The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was established in 1992 to ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users. It is co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Council for Science (ICSU). GCOS is intended to be a long-term, user-driven operational system capable of providing the comprehensive observations required for monitoring the climate system, for detecting and attributing climate change, for assessing the impacts of climate variability and change, and for supporting research toward improved understanding, modelling and prediction of the climate system. It addresses the total climate system including physical, chemical and biological properties, and atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic, cryospheric and terrestrial processes.

Mode of Operation Co-ordination, advocacy, strategic planning

TOR of the GCOS Steering Committee.

To formulate the overall concept and scope of the GCOS, and to provide scientific and technical guidance to sponsoring and participating organizations and agencies for the planning, implementation and further development of the GCOS.

Specifically, the Steering Committee will be called upon:
(a) To identify observational requirements, define design objectives and recommend coordinated actions by sponsoring and participating organizations and agencies, in order to optimize the system's performance and coherence, taking cognizance of the responsibilities, working arrangements and recommendations of established scientific and technical bodies of such organizations and agencies;
(b) To review and assess the development and implementation of the components of the GCOS, and report to the sponsoring organizations and to the participating agencies as required;
(c) To facilitate the exchange of information among sponsoring and participating organizations and agencies, and in general make the objectives, resource requirements capabilities and outputs of GCOS known to relevant national and international bodies.

Membership (Updated: 25/08/04)
The GCOS Steering Committee (SC) consists of up sixteen scientific and technical experts selected on the basis of their personal expertise. The Chairs of standing panels are members ex officio. The SC is appointed jointly by the Executive Heads of the sponsoring organizations by mutual consent.

The membership of the SC includes a balanced geographical representation of major operational and research observing programmes contributing to the GCOS, as well as an appropriate mix of disciplines in atmospheric, oceanic, hydrological, cryospheric and biospheric sciences.

Prof. Paul J. MASON (Chairman) University of Reading, UK
Mr Kok Kee CHOW Malaysian Meteorological Service, Malaysia
Dr Yoji FURUHAMA NASDA, Japan
Dr Anthony HOLLINGSWORTH ECMWF, EU/UK
Dr Ola M. JOHANNESSEN NERSC, Norway
Dr Jack A. Kaye NASA USA
Dr Valentin MELESHKO Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory, Russia
Prof. Yunqi NI CAMS _Beijing, China
Prof. Laban A. OGALLO Drought Monitoring Centre – Nairobi,Kenya
Dr David WILLIAMS EUMETSAT, Germany
Mr Gregory W. WITHEE NOAA, USA
Dr Michael MANTON (AOPC) BoM, Australia
Dr Ed HARRISON (OOPC) NOAA PMEL, USA
Dr Alan BELWARD EC JRC Ispra , Italy

Mandate/Terms of Reference
GOOS is conceived as: a sustained, co-ordinated international system for gathering data about the oceans and seas of the Earth, a system for processing such data, with other relevant data from other domains, to enable the generation of beneficial analytical and prognostic environmental information services, and the research and development on which such services depend for their improvement.

The primary objectives of GOOS are:
• to specify the marine observational data needed on a continuing basis to meet the needs of the world community of users of the oceanic environment;
• to develop and implement an internationally co-ordinated strategy for the gathering, acquisition and exchange of these data;
• to facilitate the development of uses and products of these data, and encourage and widen their application in use and protection of the marine environment;
• to facilitate means by which less-developed nations can increase their capacity to acquire and use marine data according to the GOOS framework;
• to co-ordinate the ongoing operations of GOOS and ensure its integration within wider global observational and environmental management strategies.

GOOS will provide information about the present and future states of seas and oceans and their living resources, and on the role of the oceans in climate change. Its foundations are in place, and the existing states of scientific knowledge, technical capability, and current operational systems point to the need for incremental, progressive implementation now. In fact, implementation has begun, based on the integration of previously separate existing observing systems.

Mode of Operation GOOS operates at an intergovernmental level. It has an Intergovernmental GOOS Panel, a GOOS steering committee and a number of regional programmes

I-GOOS
The intergovernmental IOC-WMO-UNEP Committee for GOOS (I-GOOS) was initially established by the IOC Executive Council at its twenty-fifth Session (Paris, March 1992) as the IOC Committee for GOOS (resolution EC-XXV.3), to , inter alia , replace the Committee on Ocean Processes and Climate. WMO and UNEP agreed to co-sponsor the Committee in 1993. Meets in Plenary every 2 years.
Terms of Reference
The IOC Committee for GOOS will :
• be responsible for promotion, co-ordination, implementation and management of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS);
• identify the resources needed for GOOS and the means for obtaining them;
• develop and update plans for, initiate implementation stages and monitor the progress of GOOS;
• develop such plans on the advice of the GOOS Technical and Scientific Advisory Panel and other scientific and technical groups as appropriate;
• maintain liaison with related research projects as input to the design of GOOS and to help GOOS respond to research needs;
• be responsible for the representation of GOOS at meetings of other bodies.
Membership
Chairperson:
Dr Silvana VALLERGA CNR, Italy
Vice-chairpersons:
Cmdr. Rodrigo H. NUNEZ SHOA , Chile
Ms. Janice ROMAGUERA TROTTE DHN, Brazil
Participation to the I-GOOS Committee is open to all countries. Representatives to the Committee are designated by IOC Member states. IOC encourages Member States to include in their delegation those who are responsible for national contribution to GOOS. WMO, UNEP, ICSU, as well as other interested international organizations, are invited to participate.

