meeting on the implementation coordination of the gfcs on...the process should feed into the nap...
TRANSCRIPT
2
3
Meeting on the Implementation Coordination of the G FCS Draft Report
Table of contents
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………... 5 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………..... 11 2. Objectives of the Meeting …………………………………………………… 11 3. Programme for the Meeting and Participants 13 4. Session I: Setting the stage …………………………………………………. 13
4.1 Welcome address ………………………………………………… 13 4.2 Introduction to GFCS……………………………………………… 14 4.3 Purpose of the Meeting and review of the Agenda ……..……. 18
5. Session II: Flagship Projects in the Implementation of GFCS …………… 20
5.1 Republic of Tanzania ……………………………………………… 20
5.2 Malawi ……………………………………………………………….. 21
6. Session III: Ongoing and Planned Initiatives in Selected Countries: Presentations by Donors and Partner Organizations 6.1 World Bank …………………………………………………………… 23
6.2 UNDP …………………………………………………………………. 25 6.3 European Commission ………………………………………………. 27 6.4 United Kingdom ………………………………………………………. 29 6.5 United States of America …………………………………………..... 30 6.6 Finland …………………………………………………………………. 34 6.7 World Health Organization…………………………………………… 36 6.8 Australia ……………………………………………………………….. 38 6.9 World Food Programme ..……………………………………………. 39 6.10 United Nations Institute for Training and Research .……………... 40
6.11 CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security …………………………………………………………. 41
7. Session IV: Technical Capabilities of WMO and Partners in Support of GFCS Implementation
7.1 Observations and Monitoring ……………………………………….. 44 7.2 Climate Services Information System ……………………………… 50 7.3 User Interface Platform ……………………………………………… 56 7.4 Research, Modelling and Prediction ……………………………….. 61 7.5 Group on Earth Observations ………………………………………. 65 7.6 Capacity Development ………………………………………………. 66 7.7 Implementation Support from Regional Climate Centres ……….. 71
4
8. Session V: Summary of GFCS Relevant Activities in Different Regions 8.1 Africa …………………………………………………………………... 79 8.2 Asia ……………………………………………………………………. 82 8.3 North America, Central America and the Caribbean …………….. 85 8.4 South West Pacific …………………………………………………… 87 8.5 Europe ………………………………………………………………… 89 8.6 Presentations from Partners ………………………………………… 91
9. Session 6: Next Steps for Supporting Comprehensive, Coordinated
GFCS Implementation in the Selected Countries
9.1 Country-by-Country Immediate Priority Support Needs …………. 94 9.2 Coordination Mechanisms: Country, Regional and Global Level .. 99 9.3 Mechanisms for Accessing Scentific and Technical Support ........ 102 9.4 Panel Discussion on Strengthening Implementation Coordination of GFCS ………………………………………………………………… 104 9.5 Next Steps and Closing Remarks …………………………………… 107
Annex 1 Programme for the Meeting…………………………………… 109 Annex 2 List of Participants……………………………………………… 113 Annex 3 Supplementary Material ………………………………………. 129
5
Executive Summary The GFCS Implementation Plan, with its five pillars and four sector/thematic exemplars,
provides a blueprint for assessing the status of, and needs for, climate services including at
country-level. In addition to the active engagement of the WMO technical commissions and
WMO Members and regional and global centers, the GFCS Implementation Plan calls for the
active involvement of partner agencies and various experts and stakeholders. Given that
many key decisions are taken at the country level, the focus will be on a group of illustrative
countries as a starting point for defining the coordination needs and opportunities in
implementation of the GFCS. Hence a Meeting on the Implementation Coordination of the
GFCS was held at the WMO Headquarters, in Geneva, from 29 September to 1 October.
The meeting was attended by more than 100 participants, from 11 countries, 8 UN Agencies,
8 International Organizations, 5 Regional Organizations, invited experts and representatives
from WMO technical commissions and regional associations. Prior to the meeting, the
participants were invited to complete a template on projects they are implementing in 16
selected countries around the world and a list of 101 templates were received on projects
being implemented by various partners in these countries. The combined budgets of these
projects amount to more than 700 million dollars (see details on the Information Matrix on the
Ongoing and Planned Initiatives in the selected countries, please consult the meeting
website at: http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/573).
The meeting recognized that effective responses to user-needs for climate services can be
addressed through enhanced partnerships and coordinated approaches by governments,
international and regional organizations, and stakeholders implementing activities that
contribute to enhanced development and application of climate services at the national,
regional, and local levels. The GFCS provides opportunities to link and align initiatives in
ways that increase cost-effectiveness, leverage partner investments, respond to user needs,
promote exchange of information across sectors, and to more effectively share available
technical expertise and climate knowledge.
Recommendations for three levels of GFCS coordination were put forward to enhance (a)
coordination of national level GFCS implementation; (b) coordination amongst partners and
donors; and (c) coordination in the implementation of activities in the different pillars and
priority areas of the GFCS.
6
Coordination of National level GFCS implementation
a) Country level coordination was recognized as a critical issue for the success of GFCS
implementation. To improve coordination at the country level it was recommended to
initially focus on a set of selected countries in order to gain experience (proof of
concept) in supporting full implementation of climate services and to upscale the
process subsequently based on results achieved.
b) Focusing on the selected countries, identify a national institution with the central
coordinating role for preparing a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS),
the coordination and collaboration mechanism that will bring all relevant stakeholders
together in a permanent dialogue with a view to identify needs and priorities for
addressing the entire value chain for the production, dissemination and application of
climate services. Tasks of this institution include taking stock of major on-going
GFCS-related programmes and activities in the country, convening the partners and
stakeholders, leading a consultative process to prepare the NFCS, and coordinating
implementation. Therefore it is important that the convening institution and
coordination mechanism have the appropriate scope and stature needed to convene
the major partners and that a strategic approach (as opposed to project-
level/implementation) be adopted. In support of these tasks the institution should be
supported by assigning dedicated GFCS coordinators e. g., to support the functions of
a User Interface Platform (UIP). Review how this was done in countries that have
made significant advances in the implementation of climate services as well as in
others where such structures have been established but may need to be enhanced
(e.g. in Tanzania). Create national teams with representation from the government as
well as the UN agencies and regional organizations which are active in the country.
These teams are usually part of the NFCS process. Teams should be encouraged to
link with relevant national coordination structures which function well (i.e. Disaster
Risk Reduction platforms, etc).
c) Use the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) preparation process as a basis to integrate
needs for climate services at the country level. GFCS secretariat level dialog with the
UNDP NAP Global Support Programme, and UNFCCC Least Developed Countries
Expert Group and Adaptation Committee can identify the means for promoting
inclusion of the GFCS components into NAP preparation overall, combined with direct
GFCS engagement in NAP preparation in selected countries, also involving the
Regional Climate Centers (RCCs). In countries where there is already a GFCS
7
national plan of action, it can be presented to the NAP community for integration into
the NAPs.
d) The currently proposed approach to NFCS shall start with a national consultation
involving the major relevant country-level and international stakeholders followed by
the development of a national plan of action based on the recommendations
emerging from the consultation aligned with climate-sensitive national development
goals (e.g. in DRR, agriculture, water and health) with measurable targets and
outcomes. The process should feed into the NAP preparation, to ensure that
priorities for climate services needed by the sectors/country are identified, and
adequate resources for the NMHSs and other partners to develop and provide these
climate services are sufficiently reflected in the NAP so that their implementation
becomes eligible for climate financing.
e) Adopt an incremental approach in selected countries focused on institutionalizing
proven measures with maximum immediate benefits.
f) Convene a meeting of some countries at the initial stages with some countries that
are already well advanced in developing climate services for sectors (Australia,
China, Germany, UK, etc.), to develop guidelines and models to share experiences
and models that can help accelerate national implementation in other countries.
g) In addition, arrange study tours by selected countries to these more advanced
countries with the primary objective of assisting such countries in developing their
own NFCSs and/or national action plans to develop/strengthen climate services.
Coordination amongst Partners and Donors
To promote effective coordination between the different Partners contributing to the
implementation of GFCS, it is recommended to:
h) Invite all Members and partners to contribute additional information to that on the
initiatives included in the Matrix on Ongoing and Planned Initiatives in selected
countries which was circulated at the meeting (as per the letter by SG to Members
and partners to contribute projects and activities to be recognized as contributing to
GFCS). This matrix was recognized at the meeting as being a valuable tool for
identifying, tracking, and potentially achieving synergies among partner programmes
8
and activities being implemented at country level that contribute to the implementation
of climate services in the country. Update the Matrix and focus in the short term on
strengthening coordination in some or all of the 16 selected countries, with the
participation from RCCs.
i) Review the existing GFCS structures, their membership and functioning in the light of
the need to identify entities which can provide (a) in-depth guidance for support and
coordination of the implementation of climate services at country level and (b) upscale
the application of lessons, tools and procedures from these countries as a parallel
process, especially in those where large investments in implementing climate services
are being made.
j) Clarify the types of stakeholders that need to be engaged and identify the right focal
agencies for the various pillars and priority areas of GFCS (e.g. NOAA vs. USAID,
UKMO vs. DFID, BOM vs. AusAID, DG Research vs. DEVCO, etc. IFIs and UN
Organizations implementing GFCS vs. donors, technical partners and programmes
providing technical inputs and advisory services, other potential coordination
mechanisms e.g. Climate Services Partnership, etc.). Identify and bring in other key
partners as needed.
k) Formalize the process initiated at the Meeting on Implementation Coordination as an
on-going GFCS implementation coordination function including major donors and
international organizations (e.g. the IFIs and major UN organizations) and Regional
Climate Centres (RCCs) to promote rapid up scaling beyond the selected focus
countries. This could be through an existing GFCS governance structure or other
arrangement to be defined.
l) Coordinate WMO contributions through existing WMO structures including Technical
Commissions, Regional Associations, Global Producing Centres (GPCs), Regional
Climate Centres (RCCs), WMO regional offices, Regional Climate Outlook Fora
(RCOFs) and National Climate Outlook Fora (NCOFs) and or National Climate Fora
(NCFs). Implementation coordination could be strengthened through the PAC and
other mechanisms such as the Interagency Coordination Group and the Project
Oversight Board (POB) of GFCS.
m) Promote additional coordination through technical cooperation (e.g. GPCs support to
RCCs) and knowledge sharing.
