ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System, https://www.icos-cp.eu/) is a European research infrastructure that provides standardized measurements relating to the main greenhouse gases – such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4 ), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide (CO) – making use of the most advanced instrumentation and scientific know-how in the field. 
Within ICOS, the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA) of the National Research Council (CNR), thanks to funding of approximately €3 million from the Ministry of University and Research, has started the process to operate as a continental atmospheric station of the most advanced level, thus taking an important step for the expansion of the ICOS atmosphere network in Italy and Europe and strengthening the presence of the infrastructure in the Mediterranean basin. Positioned in the center of the Mediterranean basin and in an area far from the pollution of large cities, the CNR-IMAA site is in fact unique due to its geographical location and constitutes a strategic observation point for the study of climate change in a fragile region such as the Mediterranean.
The station consists of an atmospheric tower 104 m high – necessary for air sampling at an altitude where there is less impact of local phenomena – and a room for ground data acquisition where the pipes coming from the tower and in which the scientific instrumentation for the analysis of the sampled air is present.
The CNR-IMAA offers access to the ICOS instrumentation and the expertise of the relevant staff. In particular, the presence of a 100 m atmospheric tower and spaces promoted for it, both suitable for hosting instrumentation, is an added value for carrying out experiments and measurement campaigns with local, regional, national and international stakeholders.