1.

Introductions and welcome

Welcome and tour de table.

2.

Comments from GCOS Sponsors

Short Contributions from GCOS Sponsors

For information

Presentation

3.

Reports to the Steering Committee (SHORT REPORTS ON PROGRESS FOR INFORMATION)

1. GCOS developments and future (e.g. New chair and director, WMO restructuring Joint WMO/IOC/UNEP/ISC Study Group for GCOS, GCOS goes green (brief this year due to disruption caused by virus))

For information

Presentation

2. On-going activities

1. Progress on the GCOS Status Report
2. GCOS Climate Observations Conference
3. Panels reports

For information. Advice and suggestions from SC

Presentation

a. b.

Presentation c.

4.

Budget and fundraising

1. What does GCOS need?
2. What support is provided by the sponsors?
3. Role of sponsors and steering committee in fund raising

Ideas on sponsors support to GCOS and ACTIONS for SC on supporting fund raising

Doc. 4.0 

Presentation

5.

Steering Committee Working Arrangements

Role of SC. Annual Meeting and additional teleconferences

DECISION on future working arrangements of Steering Committee

6.

Review Impact of GCOS

Review impact of GCOS including the ECV Requirements; its last Status Report and Implementation Plan; networks; support for UNFCCC, other MEA, adaptation and mitigation; identifying successes and areas for improvement. For WMO, there is a clear route into their regulatory material, to influence the development of climate monitoring. Is there a route into IOC and other major players planning to influence long-term developments?

Agree list of successes and areas for improvement, Suggestions for improvements

Doc. 6.0 

Presentation

6.1

Review of ECV Requirements

1. Agree that GCOS should review the current list of ECV to identify exactly which ECV are really needed to monitor the climate with a focus on supporting policy development, planning and monitoring implementation of adaptation and mitigation noting this requires more detailed information on extremes. I.e. focus on activities with direct benefits to human health, livelihoods and well-being. This should indicate why they are needed beyond improving scientific understanding of certain phenomena. Consider how to indicate requirements for different uses.
2. Consider TOPC proposal for an ECV “Total Water Storage” (based on satellite gravity observations).

DECISION: panels to review ECV to ensure they are really needed for climate monitoring

DECISION: If Total water Storage is an ECV

Doc. 6.1a

Presentation

Doc. 6.1b 

Presentation

6.2

Climate Cycles

Continuation of “cycles” work: Two workshops/task teams with the modelling communities (one for energy/water and the other carbon) to consider what observations they really need to improve their climate understanding (if any).  Link through WCRP

DECISION: how to continue “cycles” work and integrate this into the routine work of GCOS

Doc. 6.2

6.3

Format of Implementation Plan

In order for the next implementation plan to have a greater impact, the next update to the implementation plan should be more focused on the major implementable actions and needs for each part of the observing system.

DECISION: Agree draft outline for Implementation plan

Doc. 6.3

Presentation

6.4

GCOS contributions to the UNFCCC and its Global Stocktake (GST).

How can GCOS contribute to the GST? The Status Report and Implementation Plan will be submitted to the UNFCCC and the focus will be on the targets of Paris Agreement: global temperature and adaptation (the third is finance but not really relevant to GCOS). Also, how can GCOS contribute to the UNFCCC Earth Information Day.

DECISION: Plans for GCOS supporting the GST

Presentation

6.5

A more proactive approach to networks

A stronger role for in monitoring and/or managing the networks both reference (GRUAN and GSRN), and Baseline (GSN and GUAN) clearly articulating the benefits and objectives of the networks. Consider status of BSRN, and considering GBON, GSN and GUAN.

DECISION: to take a strong role in supporting GRUAN and GSRN; long-term plan for GSN, GUAN and BSRN

Doc. 6.5

Presentation

Network Manager report (2019);

INFCOM-1 GBON Decision;

INFCOM-1 GSRN TT Decision

7.

AOB

Time and place of next meeting.

Summary of actions and decisions.