GOOS-SC
The GOOS Steering Committee came into being at the end of 1997, in accordance with a decision by the sponsors in January 1997 to streamline the GOOS infrastructure.

The Joint Scientific and Technical Committee for GOOS ( J-GOOS ) and the I-GOOS Strategy Sub-committee ( SSC ) were phased out at that time and their functions were subsumed by the GSC.
Terms of Reference
1) The GOOS Steering Committee shall:
a) be responsible for all the scientific and technical aspects of GOOS design, and undertake appropriate activities to support the design process;
b) coordinate and take responsibility for GOOS planning and provide oversight of the implementation process, on the basis of the scientific and technical design, and of intergovernmental requirements and resources as expressed through I-GOOS;
c) provide guidance to the Director of the GOOS Secretariat in the duties to be performed by the GOOS Secretariat staff;
d) submit reports to the sponsoring organisations and to I-GOOS at appropriate times.
2) Specifically, the GOOS Steering Committee will:
e) establish subordinate bodies, as appropriate, with as far as possible the chairs being selected from among the membership of the GOOS Steering Committee;
f) identify observational requirements ("user needs") and products in co-operation with I-GOOS; define design objectives; and recommend co-ordinated actions by the sponsoring organisations and other relevant organisations and agencies;
g) advise the Intergovernmental Committee for GOOS (I-GOOS) on all scientific and technical aspects of GOOS as well as on resource requirements, and take into account the proposals of I-GOOS in this regard;
h) collaborate with the steering committees of the other global observing systems (GCOS and GTOS) and with other appropriate bodies;
i) review and assess the progressive development and implementation of the components of GOOS;
j) identify and encourage research efforts, in close co-operation with the on-going research programmes (such as IGBP and WCRP) in order to promote studies of importance for the development of GOOS;
k) encourage the development of new technologies needed for GOOS.

Membership
James Baker (Chair) Academy of Natural Sciences Philadephia, USA
Franciscus Colijn GKSS Geesthacht, Germany
María Paula Etala Navy Hydrographic Service Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jose Muelber Universidade do Rio Grande, Brazil
Worth Nowlin TAMU, USA
Ralph Rayner FUGRO-GEOS, UK
Mike Sinclair Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
G. Narayana Swami NIO Goa, India
Tom Trull U Tasmania, Australia
Helen Yap (Vice Chair) Marine Science Inst, Quezon City, Philippines
Takashi Yoshida JMA, Japan
Zhouwen Yu SOA, China

Sponsors reps
Chris Crossland (LOICZ) ICSU
Johannes Guddal (Co-president JCOMM) WMO
Nic Flemming IOC

GOOS panels
Ed Harrison (Chair OOPC) NOAA PMEL, USA
Geoff Brundritt (Chair GOOS Capacity Building) UCT, South Africa
Tom Malone (Co-Chair Coastal Ocean Observing System COOP) USA
Tony Knap (Co-Chair Coastal Ocean Observing System COOP) Bermuda
Silvana Vallerga (I-GOOS) Italy
G3OS representatives
Alan Thomas (Director – GCOS secretariat
Paul Mason (GCOS Chair)
Geraud Servin (GTOS)
Secretariat
Keith Alverson (Director GOOS Project Office)
Peter Dexter (WMO)
Ellik Adler (UNEP)
Leah Goldfarb (ICSU)
Eric Lindstrom (CEOS)

GOOS Project Office (GPO)
Keith Alverson Director GPO
Thorkild Aarup Programme Specialist
Justin Ahanhanzo Consultant
Candyce Clark Seconded Staff
Pamela Coghlan Secretary (temporary)
Albert Fischer Programme Specialist
Irene Gazagne Senior Clerk
Kazuya Hashimoto Associate Expert
Ho Hien Lam Secretary to Director GPO
Boram Lee Programme Specialist
Yves Treglos Consultant

Mandate/Terms of Reference

GTOS is a programme for observations, modelling, and analysis of terrestrial ecosystems to support sustainable development.
GTOS facilitates access to information on terrestrial ecosystems so that researchers and policy makers can detect and manage global and regional environmental change.

The Global Terrestrial Observing System fulfils its mission through a number of complementary activities. Strengthening the communication between similarly minded groups and harmonizing their efforts is of highest priority. To this effect, the observing system often plays the broker - bringing people from different fields of expertise together at one table. In addition to networking, GTOS also develops regional programmes and coordinates demonstration projects.

The Global Terrestrial Network ( GT-Net ) links the world's terrestrial research networks together. It serves as a framework for network managers to explore areas of common interest, harmonize research efforts and share data, information and experience.

Regional programmes strengthen a nation's capacity to participate in global change studies that affect them. These programmes assess user needs in the scientific and policy communities, help coordinate local environmental activities and evaluate and improve the technological capacity for terrestrial monitoring in the region. GTOS currently sponsor regional programmes in Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Africa .

Evaluating environmental change is complicated because it involves processes on wide ranging time scales and is vulnerable to both ecological cycles and socio-economic factors . In short, environmental evaluation requires an integrated approach.

