WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Date: 2 January 2014
PANEL OF EXPERTS ON POLAR OBSERVATIONS,
RESEARCH AND SERVICES
AGENDA ITEM: 4
Fifth session
Wellington, New Zealand, 25 – 28 February 2014
Draft Report on the First Session of the
EC TT ON WMO POLICY FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF CLIMATE DATA AND
PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GFCS
Geneva, Switzerland, 12-14 November 2013
1.
OPENING OF THE SESSION
The Session was opened by the Chair, Mr David Grimes, the President of WMO, at 9:30am on
Tuesday 12 November 2013. In welcoming the participants, Mr Grimes thanked the Team
members for their inputs to the Draft White Paper and the electronic discussions held to date
and stressed the importance of the task set to the Team by the EC. He indicated that the first
part of the Session would be devoted to open discussion to ensure that the Team was still
headed in the right direction, given the evolution of the GFCS to date. He stressed the need to
consider access to data from both a WMO perspective, but also from the perspective of the
users of climate services and what they needed, but could also provide. Therefore, he
considered that the Team should also spend some time discussion the scope of the resolution,
before coming back on the last two days to review the current draft.
Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of WMO, welcomed the participants to the WMO
Headquarters and Geneva. He also stressed the importance of the task set the Team, referring
to the work required to have Resolution 40 reach Cg-XIII and the ensuing debate that lead to its
adoption. He described some of the issues associated with dealing with other UN agencies in
the area of data exchange, in particular WIPO, WTO and UNESCO and stressed the need to
keep such consultations open, especially in relation to the User Interface Platform of the GFCS.
He urged the Team to write the policy in the draft resolution in awareness that other data and
inputs will be required in the future. Finally he reminded the Team that the resolution would
need to take into consideration the national policies related to data access.
2.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK
The Session decided to open the discussion under Agenda Item 4 more broadly than just the
draft White Paper and with this slight adjustment adopted the Draft Agenda. The Session
decided that it would adjust its hours of meeting to fit with progress in its deliberations and the
availability of material to be prepared by the Secretariat. The List of Participants is provided as
Annex I and the Adopted Agenda as Annex II.
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 2/17
3.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES SINCE EC-65 (INCLUDING IBCS, JULY 2013)
The Chair reported briefly on the key resolutions and decisions of relevance to activities
required of the Task Team, including those from EC-64, Cg-Ext. (2102) and EC-65. These
included:
EC-64
EC-64 had requested that:
Taking into account the outcomes of the 2012 Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress to
be held in October 2012 and new developments within WMO related to the exchange of data
and products, for example, the WMO Integrated Global Observing System and the WMO
Information System, the Task Team shall:
(a)
Study the implications of, and the potential for, applying the principle of free and
unrestricted exchange of data and products, while respecting national policies, for the
provision of climate services, including identification of examples of climate data and
products that are available;
(b)
Based on an analysis of the implementation of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) – WMO policy and
practice for the exchange of meteorological and related data and products including
guidelines on the relationships in commercial meteorological activities and Resolution 25
(Cg-XIII) – Exchange of hydrological data and products, provide guidance and advice on
how best to apply Resolutions 40 (Cg-XII) and 25 (Cg-XIII) to advance the WMO policy
on exchange of data and products for the provision of climate services;
(c)
Consider how other United Nations agencies and international organizations can
collaborate with WMO on the exchange of climate data and products for the provision of
climate services;
(d)
Prepare a report to the Executive Council for consideration at its sixty-fifth session.
EC65 considered the draft report from the Task Team and requested it:
To, in accordance with its Terms of Reference as provided in Resolution 4 (EC-64), prepare a
draft resolution with Annexes and background material on WMO Policy for International
Exchange of Climate Data and Products to Support the Implementation of the GFCS for
consideration at EC-66, for possible tabling at the Seventeenth session of the World
Meteorological Congress. The draft resolution should be informed by EC-65’s review of the
white paper developed by the EC Task Team, taking into consideration the further advice and
guidance provided;
World Meteorological Congress (Cg) at its 2012 Extra-ordinary Session
Cg-Ext(2012) had, inter alia, urged governments:
To facilitate the transfer and sharing of technology and know-how between developed and
developing countries in relation to the production, availability, delivery and application of
science-based climate prediction and services, as an integral and essential part of any activity
or project under the GFCS and its Capacity Development component; and
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 3/17
To develop new data policies that address gaps, data accessibility issues, ownership, and data
protection, confidentiality, exchange, applications and usage for the implementation of the
Framework, noting internationally agreed data exchange policies such as the WMO Resolution
40 (Cg-XII) – WMO policy and practice for the exchange of meteorological and related data and
products including guidelines on relationships in commercial meteorological activities, and
Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII) – Exchange of hydrological data and products, and the relevant
provisions of the Group on Earth Observations.
