Background
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 13 in Bali adopted revised UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing system to be used for the preparation of detailed reports on systematic observation.  Such reports are provided by Annex I Parties in conjunction with their national communications and on a voluntary basis by non-Annex I Parties. 

NEW:  Revised UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing system available in all UN languages.

In addition, SBSTA 27 (Bali, December 2007) considered progress reports by the GTOS secretariat on the assessment of the status of developments of standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain and on a framework for guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for climate related terrestrial observations (see 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 full text of the conclusions of SBSTA 27 can be found in FCCC/SBSTA/2007/16.

For SBSTA 29, the GTOS secretariat is expected to provide 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 is expected to provide 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). 

For SBSTA 30, the GCOS secretariat has been requested to provide a comprehensive report on progress with the GCOS implementation plan.  To obtain information on national implementation activities for the preparation of the progress report Parties have been invited to submit, by 15 September 2008, additional information on their national activities with respect to implementing the GCOS implementation plan.

NEW:  National activities in response to the GCOS implementation plan: Information by Parties

Submission deadline: 15 September 2008

Research and systematic observation has been a regular and separate agenda item of the SBSTA since its 17^th session (October 2002).  In addition, a number of important decisions on this matter have been adopted by the Conference of the Parties.

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