GCOS ECV Rationalization
FAQ and Review Guidelines
Materials to be Reviewed

Thanks for your interest in taking part in this public review of the GCOS ECV Rationalization process.
The documents that can be reviewed are the following:

  1. Revised list of ECVs: divided in three chapters corresponding to the three GCOS domains (atmosphere, ocean and terrestrial) and a fourth chapter for variables that pertain to several domains.
  2. Governance of the ECV process: includes the new definitions of ECV and ECV quantity, and describes a step-by-step process leading to additions, removals and periodic reviews of the ECVs, as well as the bodies involved.

How to provide comments?

The purpose of the ECV Rationalization process is to get to a list that is more rational. The goal of the ECV Rationalization process is to create a more logical and rationalised list of ECVs. This involves addressing issues identified after 15 years of their existence, such as changes in the relevance of certain ECVs, suboptimal categorization or grouping, and inconsistencies in their definitions across different domains.
Your feedback will be crucial to make sure that the new set of ECVs reflect the scientific community's needs and priorities.
Some examples of changes that you may suggest are:
  • ECV or ECV quantity not necessary
  • ECV or ECV quantity missing
  • Changes of categorization (an ECV should be an ECV quantity or viceversa)
  • Different groupings (two ECVs could be merged, an ECV quantity belonging to ECV X could be transferred to ECV Y)
  • Editorial: modifications to the names of the ECV or ECV quantity
Review Tips:
  • Please, before adding comments, consider the set of ECV and ECV quantities in its entirety, do not only review the ECV and ECV quantities of one single domain. This is important since one of the objectives of the exercise is to get to a list more consistent across domains
  • The four chapters contain some "Prompt questions" where we are asking for your feedback on specific aspects of the ECV or ECV quantity
  • Please be as specific as possible when suggesting changes to the list. Include reasons for your suggestion supported by evidence: references etc.
  • Constructive details are more likely to be actioned
  • While we do ask you to have a view on the whole list before starting to provide comments, we are not expecting that you provide feedback to every single ECV and ECV quantity
  • Definitions for those ECV quantities which are part of the ECV list currently in force can be found in GCOS-245: The 2022 GCOS ECVs Requirements. Please note that in GCOS-245 they are designated "ECV products" instead of "ECV quantities"
  • For those interested, a graphical comparison between the list in force (GCOS-245) and the proposed list under review can be found here

The Governance of the ECV process document, which is available to download when you register, covers the definitions of ECVs and ECV quantities, the management of the ECVs leading to additions, removals and periodic reviews of the ECVs, as well as the bodies involved. This document aims at ensuring robustness and transparency in the selection of ECV and ECV quantities. You are welcome to provide your opinions on the soundness and complexity of the process and encouraged to indicate if we have achieved a proper balance between necessary detail and clarity.

Frequently asked questions

In this FAQ document you will find extra information regarding GCOS and the review process, as well as explanations on basic concepts and principles related to the ECVs and the Governance of the ECV process.
 
If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact GCOS Secretariat ( bmartinmiguez@wmo.int).