EC-65
EC-65 considered the draft report from the Task Team and requested it:
To, in accordance with its Terms of Reference as provided in Resolution 4 (EC-64), prepare a
draft resolution with Annexes and background material on WMO Policy for International
Exchange of Climate Data and Products to Support the Implementation of the GFCS for
consideration at EC-66, for possible tabling at the Seventeenth session of the World
Meteorological Congress. The draft resolution should be informed by EC-65’s review of the
white paper developed by the EC Task Team, taking into consideration the further advice and
guidance provided.
Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS-1)
The Task Team noted that the first Session of the IBCS had been held in Geneva from 1-5 July
2013 and that the main focus of this Session had been on the appointment of a Chair and CoChairs, establishment of a Management Committee and adoption of the initial Compendium of
Projects, as well as a discussion on financial matters.
4.
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT DOCUMENTS
4.1
GENERAL ISSUES (Including the draft White Paper)
The Chair opened the session up for general discussion of the task and, using the above as
guidance, the Task Team made the following observations, in terms of the context, scope,
points of leverage, bringing other Partners with us, :
Context
The Task Team considered that:
 With the adoption of the implementation plan for the GFCS and the establishment of the
Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS) and the Partners Advisory
Committee (PAC) and the evolution of WIGOS/WIS, the context surrounding the
development of the policy had evolved since EC-64 and would evolve further up until the
16th Congress and therefore some flexibility would be required in the development of the
draft Resolution to account for this evolution.
 As with Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII), the draft Resolution will need
to be sustainable and enduring, and thus this needs to be taken into consideration in the
wording of the draft.
 Noting the comments by the Secretary General, the requirement to consult with other
groups such as WIPO, WTO, UNESCO, FAO and UNFCCC in terms of the development
and implementation will be important to ensure uptake.
 As with Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII), national data policies must
be considered and respected and the wording should reflect this.
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Terminology will be important as the draft Resolution is finalized, for example, is the
resolution about data exchange (that is movement of data between and amongst
Members), or about data access (making data available to a wide range of possible
users).
In regard to the point above, this will require that the benefits will need to be explained
and governments will need to see a win-win situation. That is, an exchange could be
seen as win-win, while just providing access may been seen as a one-way street, with
the benefits being the products and services derived at global and regional levels.
The debate that occurred during the adoption of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) between public
good – private sector (commercial) relationships will need to be considered in the draft
Resolution, but could be addressed by the adoption of the policy and practices of
Resolution 40 (Cg-XII).
Noting that the IBCS may have a role in its application, the final Resolution will be for
governments (the Members) and not just NMHSs.
It will be essential to cover aspects such as ownership, data protection, confidentiality,
third party usage and re-distribution in the draft Resolution.
Scope
The Task Team considered that:
 The scope of the data that should be addressed by the final Resolution required
additional discussion and thought. Should it just be the data, managed and maintained
by the NMHSs required for the delivery of climate services, or should it include all of the
data required by the climate data users and also the data collected by these users that is
climate relevant data (information and knowledge from the use of the data).
 If it is the latter, then, noting the construct of the Task Team, consideration must be
given to a mechanism to talk with the users to identify the relevant data sets, recognizing
that there is a large group of users. However, if it is the meteorological, hydrological,
environmental and other related data (the responsibility of WMO), then the Task Team
was well placed to move forward with respect to this as the defined “climate relevant
data and products”.
 The data and product needs of the four focal areas as outlined in the annexes to the
Implementation Plan could provide guidance in the first instance.
