Integrating Societal Needs Into the Integrating Societal Needs Into the Development of Climate ServicesDevelopment of Climate ServicesIntegrating Societal Needs Into the Integrating Societal Needs Into the Development of Climate ServicesDevelopment of Climate Services

Technical Conference on Changing Climate and Demands for Climate Services for Sustainable DevelopmentAntalya, Turkey16-18 February 2010

Eileen L. SheaChief, Climate Services &Monitoring Div., NOAA/NCDC

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Observations, science & information services

World Climate Conference-3Better climate information for a better future

The Vision for World ClimateConference-3 (WCC-3)

Geneva, Switzerland

31 August–4 September 2009

“Enable climate adaptation and climate risk management through the incorporation of science-based climate information and prediction into policy and practice at all levels.”

WMO Global Framework for Climate Services

• World Climate Conference-3 (Sept. 2009; Geneva)

• More than 150 countries and 1,500 individuals participating

• “Scientific knowledge must be the basis for global climate policy, both for mitigation and adaptation to inevitable impacts. The Global Framework for Climate Services is an important step toward strengthening the application of climate science in local, regional, national and international decision-making.” Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General

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WMO Global Framework for Climate Services

• Strengthen production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services:– Global Climate Observing System– World Climate Research Program– Climate services information systems– Climate-user interface mechanisms; linking

providers and users of climate services– Efficient and enduring capacity-building through

education, training , outreach & communication5

Climate Services Cycle Providers and Consumers

working together

Capacity Building

TrainingDevelop technical and leadership skillsInfrastructure, computerstelecommunications & instruments

Observations

High quality data NMHSsLand, sea, air & satellitesEssential Climate VariablesHistorical DataStandards-interoperable

Research, Prediction & Modelling

Improve predictions Develop science-based pro-ducts on relevant scalesEnhance observing systems

User InterfaceProgramme

Sector applicationsRisk assessmentsAdaptation DecisionsUser/Provider DialogsRequirements Review

Information Systems

Product and information deliveryModels, projections & forecastsGlobal, Regional, National Scales

User interface in Disaster Risk Management

Example of users in DRM

Their needs and requirements

Inte

rnat

ion

al

Re

gio

nal

Na

tion

al

•Development Banks & Agencies•Humanitarian Agencies•Multinational Companies (Agriculture, energy, transport, reinsurance/finance, etc)

•Regional Development Banks•Regional Economic groupings•Regional DRM Agencies•River basin organisations

•DRM Agencies•Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment, Tourism, Water,etc•Cities & Local Governments•Private sector•Public

Mechanisms for user interface

•UNDG•IASC•UN ISDR Global Platform on DRR•Global Reports (GAR, GDR, etc)

•Regional DRR Platforms

•Regional Cooperation Projects

•National DRM coordination mechanisms / Platforms (Multi-Sectoral)

•Sectors

•Global risk assessment•Global climate data and analysis•Climate outlooks•Forecast information

•Regional risk analysis•Regional outlooks and forecasts•Regional data

•Risk assessments •national•local•sectoral

•Early warnings, Climate Outlooks•Data

Climate

Services

Information

System

At relevant

levels

Observations

& Monitoring

Research, Modeling & Prediction

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Decision Calendar FrameworkHydropower Decision Calendars

Oct

Planning

data

decisions

tion planning

gmentationreleases

Municipal & Industrial Decision Calendars

Oct

Planning

data

decisions

tion planning

gmentationreleases

Aquatic Ecosystems Decision Calendars

Oct

Planning

data

decisions

tion planning

gmentationreleases

Outdoor Recreation Decision Calendars

Oct

Planning

data

decisions

tion planning

gmentationreleases

Agriculture Production Decision Calendars

Oct

Planning

data

decisions

tion planning

gmentationreleases

A billboard on Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, encourages water conservation in preparation for the 1997 to 1998 El Niño.

In the islands, “water is gold.” Effective adaptation to climate-related changes in the availability of freshwater is thus a high priority. While island communities cannot completely counter the threats to water supplies posed by global warming, effective adaptation approaches can help reduce the damage.  When existing resources fall short, managers look to unconventional resources, such as desalinating seawater, importing water by ship, and using treated wastewater for non-drinking uses. Desalination costs are declining, though concerns remain about the impact on marine life, the disposal of concentrated brines that may contain chemical waste, and the large energy use (and associated carbon footprint) of the process.146 With limited natural resources, the key to successful water resource management in the islands will continue to be “conserve, recover, and reuse.”530

 Pacific Island communities are also making use of the latest science. This effort started during the 1997 to 1998 El Niño, when managers began using seasonal forecasts to prepare for droughts by increasing public awareness and encouraging water conservation. In addition, resource managers can improve infrastructure, such as by fixing water distribution systems to minimize leakage and by increasing freshwater storage capacity.530

Adaptation: Securing Water Resources

PACIFIC CLIMATE INFORMATION SYSTEM (PaCIS)

Steering CommitteeRepresentatives of participating institutions,

key stakeholders and program experts

Vision: Resilient and sustainable Pacific communities using climate information to manage risks and support practical decision-making in

the context of climate variability and change

Executive Director

User Engagement, Education and Outreach

Operational Climate Observations, Products & Svcs

Research and Assessment

• User feedback / dialogue• Public education materials• Support local experts (including WSOs)

• Product development and evaluation• Consistent and coordinated

regional services•Regional observation and data management

• Regional downscaling and local applications• Understand climate extremes & consequences• Assess vulnerability and

inform adaptation

• Focus on integrated climate-society system• Early & continuous partnership with users essential:

– Shared learning & joint problem-solving– Equitable attention to groups of all sizes– Stable, long-term commitment needed

• Problem-focused approach:– Understand place, context, history and decision

making process as well as particular circumstances of specific groups

– Useful & usable information responsive to user needs• Promote climate literacy and regular communication

SOME SHARED LESSONS

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• Products/services need to be on time and space scales relevant to decision-making:– Address today’s problems and plan for the future– Growing demand for decadal information for critical decisions such

as infrastructure investments– Enhanced information related to extreme events, including

attribution• Address both process and products:

– Continuous evaluation and adjustment• Build on existing systems, institutions, programs, relationships &

networks– Expand partnership between science & operations– Engage with trusted information brokers– Capitalize on unique assets, credibility and expertise of partner

organizations

SOME SHARED LESSONS (Continued)

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Linking: Local to Global

Process with ProductsScience with Society

Facilitating Dialogue—Bridge to StakeholdersDevelop, Deliver & Evaluate ProductsExtension, Outreach & Climate Literacy

Observations and MonitoringResearch and ModelingShared Planning for the Future

PeoplePeople

PlacesPlaces

PossibilitiesPossibilities

PartnershipsPartnerships

Understanding Risk & Enhancing ResilienceUnderstanding Risk & Enhancing Resilience

INFORMATION SERVICES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE