1. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 COST Action 723 Stefan Bühler Institute of Environmental Physics University of Bremen sbuehler@uni-bremen.de What is COST? Aims and Structure of Action 723 Status

2. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler European COoperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research Participation –33 COST countries + Israel (Co-operating Country)33 COST countries + Israel (Co-operating Country) –The European CommissionThe European Commission –International organizations and research establishments from non- COST countriesInternational organizations and research establishments from non- COST countries COST Actions –Concerted actions of nationally funded R&D –Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) What is COST ?

3. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler u The fifteen EU Member States u EFTA Member States ä Iceland ä Norway ä Switzerland* u Candidate Counties ä Bulgaria ä Cyprus ä Czech Republic ä Estonia ä Hungary ä Latvia * Not Associated to FP u Co-operating State ä Israel ä Lithuania ä Malta ä Poland ä Romania ä Slovak Republic ä Slovenia u Other Countries ä Federal Republic of Yugoslavia* ä Turkey * ä Croatia *

4. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler COST Characteristics Concerted Actions / Networking Co-Ordination Pan-European “Non-Competitive” (pre-normative; environmental and cross-border problems; public utility) Financed Nationally Bottom-up / Flexibility “A la carte” Participation “Integration” Complementarity Exploratory Commission Involvement

5. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler COST 723 „The Role of the UTLS in Global Change“ Altitude region around the tropopause is crucial for earths energy balance (water vapor cooling below, ozone heating above). Chemical, microphysical, and dynamical processes not well understood. Model and data studies for this altitude region. Assimilation as the central tool to consolidate models and observations. 3 Workgroups for the 3 areas. Common workshops for all workgroups.

6. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler WG1: Measurement Techniques and Campaigns Gather data and make it available to the Action. Critically assess the weak links in our measurement capabilities, help to identify new techniques and platforms to strengthen them. Improve the use of satellite data by the EO community, help to assess new sensors. Evaluate measurement campaigns and help plan and promote new campaigns. Examples: Improved radiosonde calibration techniques, RT modeling efforts for improved satellite data usage.

7. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler

8. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler WG 2: An Assimilated Ozone and Humidity Dataset Identify most relevant datasets of atmospheric constituents and other key parameters for UTLS. Develop and publish assimilation algorithms. Compute assimilated dataset and make it available. Quality control of observations and models. Analyze benefits of combining nadir and limb sounder information. Preliminary studies towards assimilation of instrument radiances from research satellites.

9. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler WG 3: Assessing the State of the UTLS and Understanding the Relevant Processes Assess UTLS climatology (mean state and variability). Assess trends where possible. Study dynamical processes in the UTLS and their role in global change. Quantify anthropogenic impact on the UTLS. Example for possible process studies: Connection of UTLS exchange processes to polar and subtropical jets.

10. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler Status CSO approves draft MOU Preparation (6 months-1 year) Dissemination (years) time 5 countries sign MOU 1st Draft (2 months) Implementation (4 years) Monitoring TC adopts draft MoU TC assesse s proposa ls Assessment Evaluation 1st MC Meeting

11. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler Signatures Denmark (Per Høeg, Niels Larsen) Greece (Christos Zerefos, Prodromos Zanis) Spain (Manuel Gil, Emilio Cuevas) UK (William Lahoz) Poland (Zenobia Litynska) Sweden (Nils Gustafsson, Patrick Eriksson) Germany (Stefan Bühler) Italy (Alberto Adriani) Netherlands (Hennie Kelder, Peter Siegmund) Pending Switzerland (Nick Kämpfer, Dietrich Feist) Norway (Ivar Isaksen) France (Michel Desbois) European Institutions ESA (Jörg Langen) Eumetsat (Dieter Klaes) ECMWF (Adrian Simmons)

12. Institut für Umweltphysik Physik/Elektrotechnik Fachbereich 1 Stefan Bühler Summary Improve data quality and availability (facilitate data exchange). Improve assimilation methods and provide assimilated UTLS dataset. Scientific Interpretation of raw and assimilated data. Well defined goals and scope / Complementary to EU FP. Relies on continued national and EU funding for Research projects within the Actions domain Complementary Research projects Possible involvement in FP6 Network of Excellence?