World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

http://www.wmo.ch

Global, regional and national components. All 185 Members of WMO participate. GAW is a coordinated network of observing stations, associated facilities and infrastructures encompassing measurements and related scientific assessment activities.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data collected by regular submission of data by participating countries to the WMO Data Centres in accordance with data reporting formats. The data comes from stations maintained and operated by WMO Member countries.

- Global coverage
- in accordance with Agenda 21, paragraphs 9.4, 9.5, 9.21 and 9.24
- parameters:
- greenhouse gases
- ozone (surface, total and profile)
- radiation (including UV-B) and optical depth
- precipitation chemistry
- chemical and physical properties of aerosols
- reactive gases
- radionuclides
- related meteorological parameters

Coordination of data collection done by the WMO Secretariat in cooperation with other agencies.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 Standardization via WMO/GAW Technical Regulations and WMO World Calibration Centres. Quality control monitored by Quality Assurance Science Activity Centres.

Ad Hoc expert groups are established for specific measurements.

ISO standards followed.

Assessment and Analysis
Assessments related to change in composition of the atmosphere e.g. periodic ozone assessments prepared (if completed to date) and deposition assessment recently distributed (Feb. 97). Methods used are models and data analysis.

Cooperation with UNEP, IAEA, WHO, NASA, ICSU, UNECE.

Indicators

Modelling
Global and regional transport models.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms
WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch serves as an early warning system to detect further changes in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases including changes in the ozone layer to study and assess the long-range transport of pollutants including acidity and toxicity of rain as well as of atmospheric burden of aerosols (dust particles).

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination via publication by World Data Centres, floppy disks, etc. to all countries, research institutions, individual scientists and governmental agencies.

Coordination of information dissemination via a GAW plan available to all users. GAW also includes metadata.

Governments, and the decision-makers within them, ( in particular through their meteorological and environmental services) have access to data and assessments.

Network Development and Support
GAW is a single network, and does not interact with others.

Capacity-Building
WMO undertakes a Technical Cooperation Programme to help in capacity development among decision-makers.

Through the coordination of IGAC, START, IAI and GAW and a series of workshops under the auspices of the WMO a plan to design and implement jointly a capacity-building programme in developing countries for atmospheric chemistry has been prepared.

Data gaps need denser global coverage, especially in Africa and some Asian and South American countries.

Internet Access

http://www.wmo.ch
Contains mission statements and descriptions of WMO programmes and links to other meteorological information. Home page provides links to individual WMO members in various countries, and their sites have useful local meteorological and climate information, including current forecasts.

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Dr John M. Miller
Chief, Environment Division
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Case postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 8212
Fax: +41 22 7400 984

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: February 1997

All Members of WMO (Currently 185 countries and territories) cooperate in the HWR Programme of WMO through their National Hydrological Services (NHSs), involving activities at national, regional and global levels.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Operational, real-time and delayed data collection, using the whole range of techniques available for the collection of hydrological data from mail and telephone to satellite-based data collection platforms (DCPs). Data sources are the National Hydrological and Hydrometeorological Services (NHSs).

Hydrological data - national, regional and global - including data on the quantity and quality of both surface and underground water - are collected.

WMO constituent bodies, regional inter-country agreements and various cooperative agreements coordinate data collection.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardization is via WMO Technical Regulations in hydrology with quality control being a national responsibility usually with NHSs.
Harmonization is a national responsibility at national level, certain regional systems also closely harmonized (e.g. see WHYCOS below).

Extensive guidance material issued by WMO for use by NHSs.

Assessment and Analysis
WMO has responsibilities in relation to sections B (Water Resources Assessment) and G (Impacts of Climate Change) of Chapter 18 (Freshwater Resources) of Agenda 21.

WMO cooperates with UNESCO in relation to Water Resource Assessment (Section B) and with a range of other organizations (e.g. World Bank, European Union) in implementing field activities.

Technique used is the analysis of data supplied by countries.

Indicators
WMO monitors the level of activity, at national, regional and global levels in operational hydrology.

Modelling
NHSs routinely apply modelling techniques to varying degrees to assess countries' water resources, and to forecast floods and droughts. Regional and international work is mainly project-based, and increasing under the impetus of UN system-wide requirements such as those of Agenda 21 and the Commission for Sustainable Development and the need for climate-related studies.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
Certain NHSs use expert systems in conjunction with their modelling of hydrological systems.

Early Warning Mechanisms
NHSs operate such systems at national level, and jointly at regional level. In the context of Section B of Chapter 18 (Freshwater Resources) of Agenda 21.

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination at national level ranges from mail services to satellite communications; plans are in hand for real-time satellite transmission from selected stations to form a world-wide network. Primarily disseminated to users within the country or river basin of origin, certain data exchanged globally, especially through the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) in Koblenz.

Coordination of information dissemination between national agencies concerned. Other UN agencies represented on the Steering Committee for the GRDC.

WMO Secretariat maintains a computer-based information system on meta-information on hydrological data for the whole world.

There is extensive promotion of the use of information by certain NHSs, supported by literature from WMO Secretariat.