 The draft Resolution should be written with awareness that the scope of the data to be
covered could be expanded, that is, an iterative approach that will support growth.
 Latency of the data and other characteristics such as record length may be important
considerations in defining the data required to be exchanged/accessible.
 The linkage to the Essential Climate Variables needed to be made clear
 The concept of two categories, data to be exchanged freely, with no restrictions and
those additional data that would have restriction on their use was a good approach.
 The products from existing and future WDCs, GPCs, RCCs, RCOFs, etc., may provide a
basic set of products that support GFCS implementation.
 The quality of the data and products is important in order to ensure better products and
services and the availability of metadata will therefore be required.
 A further use of the data to be exchanged would be for verification purposes.
Points of leverage
The Task Team considered that:
 WMO already has a significant track record in data exchange and the application of this
to climate relevant data and products is just building on that.
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More and more countries are becoming willing to share data if the benefits of providing
access can be proven (African Risk Capacity – ARC).
In developing the draft Resolution the Task Team will need to be clear as to the purpose
for which the identified data and products are to be exchanged/accessed. In this regard
Resolutions 40 (Cg-XII) and 25 (Cg-XIII) may provide some guidance, but the Task
Team should also consider the mission of the GFCS and the principles associated with
its implementation.
Current global and regional issues such as climate change, resilience of communities,
use of seasonal outlooks for preparedness/adaptation, etc., can also contribute to show
the benefits.
Bringing other Partners with us
The Task Team considered that:
 WMO will need to have discussions with other communities who have data
responsibilities that may overlap, e.g. oceans, agriculture, health, DRR, etc.
 It may be possible to initially address the four focal areas and use the current
observations and monitoring documents, prepared for the GFCS Implementation Plan.
 Cost-benefit analyses, to show the benefits to be obtained from the data
exchange/access may be required to bring others along.
The Task Team took these points into consideration in reviewing and revising the draft
Resolution under Agenda Item 42 and 4.3. The Task Team decided that the white paper should
be retained as an information document to the submission to EC-66.
4.2
DRAFT RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE DATA FOR CONSIDERATION AT EC-66
Before reviewing the draft Resolution, the Task Team, as requested by EC-64, analyzed the
implementation of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and examined its form and content and made the
following observations, noting that by adopting the policies and principles of Resolution 40 (CgXII), all of the existing paragraphs of the Resolution would be adopted and therefore remain in
force:
Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)
The Task Team considered that in using the form and content from Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) in
developing a draft Resolution ob climate relevant data and products:
 Noting (1) to (5) – Would need to be updated, new resolutions and wording (5), in
particular.
 Recalling (1) to (2) – Would need to be updated, Refer to Ext Congress, GFCS
Implementation Plan, Include reference to the mission of the GFCS and the GFCS
Principles.
 Considering (1) to (5) - Considering (1) may need to be broader, include partnerships in
GFCS, reference to IBCS and the governance process. May want to refer to COP18 –
and sustainable development.
 Recognizing (1) to (7) would still apply, should bring (7) forward into new resolution to
emphasize. Should cover GFCS Pillars and current and future priorities – critical to
success. Also may need a reference to WIS/WIGOS.
 Recognizing Further (1) to (4) would still apply, no need to repeat.
 Reminds – would still apply, but not required in draft Resolution.
 Adopts – will need to be reworded to cover climate relevant data and products, but
adopts policies and practices of Res 40.
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Adopts (1) to (3) – will need to be reworded to cover the construct proposed for free and
unrestricted data and products and additional data and products (free, but with
restrictions).
Urges (1) to (7) – will need rewording to be applicable.
Further Urges (1) to (2) – merged with Urges
Invites – not required
Requests the Executive Council – will need rewording for relevance
Requests the Secretary-General – will need rewording for relevance
Decides – will need rewording for relevance
Based on this analysis and the previous discussions, the Task Team reviewed and revised the
draft Resolution and the version agreed as of the first Session is provided in Annex III.
