G3W Newsletter (Q3 2024)
G3W Pre-oper phase starts
G3W has recently marked significant progress through active participation in several high-profile international events and these engagements have reinforced its growing role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring efforts. This edition highlights the key events where G3W contributed and presented its strategic vision for the future.
JRC-IPCC-TFI-NGHGI Meeting
At the JRC-IPCC-TFI-NGHGI Meeting (9th-11th July, Ispra, Italy, the policy relevance of Earth Observations and climate datasets such as the Essential Climate Variables, was debated with over 120 experts on GHG emissions from 48 countries, with special focus on land use change emissions.
During the meeting, the Keynote from Dr G Balsamo D/G3W highlighted the need for accurate and timely GHG flux data. The meeting advanced on the translation needed to ensure coherence between Earth Observation (EO)-driven estimates and inventories.
G3W will support enhancing national GHG monitoring networks and integrating Earth Observation data from satellite agencies ingested into advanced GHG models. G3W emphasized the importance of improving the global monitoring systems to support both the IPCC and the UNFCCC efforts in assessing the efficacy of climate targets.
ICOS Science Conference
The ICOS Science Conference (10th -12th September 2024, Versailles, France) gathered leading climate scientists and policy experts from around the world (460 contributions!). The G3W keynote from Dr G. Balsamo shared recent progress, highlighting advances in
coordinating global observational networks and the integration GHG data from multiple sources. A key topic of G3W implementation is the critical role of in-situ GHGs measurements, taking stock of the experience gained within the ICOS network.
There was strong interest for G3W efforts to involve also the developing countries where there are larger gaps. Participants raised questions about funding opportunities to expand GHG monitoring in underrepresented regions. G3W aims to bridge these gaps by engaging with developing countries, via capacity and technology development activities, and ensuring that G3W data reflects diversity in the regions. The ongoing efforts to standardize GHG measurement techniques, as reviewed at the WMO/IAEA GGMT-2024 meeting (5-8 August, 2024, Brazil) provide input for establishing the regulatory frameworks needed to support the operational monitoring ambitions.
30th Anniversary of the Waliguan Observatory
The 30th Anniversary of the Waliguan Observatory (4-5 September, 2024) was a landmark event in China, bringing together key stakeholders from around the world to celebrate three decades of significant contributions to global GHG monitoring. Situated in Qinghai province, the Waliguan Station (also part of the Global Atmosphere Watch Network, see GAW Newsletter) has been instrumental in providing high-altitude GHG measurements over the central Eurasia continent for 3 decades, essential for understanding global climate. Keynote from G3W in the ceremony appreciated the great efforts from Members in the GHG monitoring and emphasized the critical role of long-term, high-quality observations to verify GHG fluxes/concentrations estimates for global monitoring systems.
The event showcased WMO Members’ capabilities and best practices in GHG observation in an “operational” manner, and their ongoing contributions to the global climate agenda. Moving forward, G3W aims to strengthen collaborations by enhancing Members’ network design capabilities and expanding data-sharing via the WMO Information System, ensuring continuous and timely availability of high-quality GHG observational data.
Global Greenhouse Gas motoring efforts from the space agencies
The CEOS and CGMS coordinate global efforts to monitor GHGs from space, focusing on high-quality, systematic observations for CO₂ and CH₄. A roadmap that reviews the space-based monitoring sensors complementing ground and airborne measurements, is issued and it crucially support the ambitions of the integrated G3W monitoring system. G3W will foster the integration of in-situ data with space-based observation, for improving global GHG monitoring capabilities. The partnership with CEOS/CGMS via the WG-Climate will aim at bridging data gaps, in regions with limited coverage of in-situ and/or satellites).
DR. WENYING SU, WGCLIMATE VICE-CHAIR,
First Global Stocktake (GST), Lessons Learned Study, SIT Technical Workshop 2024, Sydney, Australia 18th - 19th September 2024
For the efficacy of climate action, the GHG community needs to :
- Improve uncertainty assessments for both top-down and bottom-up estimates.
- Develop higher spatial resolution inverse models to enhance the utility of ghg data.
- Operationalize ghg monitoring systems for long-term availability of products.
- Increase collaboration with national inventory compilers and demonstrate the value of space-based data.
- Create training materials for compilers on how to use top down data.
- Communicate to increase awareness on data availability.
G3W is moving forward
Looking to the future, G3W has made significant progress in establishing 3 Task Teams (TT) focusing on critical areas of GHG monitoring: the TT-G3W-Networks, chaired by Dr. Prabir Patra; the TT-G3W Data, chaired by Dr. Laurence Rouil; and the TT-G3W-Modelling, chaired by Dr. Lesley Ott. The Task Teams will be developing basic technical regulatory framework to ensure the successful implementation of the G3W plans with the leadership support of the newly formed Advisory Group (AG-G3W), co-chaired by Prof. Greg Carmichael and Dr. Vincent-Henri Peuch.
G3W is set to integrate its GHG observation infrastructure with WMO systems like the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), WMO Information System (WIS), and WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS). This integration will enhance the representation of GHGs in global modeling systems, making the data more accessible and actionable for policymakers and stakeholders alike.
G3W talks to the community
The G3W 2024 podcasts episodes published by WMO, feature the initial team and aim at describing the journey of the #GlobalGreenhouseGasWatch, driving #ClimateAction and supporting the Nations' commitments to the #ParisAgreement.
- Episode 1: From Data to Action: How GHG Monitoring Supports Climate Policy
- Episode 2: Improving GHG Observation and Modelling for Better Climate Action
- Episode 3: The Operational Framework of G3W and WMO’s Role
- Episode 4: Envisioning the Future Evolution of G3W
Upcoming events
G3W will take part in COP 29 events with the WMO delegation illustrating efforts in climate change adaptation/mitigation. COP29/WMO-Pavilion, Monday 11th Nov and Sat 16 Nov. 2024.
Two planned workshop in 2025
- G3W Output Data Providers and Early Adopters Identification workshop, Q1/2025
- G3W Intelligent Network Design and Existing Networks Survey workshop, Q3/2025
