IGOS is a framework for decisions and resource allocation by individual funding agencies, providing governments with improved understanding of the need for global observations through the presentation of an overarching view of current sustem capabilities and limitations - thereby helping to reduce unnecessary duplication of observations. IGOS focusses primarily on the observing aspects of the process of providing environmental information for decision-making. IGOS is intended to cover all forms of data collection concerning the physical, chemical, biological and human environment including the associated impacts. IGOS provides opportunities for capacity building and assisting countries to obtain maximum benefit from the total set of observations. The range of global observations needed to understand and monitor Earth processes, and to assess human impacts, exceeds the capability of any one country.
Cooperation is therefore necessary to address priorities without duplication or omission.
Satellite missions and in situ networks require many years of planning. Observations of the state of and trends in planetary processes cut across land, water, air and oceans. National programmes need to fit into larger international frameworks, since the environment does not stop at national boundaries. Such complex activities require integration at many levels. IGOS provides both a strategic framework and a planning process to bring together remotely-sensed and in situ observations, from both research and operational programmes.