The ultimate goal of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Exchanges (GEWEX) global data analysis projects is to obtain observations of the elements of the global energy and water cycle with sufficient detail and accuracy to assess and predict recent transient and long-term climate variations in terms of the energy and water exchanges among the main climate components (atmosphere, ocean, land, cryosphere, biosphere).

The GEWEX-Radiative Flux Assessment (RFA) project provided a forum for consistent analysis of long-term radiative flux products available before 2010, primarily top-of-atmosphere (TOA) and surface fluxes, to establish a foundation for better global radiation budget analysis. The intent is to provide a baseline report that will become a sustained assessment process whereby future data sets will be assessed.