The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), a long-term Participating Organization in GEO, remains fully committed to produce and provide high-quality and open in situ data following the principles and engagements of GEO. The ICOS measurements of concentrations and fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, on land and in the ocean are essential information for many communities in GEO, be they satellite experts for calibration and validation, modelers to constrain their models and improve predictions of climate trends, or developers to produce new tools based on EO data. ICOS sees GEO as a valuable framework to foster collaboration between various EO organisations.

If the value of ICOS multi-domain GHG measurements for high-quality cal/val activities grows in proportion to advances in satellite observations, it is however important to underline that in situ data have their own intrinsic value. In this respect, ICOS notes with appreciation that the recent GEO In situ Strategy to be accepted by the 2026 GEO Plenary acknowledges the complementarity of in situ data to remote-sensing data, both being equally important for GEO to deliver its mission. ICOS calls for and is ready to engage in solid and concrete cooperation with GEO, to help deliver the roles the in situ strategy has set for GEO, in collaboration with its members and participating organizations.

More generally, ICOS strongly supports the efforts by GEO to promote open science, open data and open knowledge among its members. Any improvement globally is beneficial to organizations like ICOS with their open data policy.