Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)

The observation of the climate system, its variability and change has become increasingly important, especially since the United Nations conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) is an initiative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UNESCO, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the International Council of Science (ICSU). GCOS is designed to ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained systematically and made available to all potential users. In particular, GCOS follows the aims and requirements of systematic observation as specified by the articles of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

GCOS encompasses the total climate system including observations of physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmosphere, the ocean and the land surface. It builds on existing observing systems and includes all global observation programmes related to the climate convention. Climate measurement series are an important basis for studies by international climate experts (e.g. IPCC Reports) and contribute to an improved scientific understanding of the climate system.

In 2001 the signatury states (Parties to the UNFCCC) were asked to submit a national communication to the Convention, including their activities in support of the Convention, and, in the area of systematic observation, in support to GCOS. These information were used by international experts to compile a status on global climate observations identifying possible gaps. The report on systematic observations is part of the periodic national communication on the implementation of commitments under the Convention. Since 1994 Switzerland provides every fourth year a comprehensive account of Switzerland’s efforts to comply with its obligations under the Climate Change Convention (First Report: 1994, Second Report: 1997, Third Report: 2001, Fourth Report: 2005).

The Swiss GCOS Office at the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, is responsible for coordinating climatological observations carried out in Switzerland by federal offices, research institutes and universities.