MeteoSwiss - GCOS

GCOS

GCOS at a glance

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 responds to the objectives and requirements of systematic observation as specified by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.

Photo: Courtesy of EUMETSAT, Archive FU Berlin

GCOS encompasses the total climate system including observations of physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmosphere, the oceans 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.

The Swiss GCOS Office at the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss is responsible for coordinating climate observations in Switzerland.