The GTOS thematic demonstration projects employ interdisciplinary cooperation within the global science community. The Net Primary Productivity ( NPP ) and the Terrestrial Carbon Observation ( TCO ) project demonstrate the benefits of cooperation between different science communities (such as remote sensing scientists and in situ managers). These programmes also show the advantages of such alliances when tackling global environmental issues such as biodiversity, climate change and desertification. In both demonstration projects remote sensing experts and in situ monitoring site managers exchange, validate and calibrate data for applications in modelling, research and policy analysis.

The Terrestrial Observation Panel on Climate ( TOPC ) and the Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics ( GOFC-GOLD ) panel are two GTOS expert groups aimed at providing regional and global datasets and promoting globally consistent data synthesis and interpretation according to their thematic focus. They have contributed to the identification of key variables for the TEMS database and towards the establishment of regional networks

Mode of Operation

The GTOS Steering Committee (GTSC) assists in the implementation of the terrestrial observing system and advises the co-sponsors and the Secretariat on the technical content and direction of the programme. It also establishes and updates the programme requirements, reviews the effectiveness of existing programmes and recommends new initiatives.

Membership

Bob Scholes CSIR Pretoria, South Africa
Jeff Tschirley FAO
Thomas Roswall ICSU Executive Director
Norberto Fernandez UNEP
Salvatore Arico UNESCO
Kenneth Davidson Director World Climate Programme
Scientific membership (TBD)

Secretariat

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations houses the GTOS Secretariat. The Secretariat manages day-to-day programme implementation and is the liaison between the Steering Committee and the co-sponsors.

John Latham GTOS Programme Director
Paul Reichert Remote Sensing Officer
Géraud Servin Environment Officer
Reuben Sessa Programme Officer
Stephanie Vertecchi Secretary
Organisation Name Global Earth Observations (GEO)
Type Developing Intergovernmental co-ordination and planning
URL (http://earthobservations.org/)

Mandate

From the GEO Terms of Reference, adopted 2 August 2003
• The GEO will seek in its work to improve coordination of strategies and systems for observations of the Earth and identify measures to minimize data gaps, with a view to moving toward a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation system or systems;

• coordinate an effort to involve and assist developing countries in improving and sustaining their contributions to observing systems, as well as their access to and effective utilization of observations, data and products, and the related technologies by addressing capacity-building needs related to Earth observations;

• exchange observations recorded from in situ, aircraft, and satellite networks, dedicated to the purposes of this Declaration, in a full and open manner with minimum time delay and minimum cost, recognizing relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation;

• prepare a 10-year Implementation Plan, taking into account existing activities and building on existing systems and initiatives, with the Framework being available by the Tokyo ministerial conference on Earth observations to be held during the second quarter of 2004, and the Plan being available by the ministerial conference to be hosted by the European Union during the fourth quarter of 2004;

• define a process to periodically evaluate and revise the 10-year Implementation Plan; and

• conduct such other activities, consistent with the Declaration, as the Members may deem necessary.

Mode of Operation

The GEO welcomes and is open to all interested governments and the European Commission. The GEO also invites the participation of organizations, international bodies, and individual experts. Currently, GEO consists of 47 members and 29 participant international organizations . At its inaugural meeting, the GEO elected four co-chairs from among its Members to serve until 31 December 2004.

The GEO works by consensus of its Members and has established five subgroups to address Architecture, Capacity Building, Data Utilization, International Cooperation, and User Requirements and Outreach. Administrative Secretariat support to the GEO is provided by the United States, working with staff designated and supported by other Members and participants. Unless otherwise agreed, any costs arising from activities relating to GEO will be borne by the Member or participant that incurs them and will be subject to the availability of funds, personnel, and other resources. At the GEO-3 meeting in Cape Town, the GEO established the Implementation Plan Task Team focused on the preparation of the 10-Year Implementation Plan.

Membership
Countries
Argentina, Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, European Commission, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan.
Organisations
Association for the Development of Environmental Information (ADIE)
Central American Commission for the Environment and Development (SICA/CCAD)
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
European Environmental Agency (EEA)
European Space Agency (ESA)
European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P)
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
International Association of Geodesy (IAG)
International Council for Science (ICSU)
International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP)
International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research (IGFA)
International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM)
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO)
The Network of European Meteorological Services/Composite Observing System (EUMETNET/EUCOS)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
World Bank (IBRD)
World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

CEOS has three primary objectives:

To optimize the benefits of spaceborne Earth observation through cooperation of its Members in mission planning and in the development of compatible data products, formats, services, applications and policies;

To aid both its Members and the international user community by inter alia, serving as the focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities, including those related to global change;

To exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility among spaceborne Earth observation systems currently in service or development, and the data received from them; issues of common interest across the spectrum of Earth observation satellite missions will be addressed.

Individual Members of CEOS will use their best efforts to implement CEOS recommendations in their respective Earth observation programs.


Members

CEOS has 23 members and 21 associates. See http://www.ceos.org/pages/agencies.html

Governmental organizations that are international or national in nature and are responsible for a civil spaceborne Earth observation program currently operating, or at least in Phase B or equivalent of system development, will be eligible for membership in CEOS. Members must have a continuing activity in spaceborne Earth observation, intended to operate and provide nondiscriminatory and full access to data that will be made available to the international community. The addition of Members will be with the consensus of current Members of CEOS. Request for membership should be addressed to the Chairperson of the next scheduled CEOS Plenary session. The Members at that meeting will consider such requests.