9
Coordination in the Implementation of Activities in the Different Pillars and Priority
Areas of the GFCS
For more effective coordination in the implementation of partner programmes and activities
supporting the five GFCS pillars and the four priority areas thematically, it is recommended to:
n) Enhance service-driven observation networks and implement and maintain standards
for observing systems through an integrated effort by which technical advisory
services from WMO are explicitly made available in supporting known instances of
observing system implementation. Particular attention should be paid to the issue of
sustainability of observing systems at the country level. The post 2015 development
goals could be used as an opportunity to emphasize the need for integrated
observing efforts.
o) Fully use the available technical capacity of different Specialized Agencies of the UN
participating in the implementation of GFCS to design appropriate services for
provision of sector-specific climate services and tailored information for efficient
uptake by users. This could be coordinated through an existing GFCS structure, such
as the PAC.
p) Promote linkages between science, services, donors and users. At regional level, all
the partners should coordinate their efforts to further strengthen observing capacities,
to introduce the concept of seamlessness provision of weather and climate services
into regional modelling, and to translate science into services for decision makers by
engaging social scientists. Urban climate issues need to be integrated into GFCS
across the pillars and sectors.
q) Ensure cooperation between different RCCs to accelerate knowledge sharing and
capacity development to support the more needy institutions to produce basic climate
services.
r) Promote long term support for the more active organization of Regional Climate
Outlook Fora (RCOFs) and take steps to allow for more active participation of user
communities from different sectors, starting with dialog to identify user-requirements.
s) Promote closer interactions with user communities through existing platforms,
National Climate Outlook Fora, and public-private partnerships. A GFCS Help Desk
10
for the User Communities should be established to facilitate and support the UIP
functions of providing feedback on user-requirements and technical advice, dialog,
outreach to user-communities, and monitoring and evaluation support to user-
communities, considering the Associated Programme for Flood Management (APFM)
Help Desk as a model.
t) Promote the capacity development of NMHSs through defining their requirements;
establishing baselines, analysing gaps, elaborating a strategic plan, ensuring national
commitment and support, mobilizing resources, and monitoring and evaluation.
u) Ensure long term funding for capacity development through engaging development
agencies and seeking the commitment of national governments for alignment with
national development and climate-related priorities.
v) Ensure a balanced approach in the implementation of GFCS activities to address the
different priority sectors i.e., Agriculture, Water, Health and DRR. For example, most
of the LDCs have large arid and semi-arid areas with significant problems related to
water. However, there are not enough activities in the priority area of water. Similarly
climate and health is also an important area, but most LDCs do not have any national
projects addressing the climate and health issue.
w) Priority sectors have common needs for climate services; and have needs to
coordinate between themselves on issues of climate risk management. User-
communities should not be siloed and can benefit from integrated services and GFCS
coordination for multi-sectoral risk management. GFCS can play a pivotal role to
enhance this coordination via the provision of multi-sectoral services bringing together
multiple user communities (e.g. water and agriculture; health and disasters; disasters,
food security, and nutrition).
-------------------
11
1. Introduction 1.1 The GFCS Implementation Plan, with its five pillars and four sector/thematic
exemplars, provides a blueprint for assessing the status of, and needs for, climate services
including at country-level. In addition to the active engagement of technical commissions
and WMO Members and regional and global centers, the GFCS Implementation Plan calls
for the active involvement of partner agencies and various experts and stakeholders
(Extraordinary Session of World Meteorological Congress Resolution 1 (Cg-Ext. (2012)). Key
international and UN organizations working in areas related to the GFCS are leading
implementation of the GFCS. Major programmes being implemented by these partners at
country level provide a foundation on which GFCS implementation can build.
1.2 Now that the GFCS has moved into an implementation phase, it is critical that the
roles and contributions of WMO (Technical Commissions, programmes, expert working
groups) and of partner agencies are specified. Given that many key decisions are taken at
the country level the focus will be on a group of illustrative countries as a starting point for
defining the coordination needs and opportunities in implementation of the GFCS. Hence the
Meeting on the Implementation Coordination of the GFCS was organized from 29 September
to 1 October 2014 in WMO, Geneva.
2. Objectives of the Meeting
Taking into account the relevant ongoing activities and updating the contributions already
identified in the Position Paper on the GFCS submitted by WMO to the High Level Taskforce
(HLT), the objectives of the meeting were to:
• Identify major on-going or planned relevant projects and programmes in selected
countries and their technical components (partner organizations);
• Identify specific contributions of technical commissions, programmes and other
relevant bodies of WMO and partner agencies that will support the implementation of
the GFCS;
• Map these contributions against the activities in the Annexes and Exemplars of the
GFCS, identify the gaps and formulate tangible actions;
• Define the requirements for enabling the activities contained under the Annexes and
Exemplars of the GFCS to commence; and
• Converge on practical mechanisms for coordination and commencement of these
activities in support of the implementation of the GFCS.
12
GFCS Pillars & Priority Areas
13
3. Programme for the Meeting and Participants
3.1 The Meeting was organized in six sessions covering different aspects: Setting the
Stage; Flagship Projects in the Implementation of the GFCS; Ongoing and Planned Initiatives
in the Selected Countries: Presentations by Donors and Partner Organizations; Technical
Capabilities of WMO and Partners in support of GFCS Implementation; Summary of GFCS
Relevant Activities in Different Regions; and Next Steps for Supporting Comprehensive,
Coordinated GFCS Implementation in the Selected Countries. The detailed programme for
the Meeting is shown in Annex I.
3.2 Prior to the Meeting, a template was sent to all the Donors and Partner Organizations
inviting them to submit information on their ongoing and planned initiatives in the sixteen
selected countries (please see paragraph 4.3.2 for the rationale in the choice of the sixteen
countries) for the provision of climate services. The Information Matrices on Ongoing and
Planned Initiatives can be downloaded from http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/573.
3.3 The meeting was attended by more than 100 participants, from 11 countries, 8 UN
Agencies, 8 International Organizations, 5 Regional Organizations, invited experts and
representatives from WMO Technical Commissions and Regional Associations (Annex II).
4. Session I: Setting the Stage
4.1 Welcome Address
4.1.1 Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of WMO welcomed all the participants and
acknowledged the presence and the ever growing contributions of all the partners of GFCS.
He mentioned that the implementation of the initial priorities of the GFCS will take place in
different areas of the world, at different scales and in different timeframes. Each actor has a
role to play, and to ensure that implementation is successful, effective coordination is needed
among the various organizations and agencies that are carrying out these activities at the
national level. In that context he emphasized that GFCS is not a project-level initiative but
rather one that integrates a wider range of stakeholder contributions and efforts.
4.1.2 Mr Jarraud explained that national consultations undertaken in support of GFCS
implementation have resulted in several national action plans. Starting in 2012, consultations
were held in Belize, Burkina Faso, Chad, Dominica, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Senegal, South
Africa and Tanzania. Similarly regional consultations were held for the Least Developed
Countries in Asia, the Caribbean, Pacific Islands and Latin America. These consultations
14
facilitated the identification of priorities and the development of action plans for regional and
national implementation.
4.1.3 Mr Jarraud pointed out that to achieve the GFCS milestones for the 2-, 6-, and 10-
year timeframes the roles and contributions of the various partners and stakeholders must be
clarified and enhanced — increasing the value of existing activities, planning for joint
activities, using resources more efficiently to avoid duplication and achieve more effective
impacts. This is the fundamental reason for the organization of this meeting: sharing
information and coordinate to act more effectively for the benefit of those who need climate
services.
4.1.4 Mr Jarraud thanked all the partner agencies for their active interest in the meeting and
for providing information on programmes and activities relevant to GFCS in different regions
and countries. He mentioned that 101 completed templates were received from the partner
agencies. Twenty three of these templates did not provide information on the project funding,
but the total budget for the remaining 78 projects amounts to 702 million dollars. Mr Jarraud
pointed out that in some of these 78 projects not all the allocated budget is devoted to
climate services. But effective coordination between all the partners in implementing these
projects in the 16 selected countries can ensure provision of appropriate climate services in
the different priority sectors. The project information was made available to all the
participants through the Information Matrix and Mr Jarraud hoped that the presentations that
would be made over the next five sessions and the discussions would help map the “GFCS
landscape”. Then one can clearly identify what is lacking and mobilize the expertise from the
communities to support current and future activities.
4.2 Introduction to GFCS
4.2.1 Mr Filipe Lucio, Director, GFCS made a presentation on “Gobal Framework for
Climate Services”. The vision of GFCS is “to enable better management of the risks of
climate variability and change and adaptation to climate change, through the development
and incorporation of science-based climate information and prediction into planning, policy
and practice on the global, regional and national scale.” He explained that many countries
lack the infrastructural, technical, human and institutional capacities to provide high-quality
climate services and that GFCS will enable greater integration and coordination across
disciplines, actors and sectors in the climate services agenda for better use of existing
infrastructure, technical capabilities (and resources…) for improved outcomes in climate-
sensitive sectors.
15
Priority Sectors of GFCS
Agriculture Water
Health Diaster Risk Reduction
16
4.2.2 Mr Lucio explained that climate services involve the accumulation of knowledge about
the past, present and future of the climate system; and the development and delivery of a
range of "products" and advice based on this knowledge about the past, present and future
climate and its impacts on natural and human systems. The use and the effective application
of these products could help achieve the desired results.
4.2.3 Mr Lucio listed the outcomes of the first session of the Intergovernmental Board on
Climate Services (IBCS) held in July 2013 which include the approval of the GFCS
Implementation Plan and Compendium of Projects; establishment of the stakeholder
engagement mechanisms through Partners Advisory Committee (PAC) and the election of
the Management Committee. Mr Lucio explained that during the first two years of
implementation, emphasis will be placed on eight priority project covering all the priority
areas at the national, regional and global levels. To facilitate the establishment of
frameworks for climate services at national level, flagship activities were initiated in 2012 in
Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger through the organization of national consultations.
Following these, national consultations were also held in Belize, Dominica, Malawi, Senegal,
South Africa, and United Republic of Tanzania. Plans are underway for conducting similar
consultations in Tonga, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, and Maldives. In addition,
regional consultations were organized in Thailand for the Least Developed Countries in Asia,
in Trinidad and Tobago for the Caribbean, in Cook Islands for Pacific Small Island
Developing States, and in Costa Rica for Latin America. Additional consultations are planned
for South Eastern Europe, North Africa and Middle East (dates to be decided).
