Chapter 6 Australian Participation in GCOS/GOOS/GTOS

Conclusions

As the international planning mechanisms for GCOS, GOOS and GTOS move steadily into implementation mode, Australia is following suit as evidenced by high calibre projects such as the Cooperative Ocean Observing Experiment. The detailed scientific plan for the Australian Climate Observing System has been developed and an implementation plan is under preparation; meanwhile, the plan provides a basis for individual agencies to develop priorities for climate monitoring activities.

The finalisation of the Oceans Policy and the Marine Science and Technology Plan has been an important landmark in the development of an Australian Ocean Observing System, providing both an imperative and an opportunity to which the climate and oceanographic community are responding with vigour.

The growing relationship between GCOS and the UNFCCC will serve to strengthen both sides. The Convention gives GCOS a further intergovernmental mandate to coordinate a truly integrated global observing system for climate, and GCOS offers the Convention the best possible information base on which to determine the reality, and possible current and future extent of climate change. The establishment of the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism provides a practical way of addressing the gaps and deficiencies in global observing systems for climate. Australia will continue to contribute to this effort at a national, regional and international level.