Some of the Task Team members also considered that, in relation to the draft Resolution, there
was still need for further discussion on a number of topics, including:
 Is the difference between exchange and access of data and its relevance well enough
addressed;
 Have we adequately and correctly covered the relationships with Partner organizations;
 Is the capacity development for Members to aid implement of the resolution something
we need to address further in the resolution, e.g. gaps in networks, data rescue, etc;
 Have we adequately addressed issues of ownership, attribution and redistribution and
the protection of the source of the data; and
 Have we explained well enough the monitoring of implementation and the use of the
WIS in this regard.
4.3
DRAFT ANNEXES TO THE RESOLUTION
The Task Team reviewed the Annexes of Resolution 40 (Cg-XIII) and found them all to be
applicable and that at this stage only Annex I would need to be recast for the draft Resolution.
By adopting the policies and principles of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), all of the existing Annexes
would therefore be also adopted and remain in force.
In analyzing Annex I from Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), the Task Team made the following
observations:
 The purpose remained relevant and required only minor adjustments;
 All climate relevant data and products covered by the existing Resolution would be
covered and thus need not be repeated – words to this effect should be included;
 Some additional definitions may be required, but would be best done as footnotes; and
 Proposals were made for text to describe the Contents which would be different from the
existing Annex.
Some of the Task Team members considered that there was still need for discussion on
aspects of the data to be included in Annex I, especially in terms of the definition of “All
available”.
5.
NEXT STEPS
The Task Team discussed the next steps and agreed that it was essential that the draft
Resolution be discussed as widely as possible and agreed that each Task Team member as a
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 7/17
representative of their Regional Association or Technical Commission, or other group should
seek comments on the draft from within their respective groups and provide further feedback to
the other members of the Task Team.
The Chair, Mr Grimes, requested agreement from the Task Team to take the draft Resolution to
the EC Working Group on Strategic and Operational Planning for informal feedback (not for
review/editing). The Task Team members agreed in principle, provided that they had the
opportunity to discuss within their respective groups in the first instance.
The Task Team also decided that as part of next steps that:
i)
ii)
iii)
6.
the preamble will be captured in the text for inclusion in the general summary for
EC66;
this report of the meeting would also form part of the submission to EC as
information document; and
the white paper will be retained as an information document to the EC-66
submission.
CLOSURE OF THE SESSION
The Session will close at 18:00 on Thursday 14 November 2013.
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 8/17
ANNEX I
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TASK TEAM ON THE WMO POLICY FOR INTERNATIONAL
EXCHANGE OF CLIMATE DATA AND PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES
(GENEVA, 12 TO 14 NOVEMBER 2013)
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Group
WMO Memebrs
Regional Association I (Africa)
Regional Association II (Asia)
Regional Association IV (North America, Central
America and the Caribbean)
Representative
Mr David GRIMES
Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)
Environment Canada
351 Blvd. St. Joseph
GATINEAU
QUÉBEC
Canada
Telephone: + 1 81993453 95
Telefax: + 1 81993412 55
E-Mail:david.grimes@ec.gc.ca
Mr Franz Uirab
Chief Meteorological Services
Private Bag 13224
WINDHOEK 9OOO
Namibia
Fax: +264 61 287 7009
E-mail: fuirab@meteona. com
Mr Yuki Honda
Senior Scientific Officer
Office of International Affairs
Planning Division
Administrative Department
Japan Meteorological Agency
Otemachi
Chiyoda-ku
TOKYO 100-8122
Japan
Fax:+81 3 3211 8407
E-mail: Honda.yuuki@met.kishou.go.jp
Edward Joseph Kearns, Ph.D.
NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC
US Department of Commerce
151 Patton Ave
ASHEVILLE NC 28801
USA
Tel: +1 828-350-2410
Fax: +1 828 271 4328
Email: ed.kearns@noaa.gov
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 9/17
Regional Association V (South-West Pacific)
Dr Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan
Head of Climate Analysis and Information
Subdivision
Center for Climate, Agro- & Maritime-Climate
Agency for
Meteorology,
Climatology and
Geophysics
(BMKG)
Jl. Angkasa 1 No. 2, Kemayoran
JAKARTA
Indonesia
Prof Adrian, Special Advisor to the President of
WMO replaced by
Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar
Observations, Research and Services
Commission for Basic Systems
E-Mail: Detlev.Froemming@dwd.de
Mr Steve Colwell
British Antarctic Survey
High Cross, Madingley Road
CAMBRIDGE CB3 0ET
United Kingdom
+44 12 23 36 2616
E-mail: src@bas.ac.uk
Dr Thomas C. Peterson
National Climatic Data Center
Data and Information Service
Federal Building, Room 514A
151 Patton Avenue
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-5001
United States of America
Commission for Climatology
Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission
Oceanography and Marine Meteorology*
Fax: +62 21 658 66 236
E-mail:
ardhasena@bmkg.go.id
ardhasena@gmail.com
Mr D. Frömming
Deutscher Wetterdienst Zentrale
Frankfurter Strasse 135
D-63067 OFFENBACH
Germany 28071
for
Fax : +1-828-271-4246
E-Mail: thomas.c.peterson@noaa.gov
Dr Peter Dexter
International Oceans Policy Advisor
Bureau of Meteorology
GPO Box 1289
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Australia
Tel: +613 9669 4870
Fax: +61 3 9669 47 25
E-mail: p.dexter@bom.gov.au
Mr. Matteo Dell’Acqua
Chair, OPAG-ISS, CBS
Météo-France, Direction des systèmes d’information
F-31057 TOULOUSE CEDEX 01
France
Tel: + 33 5 610 78124
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 10/17
Commission for Hydrology
WMO Secretariat
Fax: + 33 5 610 78109
E-mail: matteo.dellacqua@meteo.fr
Harry Lins
United States Geological Survey
U.S. Geological Survey
415 National Center
RESTON VA 20192
United States of America
E-mail: hlins@usgs.gov
Bruce Stewart (D/CLW)
Veronica Grasso (GFCS PO)
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 11/17
ANNEX II
AGENDA
1.
OPENING OF THE SESSION
2.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK
3.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES SINCE EC-65 (INCLUDING IBCS, JULY 2013)
4.
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT DOCUMENTS
4.1
GENERAL ISSUES (Including the draft White Paper)
4.2
DRAFT RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE DATA FOR CONSIDERATION AT EC-66
4.3
DRAFT ANNEXES TO THE RESOLUTION
5.
NEXT STEPS
6.
CLOSURE OF THE SESSION
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 12/17
ANNEX III
DRAFT RESOLUTION (14 November 2013)
WMO SEVENTEETH CONGRESS (2015)
WMO POLICY FOR THE EXCHANGE OF DATA AND PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES
THE CONGRESS:
Noting:
(1)
Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) – WMO policy and practice for the exchange of
meteorological and related data and products including guidelines on the
relationships in commercial meteorological activities,
(2)
Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII) – Exchange of hydrological data and products,
(3)
Resolution 16 (Cg-XVI) – Climate Data Requirements,
(4)
Resolution 48 (Cg-XVI) – Implementation of the Global Framework for Climate
Services,
(5)
Resolution 1 (Cg-Ext.(2012)) – Implementation of the Global Framework for
Climate Services,
(6)
Resolution 2 (Cg-Ext.(2012)) - Establishment of the Intergovernmental Board on
Climate Services,
(7)
Resolution 6 (IOC-XXII) – IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy,
(8)
Annex to paragraph 3.2.4 of the general summary of EC 65 - The role and operation
of national meteorological and hydrological services - A Statement by the World
Meteorological Organization.
Recalling that:
(1)
Cg-Ext.(2012) had adopted the Implementation Plan of the Global Framework for
Climate Services (GFCS) for further consideration by IBCS-1;
(2)
The vision of the GFCS is to enable society to manage better the risks and
opportunities arising from climate variability and change, especially for those who are
most vulnerable to climate-related hazards.
(3)
All eight principles for the implementation of the GFCS, in particular Principles 2, 5 and
6 which state that:
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(4)
A primary goal will be to ensure greater availability of, access to and use of
enhanced climate services for all countries;
Climate information is primarily an international public good provided by
governments, which will have a central role in its management under the
framework; and
Promote the free and open exchange of climate-relevant data, tools and
scientifically based methods while respecting national and international policies,
The role of WMO (and its constituent bodies) in the establishment and maintenance of
systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information.
