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Recent sessions
COP 15 (Copenhagen, December 2009) adopted a decision on Systematic climate
observations, which inter alia:
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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.
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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);
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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;
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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;
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Encourages the CEOS to continue coordinating and supporting the implementation of the
satellite component of the GCOS;
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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.
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.
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.
COP 13 in Bali (December 2007) adopted, by decision 11/CP.13, revised UNFCCC
reporting guidelines on global climate change observing system (FCCC/CP/2007/6/Add.2) to be used for the preparation of detailed reports on systematic
observations. Such reports are provided by Annex I Parties in conjunction with their national
communications and on a voluntary basis by non-Annex I Parties.
At SBSTA 29 (December 2008), the GTOS secretariat provided a report on progress in assessing the status of the
development of standards for essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain, including on the
framework for terrestrial climate-related observations (see FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.12).
The CEOS provided an updated report on progress by
space agencies involved in global observations in implementing actions in response to the GCOS
implementation plan (see FCCC/SBSTA/2008/MISC.11).
SBSTA 29 welcomed these reports and decided to defer their consideration to
SBSTA 30 when it will also consider the comprehensive report on progress with the GCOS implementation
plan to be provided by the GCOS secretariat for that session.
Earlier sessions
SBSTA 18 (Bonn, June 2003) considered the state of the global observing
systems for climate, on the basis of the second adequacy report (“Second report on the
adequacy of the global observing systems for climate in support of the UNFCCC”, endorsed by
SBSTA 15, prepared by GCOS).
COP 9 (Milan, December 2003) adopted a decision on global observing systems
for climate ( decision
11/CP.9). Among other important issues, this decision calls for the preparation of an
Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the
UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the GCOS implementation plan) to
be coordinated by GCOS in collaboration with the ad hoc Group on Earth Observations (GEO). The decision further invites the
sponsoring agencies of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) to develop a framework for the preparation of guidance
materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate.
The GCOS
implementation plan was submitted to and endorsed by COP10 (Buenos Aires, December 2004) in
decision 5/CP.10. The COP requested
the GCOS secretariat to provide information to the SBSTA as required, at subsequent sessions, on how
the actions identified in the implementation plan are being implemented.
In this regard, SBSTA 21 (Buenos Aires, December 2004) invited the GCOS
secretariat, in conjunction with the GCOS sponsoring agencies, to prepare a synthesis report on how
actions identified in the implementation plan have been incorporated in the plans and actions of the
GCOS sponsoring agencies. A report on this matter (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.14) was provided by the GCOS to SBSTA 23.
At SBSTA 22 (Bonn, May/June 2005), Parties welcomed the report
on progress made towards implementing the initial ocean climate observing system and the final
report on the analysis of data
exchange in global atmospheric and hydrological networks provided by the GCOS secretariat in
consultation with the WMO.
SBSTA 22 also welcomed the endorsement of the 10-year Implementation Plan
at the third Earth Observation Summit (February 2005) which establishes the Global Earth Observation System of
Systems (GEOSS) as an important development in systematic observation to contribute to the
enhancement of climate change research, as well as the continuing contribution of the GCOS to this
process.
SBSTA 23 (Montreal, December 2005) welcomed the following reports received
in response to earlier mandates:
SBSTA 23 expressed a number of requests to related agencies and Parties in regard to the GCOS
implementation plan, regional workshop programmes and observational needs, including:
- Inviting the GTOS secretariat to report on the progress in developing a framework for the
preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing
systems for climate by SBSTA 26 (May 2007) and to assess the status of the development of standards
for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain.
- Requesting the GCOS secretariat to provide a comprehensive report on progress with the GCOS
implementation plan at SBSTA 30 (June 2009).
- Inviting Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September 2008, additional information on
their national activities with respect to implementing the GCOS implementation plan.
- Inviting the GCOS secretariat to submit to the SBSTA a proposal on ways and means to address the
needs for consideration of the revision of the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate
change observing systems” at SBSTA25.
- Inviting the GCOS secretariat, in cooperation with the Regional Workshop Advisory Committee, to
report on the results of the programme at SBSTA 25.
At SBSTA 25 (Nairobi, December 2006) Parties considered a proposal for the
possible revision of the “UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing
system” (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.12)
provided by the GCOS secretariat. The SBSTA agreed to further consider revised guidelines at
SBSTA 27 with a view of recommending revised guidelines for adoption by COP 13.
SBSTA 25 also received the report on the results of the GCOS regional workshop programme (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.13)
and encouraged advancing implementation of the actions outlined in the regional action plans produced
under that programme.
Furthermore, the SBSTA welcomed the report by the CEOS on the coordinated response by space agencies
involved in global observations to the needs expressed in the GCOS implementation plan (FCCC/SBSTA/2006/MISC.14)
and asked for continuation of such efforts.
At SBSTA 26 (Bonn, June 2007), the secretariat of the GTOS submitted two
progress reports in response to previous mandates by the SBSTA, one on the development of a framework
for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial
observing systems for climate, and one on the assessment of the status of the development of
standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.6).
In addition, the GTOS secretariat provided progress reports on both issues for consideration at SBSTA
27.
At SBSTA 27 (Bali, December 2007), Parties welcomed the progress
reports by the GTOS secretariat on the assessment of the status of the development of standards for
essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain and on the framework for the preparation of
guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate
(FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.27). The
SBSTA encouraged the GTOS secretariat and the sponsoring agencies of GTOS to continue their work,
taking into account a number of criteria in the further development of the framework. The SBSTA
invited the GTOS secretariat to report on progress to SBSTA 29. For the full text of the SBSTA
27 conclusions see FCCC/SBSTA/2007/16.
SBSTA 27 also received an updated proposal for UNFCCC reporting guidelines on climate change
observing systems (FCCC/SBSTA/2007/MISC.26)
by the GCOS secretariat, based on comments received by scientific and government experts.
Following consideration of that proposal, Parties recommended a draft decision containing revised
UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing systems for adoption by COP 13.
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