Figure 7: GCW Milestones and Deliverables as agreed by Cg-XVI. Key implementation activities are given in Table 1. Some of these were described earlier in this Plan. The responsible GCW Task Teams and relevant outside groups that are expected to contribute (data centres, national agencies, etc.) are listed. The approximate implementation timeframe for each activity is also given. Table 1. Key GCW Implementation Activities (Global activities shaded yellow, regional shaded green, national shaded grey) Task # Activities Responsibilities Time Frame Lead Other Stakeholders 1. Governance 1.1 Create GCW Steering Group (GSG) EC-PORS - 2014 1.2 Establish Task Teams GSG - 2013-2014 1.3 Establish national GCW groups Members - 2014-2015 1.4 Define a GCW WMO Programme EC-PORS, GSGG - Before Cg-XVII 1.5 Annual assessment of progress (indicators of success) GSG Task Teams Annually 1.6 Integrate GCW objectives into WMO SOP 2016-2019 EC-PORS, Secretariat, GSG 2014-2015 2. Observing System and Products 2.1 Select appropriate CryOS recommendations for GCW implementation GSG, TT - 2012 2.2 Initiate pilot and demonstration projects Teams Members 2012-2016 2.3 Create an inventory of the current network and measurement practices Infrastructure and Practices Team NMHSs, research partners 2012-2015 2.4 Identify and select stations for the core GCW network of surface sites (CryoNet) CryoNet Team NMHSs, research institutions 2012 onward 2.4 Establish CryoNet CryoNet Team NMHSs, research institutions 2015 2.5 Select candidate products for GCW Products Team Focal Points 2012-onward 2.5.1 Perform satellite and in situ product intercomparisons Products Team PSTG, Focal Points, NMHSs 2014-onward 2.5.2 Historical data sets (data rescue; e.g., snow depth) Products Team NMHSs, data centres 2014-onward 2.6 Develop and implement data portal Portal and Website Team MetNo, NSIDC 2012-onward 2.7 Asess user needs and requirements; contribute to RRR Requirements & Capabilities Team NMHSs 2012-2015 2.8 Establish best practices and measurement Infrastructure NMHSs 2012-onward
standards and Practices Team 2.9 Evaluate existing terminologies or glossaries; create or update as necessary Products Team Members, UNESCO, research partners 2013-onward 2.10 Annual State of the Cryosphere assessments Products Team - Annually 3. Capacity Building 3.1 Provide assistance to Members to introduce and implement GCW nationally Ongoing 3.2 Develop GCW guidelines, training materials, and other relevant documentation Ongoing 3.3 Develop partnerships with NMHs and international bodies. NMHSs, international bodies such as IPA, GCOS, IASC, etc. Ongoing 4. Outreach 4.1 Develop information website Portal and Website Team, Outreach Team - 2012-2013 4.2 Create outreach materials (handouts, brochure, newsletter, etc.) Outreach Team - 2012-2015 GCW GCW requires cooperation, collaboration and coordination within WMO and with external partners, for which working arrangements between WMO and partners would be established. Initially, the WMO Executive Council, through its EC-PORS, will oversee GCW’s development and implementation, recognizing that the structure of the Secretariat will have to adapt, as and when appropriate, to ensure optimal management of, and support to, the initiative. The GCW Steering Group provides high-level guidance and reports to EC-PORS on behalf of GCW. GCW A GCW Project Office is to support all GCW activities, including coordination with partners, monitoring of implementation, reporting and follow-up actions. It will provide support to national focal points and activities and will liaise with WMO and external programs and groups. The Office should co-ordinate GCW inclusion in existing observing activities at the international and national levels and align its processes with their activities and frameworks. The Office shall also pursue active linkages with WMO Programmes and with relevant international organizations. Some suggested tasks that the Office could oversee, depending on available human resources are: Provide support to GCW Steering Group and Task Teams Make available all relevant information to the GCW Steering Group, Task Teams, focal points, and GCW members