Considering:
1
(1)
That this Resolution will only apply to meteorological, hydrological, environmental and
related data and products required to support the implementation of the GFCS,
hereafter referred to as climate relevant data and products.
(2)
The fundamental importance of the free and unrestricted1 exchange of climate relevant
data and products to enable society to manage better the risks and opportunities
arising from climate variability and change, especially for those who are most
vulnerable to climate-related hazards,
(3)
The continuing importance, for the provision of climate services in support of the
protection of life and property, of the free and unrestricted exchange of climate relevant
data and products among WMO Members to facilitate the implementation of the GFCS,
(4)
The role of the World Data Centres (WDCs), the Global Producing Centres (GPCs) for
Long Range Forecasts, the Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) and the Regional
Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs) in the provision of consolidated global and regional
climate relevant data and products as identified in Climate Services Information
System (CSIS),
(5)
The WMO Statement on the role and operation of national meteorological and
hydrological services in relation to the role of WMO Members’ NMSs in the provision of
national climate relevant data and products in furthering applications of meteorology to
all human activities,
(6)
The importance of the contribution of other GFCS partner organizations and the role
these organizations can play in support of the goals and objectives of the GFCS,
(7)
The initial four priority areas for the implementation of the GFCS, health, disaster risk
reduction, agriculture and food security and water and the climate relevant data related
”Free and unrestricted” means non-discriminatory and without charge [Resolution 23 (EC-XLII) – Guidelines on
international aspects of provision of basic and special meteorological services]. “Without charge”, in the context of
this resolution, means at no more than the costs of reproduction and delivery, without charge for the data and
products themselves.
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 14/17
requirements of these priority areas as identified in the annexes to the Implementation
Plan for the GFCS.
Recognizing:
(1)
The need for increased access to all types of climate relevant data and products,
(2)
The importance of access to reliable, relevant and timely data and products in
supporting resilience to climate variability and change and underpinning sustainable
development as espoused at various international forums, such as Rio +20, under the
theme of the “Future We Want”, and the meetings of the Conference of the Parties
(COPs) of UNFCCC,
(3)
That increased availability of and access to climate relevant data, especially in data
sparse regions, can lead to better quality and will create a greater variety of products
and services,
(4)
That increased use of reliable climate products and stronger collaboration between
providers and users can lead to improved climate-smart decision making,
(5)
That countries will benefit from the climate products that are derived through the use of
their data at global, regional and national levels,
(6)
The rights of Members to choose the manner by, and the extent to, which they make
their climate relevant data and products available domestically or for international
exchange,
(7)
The importance of respecting the conditions of use set by the originators of the data
and products, such as attribution, to facilitate access to the data and products,
(8)
The successful experience gained by Members in the
implementation of Resolutions 40 (Cg-XII) and 25 (Cg-XIII).
development
Decides:
(1)
To adopt the policies and practices of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and Resolution 25
(Cg-XIII) for the exchange of climate relevant data and products to enable the
achievement of the goals and objectives of the GFCS,
(2)
That Members shall provide, on a free and unrestricted basis, the climate relevant
data and products described in Annex I to this Resolution to enable society to
manage better the risks and opportunities arising from climate variability and
change for all nations, especially for those who are most vulnerable to climaterelated hazards,
(3)
That Members should also provide the additional climate relevant data and
products which are required to support and sustain the GFCS and WMO initiatives
at the global, regional and national levels and, further, as mutually agreed, to
assist other Members to enhance access to climate relevant data and in the
provision of climate products in their countries. Such additional climate relevant
and
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data and products should be free of charge, but would have conditions associated
with their use, such as, for example, restrictions on their use for commercial
purposes, attribution of their source or licensing.
Urges Members to:
(1)
Strengthen their commitment to the free and unrestricted exchange of climate relevant
data and products,
(2)
Increase the volume of climate relevant data and products accessible to meet the
needs for implementation of the GFCS and the requirements of the GFCS partners,
(3)
Make use of the WMO Information System for the exchange of climate relevant data
and products among Members,
(4)
Provide the related metadata as defined by WIS and WIGOS,
(5)
Strengthen their commitments to the WMO and ICSU WDCs in their collection and
supply of climate relevant data and products on a free and unrestricted basis,
(6)
Implement the practice on the international exchange of climate relevant data and
products, as described in Decides (1) to (3) above,
(7)
Inform all third parties of the terms and conditions associated with the additional
climate relevant data and products (including their related metadata), such as
ownership and attribution,
(8)
Make best efforts to ensure that users and subsequent users are aware of the
conditions of use on the additional climate relevant data and products, particularly
regarding their redistribution.
