1. Research and Innovation Research and Innovation Introduction 2013 Sprint to Summit (StoS) Barcelona, 16 April 2013 Alan EDWARDS Earth Observation Sector - Management of Natural Resources Unit Directorate Environment Directorate General Research & Innovation EUROPEAN COMMISSION Alan.Edwards@ec.europa.eu

2. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation The 2011 “Sprint to Plenary” was widely viewed as a success, achieved by adding functionality and capability to the GCI, (e.g. the DAB), through a coordinated development effort. Some of the desired capabilities of GEOSS are not yet fully realized, (data access), and hence there is a need to pursue a set of targeted improvements and enhancements to GEOSS and the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) in order to demonstrate operational improvements by the GEO Summit in January 2014. GEPW7 16/04/2013 2013 StoS: Background

3. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation In defining the content and format of the StoS, we must bear in mind that the outcome of the StoS will have to be demonstrated during one or several very short presentations and/or demonstrations (e.g. 3-minute video), so it should be appropriately packaged to attract the attention of Ministers and senior civil servants. Technological details will be of little interest to this audience, while tangible outcomes, and testimonials from end users about the added value of the GEOSS are important. The messages should be as simple as possible and easy to understand for non-experts. 2013 StoS: Background GEPW7 16/04/2013

4. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation However, the StoS should not be seen as simply a video production. It should be underpinned by real improved functionalities and capabilities, which can be demonstrated in technical sessions in the Summit exhibition. 2013 StoS: Background GEPW7 16/04/2013

5. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation In considering that many developing countries currently suffer from a very limited access to data, due to limitations in internet-based communications mechanisms, one demonstrator could showcase the use of GEONETCast as an effective alternative means for the distribution of data and products to users. Given the growing volume of resources contributed to GEOSS, the objective of this demonstrator is to broaden access to GEOSS resources by users for a variety of SBA needs. 2013 StoS: Possible Demo Scenarios GEPW7 16/04/2013

6. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation A second suggested demonstrator should address the scientific and policy community at the global level, and it could link to what is being done in global initiatives such as the Blue Planet. This could be very appropriate in view of GEO Post- 2015 and the importance given to a tighter collaboration with the UN agencies. Additionally, this demonstrator should be able to work not only at the global level but also at the regional level. A possible demonstrator in this area could focus on the management of marine resources/aquaculture, which relates to global issues like food security. 2013 StoS: Possible Demo Scenarios GEPW7 16/04/2013

7. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation An idea for a third demonstrator is the WIS (WMO Information Service) and the connection with the GEOSS Data Access Broker, highlighting how this enables WMO analysts to gain access to additional GEOSS data. This demonstrator would enable GEO to showcase UN agency involvement, societal benefits and the access to GEOSS resources from community-specific portals. 2013 StoS: Possible Demo Scenarios GEPW7 16/04/2013

8. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation It is important that the demonstrators defined are exportable to other regions and contexts / disciplines, even though it is clear we cannot address all Societal Benefit Areas (SBA). The targeted scenarios focus on particular end-user groups, but should also have a broader impact. 2013 StoS: Possible Demo Scenarios GEPW7 16/04/2013

9. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation To achieve these objectives, some solid enhancement to the functionality of the GCI are needed. A key one is full and open access to data. The use of GEOSS Data-CORE resources to underpin the demonstrators is therefore critical, as, particularly in the eyes of Ministers, the Data-CORE represents one of the most significant added values of GEOSS, compared to other platforms such as Google. 2013 StoS: Possible Demo Scenarios GEPW7 16/04/2013

10. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation [Please note that the following are extracts from the complete list of proposed GCI activities.] 1.Improvement of the GEO Web Portal (GWP) interface, providing the means to search data by keyword, time, geography, and full and open access (Data-CORE). 2.Promoting interconnectivity between Community Portals and GEOSS for improved use of GEOSS resources by SBA users. 2013 StoS: Proposed GCI Activities GEPW7 16/04/2013

11. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation SBA Task Teams, Communities of Practice and other users need ways to connect existing and emerging community portals to GEOSS. [Community portals provide functionality in much the same way as the GWP, tailored to the needs and terminology of a specific community]. This activity will emphasize and increase the interconnectivity of community portals with GCI and other GEOSS resources. This activity will improve the capability for users to access data relevant to their SBA needs and can be showcased at the Summit. Citizens' Observatories Workshop 29/01/2013 2013 StoS: Proposed GCI Activities

12. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation 3.Improved access to the data from the discovered results. This is an activity that needs to be carried out together with the data providers. Priority should go: i. To Data-CORE resources for the StoS demos ii. To other Data-CORE iii. To the rest of the data (over time) 4.Possibility to preview the data before accessing. 2013 StoS: Proposed GCI Activities GEPW7 16/04/2013

13. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation 5.Work with data providers to implement use metrics, and develop or enhance a GCI component to capture the metrics and allow reporting of them. The purpose of these metrics is to allow GEO, GEOSS providers, and GEOSS users to gain insight into the use of GEOSS resources. 2013 StoS: Proposed GCI Activities GEPW7 16/04/2013

14. Policy Research and Innovation Research and Innovation 6.Increase the registration of socio-economic, time series and modelling resources in GEOSS to support contextual use of EO data for societal benefits. 7.Increase the registration of higher level products (e.g. from GMES Services or similar). 2013 StoS: Proposed GCI Activities GEPW7 16/04/2013

15. Research and Innovation Research and Innovation Thank you for your help in making the 2013 Sprint to the Summit a success! And with grateful acknowledgement to all of those who have contribute to this presentation. They are far too many to mention by name, but their input and efforts are invaluable.