GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC
(2010 Update)
Action
Action O8 117 [IP-04 O10]
Action: Sustain global coverage of the drifting buoy array (total array of 1250 drifting buoys equipped with
ocean temperature sensors), obtain global coverage of atmospheric pressure sensors on the drifting buoys,
and obtain improved ocean temperature from an enhanced VOS effort.
Who: Parties’ national services and research programmes through JCOMM, Data Buoy Cooperation Panel,
and the Ship Observations Team.
Time-Frame: Continuing (sustain drifting buoy array and enhance VOS by 2014).
Performance Indicator: Data submitted to analysis centres and archives.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties).
Action O9 [IP-04 O11]
Action: Implement the GLOSS Core Network of about 300 tide gauges, with geocentrically-located highaccuracy
gauges; ensure continuous acquisition, real-time exchange and archiving of high-frequency data;
put all regional and local tide gauge measurements within the same global geodetic reference system;
ensure historical sea-level records are recovered and exchanged; include sea-level objectives in the
capacity-building programmes of GOOS, JCOMM, WMO, other related bodies, and the GCOS system
improvement programme.
Who: Parties’ national agencies, coordinated through GLOSS of JCOMM.
Time-Frame: Complete by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Data availability at International Data Centres, global coverage, number of
capacity-building projects.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
Action O10 [IP-04 O12]
Action: Ensure continuous coverage from one higher-precision, medium-inclination altimeter and two
medium-precision, higher-inclination altimeters.
Who: Space agencies, with coordination through the CEOS Constellation for Ocean Surface Topography,
CGMS, and the WMO Space Programme.
Time-Frame: Continuous.
Performance Indicator: Satellites operating, and provision of data to analysis centres.
Annual Cost Implications: 30-100M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
Action O11 [IP-04 O15]
Action: Implement a programme to observe sea-surface salinity to include Argo profiling floats, surface
drifting buoys, SOOP ships, tropical moorings, reference moorings, and research ships.
Who: Parties’ national services and ocean research programmes, through IODE and JCOMM, in
collaboration with CLIVAR.
Time-Frame: By 2014.
Performance Indicator: Data availability at International Data Centres.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties).
Action O12 [IP-04 O16]
Action: Research programmes should investigate the feasibility of utilizing satellite data to help resolve
global fields of SSS.
Who: Space agencies, in collaboration with the ocean research community.
Time-Frame: Feasibility studies complete by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Reports in literature and to OOPC.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
Action O13 [IP-04 O17]
Action: Develop and implement an internationally-agreed strategy for measuring surface pCO 2 .
Who: IOCCP, in consultation with OOPC; implementation through national services and research
programmes.
Time-Frame: Implementation strategy for end-2010; full implementation by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Flow of data into internationally-agreed data archives.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (Mainly Annex-I Parties).
Action O14
Action: Develop instrumentation for the autonomous measurement of either DIC, Alk, or pH with high
accuracy and precision.
Who: Parties’ national research programmes, coordinated through IOCCP.
Time-Frame: Strategy: 2010; technology: 2012; pilot project: 2014.
Performance Indicator: Development of instrumentation and strategy, demonstration in pilot project.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
Cost
Category
Open oceanrelated
In national
territories
Satelliterelated
Open oceanrelated
Satelliterelated
Open oceanrelated
Open oceanrelated
117 See also Action A6.
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