End-User & Stakeholders
Connecting atmospheric lidar observations with their users
EARLICOST aims to strengthen communication between the atmospheric lidar community and organisations using lidar observations for satellite validation, atmospheric modelling, forecasting, air quality, climate applications and other operational or scientific purposes.
The Stakeholder Hub provides an entry point to relevant communities and facilitates direct interaction with EARLICOST researchers.
Satellite and Space Agencies
These organisations develop and operate satellite missions and products relevant to atmospheric composition, clouds and aerosols. EARLICOST observations can contribute to satellite validation, product evaluation and the development of measurement and uncertainty requirements.
European Space Agency (ESA)
Main area of interest: Earth observation, EarthCARE, aerosol and cloud products, and satellite calibration and validation.
Relevant EARLICOST activities: Evaluation of EarthCARE ATLID and synergistic products; ground-based lidar validation; product requirements; measurement uncertainty; validation protocols; and joint workshops.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: EarthCARE calibration and validation or atmospheric-lidar product contact.
Website: EarthCARE – Earth Online European Space Agency
Potential interaction: Satellite Cal/Val · Product requirements · Uncertainty · Validation protocols · Joint workshops
EUMETSAT
Main area of interest: Satellite observations, operational meteorology, and satellite calibration and validation.
Relevant EARLICOST activities: Use of ground-based lidar observations to support satellite product evaluation and operational atmospheric monitoring.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: Calibration and Validation or Atmospheric Applications contact.
Website: EUMETSAT | European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
Potential interaction: Satellite Cal/Val · Operational product requirements · Uncertainty · Data access · Validation guidance
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Main area of interest: Satellite observations, aerosol monitoring, comparison with e.g. AERONET
Relevant EARLICOST activities: Potential collaboration in satellite validation and the evaluation of aerosol and cloud products.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: To be confirmed.
Website: NASA
Status: Initial stakeholder entry. Further information and an appropriate contact point are to be added.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Main area of interest: EarthCARE cloud-profiling radar, cloud and precipitation observations, and satellite products.
Relevant EARLICOST activities: Evaluation of EarthCARE Cloud Profiling Radar and synergistic lidar-radar products; cloud-product validation; and measurement uncertainty.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: EarthCARE science or calibration and validation contact.
Website: JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Potential interaction: Lidar-radar synergy · Cloud products · Validation · Measurement uncertainty · Scientific collaboration
Atmospheric Modelling and Monitoring
These organisations and communities use atmospheric observations to develop, evaluate and improve aerosol, atmospheric-composition and weather models. EARLICOST can support this work through vertically resolved aerosol and cloud observations, model evaluation and observation requirements.
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)
Relevant applications: Atmospheric-composition forecasting and the monitoring/modeling of dust, smoke and other aerosols.
EARLICOST connection: Ground-based lidar profiles can help evaluate aerosol forecasts and vertical aerosol distributions.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: CAMS aerosol-forecast or evaluation contact.
Website: Copernicus
Potential interaction: Aerosol forecast evaluation · Vertical profiles · Dust and smoke monitoring · Uncertainty · Data assimilation
Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models (AeroCom)
Relevant applications: Aerosol-model evaluation and comparison of model simulations with observations.
EARLICOST connection: Evaluation of modelled aerosol properties and vertical distributions using lidar-derived profiles.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: AeroCom coordination or relevant working-group contact.
Website: Home | AeroCom
Potential interaction: Model evaluation · Aerosol vertical distribution · Optical properties · Uncertainty · Standardised comparisons
International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP)
Relevant applications: Operational aerosol forecasting, model intercomparison and forecast evaluation.
EARLICOST connection: Use of lidar observations to evaluate aerosol-forecast systems, including dust and smoke profiles.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: ICAP coordination or model-evaluation contact.
Website: ICAP
Potential interaction: Aerosol forecast evaluation · Dust and smoke profiles · Model verification · Observation requirements
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
Relevant applications: Numerical weather prediction, atmospheric composition, aerosol forecasting and data assimilation.
EARLICOST connection: Use of lidar observations and vertical profiles for model evaluation and potentially for data assimilation.
EARLICOST contact point: WG3 / End-User and Stakeholder Engagement.
External contact: Atmospheric Composition or Data Assimilation contact.
Website: ECMWF website.
Potential interaction: Model verification · Data assimilation · Observation requirements · Vertical-profile evaluation · Data formats
WMO Global Atmosphere Watch
Relevant applications: Atmospheric-composition monitoring, aerosol observations, international data exchange and early-warning applications.
EARLICOST connection: Shared interest in quality-assured atmospheric observations, aerosol monitoring and accessible data.
Website:Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme
Potential interaction: Measurement quality · Data accessibility · Aerosol monitoring · Early warning · Guidelines · International coordination
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
Relevant applications: Climate monitoring, climate datasets and indicators, and climate-model evaluation.
EARLICOST connection: Potential use of long-term aerosol and cloud observations for climate studies and model evaluation.
Website: Copernicus
Potential interaction: Climate applications · Long-term data quality · Uncertainty · Aerosol-cloud interactions · Data accessibility
Other end-user communities
EARLICOST also seeks interaction with stakeholders in:
- Air quality
- Weather and atmospheric forecasting
- Climate services
- Aviation
- Early warning systems
- Environmental monitoring
- Other applications of atmospheric profiling
EARLICOST products and guidance
This section will provide links to relevant EARLICOST outputs, including:
- Guidelines for the use of aerosol lidar observations
- Satellite Cal/Val guidance
- Modelling, verification and assimilation guidance
- Relevant reports and recommendations
- Scientific publications and datasets
How to engage with EARLICOST
Stakeholders interested in discussing user needs, atmospheric profiling products or potential collaborations are invited to contact the EARLICOST WG3 / End-Iser and Stakeholder Engagement contact points: Kalliopi Artemis Voudouri (email: kavoudou@noa.gr) and Eleni Marinou (email: elmarinou@noa.gr).
Are you an industry partner or end-user interested in engaging with EARLICOST?
Contact us to discuss collaboration opportunities, user needs or participation in EARLICOST activities.