1. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Malta, 27 January 2004 Alan Edwards EUROPEAN COMMISSION GMES – Implications for the Mediterranean Trends in Marine Research and related developments – a challenge for Malta and its role in the Mediterranean

2. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems

3. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems WHY does Europe need GMES? Europe is committed to: w achieving sustainable development in the Community; w ensuring co-leadership on global environmental issues; w improving the citizens quality of life, environmental knowledge and security.

4. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems WHAT will GMES provide in response?  GMES will provide information services that support policy needs.  GMES will establish the European capacity to have independent and permanent access to reliable and timely information on the status and evolution of the Earth’s environment at all scales, from global to regional and local.  Access to such information has strategic value in the development of nations and regions, and contributes to Europe’s ability to fulfil its role as a world player.

5. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems w 2002-2003 : ‘ initial period ’ to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current capacity and the needs for improvement in the scientific, technical, socio-economic and institutional domains …and propose action …and propose action The GMES Action Plan

6. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Output from the GMES Initial Period  Final Report for the GMES Initial Period (2001-2003) (in final round of consultation with the GMES Steering Committee.)  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council (for discussion (and adoption) by the College in the near future)  “Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES): Establishing a GMES capacity by 2008 – (Action Plan 2004-2008)

7. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Building the core GMES Capacity  These components must be addressed collectively to ensure the overall coherence of GMES.

8. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems The GMES Action Plan  Implementation phase (2004-2006): (i) a structured dialogue between users and providers; ( GMES will be supported by a “GMES Advisory Council” ) (ii) the development of cost-beneficial services capable of reaching an operational status; (iii) space component design activities, leading to their procurement; (iv) in-situ component assessment & upgrading; (v) enabling data integration & information management activities, to improve coherence and access ; (vi) the development of long-term funding strategy & business plan.

9. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems The GMES Action Plan  Operational phase (2007 onwards): (i) to deliver regular operational services (upgrades and new services); (ii) implement the space component; (iii) expand the in-situ component; (iv) operate a sustained data integration and information management capacity

10. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Core Capacity Services  Acquisition of independent knowledge on the state and evolution of the global environment with particular reference to:  monitoring the conditions of the global oceans.  Providing support to development and humanitarian aid  Providing support to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

11. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Core Capacity Services  Supporting the EC 6th Environmental Action Plan in particular:  With respect to environmental policies monitoring:  for needs associated with the Integrated Coastal Zones Management Recommendation;  With respect to environmental thematic strategies monitoring :  the marine environment.

12. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Core Capacity Services  Providing support to civil protection for prevention, monitoring and assessment of:  technological hazards at the EU-25+ level with particular attention to the risks associated with maritime transport, including oil spills.  Providing support to EC Common Agricultural, Fisheries and Regional development policies:  for the monitoring of crop conditions, the evolution of the agri-environment, the use of the territory, and the monitoring of fishing activities.

13. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems Pursuing research in GMES  Research activities that will be of benefit to the GMES capacity will cover issues such as:  the enhancement of monitoring technologies (including novel in-situ sensors) and standards;  the improvement of models and capacity for analysis, forecasting, planning and decision support;  the improvement of interoperability, linkage between observing systems and other data sources;  information technologies for improved accessibility to long-term data archives, implementation of metadata standards, actions to facilitate information retrieval and dissemination

14. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems GMES REPORT Recommendations  Rec. 7 – Assess the existing in-situ capabilities of relevance for GMES and prepare an implementation plan for complementary adaptations and/or new deployments.  Provide a report on the existing, planned and required in-situ observing systems and provide an implementation plan (to include recommendations for integration, streamlining and gap-filling) by end 2004.

15. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems GMES REPORT Recommendations  Rec. 9 – Establish a policy for GMES international partnerships by end 2004. This will include the extent and modalities of co-operation to be defined for:  activities such as co-ordination of monitoring capabilities and exchange of data and information;  the contribution to the international community by providing services and by capacity building.

16. E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o nCommunity Research Global Change and Ecosystems GMES Web Site  For further information on GMES please go to: http://gmes.info/