The goal of the AOPC is to plan, monitor and promote the atmospheric component of GCOS. Its specific Terms of Reference are as follows:

1. To maintain and periodically review the list of GCOS Atmospheric Essential Climate Variables;
2. To liaise with relevant  stakeholder  bodies in order to determine and maintain the requirements for data to monitor, understand and predict the dynamical, physical and chemical state of the atmosphere and its interfaces on climate relevant time scales, on both global and regional levels;
3. To advocate for the establishment, re-establishment and maintenance of integrated systems to provide long-term, high-quality, consistent data and information to meet those requirements according GCOS monitoring principles;
4. To propose and promote the establishment of new systems, or enhancements to current systems and practices, to address deficiencies;
5. To review the current state and identify gaps and inadequacies of the atmospheric component of the global observing system;
6. To promote the establishment of sustainable observation networks and the use best practises;
7. To promote the rehabilitation of relevant historical data sets;
8. To promote and review institutional arrangements to ensure that climate data and observations are:
   • of the highest quality based on agreed metrics;
   • collected in accordance with the highest standards of practice;
   • archived and accessible to the user community.
9. To instigate the establishment of working groups and other initiatives for pursuing AOPC goals;
10. To liaise with the other GCOS panels, WCRP steering groups and other relevant entities, such as WMO Commissions, CGMS, CEOS and space agencies on atmospheric climate observing system issues;
11. Respond to assignments from the GCOS Steering Committee;
12. To report regularly to the GCOS SC and the JSC for WCRP.