World Meteorological Organization

Purpose: Under the direction of the Chair SC-ON, the Task Team (TT) will work on the selected set of tasks of the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W) Implementation plan related to observing networks. The TT will work on establishing observational requirements, network implementation principles and design of the observing networks required in support of G3W, building on synergies and complementarities with the other initiatives/activities. The work will be performed in collaboration with the relevant bodies under INFCOM, specifically ET-EOSDE, TT-G3W-data and TT-G3W-modelling, and with the inputs from the research community (e.g. Expert Team on the Atmospheric Composition Network Design and Evolution under the Global Atmosphere Watch) and partner organizations. The TT will take into consideration both surface-based and space-based observations.
Specific tasks include:
• Conduct survey of the greenhouse gas (GHG) observations (concentration, column measurements) from existing networks and programmes for atmospheric and ocean measurements (both ground and space-based) with the following attributes: variables, measurement methods, quality of observations (including quality control of measurements), sampling frequency and data access.
• Evaluate available information about GHG observations in databases (Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review (OSCAR), Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT), Marine Methane and Nitrous Oxide (MEMENTO), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and relevant data and metadata repositories.
• Perform a comprehensive literature and online review to identify additional long-term and campaign datasets not included in the existing databases and data repositories.
• Create an initial set of requirements for GHG observation for G3W, following the WMO Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR) process and submit them to the OSCAR/Requirements repository.
• Carry out a gap analysis comparing the variables and coverage needed for the implementation of G3W to the variables currently measured and their coverage.
• Pilot tiered network structure (i.e. with different quality levels, observational capabilities) across all domains and harmonize requirements for such a network, based on the WIGOS Tiered Networks concept.
• Establish network implementation principles.
• Conduct network design experiments, including footprint analysis, in collaboration with the modelling community, including TT-G3W-modelling, and refine the design taking into consideration local circumstances.
• Report on the activities of the team to SC-ON and AG-G3W.

Deliverables
• Comprehensive inventory of the GHG observations, and a network design presented to INFCOM-4.