A new Earth Observation Climate Information Service in the UK

Paper number

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74965

Author

Prof.Dr. Christopher Merchant, University of Reading, United Kingdom

Year

2023

Abstract

An Earth Observation Climate Information Service (EOCIS) was initiated on 1 January 2023 in the United Kingdom. EOCIS has the objective of providing an impactful suite of timely climate data and climate information -- rooted in robust scientific expertise and of relevance both nationally and worldwide. 

The scope of the climate data records addressed by EOCIS is in part driven by national expertise and capability. EOCIS will take an approach to quantifying climate variability and change that complements service provisions of climate data that are available internationally, and is coherent with scientific developments and standards in international programmes, including the ESA Climate Change Initiative / ClimateSpace. 

In parallel, EOCIS will develop a focus on transformation of Earth-observation (EO)-based climate data into actionable forms of climate information. Activities will demonstrate uses of EOCIS data within assessments of UK greenhouse-gas fluxes. Science exploitation studies will understand the interaction of aspects of the environment with climatic variability, such as lake-climate interactions and coastal run-off in response to intensifying rainfall. 

Opportunities will be created for data experts and down-stream users to co-design novel forms of climate information derived from trusted climate data. These activities are intended to increase the pull-through from excellent data to usage of EO-based climate information in commercial services and public-sector decision making.

Abstract document

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74965.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74965.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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