Terrestrial Essential Climate Variables for Climate Change Assessment, Mitigation and Adaptation

This analytical report reviews the terrestrial Essential Climate Variables (ECVs). Details are provided on why these observations are needed to understand the causes of climate change, analyse the potential impacts, evaluate the adaptation options and enable characterization of extreme events such as floods, droughts and heat waves. It highlights some of the activities being undertaken, the need for the standardization of methods and harmonization of data and the major observational gaps and funding requirements needed to allow countries and international agencies to monitor, implement and report on issues related to climate change.