UN Climate Change News, 28 December 2023 - To mark this year's Earth Information Day, delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) took part in a full-day session to learn about the latest insights on systematic observation and its vital role in understanding climate change.
Understanding, monitoring and prediction of weather and climate ultimately relies on observations and interpreting the resulting data. It helps us understand climate science and drives plans and policies in place to support climate action. That's why systematic observation is widely considered the foundation of the world's collective response to climate change.
"Observations empower us to monitor and comprehend the Earth's climate system," said World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "From tracking the relentless increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to improving forecasts of climate variability and change, our observations yield the insights that guide policy, drive innovation, and protect our communities."
Under the authority of the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), Earth Information Day 2023 took place on Sunday, 3 December, where the systematic observation community showcased their work and engaged with Parties and non-Party stakeholders in a plenary setting.
The systematic observation community monitors and reports on the impacts of climate change in the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere, contributing to the "best available science," on which decision-makers rely to inform their climate-related strategy and planning.
The day opened with a plenary session that painted a picture of the current state of the climate and explored decision-making tools to support risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation at the regional and national levels.
A panel session linked systematic observations to the implementation of the Paris Agreement's goals - underpinning the implementation of the first global stocktake, which concluded at COP28.
An interactive "world café" was also part of Earth Information Day at COP28, which saw 12 tables with discussion topics covering a wide range of systematic observation issues, as well as on the role of Indigenous Peoples and community engagement.
Also featured at Earth Information Day:
- WMO experts presented the highlights of this year's provisional State of the Global Climate report as well as plans for a new Global Greenhouse Gas Watch to increase understanding of the gases which are driving climate change.
- A presentation on the UN's Early Warning for All initiative looked at its rollout in the Maldives and stressed the importance for multi-hazard early warning systems and their critical role in building resilience across island communities.
- The Global Ocean Observing System highlighted how its work is strengthening climate mitigation through the co-design of ocean observations.