WMO issues publications designed to inform decision-makers.

Network Development and Support
NHSs manage the national and regional networks which collect hydrological data of all types. WMO is promoting a series of projects (HYCOSs) to develop sustainable regional networks of DCSs for the collection of hydrological data. The aim is to build these into a global network: the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS).

There is a great potential and need for an implementation of coordination among these networks, at all levels. This will be assured between the HYCOS component of WHYCOS.

NHSs provide data to government agencies responsible for national and regional development. The WMO Secretariat works closely with all other agencies of the UN system which have water programmes.

Capacity-Building
WMO issues comprehensive guidance material and operates a Technical Cooperation Programme to promote information to decision-makers.

The WMO Education and Training Programme helps NHSs to train personnel in data collection, assessment and transformation.

There is constant effort within the HWRP and WMO's Regional Associations to help NHSs find data gaps.

Internet Access

http://www.wmo.ch
Contains mission statements and descriptions of WMO programmes and links to other meteorological information. Home page provides links to individual WMO members in various countries, and their sites have useful local meteorological and climate information, including current forecasts.

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Dr. Arthur Askew
Director
Hydrology and Water Resources Department
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Case postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 8355
Fax: +41 22 730 8043
askew_a@gateway.wmo.ch

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: February 1997, updated July 1999

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

MPERSS relies on meteorological and oceanographic data collected and exchanged under the WWW and the joint WMO/IOC Integrated Global Ocean Services System (IGOSS), as well as data from oceanographic satellites.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 Services and system operations governed by WMO technical regulations, according to a globally coordinated plan agreed by all Members. Various meteorological and oceanographic models are operational, including for sea state and marine pollution transport.

Assessment and Analysis
The quality and effectiveness of the services provided as well as of the operational and non-operational communications links are continually assessed by the AMCs. The system is coordinated by WMO, with close cooperation with IMO and support from IOC.

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms
MPERSS is based on direct communication links between the AMCs and both international and national bodies responsible for marine pollution emergency response operations, so that meteorological and oceanographic services can be available at all stages of these response operations.

Reports/Information dissemination

GTS, plus Internet and other national and international communications facilities as agreed between the AMCs and response centres. Potentially all maritime countries are users. The MPERSS plan is availabe to all users. Metadata relating to MPERSS is available in WMO, and the system is designed to be directly responsive to user requirements. Services provided under the system are used directly by decision-makers in undertaking emergency response operations.

Network Development and Support
MPERSS is a globally coordinated network, which involves close interaction with the WWW.

Capacity-Building
Specialized training and capacity building in support of MPERSS take place within the WWW, Marine and Technical Cooperation Programmes of WMO.

Internet Access

http://www.wmo.ch/
Provides access to details of the system (through the Marine Programme), as well as to services provided by Members.

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Chief, Ocean Affairs Division
WWW Department
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Boite postale 2300
CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: + 4122 730 8237
Fax: + 4122 733 0242

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: February 1997

All 185 WMO Members and other WMO programmes and a number of international organizations such as GCOS, IPCC, UNEP, FAO, UNESCO, IOC and ICSU cooperate in the WCP thus contributing to the development of the Climate Agenda - an integrating framework for the international climate related programmes.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data for the WCP are collected from routine operationally, manual, automated and remotely sensed observations of global climate system parameters, from special research projects, especially within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), a component of WCP, and from electronic and manual search, of historical archives. Data is mostly from governments, particularly National Meteorological Services (NMSs). Some from joint international projects and some from private sources.

Data on a large variety of parameters from the global climate system is collected- atmospheric, cryospheric, oceanic, hydrological and biological.

Data for WCP are coordinated through cooperative arrangements with national and regional climate centres, World Data Centres, the WWW Programmes and other agencies.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardization provided by WMO Technical Regulations in climatology. Quality control is a national responsibility, usually within NMSs. Harmonization through the WMO Commission for Climatology and the Joint Scientific Committee for the WMO/ICSU/IOC World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).

Practical techniques for the Climate Information and Prediction Services (CLIPS) are being promoted and coordinated through the (CLIPS) Project within World Climate Applications and Services Programme (WCASP).

Assessment and Analysis
The Climate Change Detection Project of the WCDMP provides regular assessments on the suitability of data for the detection of climate change. The Climate System Monitoring Project of the WCDMP provides analyses on large scale climatic fluctuations. Anthropogenic climate change detection and attribution is a new thrust within the WCRP.

Coordination in Climate Change Detection with GCOS and IPCC; in Climate System Monitoring with UNEP.
c. Techniques used
A variety of statistical techniques such as time series graphs and climate anomaly charts.

Indicators
Development and monitoring of climate change detection indicators through the Climate Change Detection Project of the World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme (WCDMP).

Modelling
One objective of the WCP is to develop models capable of simulating the climate system and of predicting climate variations on a wide range of space and time scales.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
Through the WCDMP, CLICOM systems have been implemented in over 100 countries to manage climate data and produce climate application products. INFOCLIMA is a climate data referral system for information on climate data sets.

