Earth Information Day 

Linking Earth observation with the global response to climate change
Tuesday 8 November
Plenary Casablanca
10.15–18.00

Programme (405 kB)  
Detailed Programme with links to all presentations and posters
Webcast: Opening and Part I
Webcast: Part II
Storify coverage of the day
Summary report (2932 kB)

Introduction

Systematic observation of the state of the climate – atmosphere, ocean and land – enables the identification of climate change and associated impacts, and future trends. It is the fundamental basis upon which the UNFCCC was founded, the Paris Agreement was adopted, and decision-making at all levels on climate change mitigation and adaptation depend.

The science community provides the systematic observation data and information to advance scientific research knowledge and support climate services. This large breadth of scientific material is needed to assist governments and stakeholders in developing the urgent strategies and action required to assess, track and ultimately attain the Paris Agreement’s goals in the context of sustainable development.

Rationale

The Earth Information Day presents the opportunity to optimise engagement and connect information and requirements between the science community, Party and non-Party stakeholders to benefit the intergovernmental process and Paris Agreement implementation.

It will provide an up–to–date picture of the state of the climate and an outlook on developments and opportunities to support decision making on risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation at regional and national level.

It could be a central underpinning for the global stocktake providing dynamic and continuous learning from the science community to inform and motivate acceleration of progress based on the best available science.

Earth Information Day at COP 22 includes a focus on actions and opportunities to support adaptation in Africa.

Programme overview

The Earth Information Day will feature speakers from the heads of UN and international science organizations and agencies and the scientific community on:

• The state of the climate and the global carbon budget and the development of indicators to support adaptation and mitigation;

• The GCOS Implementation Plan 2016 – explaining the essential climate variables, indicators and actions to support the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals;

• New developments in the estimation of GHG emissions from Earth observations to support national inventories;

• Earth observation actions and services to support adaptation in Africa.

The broad programme agenda is as follows:

10.15–10.45 Opening
10.45–13.00 Part I: Current Observations and Knowledge
15.00–18.00 Part II: Developments and Opportunities

Part I and Part II will both feature presentations and discussion followed by a poster session where delegates can interact with experts on a one–on–one basis. The posters will be on display for public viewing all day.

Detailed Programme  

Posters  

Experts will be available to discuss posters at the end of both morning (Part I) and afternoon (Part II) sessions as indicated in the programme above

Abbreviations:
CEOS = Committee on Earth Observation Satellites; CORDEX = Coordinated Regional climate Downscaling Experiment; ESA = European Space Agency; GCOS = Global Climate Observing System; GEO = Group on Earth Observations; GOFC–GOLD = Global Observation for Forest Cover and Land Dynamics; ICOS = Integrated Carbon Observation System; LEG = Least Developed Countries Expert Group; UNDP = United Nations Development Programme; UNESCO–IOC = Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO; UNOOSA = United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; WCRP = World Climate Research Programme; WMO = World Meteorological Organization