The Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) was established by the GCOS Steering Committee in recognition of the need for specific scientific and technical input concerning atmospheric observations for climate.
The Joint Scientific Committee of the World Climate Research Programme, recognizing the benefits of the AOPC, agreed in 1995 to co-sponsor the panel, which was thereafter renamed the GCOS/WCRP Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate.
AOPC is supported, amongst others, by the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) – an integrated, comprehensive, and coordinated system that comprises in-situ and space-based observations of the present WMO global observing systems. WIGOS represents an integrated framework of existing WMO observing systems and aims at providing the data required for delivery of services for all regions around the globe in an effective and efficient manner.
