreed Actions and preparation for Plenary - All, mod M.Dowell

3. Truly cross-cutting within CEOS
Spreadsheet identified lead CEOS “Entity” as:
Atmospheric Chemistry-VC: 6 Actions
Land Surface Imaging-VC: 4 Actions
Working Group Climate: 7 Actions
Working Group Calibration/Validation: 11 Actions
Strategic Implementation Team: 7 Actions
N/A: 2 Actions
Many other WGs and VCs named as contributing

4. Plenary 2015
Way Forward
VCs and WGs were reassured that Principals understand that ‘finishing’ many of the actions is a long-term effort and that an ‘agile’ approach is appropriate.
Noting the need to build momentum the SIT Vice Chair suggested that:
VCs and WGs focus specific near-term (1 year) steps that are achievable and will show progress.
Principals be engaged to determine their support for these proposed ‘next steps’; with this helping give VCs and WGs confidence in their direction.

5. CEOS WP 2016-2018 Birth of the Carbon Strategy meta-Action
CARB-8: Implementation of agreed actions in response to CEOS Strategy for Carbon Observations from Space
And dedicated Action on support to GEO Carbon Flagship
CARB-12: Support for definition of a potential GEO Carbon Flagship

6. Proposed Process
Forego the “traffic light” approach to monitoring and review Carbon Action for some time [Although we will internally keep an overview of overall progress]
Focus on a number (5-7) of WG and VC proposed initiatives
These will also act as “prototypes” for number of crosscutting aspects related to the Carbon Action implementation i.e.:
Initiatives addressing multiple Actions
Initiatives across multiple CEOS entities VCs & WGs
Initiatives addressing multiple thematic examples from the same Carbon Action
Initiatives which “CEOSize” efforts previously undertaken within a specific CEOS Agency or through bilateral efforts
In parallel we would continue several supporting activities: GEO Carbon Flagship engagement, mapping Agency level projects onto Carbon Actions, 2 yr CEOS Carbon Workshop

7. Initial Proposed Initiatives (TBC)
ACC – Whitepaper on geo and polar GHG constellation
WGClimate – Meta gap analysis of ECV compatible Carbon variable, following WGClimate Inventory gap analysis
WGISS – CEOS Carbon Data Portal, Discoverability assessments
WGCV –
NASA - follow on from NASA-ESA Biomass workshop, prioritize next step on Cal/Val, inisitu site identification
JAXA – IPCC and UNFCCC engagement
...
These address a good cross-section of Actions across the Carbon Strategy

8. Proposed point to make to Plenary
Plenary to agree on overall approach i.e. a smaller number of dedicated activity addressing multiple Actions
Update would be provided at Plenary 2017, process to be reviewed at Plenary 2018
Additional initiatives could be added at any point if critical mass and resources available
Plenary to comment on initial Initiatives proposed
Big omissions we should follow-up on
Generous offers of dedicated resources welcome
Additional comments welcome on:
Organisation of dedicated CEOS Carbon Workshop (across WGs and VCs) first one Q – then every 2 yrs
GEOCarbon Flagship engagement and involvement with other external stakeholders

9. ACC Initiative
Placeholder

10. Actions assigned to WGClimate
Encourage the production and availability of high-quality, consistent long time series data products based on multiple sensors and missions for carbon and climate science and for model-data and data-data intercomparison exercises.
WGCV AC-VC LSI-VC OCR-VC
Make publicly available all information necessary to document the accuracy, clarity, and traceability of the satellite data and data products they produce.
WGCV VCs
Coordinate efforts to develop compatible (e.g., temporal and spatial resolution, grids, data formats, common auxiliary data, units) carbon data products from multiple missions
OCR-VC AC-VC LSI-VC WGCV
Ensure the long-term accessibility of satellite data and data products for carbon cycle science and policy. This must include arrangement for secure archives, documentation, and metadata as well as for provisions for easy discovery and access
WGISS
Serve as a point-of-contact for appropriate satellite products for major model-data intercomparison exercises related to the carbon cycle.
WGClimate chair membership on WDAC
Activation highlighted in red consistent with WGClimate Inventory-Gap Analysis process

11. WGClimate Initiative
For consistent ECV - Carbon products take advantage of Inventory output to produce gap analysis of subset of ECV Products contributing to Carbon Strategy
Space Based GCOS ECVs in Inventory
Products requested in Carbon Strategy
6th Meeting of the Joint CEOS/CGMS Working Group on Climate, March, Paris (France)

12. WGISS Initiative
Placeholder

13. WGCV Initiative
Placeholder

14. NASA Initiative
Placeholder

15. JAXA Presentation
Placeholder

16. The GEO C-FLAGSHIP
A common platform for coordination of interfaces and joint work
The GEO C-Flagship initiative will provide cross integration among the different pieces of the global system, acting as the coordination of the interfaces (between: atmosphere, ocean and terrestrial domains; space-based, air-borne and in-situ monitoring systems; other initiatives with global relevance inside and outside GEO) and promoting interoperability.
The C-Flagship will establish a common platform to plan joint strategies and implement joint activities.
Final aim: a global, integrated, comprehensive, financially sustained, long-term observational system for carbon cycle and GHGs providing data for scientists and knowledge for policy makers and society.

17. CEOS link to GEO Carbon Flagship
GEO Carbon Flagship is an active contribution to the climate component of the GEO Work Plan to provide decision makers with data, information and products needed to address climate policies and tackle global change
Represents an umbrella that links relevant different carbon-related initiatives within and beyond GEO, including being an implementing mechanism for the CEOS Carbon Strategy.
Coordinating Team and a Steering Committee for GEO Carbon Flagship set up with Stephen Plummer (ESA) tasked through to represent CEOS.
Close liaison in this process with SIT Carbon Actions coordinator
Others involved CMCC, GCP, ICOS, WMO/IG3IS, NEON, US Carbon Cycle Science Program, Active research centres in the GEO Carbon Task
Implementation Plan (IP) with tasks, roles and teams being written for submission to GEO-XIII Plenary.
Engagement in GEO Carbon Flagship facilitates engagement with in-situ