During the COP16 climate talks in Cancun, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) has promoted the development of three earth observation initiatives — the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). SBSTA is one of two permanent subsidiary bodies of the Conference of the Parties (COP), and works to provide the COP advice on scientific, technological and methodological issues. The key areas of work for SBSTA are the development of environmentally-friendly technologies and the improvement of guidelines and reporting mechanisms for emission inventories.
The SBSTA endorsed the latest updated plan for the Global Climate Observing Sytsem, and noted the sound assessment of requirements for climate-related observations that this plan provides and its enhanced focus on adaptation. The plan identifies the need to improve land and coastal networks for vulnerability assessments and adaptation, with specific emphasis on developing countries.
The SBSTA urged Parties to work towards full implementation of the 2010 updated GCOS implementation plan and to consider, within the context of their national capabilities, what actions they can take at the national, regional and international levels to contribute to the implementation of the plan.
