Public-Private Partnerships in Climate System Observations

Systematic – regular and routine – observations are vital for understanding and monitoring the Earth climate system. Systematic observation networks, traditionally built and operated by the public sector, provide relevant data that inform climate models and respective pathways, forecasts, products and services. Critical in that regard, in particular, are high precision, accurate, and comprehensive greenhouse gas measurements. Initiatives for enhancing such networks and observations for scaling up climate data collection and monitoring are important, as is doing this in a sustainable manner by leveraging opportunities and advancing cooperation though public-private partnerships. This presentation highlights recent NOAA initiatives in that regard, including recent partnerships with United Airlines and with Maersk for data collection from commercial aircraft and commercial shipping vessels.