Remedy 2: Adoption of measurement systems approach and assessment by international bodies

Primary gap remedy type: 
Deployment
Secondary gap remedy type: 
Education/Training
Governance
Proposed remedy description: 

Adoption of the GAIA-CLIM approach or of a similar approach to measurement maturity assessment established by globally responsible entities, such as the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) or WIGOS and / or in subsequent relevant scientific projects. A single approach needs to be formulated, adopted, and rolled out across a broad range of non-satellite observing capabilities to assess their maturity and appropriately categorise their role in the global observing system. Periodic re-review of observing capabilities should then be instigated to ensure that assessments reflect up-to-date snapshots of measurement capabilities. A mechanism of feedback to the contributing measurement networks should be codified and enacted. The results of the assessments should be made available in a way that provides actionable information to end-users and to ensure they use the most appropriate data for their applications. 

Relevance: 

The adoption of an international programmatic effort to assess measurement capabilities would directly address the gap and ensure broad buy-in. 

Measurable outcome of success: 

Documentation of adopted mechanism, results of assessment available to users. 

Expected viability for the outcome of success: 
  • High
Scale of work: 
  • Programmatic multi-year, multi-institution activity
Time bound to remedy: 
  • Less than 3 years
Indicative cost estimate (investment): 
  • Low cost (< 1 million)
Indicative cost estimate (exploitation): 
  • Yes
Low recurring costs for evaluations and process management
Potential actors: 
  • Copernicus funding
  • WMO
  • ESA, EUMETSAT or other space agency