25 October 2010
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Submits Progress Report to UNFCCC
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The report emphasizes the importance of space observations for measuring changes in the climate system on a global basis.

21 October 2010: The UNFCCC has released a submission by Brazil, on behalf of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), which is an extended summary of the “2010 Progress Report: Coordinated Response from Parties that Support Space Agencies Involved in Global Observations to the Needs Expressed in the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Implementation Plan of 2004” (FCCC/SBSTA/2010/MISC.11).

The report is in response to an invitation made at the 32nd session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 32) for CEOS to report on progress in the development of methodologies, and validation and inter-comparison of satellite-based applications, as well as the coordination of the satellite component of the GCOS.

The report reviews progress on carbon forest tracking, terrestrial validation, and early warning for disasters related to climate change. It summarizes additional satellite-based climate observation by individual space agencies and other international coordination bodies such as the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS). The report emphasizes the importance of space observations for measuring changes in the climate system on a global basis.

The report describes the development of the CEOS Climate Action Plan, which includes the development of several Constellations of satellites to provide critical information to countries throughout the world on changes in land cover, precipitation, atmospheric composition, global sea level, ocean surface vector wind, and ocean color. The report also includes CEOS plans for reviewing and preparing a response to the 2010 update of the GCOS Implementation Plan (GCOS-IP 10). It notes the role of a CEOS Climate Coordinator who will provide guidance to teams to ensure comparable reviewing and reporting activities in this process.

The report underscores that by supporting the space-based observations of the GCOS, the CEOS Climate Action Plan contributes to the SBSTA work in support of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol process.[UNFCCC Submission from the CEOS] [CEOS Website]

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