The UK-EOF Data Initiative programme has been set up to develop the knowledge base of environmental observations and tackle issues surrounding data sharing and reuse. The work investigates who is collecting what data, data policy development and data suitability so that:
"People/organisations in "UK plc" actually share and reuse environmental observation data to inform policy decisions, expand knowledge, contribute to international activities, stimulate markets for innovation, improve operational capabilities and improve their responses to the changing environment."
The UK-EOF began by articulating the issues and produced a paper, Sharing Environmental Observation Data - the Issues, which outlined the legal, institutional, cultural and technical aspects of data sharing. In September 2008, the paper was presented at a Think Tank with Bob Watson and senior government officials to highlight the issues and agree a vision. Following consultation at a Data Solutions Workshop and the establishment of a Data Advisory Group, the UK-EOF Data Initiative project was created. The project superseded the original 'data workstream' of the UK-EOF and explored potential solutions and ongoing initiatives to solve the data issues. As a result a UK Vision and Action Plan, which set out the priority actions necessary to meet the data vision for the UK, was developed.
To achieve the vision, actions were split into 6 Work packages:
- Environmental Observation Activity Catalogue
- Suitability for re-use
- Status of ability of UK to share data
- A Focal Point for observation data sharing best practice
- Data policies, contracts and citations
- UK Infrastructure and resources
With the resource available within the UK-EOF Secretariat, the UK-EOF took on responsibility for the Observation Activity Catalogue and the Focal point for observations (work packages A and D).
