On January 26, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a draft implementation plan for global greenhouse gas monitoring (G3W) for expert consultation to develop a flagship initiative to promote climate action.

The global greenhouse gas monitoring plan will strengthen and coordinate the monitoring of the "endothermic gases" that lead to climate change, and will also provide a more solid scientific basis for the mitigation actions of the Paris Agreement.

The draft Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Implementation Plan lays the foundation for an integrated and operational framework that integrates all space-based and ground-based observation systems, as well as modeling and data assimilation capabilities.

It is reported that many existing international and national activities to deal with greenhouse gases are mainly supported by the research community. At present, there is no comprehensive, timely and standardized exchange of ground-based and space-based greenhouse gas observation or modeling products in the world. The plan is mainly based on WMO's successful experience in coordinating international cooperation in weather forecasting and climate analysis, as well as WMO's long-term activities in greenhouse gas monitoring and research.

The Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Program will monitor carbon dioxide, methane and nitric oxide. Carbon dioxide has a long life, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the warming effect caused by long-lived greenhouse gases; Although methane is a strong greenhouse gas, its life span is only about ten years; Nitric oxide is an extremely strong greenhouse gas and ozone depleting agent.

"2023 is the hottest year on record, with frequent extreme weather events. Finding solutions to climate change is a challenge we are facing now, so we should better understand greenhouse gases." said Dr. Zhan Paulo Balsamo, director of the Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Program.

It is understood that the World Meteorological Congress approved the global greenhouse gas monitoring plan in 2023 and provided initial funds for it. The review of the draft implementation plan is about to end, and the comprehensive version will be submitted to the WMO Infrastructure Committee in April. (Luo Lan is integrated from WMO official website)