Reviewing the discoverability and accessibility to data and information products linked to Essential Climate Variables

Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) are geophysical records generated from systematic Earth Observations associated with climate variations, changes, and impacts. ECVs products support the data and information needs of international frameworks and policies such as the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We map the main networks and initiatives publishing ECVs, by presenting an overview of existing satellite-based ECVs, their general data creation characteristics, discoverability and accessibility methods from an end-user perspective. We investigate key initiatives providing or coordinating access to ECV data records, such as the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), Joint Working Group on Climate (WGClimate), the Remote Sensing Systems (REMSS), and the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI). We find that ECV data discovery and access is difficult and time consuming due to the lack of common data and metadata catalogues. In addition, the selection of fit-for-purpose data records by end-users requires the implementation of interoperable standards and scalable data infrastructures to allow the generation of tailored applications and data-driven information products in support of decision-making processes.

基本气候变量（Essential Climate Variables，ECVs）是由与气候变化、变异及影响相关的系统性地球观测所生成的地球物理记录。基本气候变量产品可满足《联合国气候变化框架公约（UNFCCC）》、政府间气候变化专门委员会（IPCC）相关工作等国际框架与政策对数据及信息的需求。我们通过从终端用户视角梳理现有星载基本气候变量的概况、其数据生成的一般特征、可发现性与可访问性方法，绘制发布基本气候变量的主要网络与项目图谱。我们调研了提供或协调基本气候变量数据记录访问的关键项目，例如全球气候观测系统（GCOS）、地球观测卫星委员会（CEOS）、气象卫星协调组（CGMS）、气候联合工作组（WGClimate）、遥感系统（REMSS）以及欧洲航天局气候变化倡议（ESA CCI）。我们发现，由于缺乏统一的数据与元数据目录，基本气候变量的数据发现与访问既困难又耗时。此外，终端用户选择适配自身需求的数据记录，需要落实互操作标准与可扩展的数据基础设施，以便开发定制化应用及数据驱动的信息产品，为决策流程提供支撑。