ESM Project Implementation Plan now available to partners

The project Advanced Earth System Model Capacity (ESM) started on 1 April 2017 and is funded by the Helmholtz Association with 5 M€ over a period of three years. The project includes eight partner institutions from the Helmholtz Association with word-leading expertise in Earth system modelling.

The overall objective of the project is to develop, evaluate and apply a world-leading Earth system modelling infrastructure with the aim to contribute to providing solutions to grand challenges faced by the Earth and environmental sciences for the benefit of society.

To achieve this goal, the project is structured around four main themes: Earth system model development, Earth system data assimilation, frontier simulations, and strategic development.

Earth system model development aims to enhance the fidelity of Earth system models by improving the realism of key processes in Earth system model compartments and by establishing a framework that facilitates effective coupling of different Earth system components. Earth system data assimilation aims to develop and apply a framework allowing to improve models, provide best estimates of the current state of the Earth system, initialise predictions and design integrated Earth observing systems. Frontier simulations are a set of cutting-edge simulations, using the latest Earth system modelling technology, to study multi-scale global climate projections, simulate monsoon systems in a changing climate, model European hydro-meteorological extremes, simulate changes in ocean circulation and in the physical state of the solid Earth, and study cross-compartmental matter cycling from land to sea.

Within the project, the ESM Steering Group initiates and overseas a strategic process that will result in a long-term Earth system modelling strategy as well as an Implementation Plan for Earth system modelling activities in the next round of programme-oriented research (PoF-IV). Furthermore, an educational component is established, which will contribute to the training of the next-generation of Earth system modellers.

The Implementation Plan outlines the tasks for a 3-year period.  It has been developed by the ESM Steering Group and takes into account results from discussions involving all participating partners. Its implementation will be the joint responsibility of all the partners.

Partners can download the full plan at (login required): https://www.esm-project.net/intranet/project-documents/