Associates

The following may be invited to participate through the status of Associate:

Governmental organizations that are international or national in nature and currently have a civil space-segment activity in Phase A/pre-Phase A or equivalent of system development, or a significant ground-segment activity that supports CEOS objectives;

Other existing satellite coordination groups and scientific or governmental bodies that are international in nature and currently have a significant programmatic activity that supports CEOS objectives.

Addition of Associates will be by consensus of existing Members. Associates may participate fully in CEOS Plenary and working group discussions, and have their views included in reports; however, approval by Associates will not be required to establish consensus. The autonomy of both the associated organizations and the respective national and international Earth observation programs will remain intact. Membership in CEOS does not automatically assume membership in the respective associated organizations.

Mode of Operation

Plenary meetings and meetings of subsidiary groups (See http://www.ceos.org/pages/subs.html)

Secretariat
The CEOS Chair and the Plenary are supported by the CEOS Secretariat. The CEOS Secretariat supports the general administrative requirements of CEOS and provides consistency and continuity in CEOS activities. The Secretariat is a permanent tripartite body maintained by ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA, NOAA, MEXT/JAXA and Chairs of each working group. ESA and EUMETSAT are responsible for liaison with CEOS members and candidate members in Europe and Africa; NASA and NOAA in the Americas, and MEXT/JAXA in the Asia Pacific region. Each year's incoming Plenary host agency leads the activities of the Secretariat for that year. In addition, to ensure the expeditious conduct of business, the past and the forthcoming CEOS Chairs are included in the Secretariat. The Chair of the CEOS working groups are invited to all meetings of the Secretariat.

In general, the Secretariat prepares and distributes the minutes for the Plenary meetings, serves as a point of contact for external organizations interacting with CEOS, maintains and updates the CEOS Dossier on space and ground segment activities, produces other periodic publications, ensures communication among Members and Associates between meetings, reports at each Plenary session on its activities and the status of action items from previous Plenary meetings and performs other tasks as assigned by the CEOS Plenary. The Plenary guides the work of the Secretariat.

Mandate

The Census of Marine Life (CoML) is conceived as a decade-long program to promote and fund research assessing and explaining the diversity, distribution, and abundance of species throughout the world's oceans. Related activities integral to this research include the design and implementation of standard databases for marine species in collaboration with other international efforts launched recently, and the design and implementation of innovative biological sampling techniques for the marine environment. Outreach and education efforts will help inform the public about the CoML's potential and actual contributions to knowledge, and help tune the program to the concerns and priorities of governments, commercial and recreational fishers, environmental groups, the research community, and other stakeholders in the oceans.

Consultations and workshops during 1997-1998, largely funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (New York City), explored the potential benefits, issues (technical, scientific, and social), and limits of a Marine Census. Experts participated from biological and physical oceanography, marine technology, ecology, and other fields. Meetings on the feasibility and value of the Census were held under a range of auspices, including the U.S. National Research Council, the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas/Southampton Oceanography Centre, Environmental Defense Fund, and Ocean Trust. The conversations have resulted in a broad set of precepts for the Census of Marine Life, which now make possible the preparation of a more specific statement of goals and a scientific plan to achieve them. A report on the goals and plan for the Census of Marine Life is now under development and should be issued early in 2002.

The Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE), comprised of 73 institutions in the United States, including universities, government laboratories, and non-profit aquaria, agreed in June 1999 to establish and host the International Steering Committee for the Census of Marine Life and the Secretariat, which the Steering Committee guides.

Based in Washington, DC, the goal of CORE is to promote, encourage, develop, and support efforts to advance knowledge and learning in the science of oceanography and to disseminate such knowledge to the scientific community and to the public. CORE also acts as the Program Office for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, a legislatively-mandated collaboration of fourteen US government agencies established to promote cooperative activities among government, academia, and industry for the advancement of ocean science, technology and education. NOPP has indicated interest in the CoML and has agreed to work with the Sloan Foundation to identify and partially fund, if possible, through its current and additional calls for proposals, specific studies that are relevant to the common research interests and goals of the CoML and the US oceanographic agencies.

The initial primary goal of the international Steering Committee is to foster the development of coherent goals and a scientific plan for the CoML. The Steering Committee will carry out this task through workshops, working groups, and other appropriate processes and means. The Steering Committee will also oversee the development of the education and outreach plan and its implementation.

Terms of Reference
The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) is an international group of scientists that form the governing body of the Census of Marine Life. This group provides conceptual guidance, determines the scientific goals, and oversees the progress and direction of the program.

