GCOS, GOOS & GTOS Program Development

The Global Observing Systems is composed of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) each of which is being developed by steering committees and panels.  Development of these programs is being coordinated through regular liaison meetings between the three observing systems and also the World Weather Watch, through the use of joint scientific panels, and through attendance of representatives as observers at meetings of interest.

The observing programs of the Global Observing Systems (GCOS, GOOS and GTOS) are developed, implemented, and managed by steering committees and supporting scientific panels. Each system also has an international program office. Some of the scientific panels are joint with one of the other observing systems in areas of common interest such as ocean climate and terrestrial climate.

The GCOS Subsidiary Bodies

Development of the GCOS program is guided by the GCOS Steering Committee.

The requirements of the GCOS for climate observations are specified by the following scientific panels:

  • Surface, upper air, and  atmospheric chemistry observations - Atmospheric Observations Panel for Climate (AOPC)
  • Ocean climate observations - Ocean Observing Panel for Climate (OOPC)
  • Terrestrial climate observations - Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC)

GCOS Secretariat (Dr. Carolin Ritcher, Director)

The GOOS Subsidiary Bodies

Development of the GOOS program is guided by the GOOS Scientific Steering Committee.

The observing requirements for GOOS are specified by scientific panels for oceans climate and for the coastal zone. Requirements of the Climate Module were initially specified by the Ocean Observing System Development Panel (OOSDP) in 1995. The Ocean Observing Panel for Climate (OOPC) now specifies the ocean climate requirements for GOOS and GCOS.

The Coastal Oceans Observing Panel (COOP) specifies the requirements for observing systems in the coastal oceans, including physical variables, health of the ocean indicators, and matters relating to living marine resources. This panel has some common interests with GTOS in the coastal zone.

GOOS Secretariat (Albert Fischer, Chief of GOOS Project Office)

The GTOS Subsidiary Bodies

Development of the GTOS program is guided by the GTOS Steering Committee.

The GTOS focuses on five issues or themes of global concern: changes in land quality,   freshwater resources availability, pollution and toxicity, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. The GCOS and GTOS established the joint Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC) to define the requirements for terrestrial data for climate purposes.  The TOPC has also made a beginning at defining the requirements for non-climate terrestrial data.