4.2.4 Mr Lucio elaborated on the implementation of the “Climate Services Adaptation
Programme in Africa” a partnership aimed at co-designing and co-producing climate services
involving WMO and partner agencies. This first multi-agency initiative implemented under the
GFCS with funding from Norway (10 million USD) was launched in October 2013. The
programme will build capacities of producers and users of climate information and products
to develop and apply information and knowledge to support decision-making in the priority
areas of agriculture and food security, health and disaster risk reduction with Malawi and
United Republic of Tanzania as the two focus countries.
4.2.5 Mr Lucio explained that Canada is providing support through the Programme for
implementing the GFCS at Regional and National Scales that includes support to
strengthening RCCs and organization of Regional Climate Outlook Fora (6.2 million USD).
The programme also supports the development of capacities of Small Island Developing
17
Domains of Operation of GFCS
Regional Climate Centres
Global
Regional
National
18
States (SIDs) in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Pacific regions, as well as central and
south-east Asia and Polar Regions.
4.2.6 Mr Lucio mentioned that a number of initiatives were undertaken to promote
partnership activities in GFCS. A Project Oversight Board (POB) was established as an
informal structure to contribute to effective ways of cooperation and coordination between the
organizations of the UN system and key international agencies that are directly involved in
the planning and implementation of GFCS related activities in alignment with their mandates
and priorities to advance the application of climate services in the initial four priority areas. In
addition, an Interagency Coordination Group (ICG) was established as an informal
mechanism to ensure engagement and ownership of the key partners involved in the GFCS
initiative across UN bodies and organizations. A joint WHO/WMO office for climate and
health was established in May 2014 on an interim 2-year basis to ensure the successful
implementation of GFCS activities within the priority sector of health. Similarly a joint office
was established with the Global Water Partnership (GWP) to support flood and drought and
flood management programs as contributions to the GFCS.
4.2.7 Mr Lucio presented a listing of financial contributions to GFCS from different donors
which totaled 28.3 million Swiss Francs. Mr Lucio ended his presentation by explaining the
ten pre-requisites for GFCS implementation and the benefits that would accrue from the
implementation.
4.3 Purpose of the Meeting and review of the Agend a
4.3.1 Mr Jerry Lengoasa, Deputy Secretary-General of WMO described the purpose of the
meeting and reviewed the agenda. He explained that GFCS is a globally coordinated
collective of the organizations that are already engaged in producing and using climate
information and services. The aim in bringing these together through the Framework is to
enable producers, researchers and user organizations to join forces to lift the quality and
volume of climate services worldwide, and particularly for developing countries. Mr
Lengoasa expressed his confidence that the presence of numerous representatives from
Member countries, from UN partner organizations, from WMO Technical Commissions and
Regional Associations in the meeting would enable them to discuss the ongoing activities at
the country level and agree on an effective coordination mechanism to take the
implementation of GFCS forward quickly and efficiently.
19
4.3.2 Mr Lengoasa explained that as many key decisions are taken at the country level, the
focus will be on a group of illustrative countries as a starting point for defining the
coordination needs and opportunities in implementation of the GFCS. In principle, there are
over 70 countries in which GFCS should be implemented. However, the available resources
can not cover all these countries. Hence the sixteen countries were selected which are listed
in the Information Matrix circulated to the participants. Burkina Faso and Niger, for example,
are GFCS pilot countries. Tanzania and Malawi are two countries where the GFCS
Adaptation Programme in Africa is being implemented. The countries in Asia and the
Caribbean were selected based on the Regional Workshops held in those regions. Countries
in the Pacific were selected based on the Regional Consultation on GFCS for SIDs in the
Pacific held in Rarotanga in 2014. Finally, Moldova in Europe was selected based on a
compilation of GFCS-related projects and it is one country in Europe that has the maximum
number of projects related to GFCS.
4.3.3 Mr Lengoasa went through the agenda of the meeting and highlighted what was to be
accomplished on each day. The first day starts with detailed presentations on flagship
activities in Tanzania, Malawi and Belize in session 2. These will be followed by
presentations in Session 3 by partners who are currently engaged in supporting
implementation of GFCS-related programs across the 16 illustrative countries that will be the
focus of the meeting. These presentations would bring out the depth and breadth of
illustrative relevant major programs and their activities on-going in each country case.
4.3.4 Mr Lengoasa then explained that on the second day of the Meeting, in Session 4
there would be five segments covering each of the GFCS "pillars" (thematic areas). For each
pillar, a presentation would be made by the focal point from the WMO Technical Programme
which is responsible for the activities covered by the pillar, followed by a presentation from a
partner agency contributing to the issues addressed by the pillar. These presentations would
highlight the relevant knowledge, guidelines, standards and support capacities from the
international scientific and technical network relevant for program implementation, drawing
on the country programs presented in the Information Matrix.
4.3.5 Mr Lengoasa pointed out that on the final day, the Meeting would focus on
synthesis. In the morning, there would be a region-by-region review of the available country
program information across all partners and the implications of these programs for GFCS
implementation and vice versa. The afternoon would be devoted to an exploration of the
implications of the findings across the illustrative countries and GFCS pillars for GFCS
implementation coordination going forward. This final session would identify needs and
20
mechanisms for improving coordination of GFCS-related activities including at country level
but also with respect to engaging relevant scientific and technical resources more
systematically in general.
5. Session II: Flagship Projects in the Implement ation of GFCS
The session was chaired by Mr Filipe Lucio with Mr Rupa Kumar Kolli of WMO as the
rapporteur.
5.1 Republic of Tanzania
5.1.1 Mr Ladislaus Changa, Tanzania Meteorological Agency made a presentation on “The
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in Tanzania”. He presented a brief overview
of the GFCS Adaptation Programme in Africa which started in January 2014 and will continue
till December 2016. The total budget for the programme is $ 10 million, funded by the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it focusses on the priority areas of Agriculture and
Food Security, Health and DRR. It is a multi-agency programme with WMO as the lead
agency with the participation of CCAFS, CICERO, IFRC, WFP, and WHO.
5.1.2 Mr Changa presented a report on the progress made towards the implementation of
GFCS Activities in Tanzania. This included the organization of two meetings: the Kick off
meeting on 5 and 6 February 2014 in Dar es Salaam; and the National Stakeholders
Consultative Workshop from 7-9 May 2014. These meetings led to the establishment of the
governance mechanism and identification of user needs and gaps and capacities for climate
services. Tanzania Disaster Relief Committee (TANDREC) assumed the role of steering
committee for Climate Services in Tanzania and DRR Platform for sustained dialogue
between users and providers of climate services.
5.1.3 A number of activities for the implementation of GFCS were organized by the
Tanzania Meteorological Agency and TRC. WFP, CCAFS and ICRAF undertook joint
collaborative efforts including Cimate Adaptation Baseline Survey (M&E); Intermediary
Training for Agricultural Research & Extension Staff to produce and disseminate agro-
climatic advisories and the CCAFS/ Farm Radio scoping study. Through the Centre for
Climate Change Studies and CICERO, nine MSc students are being supported in the
research project related to climate change and GFCS.
5.1.4 Mr. Changa elaborated on the outcomes of four meetings of the Project Delivery
21
Team (PDT), including the Expanded PDT meeting held on 19 August 2014. The focus
project areas were identified in Longido and Kiteto and there was successful coordination in
the preparation of the GFCS activity plan for each of the participating institutions (WHO, MoH,
WFP, MAFSC, TRC, CCCS-UDSM, and TMA). Implementation of the GFCS activities has
started, and the local Government authorities, policy makers and the general public are being
sensitized about it through various fora.
5.1.5 Mr Changa described the challenges in implementation which included, among others,
lack of awareness about GFCS and about the importance of mainstreaming weather and
climate information and products in planning; meeting an increasing need for high resolution
information; sustaining the initiative beyond the programme life span; upscaling the initiative
to other sectors; and balancing and harmonizing activities to avoid duplication of efforts.
5.2 Malawi 5.2.1 Mr Hastings Kandaya of Malawi Red Cross made a presentation on “The GFCS
Adaptation Programme in Malawi”. National consultations were held in June 2014 in which
the stakeholders reviewed their ongoing actions related to GFCS and the pillars and target
districts for Year 1 were identified, which included Zomba, Nsanje, Lilongwe, and Chikwawa.
5.2.2 Luanar University undertook an overview of climate services in Malawi through a
review of a number of documents including National Adaptation programmes of Action
(NAPA), Disaster Risk Management Act, National Climate Change Programme (NCCP),
Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (draft), Meteorological data policy, Agriculture Sector Wide
Approach (ASWAP), and Health Sector Wide Approach (HSWAP). Based on this review,
gaps in the NAPA relevant to the provision of climate services were identified, which included
lack of focus on information flow to end users and user-targeted products. Mr Kandaya also
identified similar gaps in the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Policy and Malawi National
Climate Change Policy.
5.2.3 Malawi Red Cross implemented a 28-month project on Climate Change Adaptation in
Salima District and Lilongwe City during 2011-13, with financial support from Nordic
Development Fund and technical support from Finnish Red Cross. The project was aimed at
strengthening the resilience of people living in high risk urban and semi-urban areas to
weather-related disasters. Lessons from this pilot were used to inform activities implemented
in GFCS Adaptation Programme for Africa, highlighting the lack of strong linkages among
stakeholders, tailored products, early warning communication system and user feedback.
Other challenges identified included lack of operational tools for project management,
22
community apathy and lack of location-specific information.
5.2.4 Mr Kandaya identified the challenges in the press release issued by the Department
of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) on the prospects for the
2013/2014 rainfall season. The concept of climate services comprises more than just a
weather forecast. The DCCMS should consult the MoAFS and issue an advisory that would
give the farmers guidance on agricultural matters. Similarly, the DCCMS should liaise with
the Ministry of Health as to the health implications of the forecast. Finally, the relevant
authorities responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) should be consulted with regard to
precautions in the face of extreme weather events. However, the press release makes no
mention of the health sector or DRR, only to the agricultural sector. In the absence of sector
specific advisories that are understandable to end users the usefulness to local communities
is likely to be minimal.
5.2.5 Mr Kandaya listed the types of climate services requested by users which included:
Downscaled seasonal forecasts (both spatially, and character of weather events through the
season); potential evolution of the season; seasonal monitoring and historical climate
information; sunshine hours and water balance monitoring; graphics to communicate the
range of possible outcomes weather forecasts; monitored rainfall conditions and historical
rainfall distributions of a particular area; early warning forecasts of extreme weather events;
implications and risks of the climate information and weather forecasts in sectors such as
agriculture, health and disaster risk management; weather forecasts for making specific
decisions such as planting time and fertilizer application and shorter-term weather forecasts
and local monitoring of conditions.
