The aims of the “Readiness of ICOS for Necessities of integrated Global Observations” (RINGO) project were the further development of Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) Research Infrastructure (RI) and ICOS Ruropean Research Infrastructure Committee (ERIC) and foster its sustainability. The challenges are to further develop the readiness of ICOS RI along five principal objectives:

1. Scientific readiness. To support the further consolidation of the observational networks and enhance their quality. This objective is mainly science-guided and will increase the readiness of ICOS RI to be the European pillar in a global observation system on greenhouse gases.

2. Geographical readiness. To enhance ICOS membership and sustainability by supporting interested countries to build a national consortium, to promote ICOS towards the national stakeholders, to receive consultancy e.g. on possibilities to use EU structural fund to build the infrastructure for ICOS observations and also to receive training to improve the readiness of the scientists to work inside ICOS.

3. Technological readiness. To further develop and standardize technologies for greenhouse gas observations necessary to foster new knowledge demands and to account for and contribute to technological advances.

4. Data readiness. To improve data streams towards different user groups, adapting to the developing and dynamic (web) standards.

5. Political and administrative readiness. To deepen the global cooperation of observational infrastructures and with that the common societal impact.