The GEOSS Data Sharing WG Meeting Introduction

1. The GEOSS Data Sharing WG MeetingIntroduction Alan EdwardsEuropean Commission DSWG Meeting, Brussels, Belgium 11 February 2013

2. The GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan The GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan, which is ENDORSED by all GEO Members, states: The societal benefits of Earth observations cannot be achieved without data sharing …and then goes on to set out the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles

3. GEOSS Data Sharing Principles • There will be full and open exchange of data, metadata and products shared within GEOSS, recognizing relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation. • All shared data, metadata and products will be made available with minimum time delay and at minimum cost. • All shared data, metadata and products being free of charge or no more than cost of reproduction will be encouraged for research and education.

4. Please note:There is NO GEOSS Data Policy • The GEOSS Data Sharing Implementation Guidelines confirm: “GEO welcomes all data contributions into the GEOSS. When registering data in GEOSS, the contributor should present any restrictions arising from relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation, and the duration of each restriction, that is applicable to the exchange of the data, metadata, and products submitted”.

5. Implementation Guidelines forthe GEOSS Data Sharing Principles (DSP) • Accepted by the GEO-VI Plenary, Washington D.C., Nov. 2009 • Promote the implementation of the principle of full and open exchange of data according to GEOSS Data Sharing Principles (DSP). • Enable GEOSS users to reuse and re-disseminate shared data, metadata and products. • Ensure consistency in the implementation of the GEOSS DSP with relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation. • Implement pricing policies consistent with GEOSS DSP. • Reduce time delays for making data available through GEOSS. • Promote research & education uses of GEOSS data, metadata and products.

6. GEOSS Data Sharing Action Planfor the Implementation of the GEOSS DSP • Builds upon the crucial concept of the full and open exchange and on the Implementation Guidelines accepted by Plenary • Notes that the achievement of full and open exchange of, and access to, key datasets requires actions by: • GEO collectively • Members and Participating Organizations individually • GEOSS tasks and cross-cutting activities

7. GEOSS Data Sharing Action Planfor the Implementation of the GEOSS DSP Specifies 8 actions to be pursued by:

8. Proposed Data Sharing Action 1 • Create the GEOSS Data Collection of Open Resources for Everyone (GEOSS Data-CORE) to address GEO Societal Benefit Areas • The GEOSS Data-CORE is a distributed pool of documented datasets, contributed by the GEO community on the basis of full and open unrestricted access and at no more than the cost of reproduction and distribution * It should be noted that data accessible in the GEOSS Data-CORE is a subset of all data registered in the GEOSS GEO collectively to:

9. Proposed Data Sharing Action 2, 3 & 4 • Establish a Task Force (Working Group) to: • Monitor the use and impact of resources made available with full and open access; • Promote the efficacy of the Data Sharing Principles in delivering societal benefits; • Evaluate the outcomes of this Action Plan. • Maintain the GEOSS Common Infrastructure as the architectural framework essential to implementing the Data Sharing Principles • Integrate implementation of the Data Sharing Principles, as appropriate, into the activities of GEO Work Plan Tasks and GEO Committees GEO collectively to:

10. Proposed Data Sharing Actions 5 and 6 5. Take leadership to establish national coordinating mechanisms to promote and monitor engagement with the implementation of the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles and provide feedback to GEO 6. Develop flexible policy frameworks to ensure that a more open data environment is implemented GEO members to:

11. Proposed Data Sharing Action 7 & 8 • Maximize the number of documented datasets made available on the basis of full and open access 8. Promote with data providers within their territories the benefits of full and open access to data GEO members and participating organizations to:

12. GEOSS Data Sharing Action Plan The 2010 GEO-VII Plenary adopted this Action Plan for the Implementation of the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles

13. The 2010 GEO Ministerial Declaration • Commit(ed GEO Members) to: • maximize the number of documented datasets made available on the basis of full & open access; • create the GEOSS Data Collection of Open Resources for Everyone (GEOSS Data CORE), a distributed pool of documented datasets with full, open and unrestricted access at no more than the cost of reproduction and distribution; and • develop flexible national and international policy frameworks to ensure that a more open data environment is implemented, thus putting into practice actions for the implementation of the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles;

14. Schedule • EXCOM • 19-20 March • Task update 14 Feb • documents to be circulated 4 March • July / September (tbc) • 14 January 2014 • GEO-X Plenary • 15-16 January 2014 • Documents circulated at latest 6 weeks before the Plenary • 2013 Ministerial • 17 January 2014 slide 14