5.3 Discussion 5.3.1 In the discussion that followed, the need to articulate the next steps for these projects
was highlighted. NMHSs may be able to come up with location-specific information if
appropriate guidance on downscaling is available. It would be very useful to have a
snapshot of all activities relevant to climate services by various partners. While noting that
science is not perfect, participants noted the need for users to work with climate information
providers to ensure a more effective application of the available knowledge. In response to a
concern expressed on the lack of an explicit focus on the water sector in these projects, it
was clarified that such a focus might be considered in the next phase.
23
6. Session III: Ongoing and Planned Initiatives in Selected Countries: Presentations by Donors and Partner Organizations The session was chaired by Mr Vladmir Tsirkunov of World Bank with Ms Veronica Grasso of
WMO as the rapporteur.
6.1 World Bank 6.1.1 Mr Makoto Suwa from the Hydromet Program of the Global Facility for Disaster
Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) in The World Bank made a presentation on “WB/GFDRR
Hydromet Program towards effective partnerships in support of global hydromet services”.
He explained that according to World Bank, up to $ 30 billion a year in improved global
productivity could be achieved with better weather, climate and hydrological observations
and forecasting and up to $ 2 billion a year in reduced global annual asset losses can be
achieved through better hydromet services. However, the capacity of National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in many regions is not adequate and
considerably degraded in some countries during the last 20-25 years. For example, through
the civil war in Angola from 1975 to 2002, the number of hydrological stations was drastically
reduced.
6.1.2 Mr Suwa pointed out that conservative estimate of high priority hydromet
modernization investment needs in developing countries exceeds $ 1.5-2 billions. A
minimum investment of $ 300-400 million per year is necessary to support operations of the
modernized NMHSs systems. However, international support and investment efforts in
NMHSs modernization in developing countries so far have been insufficient and not always
effective.
6.1.3 Mr Suwa explained the World Bank support to NMHSs. The Bank has practical
knowledge of the sector and project management experience in the integrated hydromet
modernization which is undertaken in close coordination with WMO. Since mid-1980s the
Bank has prepared and implemented over 150 operations with some elements supporting
NMHSs and the number of operations and their scope considerably increased in last 10-15
years. Now total cost of investments under preparation or implementation exceeds $ 500
millions. GFDRR Hydromet Program plays the role of a focal point and service center within
the Bank to mobilize resources, guide and support large investments in hydromet
modernization. The Program has three pillars: Capacity Building; Analytical Support and
Knowledge Management; and Investments support.
24
25
6.1.4 Mr Suwa presented information on the World Bank Hydromet projects under
implementation in Yemen ($ 19 millions), Central Asia ($ 27.7 m), Vietnam ($ 30 m), Mexico
($ 105 m), Malawi ($ 20 m), Mozambique ($ 21 m) and Nepal ($ 31 m). Projects in Myanmar
($ 30 m) and Sahel ($ 28 m) are in the pre-appraisal stage. A project in Haiti is under
identification stage. There is a Regional Program to improve Hydrometeorological Services
in Africa at the national, sub-regional and continental level. A Regional Sahel Disaster
Resilience Project ($ 100 m from 2015 to 2020) will be implemented in cooperation with
WMO and GFCS in which there is a $ 4.6 m allocation for ACMAD.
6.1.5 Mr Suwa explained that towards effective partnership, World Bank Current activities
with WMO and leading NMHSs include joint preparation of NMHSs modernization projects;
capacity building and implementation support through ”twinning” arrangements; scaling up
relevant WMO Projects and Initiatives; completion and dissemination of the study on the
Socio-Economic Benefits of Hydromet Services; and assessment of status of hydrological
agencies and development of targeted investment program. A Joint WMO-NMHSs-donor
conference on Hydromet modernization and capacity building will be organized and the
GFDRR Hydromet Program will be built up.
6.2 UNDP
6.2.1 Ms Jessica Troni from UNDP made a presentation on “UNDP and Climate Information
Services - Overview of relevant projects and programmes on GFCS related activities”. The
UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Portfolio has six Signature Programmes which cut across
different sectors – including food security, water resources, biodiversity and forests, human
health and settlements and infrastructure; and different levels – national to sub-national and
community levels. The signature programme on Climate Information and Early Warning
supports the development of Climate Information and Early Warning Systems to countries
respond to both short-term/rapid onset climatic hazards, as well as long-term/slow onset
change. UNDP is currently supporting 36 countries with the total grants amounting to $ 200
millions.
6.2.2 Ms Troni then presented examples of activities in each GFCS Pillar. The pillar on
User Interface Platform has activities in 7 countries; Climate Services Information System in
8 countries; Observations and Monitoring in 6 countries; Research, Modelling and Prediction
in 5 countries; and Capacity Development in 11 countries.
26
27
6.2.3 Regarding the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) portfolio, Ms Troni explained that since
2005, UNDP helped 30 countries to mainstream DRR into development and National
Disaster Management Authorities were set up in 45 countries. Post-disaster needs
assessments were carried out in at least 25 countries and 23 countries have developed and
strengthened their disaster loss databases and preparedness and contingency plans. Urban
risk management programmes and Early Warning Systems were established in 25 countries;
Hazard maps and risk assessments were conducted in 57 high risk countries; Legal
frameworks to facilitate DRR have been set up in 58 countries and early recovery
frameworks were designed in 8 countries. Seventeen countries received support on
assessment of risks associated with climate variability and change on key critical
development sectors.
6.2.4 Regarding strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems in Africa,
UNDP is assisting 11 Least Developed African countries. The focus of the support is
provision of technologies for climate and environmental monitoring and forecasting and
integration of climate information into development plans and early warning systems.
6.2.5 Ms Troni then enlisted the current requirements for hardware (data, instruments and
information) and software (human/institutional capacities). Current practices for the analysis
of historical climate data and projections of future climate were enumerated along with the
requirements for capacity building. There is a need for international partners to work with
local partners to enhance local capacities; adapt international best practises to suit local
needs, data and systems and identify service providers of value added activities e.g. Value
chain risk assessments, insurance, economic impacts.
6.2.6 Ms Troni then described the key challenges which include making sense of conflicting
information e.g. forecasts and climate change projections; understanding user needs and
balancing these with scientific limitations; generating decadal forecasts for the next 5-20
years and identifying which information is relevant for decisions, the degree of acceptable
uncertainty, and entry points for long term planning. There are opportunities for building
decision support systems for a range of timescales – going beyond weather and climate
prediction - working with the information we have and for building robust early warning
systems as the basis for successfully applying and testing climate information for adaptation.
6.3 European Commission
6.3.1 Mr Anastasios Kentarchos from European Commission made a presentation on
28
“Climate services at EU level: On-going and planned initiatives”. The European Commission
has a long tradition on supporting climate modelling research. FP7 projects such as
COMBINE, EUCLIPSE and EMBRACE are focusing on various aspects, such as new
processes in Earth-System modelling, the cloud-aerosol problem and model biases. EU
funded research on seasonal-to-decadal forecasting since 2000 (e.g. PRUDENCE,
ENSEMBLES), with the view of building a future seamless weather-to-climate modelling
capability.
6.3.2 Mr Kentarchos informed that as an immediate response to the WMO GFCS initiative
the EC launched two calls for proposals on climate information (2010 and 2012). Two
successful projects took first steps towards the realisation of a European climate service:
ECLISE (develop regional/local CS and demonstrate their utility in support of adaptation) and
CLIM-RUN (protocol for new methodologies for modelling and downscaling tools). Three
more projects have been selected in 2012 to satisfy societal demands for reliable short term
climate information, to developing tailored, user oriented concepts to support management
decisions: NACLIM (evaluate ability to model key processes in North Atlantic and Arctic
oceans); SPECS (seasonal-to-decadal climate predictions for the improvement of European
climate services) and EUPORIAS (develop reliable climate impact prediction systems,
focusing on high-risk events).
6.3.3 Mr Kentarchos explained that in setting the strategy for Horizon 2020 of the Societal
Challenge 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and sustainable supply of raw
materials', they have identified the field of Climate Services as one of our few new flagship
initiatives. By making use of both supply- and demand-side actions, they hope to create a
European market for climate services in which public bodies and businesses provide cutting-
edge customised information services and adaptation solutions to a range of end-users, both
in the business to business domain, in the public decision-making domain, to consumers,
making Europe a leading actor in this domain. A workshop entitled 'Towards a European
market for Climate Services' was held in Brussels on 14 March 2014 and an Expert Group
was established. The conclusions of the Expert Group will be discussed in a second
workshop in early 2015.
6.3.4 Another project, Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA), with a
funding of Euros 37 millions, aims at ensuring continuity of past investments on the use of
Earth Observation data in Africa (e.g. PUMA and AMESD) and to provide an initial
contribution to the GMES and Africa Initiative, which was called upon through the Maputo
Declaration in October 2006 and included in the Joint EU-Africa Strategy as of December
29
2007. The beneficiary countries of MESA program are 48 ACP countries of five African
Regions, namely CEMAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, IOC and SADC. Thematic Action under result 2
of MESA entitled “Climate services for Disaster Risks Reduction in Africa” is being
implemented in partnership with ACMAD with a € 2.3 million budget for 36 months starting
from October 2014.
6.3.5 Mr Kentarchos elaborated on the Copernicus Climate Change Service project which
will address climate change issues at global scale with a European dedicated focus. The
project will provide information to increase the knowledge base to support adaptation and
mitigation policies, and in particular contribute to the provision of Essential Climate Variables
(ECVs), climate analyses, projections and indicators at temporal and spatial scales relevant
to adaptation and mitigation strategies for various Union's sectoral and societal benefit areas.
There is a clear framework and initial roadmap for implementation of the Copernicus Climate
Change Service which is consistent with global efforts on climate datasets (i.e. GCOS
requirements, CEOS implementation) and climate Services (i.e. GFCS).
6.4 United Kingdom
6.4.1 Ms Helen Bye made the presentation from the UK Met Office on the implementation
coordination of GFCS. Climate Service UK project was launched in 2013 as the UK’s
response to the GFCS that calls for countries’ national met services to take a central role in
establishing national frameworks. The key elements of the project are: provision of climate
information and tools; value-added services; expert advice; capacity strengthening and
international application. UK Met Office contributes to the WMO Voluntary Cooperation
Programme (VCP), which is mainly funded from the PWS Programme totaling about
£ 900,000 per year. Examples of how WMO VCP supports Climate Services include: Media
work UIP, Observations installations, Observations & Monitoring in Small Island Developing
States, and Capacity Development through training e.g. Reading post graduate programme.
6.4.2 Ms Bye explained about the contribution from the Department for International
Development (DFID) which leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty. DFID contributes to
activities in support of the GFCS and there is a significant investment in programmes of
climate activity. For example, DFID is the largest donor to the African Climate Policy Centre.
Extensive programmes are underway in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean and a number of
initiatives are designed by region rather than country which maximise efficiencies. Current
programs of DFID include ACPC Country Pilots with Roll Back Malaria and ENACTS; Future
Climate for Africa (Regional and Continent wide); Building Resilience and Adaptation to
30
Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) to build the resilience of people to extreme
climate events in selected countries of the Sahel, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia; and
SHEAR (Science for Humanitarian Emergencies and Resilience scoping study).
6.4.3 Current examples of climate service overseas of UK Met Office include Tanzania Data
Rescue and Climatology; Strengthening Adaption and Resilience to Climate Variability and
Change in Kenya (plus) (StARCK+); Weather and Climate Science to Service Partnership
with South African Weather Service; ASEAN Climate Change Analysis (SEACAMS);
BRACED Burkina Faso; and other relevant projects.
6.4.4 Ms Bye concluded her presentation by presenting the opportunities which include
promotion of efficiencies, better value for money, greater opportunity to collaborate, sharing
of best practices, user driven services and development and further engagement with
governments and the private sector. The challenges include access to users, access to
skills, changing stakeholders, defining success metrics, balance of regional/country
programmes and ensuring sustainability beyond completion of project.
6.5 United States of America
6.5.1 Mr Roger Pulwarty from NOAA made a presentation on “Capabilities and initiatives
relevant to the GFCS: Highlights from the United States”. Due to climate extremes, human
lives, homes, businesses, valuable natural resources, and large amounts of money and jobs
are at risk. Thoughtful, well-informed plans and preparations that we make today will help us
capitalize on opportunities, minimize risks and vulnerabilities, and ensure that we are
prepared for future extremes. The Demand for Climate Information is increasing across
Space and Time Scales and NOAA and other federal agencies are working to provide both
near term forecasts and long term projections, tailored to stakeholders’ needs. Weather to
Climate is a continuum, and climate variability and change are linked. Timely,
credible/authoritative, usable information across all time scales is needed. For building
climate resilience, responses to many questions are needed.
6.5.2 The US President’s Climate Action Plan has three pillars. Pillar 1 aims at cutting
carbon pollution in USA; Pillar 2 prepares the country for the impacts of climate change; and
Pillar 3 helps lead international efforts to address global climate change: Executive Order on
Climate-Resilient International Development.
31
Demand for Climate Information is increasing across Space and Time Scales
Timely, credible and usable information is needed across all time scales
32
6.5.3 An example of activities under the GFCS Pillar on Research, Modelling and Prediction
is the Pacific ENSO Applications Center (PEAC) which conducts research and produces
information products on climate variability related to the ENSO climate cycle in the U.S.
Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). The quarterly bulletin of PEAC supplies information for the
benefit of those involved in such climate-sensitive sectors as civil defense, resource
management, and developmental planning in the various jurisdictions of the USAPI.
6.5.4 An example of activities under the Observations and Monitoring Pillar of GFCS is the
Regional visualization and Monitoring System (SERVIR) which began operations in 2004 as
a joint venture by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US
Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, and the Central American
Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD). In 2005, the Water Center for the
Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC) in Panama became the first
regional SERVIR facility, serving Central America and the Dominican Republic through 2011.
CATHALAC served as the Central America hub from 2005 to 2011. In late 2008, a SERVIR
facility at the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in
Nairobi, Kenya, was dedicated to serve Africa. A SERVIR facility was inaugurated in October
2010 in cooperation with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
in Kathmandu, Nepal for the Hindu-Kush Himalaya region in Asia.
6.5.5 An example of addressing the DRR priority sector of GFCS is the project on linking
science to disaster planning of the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance which
provides support to Climate Outlook Forums and training of the National Meteorological
Services in climate forecasting. Early warning for food systems is provided through the
Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) for West and Central Africa, Central
Asia, Central America, Caribbean through a close partnership with national and global food
security community (FAO, WFP, etc.). Products are provided to variety of users at the
national (Ministerial) communities, regional level and global level (NGOs, International relief
organizations, journalists, etc.). Contributions to the GFCS priority sector of health are
provided through climate-based health early warning systems and partnering to build EWS at
the national level.
6.5.6 Mr Pulwarty described the North American Climate Services Partnership which is an
innovative trilateral partnership with Mexico and Canada and focusses on water: drought
monitoring, lake levels regional pilot areas etc., and the development transboundary early
warning products. This project is developed to align with GFCS vision to address the priority
area of water.
33
6.5.7 To build resilience in fisheries and marine ecosystems (an example of addressing the
GFCS priority area of Agriculture and Food Security), numerous partnerships were
developed with the global community to develop products and tools, and strengthen local
adaptation efforts. These include the Coral Triangle Initiative; Capacity building for MPA
Managers; Adaptive Fisheries Management; Coral Reef Watch; and Ocean Acidification
Program.
6.5.8 For the production and distribution of climate data and products, there are new efforts
in USA, with potential links to CSIS. The Climate Resilience Toolkit is a web-based portal
with tools, data, services and best practices via one easy to use location: http://climate.gov.
The Climate Data Initiative is a collaborative effort, led by NASA and NOAA, leveraging
scientific expertise, data, and resources across the federal government to spur innovation
and private-sector entrepreneurship in order to advance awareness of and preparedness for
the impacts of climate change.
6.5.9 Mr Pulwarty described the US Government announcement at the UN Climate Summit
in September on enhancing planning and preparedness for extreme events by developing
new outlooks for extreme-weather risk. This effort will initiate the planned development of
new extreme-weather outlooks in the 15-30 day range, beyond the 14-day limit of current
reliable weather forecasts and will explore producing information products for longer time-
scales at which climate change influences risk.
6.5.10 An example of activities contributing to the Capacity Development pillar of GFCS is
equipping meteorologists in developing nations with the latest tools and knowledge. To help
connect meteorologists in developing nations with the best-available tools, knowledge, and
information resources, NOAA will seek to significantly expand the reach of its highly
successful international “Training Desk” program, which brings developing-country
meteorologists to the United States for state-of-the-art training and education at NOAA’s
National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center.
6.5.11 To support the initiatives related to GFCS, USA helped establish the Climate Services
Partnership (CSP) with the UK and Germany in 2011 to build connections and relationships
among practitioners and within and across disciplines; share knowledge and experiences
and create new knowledge. President Obama announced that the United States will develop
and launch a new public-private partnership focused on connecting actionable climate
science, data, tools, and training to decision-makers in developing countries. This partnership
34
will enhance capacity within developing countries to assess impacts and vulnerabilities
associated with climate change, boost resilience, and achieve their own development goals
in the context of a changing climate. The International Research and Applications Project
(IRAP) integrates climate information and decision processes for Regional Climate
Resilience and is jointly supported by NOAA and USAID. The initial focus is on three regions:
Caribbean, the Indo-Gangetic Plains, and West Africa.
6.6 Finland
6.6.1 Ms Maria Hurtola from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) made a presentation
on the “Contribution by Finland to the GFCS: Ongoing and planned projects”. Finland is
supporting national projects in Nepal, Bhutan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan and regional
projects in the Caribbean, Pacific and Africa.
6.6.2 The FNEP 2 is a bilateral development cooperation project between FMI and the
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) of Nepal, with a budget of € 493,000 from
2013 to 2016. The expected results of the project are improved processes of DHM to
produce weather and climate services by developing and releasing new weather and climate
services (EWS 3 days, seasonal forecasting, climate outlook products); enhanced customer
relations, weather and climate service provision capacity of the DHM; and improved data
management and data quality control to support service development. The project supports
the GFCS pillars on Observations and Monitoring, Climate Services Information System and
User Interface Platform and cooperates with the WB PPCR-project.
6.6.3 Ms Hurtola described the project on Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological Services for
Bhutan with a Budget of € 462,000 which aims at improving the capacity of DHMS to manage
and produce high quality weather information and services to Bhutanese society through
strategic planning; enhanced services; and cooperation and communications with
stakeholders. The project addresses all the five pillars of GFCS.
6.6.4 FINKMET, the Finnish-Kyrgyz Meteorology Project with a budget of € 502,000 from
2014 to 2016, is aimed at improving the capacity of the Kyrghzhydromet to deliver weather,
climate and environmental information on EWS for the benefit of the Kyrgyz society. The
specific goals of the project are: improved observation and data management process;
improved air quality observation system; improved strategic and technical planning capacity
and improved capacity of Kyrgyzhydromet staff on modern observation technology and
weather service process. The project addresses GFCS pillars on Climate Services
35
Information System, Research, Modelling and Prediction and User Interface Platform.
6.6.5 Ms Hurtola presented the details of FINTAJ, the Finnish-Tajikistan Meteorology
Project with a budget of € 503,000 from 2014 to 2016, which is aimed at improving the
capacity of the Tajikhydromet to deliver weather, climate and environmental information on
EWS for the benefit of the Tajikistan society. The specific goals of the project are improved
capacity to provide climate services; improved air quality observation system; improved
strategic and technical planning capacity and improved capacity of Tajikhydromet staff on
modern observation technology and weather service process. The project addresses GFCS
pillars on Climate Services Information System, Research, Modelling and Prediction and
User Interface Platform.
6.6.6 FINPAC, the Finnish-Pacific Project to Reduce Vulnerability of the Pacific Island
Countries' Livelihoods to the Effects of Climate Change, with a budget of € 3,775,000 for
2013 – 2016, covers the entire value chain from improved observations to services and
benefits to communities and is implemented through a partnership with SOPAC, Red Cross
and WMO. The beneficiaries are the NMHSs from 14 Pacific Island Countries. The project
addresses GFCS pillars on Observations and Monitoring; Climate Services Information
System, Research, Modelling and Prediction and User Interface Platform.
6.6.7 SHOCS II, Strengthening hydrometeorological operations and services in the
Caribbean SIDS, with a budget of € 1,200,000 is aimed at improving operational capacity of
the NMHSs to provide weather and climate services through restoration of AWSs, QC,
storage and sharing; tools for analyzing, forecasting and development of products; and
enhancing communication of climate information to the Caribbean communities through a
climate service portal at CIMH. The project also aims at enhancing the role of ACS and
improving the capacity of the NMHSs and DMAs for the governance of the early warning
process. The project addresses GFCS pillars on Observations and Monitoring; Climate
Services Information System, Research, Modelling and Prediction and User Interface
Platform.
