authority: gcos
slug: earth-radiation-budget
name: Earth Radiation Budget
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: upper-air
authority_id: gcos:earth-radiation-budget
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: toa_net_downward_radiative_flux
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: radiative-flux
    entity: top-of-atmosphere
canonical_units: W m-2
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Net balance of incoming solar and outgoing shortwave and longwave radiation
  at the top of the atmosphere. The fundamental driver of Earth's climate
  and the integrated measure of planetary energy imbalance.
theme: weather
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/earth-radiation-budget