Members
J Fred Grassle (Chair) IMCS, Rutgers Univ, USA
Vera Alexander U of Alaska Fairbanks, USA
D James Baker Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadephia, USA
D Chandramohan NIO, Goa, India

David Farmer GSO, URI, USA
Victor Ariel Gallardo U de Concepcion, Chile
Carl Heip Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Netherlands
Poul Holm Fiskeri-og Sofartsumusset, Esbjerg, Denmark
Ian Poiner AIMS, Australia
Yoshihisa Shirayama Seto Marine Biological Lab, Kyoto U, Japan
Mike Sinclair BIO, Halifax, Canada
Meryl J Williams World Fish Centre, Malaysia

Ex Officio
Patricio Bernal Executive Secretary, IOC
Serge Garcia Director of the Fishery Resources Division, FAO
Consultant for European Affairs
Alasdair McIntyre, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK

Mode of Operation
Meetings, workshops, project funding

Secretariat
Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE)
1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Telephone: +1 (202) 332-0063
Fax: +1 (202) 332-9751
Email: coml@coreocean.org

Dr. Ron O'Dor Senior Scientist
Ms. Kristen Yarincik Program Coordinator
Dr. Reg Beach CORE Director of Research
RADM Richard West, USN (Retired) CORE President

Mandate

The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) seeks to provide a comprehensive framework to harmonize the common interests of the major space-based and in-situ systems for global observation of the Earth. It is being developed as an over-arching strategy for conducting observations relating to climate and atmosphere, oceans and coasts, the land surface and the Earth's interior. IGOS strives to build upon the strategies of existing international global observing programmes, and upon current achievements. It seeks to improve observing capacity and deliver observations in a cost-effective and timely fashion. Additional efforts will be directed to those areas where satisfactory international arrangements and structures do not currently exist.

IGOS is a strategic planning process, involving a number of partners, that links research, long-term monitoring and operational programmes, as well as data producers and users, in a structure that helps determine observation gaps and identify the resources to fill observation needs.

IGOS is a framework for decisions and resource allocation by individual funding agencies, providing governments with improved understanding of the need for global observations through the presentation of an overarching view of current system capabilities and limitations - thereby helping to reduce unnecessary duplication of observations.

IGOS focuses primarily on the observing aspects of the process of providing environmental information for decision-making.

IGOS is intended to cover all forms of data collection concerning the physical, chemical, biological and human environment including the associated impacts.

IGOS is based on the recognition that data collection must be user driven, leading to results which will increase scientific understanding and guide early warning, policy-setting and decision-making for sustainable development and environmental protection.

IGOS provides opportunities for capacity building and assisting countries to obtain maximum benefit from the total set of observations.

IGOS Partners are organisations responsible for and with an interest in global observations

Basis for cooperation
Cooperation between the Partners will reflect:

The principle of "best efforts" to maintain the commitment to the overall strategy and any specific purpose or project.

The principle of "no additional financial obligation" or exchange of funds except with the mutual consent of relevant Partners.

The principle of "synergy" among existing efforts, including optimal use of meetings and of resources. Two important meeting opportunities are the CEOS Plenary and meetings of the Sponsors' Group for the G3OS.

Organization and reporting responsibilities for IGOS Partnership meetings will rest with the hosting agency.

Terms of Reference

The IGOS Partnership will further the definition, development and implementation of an Integrated Global Observing Strategy. Towards this end, the Partners will:

• Exchange information on the Partners' relevant activities.

• Promote dialogue between the space agencies and in situ observation communities.

• Identify gaps and seek to address IGOS-related user requirements.

• Identify requirements to strengthen institutional capacity to make
integrated global observations.

• Carry out specific activities to develop individual components of the
strategy.

• Identify and suggest projects that complement and demonstrate the value
of an IGOS.

• Promote all aspects of strategy implementation, among national and
international agencies, as well as different user groups.

Mode of operation

The IGOS Partners meet regularly in association with the meetings of the G3OS Sponsors Group and the CEOS Plenary.

Membership
CEOS, FAO, GCOS, GOOS, GOS/GAW, GTOS, ICSU, IGBP, IGFA, IOC, UNEP, UNESCO, WCRP, WMO.
Other organizations prepared to contribute to the development of IGOS may be welcomed as Partners in future. The Partnership provides a continuing mechanism to oversee the development of IGOS.

Secretariat
In 2000, an IGOS Partnership Secretariat was established in order to ensure continuity in the process, to provide a focus for external interfaces, and to help promote the visibility of the IGOS Partnership in key areas such as the environmental conventions.

Dr R. Norberto Fernandez
IGOS-P Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
P.O. Box 30552
Nairobi - 00100
Kenya
tel: (254) 20 62 34 50 fax: (254) 20 62 43 09
e-mail: igosp@unep.org

Mandate

JCOMM is an intergovernmental body of experts, which provides the international, intergovernmental coordination, regulation and management mechanism for an operational oceanographic and marine meteorological observing, data management and services system. Until the formation of JCOMM in 1999, the coordination of these activities was provided by two separate bodies: the WMO Commission for Marine Meteorology (CMM) and the Joint IOC/WMO Committee for the Integrated Global Ocean Services System (IGOSS). JCOMM is the result of the recognition of the increasing demand for integrated marine meteorological and oceanographic data and services, and the efficiencies that may be achieved by combining the expertise and technological capabilities of the WMO and IOC systems.

JCOMM meets its mandate through:

Further development of the observing networks under the guidance of GOOS, GCOS, WWW and other operational programmes, and cooperation with these bodies in seeking commitments for all components of an operationl programme in the global oceans.

Implementation of integrated end-to-end data management systems in collaboration with the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS), the Committee for International Data and Information Exchange (IODE), the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), and other appropriate data management bodies, to meet the real-time operational needs of the present operational systems and the global observing systems.