6.6.8 The project on Support for African integrated strategy for weather and climate
services, with a budget of € 400,000 provides Support for the African Ministerial Conference
on Meteorology; support for the participation of NMHSs representatives from developing
countries for the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services to
be held at WMO from 5 to 7 November; and projects in Malawi and Guinea Conakry. The
project addresses GFCS pillars on Observations and Monitoring; Climate Services
36
Information System, Research, Modelling and Prediction and User Interface Platform.
6.6.9 Ms Hurtola then presented a list of FMI expert services projects worldwide.
6.7 World Health Organization (WHO)
6.7.1 Ms Joy Shumake-Guillemot from the WHO/WMO Joint Climate and Health Office
made a presentation on the “Global Overview: Climate & Health Programming”. The
WHO/WMO Joint Climate and Health Office, established in May 2014, has the mandate to
lead the implementation of health within the Global Framework for Climate Services and
steer the creation of a formal and sustainable WMO-WHO programme for climate and health.
To aim of the office is to promote the development and use of climate and weather services
that improve health outcomes and enhance the management of climate related health risks.
6.7.2 The WHO contributes to GFCS in several ways. First, by being an implementing
partner of the GFCS Flagship Projects through WHO Country offices and Ministries of Health
in Malawi and Tanzania; National Consultation in Dominica led by MoH and WHO/PAHO
which led to the development of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment and leveraged additional
support from Health Canada; and in Costa Rica the MoH, WHO/PAHO, and WMO are
discussing research needs on dengue and climate. WHO noted that opportunities are
available for better integration of health needs within GFCS activities for Drought
management in West Africa and All-hazard management in Pacific Islands. Second, the
WHO is contributing to one of the three Health Projects included in the GFCS Compendium.
Third, through the joint office work plan to support WHO and health partners address the
health priorities in the GFCS Health Exemplar.
6.7.3 WHO has a strong policy mandate on climate change and a common approach to
supporting Member States and Partners. WHO organized the first Global Conference on
Climate and Health from 27 to 29 August 2014 in WHO to bring actors together on current
and future actions. The well attended event by over 600 participants, including 25 ministers,
reflected that the global status for climate and health has strong political will and that there is
increasing demand from Member States to take action on climate and health; that a spectrum
of needs and approaches to address adaptation and co-benefits of mitigation is available;
that it is time to move from pilot projects to more systematic mainstreamed programming; and
that there is a need for more systematic monitoring of progress and risks through National
Climate and Health Profiles and a recommendation for WHO to establish a global platform for
climate and health.
37
38
6.7.4 Ms Shumake-Guillemot explained the WHO’s Common Approach to supporting
countries to develop and implement Climate and Health Policy Frameworks, such as Health
National Adaptation Plans (H-NAPS); and tools such as the Operational Framework for
Climate Resilient Health Systems. Related key activities were described.
6.7.5 Globally, WHO has an expanding portfolio of pilot projects on health adaptation to
climate change with budget of over US$500,000 per country. Ms Shumake-Guillemot
described the coordination opportunities with WHO Activities in the 16 selected countries by
explaining what is in place, which projects are being implemented and the GFCS
coordination needs. It was noted that the standard broad range of core health programming
activities regularly use and need climate information, but these are not captured as “climate”
activities e.g., water and sanitation, air quality, and disease control; and (b) health protection
occurs within other sectors (e.g., Water, DRR and Food Security). These two conditions
highlight the need for stronger inter-sectoral coordination with the climate services provided
for Agriculture, Water, and DRR; and to consider the decision needs of the health sector, not
only in relation to climate change projects.
6.7.6 Specific health needs are summarized in the Health exemplar, however, additional
support to systematically identify and express health needs and demands for climate
products and services is urgently needed. In countries developing NAPs, GFCS has the
opportunity to help align multi-sectoral efforts, provide climate services, and bring benefits to
the health community.
6.8 Australia
6.8.1 Ms Sue Barrell, Bureau of Meteorology, made a presentation on “GFCS and related
projects: existing and planned initiatives in Australia”. The GFCS and related projects
include Climate database (CliDE), data rescue and RCC (Regional Climate Center); Climate
and Ocean Services Program in the Pacific (COSPPac) and Training in International Data
Exchange.
6.8.2 The project on CliDE, data rescue and RCCs is aimed at Enhancing climate services
in the Pacific through the strategy for RCC and plan for RA-V; maintaining and transiting
Climate Database for the Environment (CliDE); migrating current and historical climate data
to CLiDE/CDMS; and Pacific Island Countries (PICs) data rescue and digitisation. Support is
provided to 14 PICs (Cook Islands, Fed. States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
39
Niue, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu).
The Open Source Climate Data Management System (CDMS) aims at maintaining basic
Climate database (CliDE) and focus on basic climate observations data and data rescue
functionality. A Roadmap will be prepared for transition to meet requirements of WMO
CDMS Specifications WMO No. 1131. Ongoing funding for development and maintenance of
CDMS is an issue. GFCS has provided limited funding for 2014/15 and possibly for 2015/16.
The project addresses all the five pillars of GFCS.
6.8.3 Ms Barrell presented an overview of the COSPPac project (Climate and Ocean
Services Program in the Pacific). Specific outcomes for COSPPac are that the 14 PIC
NMHSs and relevant in-country agencies understand and use climate, ocean and sea level
products for the benefit of island communities and governments, via stakeholders
communications & building partners' capacities; scientific tools, data, information, and
support for use of climate services and continuity of sea level observations, data
management and dissemination. The budget for the project is A$ 31.5 millions for four years
from July 2012 and is provided by the Australian Dept. Foreign Affairs. COSPPac
addresses all the five pillars of GFCS.
6.8.4 The objective of the project on Training in International Data Exchange is to assist
PICs to fully participate in WMO systems for transmitting and handling weather, climate and
environmental information through arrangements for free and open international exchange of
weather and climate information and products using the WMO Information System and using
new data formats required to participate in the WMO coordinated international exchange of
weather and climate related information. The project addresses the needs of 12 PICs (Cook
Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga,
Tuvalu, Vanuatu) and a funding of A$ 462,000 is provided by the Australia Department of
Foreign Affairs for two years (Nov 2012 to Nov 2014). Estimated funds spent on Papua New
Guinea, Kiribati and Tonga to date amount to A$ 50,000. The project addresses three GFCS
pillars i.e., Climate Services Information System; Research, Modelling and Prediction and
Capacity Development.
6.8.5 Ms Barrell summarized her presentation by mentioning that the projects demonstrate
Australian commitment to GFCS and to advancing climate services more generally in Pacific.
There are synergies between direct GFCS-funded projects and Australian-funded projects
i.e., CLiDE, RCC and COSPPaC and International data exchange underpinning GFCS.
6.9 World Food Programme (WFP)
40
6.9.1 Ms Anna Law of WFP made a presentation on “Climate Services at WFP: Selected
initiatives in GFCS Priority Countries”. WFP participates in the project on “Climate Services
Adaptation Programme in Africa” in Malawi and Tanzania along with the other partners:
WMO, IFRC and national societies, WHO, CCAFS and CICERO/CMI.
6.9.2 At the global level, WFP produces the Regional Seasonal Monitor which aims to
assess the development of the growing season and how such conditions might impact the
lives and livelihoods of the resident populations, and highlight potential developments that
may be of humanitarian concern. The Monitor is currently done for 3 regions (Central and
South America, South and East Asia, East and West Africa). It addresses three GFCS pillars:
User Interface Platform through participatory planning tools; Climate Services Information
System through community radio programmes and SMS-based advisories; and Capacity
Development through extension worker trainings and strengthening national food security
early warning systems.
6.9.3 Ms Law described the WFP project on “Climate analysis and monitoring” in Kyrgyz
Republic which is being funded at $ 365,000 for five years (2011-2015). The project is
integrated into WFP Country Office’s core VAM (Vulnerability, Assessment and Mapping)
programme. Project partners include the State Agency for Environmental Protection and
Forestry, Climate Change Centre of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Agency for
Hydrometeorology and the Tian Shan Policy Center of the American University of Central
Asia. The project addresses GFCS pillars on Observations and Monitoring and Climate
Services Information System.
6.9.4 WFP is implementing a project on “Building resilient food systems in Southern Egypt”
for four years (2013-2016) with a total budget of $ 5.8 million. The partners include the
Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation
and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). The project addresses GFCS pillars
on Observations and Monitoring, Climate Services Information System and Capacity
Development.
6.10 United Nations Institute for Training and Re search (UNITAR)
6.10.1 Mr Franciso Pisano from UNITAR made the presentation on “UNITAR and GFCS”.
UNITAR is part of the Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) of GFCS and it addresses the
issue of training methodologies and Capacity development (global-to-local); technology
41
applications and research; and knowledge systems innovation.
6.10.2 UNITAR implements the One UN Training Service Platform on Climate Change, the
“UN CC:Learn”. The objectives of the Platform are to assess existing human capacity and
skills in key sectors to address climate change; prioritize actions to enhance climate change
learning and strengthen national education and training systems; ensure that climate change
learning is linked to and helps to achieve national climate change objectives; augment
mobilization of resources for training and skills development from national budgets and
external partners; and support the creation of a sustainable human resource base to address
climate change. Burkina Faso and Malawi from the 16 selected countries are part of the UN
CC:Learn initiative.
6.10.3 UNITAR is also implementing the C3D (Climate Change Capacity Development)
project to promote capacity development for UNFCCC Non-Annex I Countries in Sub-
Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, Pacific and Europe for a five year period (2008 to 2013).
C3D helps these countries to implement appropriate national actions on CC adaptation and
mitigation through a South-South-North approach. The project funding of € 3,300,000 is
provided by European Commission, Austria and Switzerland. Partners in the project include
IISD, CSAG-UCT, ERC-UCT, ENDA-TM SEI, CIFOR, MIND, CCCCC, and SPREP.
6.10.4 Mr Pisano described the project UNOSAT – Integrated Information System for Flood
Risk Reduction in Niger which is funded at $ 250,000 for two years. The specific objective of
the project is to provide decision making support tools for flood-related risk in the region of
Niamey and the benefits include operational and near real time early warning for flood which
is on-line and multi-user and is replicable. Partners in the project include DNPGCCA, the
National Meteorological Agency of Niger, AGRHYMET, the Niger Basin Authority (ABN), the
University of Niamey and others. The project addresses all the five pillars of GFCS.
