Worldwide systematic observation of the climate system is a key prerequisite for advancing scientific knowledge on climate change.  The Convention calls on Parties to promote and cooperate in systematic observation of the climate system, including through support to existing international programmes and networks, as indicated in Articles 4.1(g) and 5 of the Convention.   A key dimension for the implementation of those Articles has been the cooperation with the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other agencies participating in WMO's Climate Agenda. more >>

COP 15 (Copenhagen, December 2009) adopted a decision on Systematic climate observations, which inter alia:

• Urges Parties and invites relevant United Nations agencies and international organizations to work towards addressing the priorities and gaps identified in the report on progress with the GCOS Implementation Plan (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.7), in particular the implementation of the regional action plans that were developed during 2001-2006, and ensuring sustained long-term operation of essential in situ networks, especially for the oceanic and terrestrial domains, including through provision of the necessary resources.
• Encourages Parties in a position to do so to support sustaining climate observations over the long term in developing countries (especially in LDCs and SIDS);
• Invites GCOS to update, by SBSTA 33, the GCOS Implementation Plan, taking into account emerging needs in climate observation, in particular those relating to adaptation activities;
• Encourages GTOS to implement the framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate, as a joint terrestrial framework mechanism between relevant agencies of the UN and ISO;
• Encourages the CEOS to continue coordinating and supporting the implementation of the satellite component of the GCOS;
• Urges Parties that support space agencies involved in global observations to enable continued implementation of actions identified in the updated report of the CEOS (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.11), in order to meet the relevant needs of the Convention, in particular by ensuring long-term continuity of observations and data availability.

For the full text of the COP decision on Systematic climate observations, see here.

COP 15 further noted with appreciation the outcome of World Climate Conference-3 (Geneva, 31 August to 4 September 2009) organized by the WMO and its partner organizations, in particular the decision to establish a Global Framework for Climate Services to strengthen the production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services.

For the full text of the draft COP conclusions on research and systematic observation, see FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8 paras 41-42.

SBSTA 31

SBSTA 31 (December 2009) was provided with the provisional update of the GCOS implementation plan (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.12), which was welcomed by the SBSTA.

SBSTA 31 also welcomed the information on the outcome of World Climate Conference-3 (Geneva, 31 August to 4 September 2009), provided by WMO.

For the full text of the SBSTA 31 conclusions on research and systematic observation, see FCCC/SBSTA/2009/8, paragraphs 35-42.

Next steps: Outlook for SBSTA 32 (May-June 2010) and SBSTA 33 (November-December 2010)  

SBSTA 32 will consider issues related to research.

For SBSTA 33, the following reports have been invited:

• An update of the GCOS implementation plan (by the GCOS secretariat)
• A report on the results of the implementation of the framework for climate-related terrestrial observations and on the elaboration of a work plan for developing observational standards and protocols for the 13 terrestrial ECVs assessed (by the GTOS secretariat)
• A report on progress made on efforts by CEOS in meeting the relevant needs of the Convention (by CEOS).

Other issues of relevance to systematic observation are also under consideration under other agenda items, such as under the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change.  In particular, SBSTA 33 will have before it the outcomes from a technical workshop on how regional centres and networks undertaking work relevant to climate change could collaborate (Samoa, 2-5 March 2010).  

SBSTA 30 (Bonn, June 2009), expressed its appreciation for the following reports:

• Report on progress with the GCOS implementation plan (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.7);
• A synthesis report on national information on systematic observations for climate (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.7/Add.1);
• A report on progress in assessing the status of the development of standards for essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain (FCCC/SBSTA/2009/MISC.8);
• A report on progress made by space agencies involved in global observations in implementing actions in response to the GCOS implementation plan (FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.11).

Following consideration of the above reports, the SBSTA, inter alia:

• Noted the priorities stated in the GCOS progress report; and
• Invited GCOS to provide a provisional updated implementation plan in conjunction with a provisional estimation of costs prior to COP 15.

For the full text of the SBSTA 30 conclusions on research and systematic observation, see FCCC/SBSTA/2009/3.

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Research and systematic observation has been a regular and separate agenda item of the SBSTA since its seventeenth session (October 2002).