Delivery of products and services needed by international science and operational programmes, Members of WMO, and Member States of IOC. An important component of this will be the coordination of the safety-related marine meteorological and associated oceanographic services as an integral part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Provision of capacity building through education, training, technology transfer and implementation support to Member States.

Establishment and enhancement of partnerships, liaison and collaboration with other global programs and international agencies both within and outside the UN system

JCOMM is a global organization with:

A current membership of approximately 250 experts in marine meteorology and oceanography, and almost all national delegations include approximately equal numbers of meteorologists and oceanographers providing support to the marine community.

A global network to provide maritime services including the provision of warnings and weather and sea bulletins according to a broadcast schedule, in conformity with procedures laid down under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) protocols within SOLAS.

• 6500 volunteer merchant vessels observing meteorology and surface oceanography.
• 120 volunteer vessels observing subsurface temperature and salinity.
• 1400 drifters observing meteorology and surface oceanography.
• 100s of moored ocean buoys for meteorology and ocean parameters.
• 10-20 volunteer merchant and research vessels making upper atmosphere vertical soundings.
• Partnership with global programs such as Argo, a pilot program utilizing up to 3000 diving profilers to collect synoptic vertical profiles of upper ocean temperature and salinity.
• 400 tidal stations for sea level. Some are reporting in real time.
• Arctic and Antarctic ice monitoring.
• Collaborations with the satellite community, facilitating on-line acquisition and calibration/validation of altimeter/scatterometer/SAR data, as examples.
• The capacity to provide end-to-end data management support, data acquisition guidance, data management, data exchange.
• Information dissemination mechanisms, e.g. through JCOMMOPS and the JCOMM Products Bulletin.
• 20 - 30 lead nations in numerical modelling/data assimilation.
• A strong commitment to embracing and supporting new technologies in all elements of JCOMM.
• A major focus on capacity building and implementation assistance for services.

Program Areas

COMM is organized within four Programme Areas , each managed by a Coordinator and small Coordination Group
• Observations
• Data Management ,
• Services , and
• Capacity Building
Within each Programme Area, specific activities are undertaken by a number of Expert Teams, Task Teams and Panels. Overall guidance and oversight for the work of the Commission is provided by a Management Committee , chaired by the two co-presidents of JCOMM, and including the four Programme Area Coordinators, representatives of GOOS, GCOS and IODE, and a small number of other selected experts. The nine members of the current Committee include four meteorologists, four oceanographers and one polar region expert.

Mode of Operation
Meetings, advocacy

Membership
JCOMM Management Committee

Ms Miriam Andrioli Servicio Meteorologico Nacional, Argentina
Dr Philippe Dandin Météo-France, France
Ms Regina Folorunsho Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research
Dr Ivan Frolov Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), Russia
Mr Johannes Guddal (Co-president, JCOMM) Norwegian Meteorological Institute
Dr D.E. Harrison Chairman, (OOPC) PMEL, USA
Mr Michael Johnson (Coordinator, JCOMM Obs Panel) , NOAA, USA
(Chairman, JCOMM Obs Coord. Gp)
Mr Anthony Knap (Co-chairman, Coastal Ocean Obs. Panel), BBS, Bermuda
Professor Lin Shaohua (Coordinator, JCOMM Data Mgement Panel) China
(Chairman, JCOMM Data Mgement Gp)
Professor Paul Mason (Chairman, GCOS Steering Committee) U Reading,UK
Dr Savithri (Savi) Narayanan (Co-president, JCOMM) MEDS Canada
Professor Worth D. Nowlin, Jr. Texas A&M University USA
Mr Phillip R. Parker (Coordinator, JCOMM Services PA) BoM Australia
(Chairman, JCOMM Services Coord Gp)
Dr Lesley J. Rickards (Chair, IOC Committee for IODE) BODC ,UK

Terms of reference
Recognizing the need for scientific and technical advice and guidance for the common module of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the need for liaison and co-ordination between these operational observing systems (e.g., systematic, long-term, global climate observations) and those of climate research (e.g., limited-life, hypothesis-validating observations), the Steering Committees of GOOS and GCOS and JSC for the WCRP hereby establish an Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) with the following terms of reference.
To evaluate, modify and update, as necessary, the design of the observing system for the common module of GOOS and GCOS whose goals are:
• to monitor, describe and understand the physical and biogeochemical processes that determine ocean circulation and its influence on the carbon cycle as well as the effects of the ocean on seasonal to multi-decadal climate change;

• to provide the information needed for climate prediction.
To provide a procedural plan and prioritization for an integrated set of requirements consistent with the observing system design criteria and in a form that enables timely and effective implementation. This will entail drawing from findings of WOCE, TOGA, JGOFS, and CLIVAR, and particularly close interaction with the CLIVAR Upper Ocean Panel (UOP) (sic).
To liaise and provide advice, assessment and feedback to other panels in task groups of GCOS, GOOS and WCRP, as requested, concerning ocean observing for climate in order to ensure that the designs and implementation schedules are consistent and mutually supportive.
To establish the necessary links with scientific and technical groups to ensure that they are cognizant of, and can take advantage of the recommended system, and that, in turn, the Panel can benefit from research and technical advances.
To carry out agreed assignments from and to report regularly to the Steering Committees of GCOS and GOOS and the JSC for the WCRP.

