Observing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants with the GOSAT-GW satellite

Abstract

In Japan there is an ongoing plan to launch the “Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW)”, with an objective to observe carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxides, providing the data at a horizontal resolution of 3 km or less. The missions of GOSAT-GW include (1) monitoring of whole atmosphere-mean concentrations of GHGs, (2) validation of nationwide anthropogenic emissions of GHGs, and (3) detection of GHGs emissions from large sources. We will brief an overview of its objectives and current status, with a focus on scientific targets and approaches, and implications for international climate change abatement strategies.