Background: This document is envisioned as a living document that would be regularly updated. It includes the broad strategic framework for global observations, as well as specific implementation recommendations. On a periodic basis (annually or every two years, perhaps) the participants would evaluate the progress made in implementation, changes in the global situation relevant to this initiative, and revise and update the strategy and implementation recommendations. Thus, it is an effort to be visionary while also providing enough specific details to enable space agencies to make decisions and commit resources in the near term.

Outline for the Space Component of an Integrated Global Observing Strategy

Introduction:
- This is a component of a broader strategy, drafted by CEOS, with IGFA, in anticipation of other elements to be added by others addressing their areas of responsibility (i.e., in-situ/direct measurements)
- Even for the space component, we are approaching the strategy on an incremental basis, so the first version will not address all aspects of a space component.
- However, goal is to balance the need to take a holistic approach while viewing implementation as incremental or modular.
- Builds on the work already done by others, including GOSSP, WMO/Affiliates, earlier CEOS Task Force and Analysis Group, CGMS, etc. and the IGOS Prototype Projects
- Recognize that some areas are already well sorted out, particularly weather forecasting. Goal is to learn from and build on such successful ongoing activities.
- Doesn't purport to undermine or replace national/regional activities, but to add value by providing a broader framework to meet needs more efficiently, get maximum benefit from investments already being made, influence new investments to meet unfilled needs

Scope/Vision
- Statement from JT/DW concept paper: "IGOS is a strategy to involve the major systems for global environmental observation (satellites and ground-based) for the atmosphere, the oceans, and the land, in a framework that delivers maximum benefit and effectiveness in their final use."
- need for consistent, long-term observations
- Enable us to work smarter, more efficiently
- Open approach, but starting with areas of common interest and contributing to "political drivers" and policy needs (e.g., global warming, deforestation, biodiversity conservation, ozone hole, etc.)
- User driven, but broad view of users (science, education, operational, policy)
- While emphasis is on meeting shared, global needs, successful implementation will have benefits for regional, national, and local users, developing countries as well as industrialized nations, regardless of whether they participate in space-based Earth observation programs.
- Similarly, there is a role for any contributors, not just space agencies or industrialized countries: developing countries with only local, in situ data collection capabilities, universities with focused research missions, and others can provide important contributions to meeting overall observing needs.
- Definition of requirements and responses comes from open process in which organizations/entities that represent suppliers and users come to the table to present their needs and capabilities and to develop common understanding of adequacy of current and planned systems and help influence priorities and obtain new commitments for future investments (in systems and services - e.g., could be new products from existing data).

Implementation Approach
- This document defines areas where action is desired
- Actual response must come from agencies with resources, programs, etc. on a voluntary, but "guided" basis, in a way that permits others to have confidence that their needs will be met (including data access, calibration, etc.), and therefore they don't have to duplicate the capabilities.
- Some institutional changes may be desirable based on what we learn from this process. This could be at national, regional, or international levels. Plan should set forth issues and propose actions on institutional level as well as in terms of specific observing systems, data management, and information service issues.

Cross-cutting Issues Analysis (also looking at strengths/weaknesses; opportunities/risks (threats); action plans/recommendations). In this section, we would look at current and planned capabilities from the infrastructure and service perspective (i.e., not specific sensors or measurements, but the other aspects of delivering the required information to users). That overview would be the starting point for the analysis. For example, if archives do not exist or are inadequately funded, or if we think catalog interoperability is in good shape or whatever, this is where such analysis would be found along with recommendations for action to make it adequate to the perceived/documented needs.
- transition from research to operational
- data access
- archival
- cal/val
- links to in situ observations

Analysis by Topic, looking at strengths/weaknesses; opportunities/risks (threats); action plans/recommendations. Should explicitly include near-term actions such as new data products, cal/val, as well as longer-term new mission "harmonization." This is where, for each topic/discipline there would be an overview of current and planned capabilities and their adequacy in meeting user requirements. This would be the starting point for the analysis of strengths/weaknesses, etc. and the resulting action plans/recommendations.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Mechanism for Periodic Review and Updating of Strategic Plan ("permanent" process)

- Immediate plans for vetting, review by non-CEOS partners; process for incorporating additional components of the overall IGOS with the space component: who keeps the overall documentation and oversees the process (super-SIT with other partners to be discussed in March & June?)
- Longer term: how do requirements get reviewed, augmented, updated, and new entities come into the process? (This section should address the space-component, but needs to be done with the other partners since a requirement may not be inherently "space" or "non-space" when presented.)

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