Membership(Updated: 17/05/04)

Dr D.E. HARRISON (Chairman) NOAA PMEL, USA
Prof. Edmo J.D. CAMPOS Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
Prof. Tommy D. DICKEY UCSB, USA
Mr Johnny JOHANNESSEN NERSC, Norway
Mr Robert KEELEY MEDS Ottawa, Canada
Dr Yukata MICHIDA ORI, University of Tokyo, Japan
Dr Richard REYNOLDS NOAA/NCDC/NESDIS, USA
Dr Peter K. TAYLOR SOC, UK
Dr Robert WELLER WHOI, USA

Mandate

The primary responsibilities of the Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) are to identify the needs for observations in the areas of meteorology and atmospheric chemistry and to facilitate the establishment or enhancement of networks to obtain them. Toward this end, it has defined two networks as sub-systems of the WWW Global Observing System. The GCOS Upper-Air Network ( GUAN ) has been established to ensure that appropriate upper-atmospheric observations for climate purposes will be available. One hundred and fifty stations were selected from the roughly 1000 WWW upper-air stations on the basis of their location, quality and record length. Similarly, for surface observations, the AOPC worked with climate change detection experts to define a global network of high-quality stations for monitoring global temperatures. The GCOS Surface Network (GSN) consists of 989 stations, all of which have now been approved by the Presidents of the WMO Regional Associations, while some are still awaiting final approval from the WMO Members which operate them.

The AOPC is co-sponsored by GCOS and the World Climate Research Program (WCRP)

Terms of Reference:

Recognizing the need for specific scientific and technical input concerning atmospheric observations, the GCOS Steering Committee (formerly the Joint Scientific and Technical Committee) established an Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC). At its eighteenth meeting (1997), the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee (JSC) agreed to co-sponsor the work of the Panel, which has been renamed the GCOS/WCRP Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC).
The responsibilities of the Panel are:
• To liaise with relevant research, operational and end-user bodies (e.g. WWW, GAW) to determine the requirements for data to monitor, understand and predict the dynamical, physical and chemical state of the atmosphere and its interfaces on seasonal to multi-decadal timescales;
• To formulate and promote an overall system to provide long-term systematic data and information to meet those requirements;
• To determine the current state of the atmospheric component of the global observing system for climate;
• To identify gaps and inadequacies in the atmospheric component of the global observing system for climate;
• To propose and promote new systems, or enhancements to current systems and practices, to remove deficiencies;
• To identify opportunities for the transfer of research observing systems to operational networks, and to promote such transfers;
• To liaise with other GCOS panels and WCRP steering groups on climate observing system matters;
• To report regularly to the GCOS Steering Committee and the JSC for WCRP.

Mode of Operation
Annual meetings

Membership (Updated: 14/05/2004)

Dr Michael MANTON (Chairman ) Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
Dr Phillip ARKIN ESSIC, COLLEGE PARK, MD, USA
Dr Mitchell D. GOLDBERG NOAA/NESDIS, USA
Dr D.E. HARRISON (OOPC) NOAA/PMEL, USA
Dr Raino HEINO (CCl representative) Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland
Dr Philip JONES Climatic Research Unit, UEA, UK
Dr Carlos A. NOBRE CPTEC-INPE, Brazil
Dr Raphael OKOOLA Department of Meteorology University of Nairobi, Kenya
Mr Kazutoshi ONOGI Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan
Mr David PARKER Hadley Centre, UKMO, UK
Dr Thomas C. PETERSON NCDC , USA
Dr Bruno RUDOLF Global precipitation Climatology Centre DWD, Germany
Dr Johannes SCHMETZ EUMETSAT, Germany
Dr Makoto SUZUKI EORC/JAXA, Japan

Mandate

Following the work of two ad hoc tasks groups to consider the land-surface climate requirements, the GCOS Steering Committee (GCOS SC) established a Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC). The TOPC has developed a hierarchical observing strategy characterized by five levels of observation, entitled Global Hierarchical Observation Strategy for Terrestrial System (GHOST). It has also agreed on a sampling design for ecological variables and has completed the first version of a plan for climate-related terrestrial observations. The TOPC was set up to develop a balanced and integrated system of in situ and satellite observations of the terrestrial-ecosystem. It is jointly sponsored by GCOS and the Global Terrestrial Observing System ( GTOS ) of FAO, to fulfil their needs for climate-related observations.

TOPC has established three Global Terrestrial Networks (GTN) for glaciers (GTN-G), permafrost (GTN-P), and terrestrial carbon flux measurements (GTN-FLUXNET). These networks, which have developed a significant infrastructure globally, have been incorporated into the UNFCCC Reporting Guidelines for Global Climate Observing Systems. Major current TOPC activities include the development of a Terrestrial Carbon Initiative (TCI) which has been approved as a theme of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOCS) and a workshop to define the IOS for a global hydrology observing system for climate (GTN-H).