6.11 CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agr iculture and Food Security
(CCAFS)
6.11.1 Mr Jim Hansen from CCAFS made a presentation on the “Ongoing and Planned
CCAFS Initiatives that Support the GFCS”. CCAFS is a strategic partnership of international
agriculture (CGIAR) and global change (FutureEarth) research communities and is a
research-for-development program addressing the challenge of climate change and food
security in five target regions across the developing world. CCAFS is organized around four
themes: Adaptation to progressive change; Adaptation through managing climate risk; Pro-
42
poor climate change mitigation and Integration for decision-making.
6.11.2 The Flagship 2 project of CCAFS entitled “Climate information services and climate-
informed safety nets” has four components: Climate-based methods and tools for seasonal
agricultural prediction and early warning; Knowledge and methods for equitable climate
information and advisory services for smallholder communities; Food security safety nets and
policy interventions for dealing with impacts of climate-related shocks; and Knowledge and
methods to design and target weather-related insurance programs that benefit smallholder
communities.
6.11.3 Research themes in the Rural Climate Services area include identifying the key
challenges; piloting at CSVs; delivery at scale; gender and social equity and informing
investment. Research themes in the Agricultural Prediction and Early Warning area include
reconstructing historic weather observations; tailoring seasonal forecasts to the needs of
agriculture; ENACTS (Enhancing NAtional ClimaTe Services) and crop production
forecasting methods and tools.
43
6.11.4 Ongoing initiatives of CCAFS in GFCS include the GFCS Adaptation Program in
Africa being implemented in Tanzania and Malawi. CCAFS and WFP co-lead the agriculture
and food security sector area in this program. Another initiative is entitled “Climate Smart
Villages” project which is being implemented in Lushoto, Tanzania; Yatenga (Tougou),
Burkina Faso and Rupandehi, Nepal.
6.11.5 Another initiative is the “USAID CCRD Small Grants in GFCS countries” which
includes three projects: Strengthening Generation and Dissemination of Climate-Based
Agro-Advisories for Smallholder Farmers in South Asia (Nepal, India, and Bangladesh) with a
funding of $150,000; Enhancing access to and use of climate information services to support
risk management by smallholder farmers in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania,
Niger, and Senegal) with a funding of $ 75,000; and Improving Agricultural Productivity and
Food Security through enhanced Provision and Delivery of Climate Services for Smallholder
Farmers in Tanzania with a funding of $ 75,000.
6.11.6 Mr Hansen described the planned initiatives which include 9 Flagship 2 projects, to
be implemented from 2015 to 2018 with a projected funding of $ 5.8 millions per year. These
include: Tailored Agro-Climate Services for Latin America (CIAT, Bioversity); Capacitating
African Smallholders with Climate Advisories and Insurance Development (ICRISAT/ICRAF);
Index insurance to enhance adoption of climate-adapted germplasm (CIMMYT); Integrated
Agricultural and Food Security Forecasting for East Africa (CIMMYT); Index insurance
complementing other risk management strategies (IFPRI); Flood Index Insurance for
marginalized smallholder communities (IWMI); Climate-informed, ICTbased agroadvisory
service for crops in South and Southeast Asia (IRRI); Adaptive capacity of women &
minorities thru agro-climate information in SE Asia (CARE/ICRAF); and Early warning for
climate sensitive diseases in Vietnam and Laos (ILRI).
6.11.7 Two other Flagship 2 projects include: Capacitating African Smallholders with Climate
Advisories and Insurance Development (CASCAID) being implemented in Burkina Faso,
Ghana, Mali, Senegal with a total funding of $ 5.6 millions; and Integrated Agricultural
Production and Food Security Forecasting System for East Africa which is a regional project
(Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) with a funding of $ 2.8 millions.
6.11.8 Mr Hansen informed the Meeting that under the USAID-Africa partnership, there are
several proposed activities under discussion which include: Capacity to deliver relevant
information; Communication: curriculum & training, scaling thru ICT; Policy-maker support for
44
interpreting climate projections; Co-production of climate services; Strategy, evidence for
climate services investment; and Good practices for assessing needs, demands and benefits.
6.11.9 Overall, the CCAFS-related climate services investment is $ 9.6 millions per year of
which $ 2.7 millions are invested in the selected countries being discussed in the Meeting.
6.12 Discussion
6.12.1 Following the presentations, there was a short discussion session. Participants
agreed that there is a wealth of ongoing activities in the 16 selected countries and that more
expertise and resources from the World Bank are needed. There is also a need for more
cross-sectoral fertilization, better linkages with users and a shift from climate data to climate
services by NOAA. The participants also highlighted the need for ensuring long term
sustainability of observation networks. The bottom line is that all partners need to work
together as most of the needs can be addressed through partnerships and through a
coordinated approach to link and align initiatives. Effective coordination will ensure better
value for money and one project in one sector i.e. water can benefit from another project in
another sector i.e. DRR. Also one partner may cover one aspect another partner may cover
another aspect based on expertise.
7. Session IV: Technical Capabilities of WMO and P artners in Support of GFCS Implementation This session covered principally the ways in which the different technical programmes and
partners of WMO support the implementation of the different Pillars of GFCS.
The first part of the session was chaired by Mr Chris Hewitt of UK Met Office, with Mr Peer
Hechler of WMO as the rapporteur.
7.1 Observations and Monitoring 7.1.1 Climate Monitoring from Space
7.1.1.1. Mr Wenjian Zhang of WMO made a presentation on “The Role of Space Community
in the support of GFCS with the development of an Architecture for Climate Monitoring from
Space”. Mr Zhang referred to Resolution 19 of the Sixteenth WMO Congress (2011) which
called on the development of an architecture for climate monitoring from space, to provide a
framework for the sustained and coordinated monitoring of the Earth’s climate from space.
Such an architecture will provide the opportunity for global promotion through GFCS to
45
convince governments for enhanced and sustained space observations. WMO is
coordinating the new baseline with three orbital planes in the 2025 Vision for WMO Space
Global Observing System. A CEOS-CGMS-WMO ad hoc working group on Architecture for
Climate Monitoring from Space was established under the chairmanship of Dr Mark Dowell
and a report entitled “Strategy Towards an Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space”
was released. The GFCS user-driven requirements to space agencies is through this
working group and an end-to-end architecture design for monitoring climate for both long-
term trends and extreme events in real time was developed.
1961 1978
1990 2014
50+ years development of WMO Space-based observatio ns
7.1.1.2 Mr Zhang described the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) which is an
international, inter-agency effort to provide CDR-quality global precipitation analyses at the
monthly, pentad and daily time scales. An Interim CDR of monthly, global precipitation
(within 10 days of the end of the month) is being produced.
7.1.1.3 The space architecture will Integrate operational and R&D satellites building
synergies for enhanced climate observing capabilities. An example is the Geostationary
pollution monitoring for the health sector. The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
assesses the progress and requirements on the status of observing systems for climate,
advises on implementation, and reports to the UNFCCC.
46
An end-to-end Architecture Design for monitoring cl imate for
both long-term trend & extreme events in real time
47
7.1.1.4 Mr Zhang referred to a number of broader requirements for climate services,
assessment, climate modelling, observations and data which extend beyond the capabilities
of one-time research missions and operational satellite systems in existence today. The
WMO standard practice is a rolling review of requirements to identify new observing
requirements and gaps of new initiatives (GFCS, Architecture). The gaps and deficiencies
identified through the GFCS Implementation Plan are as follows: inadequate atmospheric
observations, limited space and surface-based remote sensing capabilities, and the absence
of operational monitoring of some important air quality, radiation, etc…; Inadequate
observational coverage of important oceanographic variables (ocean currents, mass flux,
ocean salinity, and sea ice parameters); and Inadequate terrestrial observing networks (river
discharge, ground water, lake levels, permafrost, glaciers and ice caps) and absence of
designated networks for soil moisture, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Fraction of Absorbed Photo-
synthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) and above ground biomass.
7.1.1.5 GCOS, in collaboration with the Land Cover Project Office from the Global
Observation for Forest Cover and Land Dynamics (GOFC-GOLD), has organized an
international workshop to consider the climate observation requirements to support actions
for climate change mitigation. An opportunity is turning observations into knowledge through
climate products and information. The long-term quality controlled records are useful for
climate monitoring and services.
7.1.1.6 A key role of the space community is in the area of free and open data policy
framework since GFCS needs governments and space agencies support for free and open
exchange of climate-relevant surface and space data, products and information. A number
of satellite-borne instruments data are assimilated routinely by ECMWF
and enhanced satellite data utilization for improved climate prediction performance
for climate services can be expected.
7.1.1.7 The road map for future involves describing the current and planned implementation
arrangements (ECV-by-ECV) within an inventory and using the inventory and GFCS to
develop a coordinated action plan to address identified gaps/shortfalls.
7.1.2 WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGO S)
7.1.2.1 Ms Sue Barrell from the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia made a presentation on
“The Global Framework for Climate Services and the WMO Integrated Global Observing
System (WIGOS)”. The Executive Council of WMO recognized the importance of the
48
implementation of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) as a key WMO
contribution to GFCS, and noted that various activities specified in the Observations and
Monitoring Annex to the GFCS Implementation Plan relate to the further development of
WIGOS. The Council also recognized that a fully functioning WMO Information System
(WIS), which provides the information sharing and management basic structure within the
CSIS component of GFCS, is essential to the success of the GFCS.
7.1.2.2 At its simplest, the WIGOS framework is about: documenting and implementing
standard and recommended practices and procedures in making and sharing observations;
coordination and collaboration for efficiency and effectiveness; integration and interoperability
in all senses; timely delivery of observations that meet user needs in a way they can use
them; and empowering NMHSs and contributors and users of observations. WIGOS
observing systems include the Global Observing System (WWW/GOS); the observing
component of Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW); WMO Hydrological Observations (including
WHYCOS); and observing component of Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW). It includes the
surface-based and space-based components and WMO, co-sponsors and partners.
WIGOS: Integral part of NMHS and key enabler of the ir value proposition
49
7.1.2.3 WIGOS is needed because of the increased breadth of demand for observational
data since creation of WWW & GOS, encompassing needs from: climate monitoring, climate
change, mitigation; air quality, atmospheric composition from urban to planetary scales;
ocean monitoring and prediction; cryosphere; and water resources. The advances (scientific
and technical) in new observing technologies, telecommunications, numerical modeling and
data assimilation and the increased user demand to access and use observations in decision
making call for WIGOS. WIGOS addresses several current shortcomings such as unstable
observing systems, poor coordination in the design and planning of observational networks,
unintegrated or inoperable databases, inadequate quality management and lack of qualified
or trained staff.
