Several high-profile cases have highlighted the need for open sharing of quality-assured data underlying published scientific knowledge. For example, the integrity of data underlying critical climate research was challenged in the so-called Climategate, and several scientific studies have reported the impossibility of reproducing results of experimental research because of missing or poor quality datasets. Scientific data services�with certified technical and scientific capacities�are essential components of the research environment. They play an essential role in ensuring the integrity and availability of datasets, and thus promote trust in open science.

Global scientific initiatives, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Polar Years, provide ample evidence that appropriate acquisition, handling, sharing, exploitations and dissemination of scientific research data is of critical importance to the success of critical international collaborative endeavours. Appropriate provisions must be made at an early stage, and as an integral part of the scientific planning, to identify and secure reliable and trustworthy scientific data services to support research activities.

This side event will provide complementary high-level perspectives from climate scientists, data service providers, and policy makers. It will also highlight significant contributions to promote open data sharing, improve data preservation and data services quality in support of climate change research and policymaking. The discussions will enrich the debate and inform the subsequent ICSU side event, which ultimately will help develop a statement on key messages for the 21st UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP21) later in 2015.