GCOS Statement to COP30-SBSTA63

Chair, distinguished delegates,

For 33 years, the Global Climate Observing System GCOS has provided the foundation for global climate monitoring — setting the framework for the high-quality, reliable data essential to understand, predict, and act on climate change. GCOS works across all domains of the Earth system — atmosphere, ocean, land, hydrology and cryosphere — coordinating the observation of Essential Climate Variables that support the aims of this Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Today, we must sound the alarm. The continuity of systematic observations is under growing threat — from declining in situ networks, uncertain follow-on satellite missions, and barriers to data access, including historical data. These losses jeopardize our collective capacity to monitor the climate system and to track progress, as required by numerous UNFCCC areas of work. 

Recognizing this urgency, GCOS is preparing its next Status Report and Implementation Plan, to be released in together early in 2027, directly informing the next Global Stocktake and guiding needed investment in sustained climate observations.

Yet GCOS itself now faces an existential challenge. Without new and sustained financial support, the GCOS Secretariat will cease to operate after 2027 — ending the only mechanism that holistically assesses and coordinates global climate observations across all domains and the full data value chain, from rescue to provision.

For the first time, we appeal to Parties for urgent and sustained support — to safeguard the global observing system and the GCOS programme that serves it.

In the spirit of mutirão — the collective effort that inspires COP30 — let us act together to preserve the observational foundation of climate action, for the benefit of all and for future generations.

Thank you.