About the Permafrost Essential Climate Variable (ECV)

Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) are a defined set of physical, chemical, and biological variables identified by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) as being critical for characterizing the state and evolution of the Earth’s climate system (GCOS, 2016; Bojinski et al., 2014). They are selected based on their scientific relevance to climate processes and change, as well as the technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of their global observation. ECVs provide a standardized framework that underpins climate monitoring, model evaluation, and climate services by ensuring that observations are consistent, comparable, and traceable across regions and time. Permafrost is one of the cryosphere ECVs and is defined as ground that remains at or below 0 °C for at least two consecutive years (GCOS, 2022).

The Permafrost ECV focuses primarily on three so called quantities – permafrost temperature, active layer thickness and rock glacier velocity – which together describe the thermal condition and stability of frozen ground. Monitoring permafrost is particularly important because it is highly sensitive to atmospheric warming, and its degradation can trigger ground subsidence, damage to infrastructure, changes in ecosystems, and the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, thereby creating a positive feedback loop which further amplifies climate change (Schuur et al., 2015).

GCOS affiliation

GTN-P is currently undergoing the revision process to become a GCOS affiliated network. GCOS-affiliated networks are internationally recognized observing systems that provide sustained, high-quality observations of ECVs in line with GCOS standards and requirements. Through this affiliation, GTN-P will further strengthen the coordination, consistency, and long-term sustainability of global permafrost ECV observations. (WMO, 2026)