FIDUCEO will create new climate datasets from Earth Observations with rigorous treatment of uncertainty informed by the discipline of metrology. This responds to the need for enhanced credibility for climate data, to support rigorous science, decision-making and climate services. Our approach is (1) to develop methodologies for generating Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs) and [Thematic] Climate Data Records (CDRs) that are widely applicable and metrologically rigorous and (2) to build new FCDRs and CDRs, making them easily accessible, with complete and traceable estimates of stability and uncertainty. New tools for metrologically rigorous analysis will be created, including tools for stability analysis and ensemble creation. The chosen FCDRs have a length relevant to climate (>20 years) and can support numerous CDRs. Selected CDRs will be generated that illustrate new capabilities (e.g. equi-probable ensembles) as well as the benefits from use of the new FCDRs, such as improved stability and traceable uncertainties. Specifically, we will create: harmonised radiances (FCDRs) for the following sensors: AVHRR, HIRS, AMSU-B/MHS and MVIRI; and geophysical datasets, with uncertainties, for: ensemble sea and lake surface temperature, tropospheric humidity, aerosol optical depth and surface albedo. All data, software tools and methods will be freely and openly accessible and will be disseminated in a variety of forms including e-learning modules. All data will be available in both a common “easy” format (for general users) and community-standard formats. FIDUCEO will liaise explicitly with relevant programmes (Copernicus Climate Change Service, NOAA Climate Data Records programme, SCOPE-CM, re-analysis initiatives etc), and hold with two workshops for dialogue with the user community. By both creating valuable datasets and defining and applying rigorous new metrological methods, FIDUCEO aims for a broad and lasting impact in the field of climate data from space.

The EMSODEV general objective is to catalyse the full operations of the EMSO distributed Research Infrastructure, through the development and deployment of the EMSO Generic Instrument Module (EGIM). EGIM will provide accurate, consistent, comparable, long-term measurements of ocean parameters, which are key to addressing urgent societal and scientific challenges (e.g. climate change and hazards). This will lead to an increased interoperability of EMSO nodes and to the common collection of ocean essential variable time series. The specific objectives are: (1) to design and implement a state-of-the-art, standardized multidisciplinary EGIM, a common, harmonized, observation system; (2) to fully test, calibrate, validate and assess the effectiveness of this innovative module in order to ensure its maximum quality, long-term durability, and reliability; (3) to strengthen the data management and delivery backbone of the EMSO RI; this will require a coordinated approach to data capture, archiving, management, and delivery, in turn spurring the development of a wide range of data products and services; (4) to promote the uptake of the project results and public-private partnerships establishing links with industry and SMEs for technology transfer. These objectives will be achieved through: (a) Research & Innovation activities focused on the design, development, test, replication and deployment of EGIMs at EMSO nodes and data management system implementation; (b) Communication, dissemination and exploitation activities aimed at disseminating and facilitating the uptake of the project results, and setting up activities to increase the innovation potential of EMSODEV technological output, and to explore EGIM commercialization. All these activities are in line with those listed in the part B of the section “Specific features for Research Infrastructures”. The consortium includes 11 multi-skilled partners, with two industries, ensuring the fulfilment of the objectives.