| Acronym |
Definition |
Purpose |
| ACSG |
Atmospheric Composition Subgroup |
The mission of this CEOS WGCV subgroup is to ensure accurate and traceable calibration of remotely-sensed atmospheric chemistry radiance data and validation of higher level products, for application to atmospheric chemistry and climate research. |
| CEOS |
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites |
To coordinate civil space-borne observations of the Earth. Participating agencies strive to enhance international coordination and data exchange and to optimize societal benefit. |
| COP |
Conference of Parties (UNFCCC) |
The annual meeting of representatives of the countries that have ratified the UN’s climate convention (see UNFCCC). The COP is the topmost agency for decisions under the climate convention. |
| ECVs |
Essential Climate Variables |
Required to support the work of the UNFCCC and the IPCC. To be able to attribute the causes of climate change, analyze the potential impacts, evaluate the adaptation options and enable characterization of extreme events such as floods, droughts and heat waves, globally consistent sets of observational data are needed. |
| FAO |
Food and Agriculture Organization (UN sponsor of GOOS and GTOS) |
To raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. |
| GCOS |
Global Climate Observing System |
To ensure that the observaitons required to meet the totality of national and international needs for climate and climate-related data and information are identified, obtained and made widely available. |
| GEO |
Group on Earth Observations |
Launched in response to calls for action by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and by the G8. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. |
| GEOSS |
Global Earth Observing System of Systems |
GEO is leading a worldwide effort to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The purpose of GEOSS is to achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustained observations of the Earth
system, in order to improve monitoring of the state of the Earth, increase understanding of Earth
processes, and enhance prediction of the behavior of the Earth system. |
| GOFC-GOLD |
Global Observations of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics |
To improve the quality and availability of observations of forests and land cover at regional and global scales and to produce useful, timely and validated information products from these data for a wide variety of users. |
| GOOS |
Global Ocean Observing System |
GOOS is a system of programmes, each of which is working on different and complementary aspects of establishing an operational ocean observation capability for all of the world's nations. |
| GOSIC |
Global Observing Systems Information Center |
A NOAA web portal that facilitates the search of and access to data, data products, metadata and information for the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS). |
| GTOS |
Global Terrestrial Observing System |
GTOS facilitates access to information on terrestrial ecosystems so that researchers and policy makers can detect and manage global and regional environmental change. |
| ICSU |
International Council for Science |
The ICSU plans and coordinates interdisciplinary research to address major issues of relevance to both science and society for the UN. |
| IGBP |
International Geosphere Biosphere Program |
To study the interactions between biological, chemical and physical processes and interactions with human systems and collaborate with other programmes to develop and impart the understanding necessary to respond to global change. |
| IGOS |
Integrated Global Observing Strategy |
To produce comprehensive global, regional and national data and information to satisfy the environmental information needs of policy-makers, and to support scientific and operational environmental programmes. |
| IOC |
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
UN agency created to promote international cooperation and coordinate programmes in research, sustainable development, protection of the marine environment, capacity-building for improved management, and decision-making. It assists developing countries in strengthening their institutions to obtain self-driven sustainability in marine sciences. |
| IPCC |
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
The UN’s climate panel, was set up to understand and evaluate the extent and effects of climate change, and to assess the possibilities of adjusting to or neutralising expected changes in climate. The IPCC provides the scientific framework for international agreements on mitigating climate change. |
| IVOS |
Infrared and Visible Optical Sensors Subgroup |
The aim of this CEOS WGCV subgroup is to ensure high quality calibration and validation of infrared and visible optical data from Earth observation satellites and validation of higher level products. |
| LPV |
Land Product Validation |
Under CEOS, this WGCV subgroup aims to foster quantitative validation of higher-level global land products derived from remote sensing data and to relay results so they are relevant to users. |
| MSSG |
Microwave Sensors Subgroup |
This CEOS WGCV subgroup’s mission is To foster high quality calibration and validation of microwave sensors for remote sensing purposes. These include both active and passive types, airborne and spaceborne sensors. |
| OOPC |
Ocean Observations Panel for Climate |
A scientific expert advisory group charged with making recommendations for a sustained global ocean observing system for climate in support of the goals of its sponsors. |
| QA4EO |
Quality Assurance Framework for Earth Observation |
The quality assurance framework guidelines that enable interoperability and quality assessment of Earth observation data. |
| REDD |
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation |
Strategies and incentives for REDD have recently emerged as one of the key areas through which countries can fight global warming. Currently, there are a number of proposals on the table on how appropriate incentives could be created for developing countries to curb deforestation and forest degradation. |
| SAR |
Synthetic Aperture Radar Subgroup |
The aim of this subgroup of the CEOS WGCV is to foster high-quality synthetic aperture radar imagery from airborne and spaceborne systems through precision calibration in radiometry, phase, and geometry, and validation of higher level products. |
| TMSG |
Terrain Mapping Subgroup |
This subgroup of the CEOS WGCV has a mission to ensure that characteristics of digital terrain models produced from Earth Observation sensors at global and regional scale are well understood and that products are validated and used for appropriate applications. |
| TOPC |
Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate |
Scientists with expertise in climate change issues that support the GTOS and the GCOS. TOPC focuses on the identification of terrestrial observation requirements, assisting the establishment of observing networks for climate, providing guidance on observation standards and norms, facilitating access to climate data and information and its assimilation, and promoting climate studies and assessments. |
| UNEP |
UN Environment Programme |
To provide information on the state of the planet’s natural resources and their contribution to sustainable development. |
| UNFCCC |
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change |
The UN’s climate convention. The convention constitutes the framework for international cooperation in combatting climate change. |
| WCRP |
World Climate Research Program |
Identifies knowledge gaps, prioritizes needs and leads world-class research into climate variability and climate change to meet end-user requirements and policy needs. Sponsored by the ICSU, the WMO and the IOC. |
| WGCV |
Working Group on Calibration and Validation |
CEOS working group to ensure long-term confidence in the accuracy and quality of Earth observation data and products, the WGCV provides a forum for calibration and validation information exchange, coordination, and cooperative activities. |
| WGISS |
Working Group on Information Systems and Services |
This CEOS working group promotes collaboration in the development of systems and services that manage and supply EO data to users worldwide. |
| WMO |
World Meteorological Organization |
The UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources. |
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