Early Warning Mechanisms
Annual statement on the status of the global climate and monthly climate system monitoring bulletins. In context of Chapter 9 of Agenda 21 - Atmosphere.

Reports/Information dissemination

All communication means from paper mail to electronic mail used to disseminate information.. Climate information is disseminated to a wide spectrum of users including the public, government agencies, universities and private industry. Meta-inventories are maintained, for example the INFOCLIMA catalogue.

There exist ooperative arrangements to coordinate information dissemination.

Promotion of the use of information by climate applications workshops and roving seminars and other activities of the WCASP. Information for decision-makers provided by CLICOM implementation and related climate applications. Provision of the climate information and prediction (in the month to seasonal time-frame) services.

Network Development and Support
NMSs manage the climate data networks, which coordinate to a considerable extent.

Interactions with other netwrks consists of routine publications from other international organizations involved in sustainable development.

Capacity-Building
Roving seminars and special training workshops on national climate application and services development used to inform decision-makers.

Two-weeks of intensive data management training included with each CLICOM installation. Routine regional seminars on the use of CLICOM, including developing applications for use in decision-making.

Gaps in global baseline datasets have been identified by the National Climate Data Centre in Asheville, USA. Climate Data Rescue programmes in Africa and the Caribbean. Climate Data searches of national archives in Central and South America.

Internet Access

http://www.wmo.ch
Contains mission statements and descriptions of WMO programmes and links to other meteorological information. Home page provides links to individual WMO members in various countries, and their sites have useful local meteorological and climate information, including current forecasts.
http://www.wmo.ch/web/wcp/wcp-home.html
Contains description of WCP and links to related activities like WCRP.

Global Climate Observing System (GCOS):
http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html
Contains background, newsletters, list of observing stations.
Links to (off-site) Initial Climate Data Sets: http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/datasets.html

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Director
World Climate Programme Department
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Boite postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 8269/730 8452
Fax: +41 22 734 8031

Mr Hartmut Grassl
Director
World Climate Research Programme
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Boite postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 734 03 57
Tel: +41 22 730 82 46

Mr Allan Thomas
Director
Global Climate Observing System Programme Office
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Boite postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 730 82 75
Fax: +41 22 740 14 39
gcosjpo@gateway.wmo.ch

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: February 1997, updated 16 April 1999

Operational system, global, regional and national components - all 185 Members of WMO participate.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data collection is operational real-time collection and exchange over dedicated systems. Sources are Governments - National Meteorological Services. Meteorological and oceanographic data covered global. Data collection coordinated by WMO constituent bodies and cooperative agreements with other agencies.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardization via WMO/WWW technical regulations. Quality control operational at all levels. WWW global, regional and national plans are all integrated.

ISO standards followed, other standards such as satellite operations standards set by international agreement.

Assessment and Analysis
Operational weather, climate and environmental quality monitoring and prediction is a continuing assessment/prediction process.

For cooperation with other organisations, WMO is the responsible agency for weather and climate data and related applications.

Techniques used are a constant evaluation of global, regional models and other statistical and teleconnection methods as part of WWW programmes.

Indicators

Modelling
Global, regional numerical weather prediction models and atmospheric transport models for environmental emergency response are operational.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
National programmes operate expert systems.

Early Warning Mechanisms
National activity - some international coordination e.g. the Public Weather Services Programme, the Tropical Cyclone Programme and environmental emergency response activities. With respect to Chapter 9 of Agenda 21 - Atmosphere.

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination by dedicated WWW Global Telecommunications System and by Internet through Members' server. For the coordination of data publication and dissemination, there is a WWW plan available to all users. Meta-data is part of the WWW Programme.

All countries exchange data as per WMO technical regulations, so here are no information brokers/filters per se.

Information use promoted by WWW responses to user requirements, and promotion through the Public Weather Service and other application programmes. National governments have access to the data and national Meteorological Services support decision-makers.

Network Development and Support
WWW itself is a network, and as such coordination is open; basic data and information is freely available, while additional data and information is available on conditions specified by the producing Member.

Capacity-Building
WMO undertakes a Technical Cooperation programme to develop the capacity of all nations, especially their decision-makers, to participate in the WWW.

The WMO Education and Training Programme is designed to equip National Meteorological Services personnel to participate in the WWW effectively.

In identifying data gaps, there is constant effort by WMO Technical Commissions and Regional Associations to achieve complete global coverage.

Internet Access

http://www.wmo.ch
Contains mission statements and descriptions of WMO programmes and links to other meteorological information. Home page provides links to individual WMO members in various countries, and their sites have useful local meteorological and climate information, including current forecasts.
http://alto-stratus.wmo.ch/sat/stations/SatSystem.html
Official CEOS/WMO Online Database of Satellite Systems and Requirements

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr Robert Landis
Director
WWW Department
WMO
7 bis, Avenue de la Paix
Case postale 2300
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 7308 221
Fax: +41 22 734 23 26
Landis_R@gateway.wmo.ch

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: February 1997, updated 16 April 1999

ORGANIZATION: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)