GAID

The fifth and final version of the Gaps Assessment and Impacts Document (GAID) is now available!

The objective of this GAID was to identify and assess – through careful analysis against both existing and envisaged user requirements – yet unfulfilled user needs (‘gaps’) in the observation capability of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) within the sphere of the GAIA-CLIM project.

The impact assessment focused on the availability of, and ability to utilize, truly reference quality traceable measurements in support of the long-term sustained space-borne monitoring of a set of ECVs. The GAIA-CLIM primary atmospheric ECVs specifically were temperature, water vapour (H₂O), ozone (O₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and aerosols. Because these ECVs are being monitored through the EUMETSAT operational satellite programme, the Copernicus Space Segment, and ESA research satellites, as well as by non-EU satellites, the relevance of the gaps and impact assessment is not limited to Europe. Nevertheless some focus in the project is placed on the European infrastructure.Figure: Assessment of gaps and impacts has been iterative and included external input.

The gaps impact assessment and discussion of potential remedies was organised per gap type in order to identify, e.g., similarity and/or complementarity between the listed gaps that originate from different work packages. The gap identification and assessment and subsequent impact discussions has been continued during the project. The GAID was therefore a living document and several versions of this document have been produced throughout the project. Both, the list of gaps and the impact assessment evolved. Gaps were regularly identified and updated from the project work packages. User needs were further obtained from the GAIA-CLIM user survey and user workshops, as well as through a travelling 'Roadshow' addressed at key stakeholders.