Terms of Reference

Recognizing the need for specific and technical input concerning terrestrial observations for climate purposes, the sponsoring organizations of GTOS and the GCOS have jointly established TOPC with the following terms of reference.
In accordance with the overall plans of GCOS and GTOS, to plan, formulate and design a long-term systematic observing system for those terrestrial properties1 and attributes which control the physical, biological and chemical processes affecting climate, are affected by climate change or serve as indicators of climate change, and which are essential to provide information concerning the impact of climate and climate change;
• To review the needs of the user communities for climate related data and select a set of core variables, both in situ and space-based, at appropriate space and time scales, paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries;
• To develop a strategy based on the concept of the Initial Operational System (IOS) which includes the assessment of existing in situ systems, the determination of deficiencies and the recommendation of necessary enhancements. (The Space-based Observation Panel will evaluate satellite programmes, determine deficiencies and recommend the necessary enhancements for those variables identified by this Panel that can be observed from space);
• To seek, review and support for, implementation of the strategy from other relevant research and operational programmes (e.g., WCRP, IGBP, WWW, GAW, WHYCOS, GEMS, etc.);

• To support the Joint Data and Information Management Panel (JDIMP) and other organizations as appropriate in the development of data management systems;
• To coordinate activities with other global observing system panels and task groups to ensure consistency of requirements with the overall programmes;
• To recommend a schedule of actions to address the gaps in present and planned systems;
• Make other recommendations as appropriate;
• Publish and update appropriate GCOS/GTOS studies and planning documents; and
• To carry out agreed assignments from, and to report regularly to, the Steering Committees for GCOS and for GTOS.

1: Terrestrial properties include the climate-relevant observations for the biosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere.

Mode of Operation
Annual meetings

Membership (Updated: 15/05/04)

Dr Alan BELWARD (Chairman) EC, JRC, ISPRA, Italy
Prof. Roger BARRY WDC-A for Glaciology BOULDER, USA
Dr Wilfried HAEBERLI Department of Geography U Zurich, Switzerland
Dr Sandy HARRISON School of Geographical Sciences, U Bristol, UK
Dr Harold KIBBY U.S. EPA, USA
Dr Jurate M. LANDWEHR U.S. Geological Survey, USA
Dr Thomas MAURER Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC), Koblenz, Germany
Prof. David NORSE University College London, UK
Dr Shaun QUEGAN Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, UK
Dr Steve RUNNING University of Montana, USA
Dr Allen M. SOLOMON U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Dr Michel Verstraete EC, Joint Research Centre, ISPRA, Italy

Terms of Reference

The CLIVAR Global Synthesis and Observations panel is established to:
• Develop, promote and seek to implement strategies for a synthesis of global ocean, atmosphere and coupled climate information through analysis and reanalysis efforts and through the use of other techniques where appropriate. Initial emphasis will be on global ocean synthesis efforts, building on previous experiences and developments.
• Be responsible for the definition and fulfillment of CLIVAR's global needs for sustained observations (in collaboration with relevant WMO and IOC bodies, including GCOS, GTOS, GOOS, AOPC and OOPC, and JCOMM), and for the development of a strategy for their evolution/optimization based on new science and reanalysis insights, and fostering the use of resulting data sets in global synthesis efforts.
• Promote activities to develop the surface flux data sets required by CLIVAR in liaison with the WGNE, global atmospheric reanalysis efforts and the WCRP Working Group on Surface Fluxes.
• Provide an overview of, and directions to, CLIVAR data management and information activities in collaboration with other WCRP projects and in liaison with CLIVAR-relevant data centres and DACS and the ICPO.
• Liaise and collaborate with CLIVAR Panels and Working Groups in identifying the requirements for and coordinating the development of an observing system for CLIVAR.

The Panel will report to the CLIVAR SSG.

Mode of Operation
Annual meetings, workshops

Membership

D. Roemmich (co-chair) Scripps Inst. of Oceanography, U.S.A.
D. Stammer (co-chair) IfM, Hamburg, Germany.
D. Anderson ECMWF, Reading,EU/UK
P. Arkin University of Maryland, U.S.A., USA
D. Behringer NOAA NCEP, USA
M. Fukasawa JAMSTEC, Japan
S. Josey Southampton Oceanography Centre, UK
M. McPhaden NOAA PMEL, USA
U. Send SIO, USA
B. Sloyan WHOI , USA
N. Smith (GODAE) BoM, Australia.
A.T. Weaver CERFACS, Toulouse, France
S. Wijffels CSIRO, Hobart, Australia.
V. Zlotnicki NASA JPL, U.S.A
,.

Terms of Reference/Mandate

POGO is a forum created by directors and leaders of major oceanographic institutions around the world to promote global oceanography, particularly the implementation of an international and integrated global ocean observing system. POGO includes institutions performing ocean observations as well as representatives of existing international and regional programs and organizations. POGO is a partnership of institutions involved in oceanographic observations, scientific research, operational services, education and training.

Mode of operation Annual meetings (near end of year)

Membership

Laboratories in Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, South America (Grupo Mixto) , India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, United States, United Kingdom.
Organisations Argo, Census of Marine Life, CLIVAR, EuroGOOS, GOOS, ICSU, IGOS Partners, IOC of UNESCO, JCOMM, OOPC, PICES - North Pacific Marine Science Organisation, SCOR.

Executive Committee

Prof Howard Roe, Chairman Southampton Oceanography Centre, UK.
Mr. Yasuhiro KATO, President, JAMSTEC, Japan
Prof. Jan de Leeuw, Director, NIOZ, Netherlands
Dr. Charles Kennel, Director, SIO, USA
Dr. Jean-François Minster, Executive Director, IFREMER, France.
Dr. Shubha Sathyendranath, Executive Director, POGO.