Requests the Executive Council to:
(1)
Invite the president of CCl, in collaboration with the other technical commissions, in
particular the president of CBS, to provide advice and assistance on the technical
aspects of the Resolution’s implementation and ensure that appropriate standards are
identified, implemented and maintained,
(2)
Task the Technical Commissions, as appropriate, to regularly review and update the
climate relevant data and products to be provided by the global and regional climate
centres with a view to increase the access to and availability of climate relevant data
and products,
(3)
Take into consideration the views of the IBCS with respect to the issues that may arise
with the implementation of the Resolution,
(4)
Foster initiatives that:

Enhance the capabilities of Members, especially LDCs and developing
countries, to provide, deliver and improve access to climate relevant data and
EC-PORS-5/ INF. 32, Page 16/17

products to adequately respond to user needs and to enable their use in
decision making by all relevant societal sectors;
Support Members in the implementation of this Resolution, especially those
who are most vulnerable to climate-related hazards,
Requests the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services to:
(1)
Apply this Resolution in the context of the implementation of the GFCS,
(2)
Maintain effective coordination with the GFCS partners, including FAO, WFP, WHO,
UNISDR, UNESCO, UNDP, IOC, and other international organizations, and
encourage them to adopt similar policies and practices to the free and unrestricted
exchange of their related data and products in support of the GFCS,
(3)
Consider and recommend to Congress how third party data and products could be
treated in the context of the implementation of this Resolution.
Requests the Secretary-General to:
(1)
Bring this Resolution to the attention of Members of WMO, GFCS partners and other
involved international organizations,
(2)
Make known to all Members those climate data and products which have conditions on
their use,
(3)
Implement a process for monitoring the accessibility and exchange of climate related
data and products under this Resolution.
Further Decides to review the implementation of this resolution at the Eighteenth Congress.
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Annex I to Resolution XX (Cg-XVII)
Climate relevant data and products to be exchanged without charge and with no
conditions on use
Purpose
The purpose of this listing of climate relevant data and products is to identify a minimum set of
data and products which are essential to enable society to manage better the risks and
opportunities arising from climate variability and change for all nations, especially for those who
are most vulnerable to climate-related hazards, and which Members shall exchange on a free
and unrestricted basis.
The climate relevant data and products which are essential include, in general, the data from
the RBCNs and GCOS Surface Network and as many data as possible that will assist in
defining the climate on at least a scale of the order of 200 km in the horizontal and daily in time.
Contents
As well as the climate data and products provided under Annex I to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) and
all available climate data records relating to the GCOS Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
(Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Terrestrial) as more data become available at improved temporal
and spatial scales, including in particular, the following data and products:
(1)
All available metadata for the data provided meeting the WIS/WIGOS metadata
standards;
(2)
All available historical 2 climate 3 time-series from the RBCN and the GCOS Surface
Network at a time resolution necessary to resolve the statistics of climate, including
trends and extremes;
(3)
All available climate relevant upper ocean data, in particular sea ice, temperature and
salinity;
(4)
All available climate relevant coastal interface data, in particular sea level, waves and
storm surges;
(5)
All available streamflow and lake level data, including stage and discharge;
(6)
All available climate relevant cryospheric data, in particular snow cover, snow depth,
glacial monitoring, permafrost and lake and river ice;
(7)
All climate products distributed by WDCs, GPCs, RCCs, and RCOFs to meet their WMO
obligations as defined by the CSIS; and
(8)
All available climate data and products required for the current and future priority areas
of the GFCS as defined in the Annexes to the Implementation Plan for the GFCS.
2
“Historical data” are defined as observations that have been collected for as long a period as they are available.
3
“Climate data” are defined as meteorological observations that are older than 24 hours.