Global Climate Observing System Implementation: Progress and Challenges

The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Implementation Plan was completed in October 2004. Since that time, notable progress has been made in each of the component atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial systems. Highlights include renewed effort in the GCOS Upper Air Network in developing countries; completion of the Global Drifting Buoy Array; and improved availability of global runoff data. Major implementation challenges remain, however. These include the sustained operation of research-based networks; climate satellite mission continuity; and support for analytical products from the observing system. GCOS will need the continuing institutional support of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Global Earth Observing System of Systems, the subject of a companion paper.