7.1.2.4 Through improved operation and integration of their observing systems and
improved interoperability of the resulting data, WMO Members will better and more efficiently
serve their users. The integration is achieved through: supporting diverse user groups and
application areas with common observing systems; networks designed for efficiency and
effectiveness; common data policy, data access and exchange mechanisms; coordinated
network operation and maintenance and standardized practices and procedures.
7.1.2.5 Interoperability in WIGOS is the ability to access, combine or compare observations
from one source or system with those from another and is achieved through metadata,
standards and regulatory Material. Interoperability is the key to turning observations into
effective data, products and services that meet real user needs.
7.1.2.6 Ms Barrell then described the contents and the key activity areas of WIGOS
Implementation Plan. WIGOS is an essential part of GFCS as it enables all initial GFCS
implementation activities and projects through user consultation on their requirements;
coordination of surface and space-based observations for climate; more needed
observations in key areas, applications, etc., through design, capacity development, and
partnership; data lifecycle management and data access and sharing. WIGOS provides the
framework to sustain efficient and effective national, regional and global observational needs
by strengthening observing systems as core part of service deliver and through improved
regional network coordination and data sharing.
7.1.2.7 The elements of WIGOS that are of particular relevance to GFCS include the
comprehensive contextual metadata and the guidance material on technical implementation
in development. Also relevant is the WIGOS Information Resource which includes the
inventory of all stations and platforms under WIGOS, with comprehensive metadata; the
50
requirements database, incorporating documented, vetted and sourced requirements for all
WMO application areas and the design tools to provide guidance on observing network
evolution. The routine (24/7) monitoring of all WIGOS components including data availability
and observational data quality is also relevant to GFCS.
7.1.3 Discussion
7.1.3.1 The discussion on climate monitoring from space and WIGOS focused on the need
for free access to technology and services. One question is as to what will happen for Africa
after termination of Meteosat 7 services in 2016. Sustainability of observing systems at
country level is a key issue and there is a need to efficiently use existing (programme)
resources. It is not so complicated to set standards but is important to take steps to
implement and maintain them. Use the opportunity of post 2015 development goals to
emphasize the need for integrated observing efforts.
7. 2 Climate Services Information System (CSIS)
7.2.1 WMO Presentation on CSIS
7.2.1.1 Mr Rupa Kumar Kolli of WMO made a presentation on the “Climate Services
Information System (CSIS)”. The CSIS is the component of the GFCS most concerned with
the generation and dissemination of climate information. It is the ‘operational centre’ of the
GFCS and includes climate data, monitoring, prediction (monthly, seasonal, decadal) and
projection (centennial) activities. The CSIS is the means of delivery of climate data and
products. It comprises global, regional and national centres and entities that
generate/process climate information (observations and predictions), and the exchange of
data and products to agreed standards and protocols. It must be supported by observation
and research programmes (e.g. GCOS, WCRP). Capacity building initiatives will increase
‘conductivity’ of data flow.
7.2.1.2 In 2006, WMO set up a process to designate centres making global seasonal
forecasts as WMO Global Producing Centres (GPCs) of Long Range Forecasts. The GPCs
adhere to commonly defined standards – aiding consistency and usability of output through a
fixed forecast production cycle, a standard set of forecast products and through WMO-
defined verification standards. Twelve GPCs are designated so far with two Lead Centres:
LC-LRFMME and LC-SVSLRF.
51
Currently Designated GPCs
7.2.1.3 WMO Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) are centres of excellence that create
regional climate products including long-range forecasts in support of regional and national
climate activities and thereby strengthen capacity of WMO Members in a given region to
deliver better climate services to national users. The RCC users include the NMHSs, other
RCCs, etc. WMO RCC responsibilities are regional in nature and do not duplicate or replace
national responsibilities. The establishment of the RCCs is initiated by WMO Regional
Associations, based on regional needs and priorities and the formal designation is through
WMO Technical Regulations. The mandatory functions of RCCs include operational
Activities for LRF; operational activities for climate monitoring; operational data services, to
support operational LRF and climate monitoring; and training in the use of operational RCC
products and services. The highly recommended functions of RCCs include Climate
prediction and projection; non-operational data services; coordination functions; training and
capacity building; and research and development.
7.2.1.4 WMO mechanisms to guide the GPCs and RCCs include the Commission for Basic
Systems (CBS); Commission for Climatology (CCl); CBS/CCl Expert Team on Operational
Predictions from Sub-seasonal to Longer-time Scales (ET-OPSLS); CCl/CBS Expert Team
on RCCs; and the Global Data Processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS).
7.2.1.5 The Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs) provide platforms for Climate
experts and climate information users to: discuss current climate status, exchange views on
scientific developments in climate prediction, develop consensus-based regional climate
52
outlooks that can feed into national climate outlooks produced by NMHSs, and engage in
user-provider dialogue. An important aspect of RCOFs is the facility to bring together, at
regular intervals, experts in various fields, operational climate providers and end users of
forecasts in an environment that encourages interaction and learning. Regional agriculture
and food security outlooks are now regularly produced based on the climate outlooks after
the RCOFs in some regions. For example, the climate outlook in the Greater Horn of Africa
from the GHACOF process is routinely used in combination with other information by the
Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS-NET) to prepare the food security outlooks.
7.2.1.6 The NMHSs underpin the CSIS at the national level as they already provide climate
services based on the historical archives of observational data collected for weather services
and several of them also provide operational climate prediction products, up to seasonal time
scales. NMHSs are mandated by the WMO Convention to observing and understanding of
weather and climate and in providing meteorological (including climatological), hydrological
and related services in support of relevant national needs, ensuring authenticity to their
products and services. NMHSs are structured and trained to provide 24/7 services and
through collaborative mechanism have established standard practices across the globe for
weather services that can be easily extended for delivering climate services. Users deal with
weather and climate information in a seamless manner, and it greatly helps them to meet all
their weather and climate information needs through a ‘single window’ and NMHSs can
53
effectively provide such a single window. NMHSs and their partners constitute a large pool
of technical experts dealing with weather and climate.
7.2.1.7 Frameworks for climate services at the national level are similar to other levels of
GFCS but involve practicalities and specifics for delivery of climate services at the national
level through well-coordinated arrangements between the key national institutions
responsible for observations, research, tailored products and expert advice as well as the
user sectors. Some countries may establish coordination mechanisms appropriate to their
national context, largely as integral components of the NMHSs, to support/facilitate GFCS
implementation at the national level. The National Climate Outlook Forums
(NCOFs)/National Climate Forums (NCFs) adapt the global and regional scale forecasts to
the national context and tailor products and translate key messages for users
(Multidisciplinary Working Groups). They facilitate user-provider interaction and feedback
and evaluate the impact of expected conditions (with existing vulnerabilities).
7.2.1.8 There are eight CSIS projects for GFCS which are included in the CSIS Annex of
the GFCS Implementation Plan to: establish and coordinate operational support for
Frameworks for Climate Services at the national level in developing countries; define, build
and make available a Climate Services Toolkit to all countries; establish modern Climate
System Monitoring based on improved operational monitoring products; implement Climate
Watch System; standardize the operational CSIS products; promote effective CSIS-wide use
of WMO Information System (WIS); facilitate the effective use of GPC and other global
climate products by regional and national providers (e.g. RCCs and NMHSs), including the
operational provision of Global Seasonal Climate Update; and strengthen regional systems
for providing climate services.
7.2.1.9 The WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) Expert Team on CSIS recommended
that minimum CSIS functions and products be defined at the three levels: global, regional
and national and that a system approach to support CSIS operations be developed. It also
recommended that a “Seamless” provision of information be made across all time scales and
that formalized structures and mechanisms be established. The Team also recommended to
work on designation criteria, standardize CSIS operations and products and enhance
capacity development programme. The CSIS minimum functions recognized by the Expert
Team include: data services, monitoring services, climate prediction services (monthly to
interannual forecasts), climate projection services, product dissemination, quality
management and capacity building services. The Sixteenth Session of CCl established an
Implementation Coordination Team (ICT) on CSIS with specific terms of reference.
54
7.2.1.10 The CCl Task Team on Global Seasonal Climate Update (GSCU) developed draft
versions of GSCU which provides the international consensus on current state of climate plus
outlook for the next 3-4 months. The target users for the update are the regional and
national centres and entities (also globally acting users, e.g. aid agencies).
7.2.1.11 Mr Kolli then described the relevance of CSIS in the Matrix of Projects circulated at
the Meeting. Out of about 90 projects, nearly 46 projects are relevant to the CSIS activities.
Most projects are concerned with data services (18 projects); and product dissemination,
quality management and capacity building (41 projects). Examples of CSIS relevant projects
were presented, which included: Yemen Agro-biodiversity and Climate Adaptation
(GEF/World Bank); Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) Adaptation Programme
in Africa (WFP); Community Based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst Risk Reduction (UNDP);
Programme for Implementing the GFCS at Regional and National Scales (Canada); and
Capacitating African Smallholders with Climate Advisories and Insurance Development
(CCAFS).
7.2.2 Partner presentation on CSIS
7.2.2.1 Mr Simon Mason from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society
(IRI) presented the perspectives from a partner agency on CSIS. The important gaps at the
national level are sector-specific services, including tailored information; decision support;
locally-specific information; and information to bridge current timescale gaps (decadal, and
extended-range weather forecasts, plus intra-seasonal information). There are increasing
expectations for climate services both domestically as well as regionally and globally, but
there is a minimal increase in capacity to provide climate services. The question then is how
the NMHSs can provide climate services while minimizing additional workloads.
7.2.2.2 One option is the Climate Services Toolkit which is a set of bespoke software
products (including data portals, data management systems, analysis and prediction
packages), and accompanying training modules, that are specifically designed to support the
generation and use of climate information and prediction products that meet user needs.
The purpose is to facilitate the production, communication, and application of climate
information products and avoid the possibility of a proliferation of inconsistent, and possibly
sub-standard, tools by implementing a set of standards, and establishing a certification
process for new tools. The Data management tools include data portal for access to and
55
analysis of observations and GCM outputs; database management tool for quality control
and simple manipulation of data and climate analysis tool for diagnostic analyses.
7.2.2.3 Mr Mason presented examples of data portals which include the Japanese
Meteorological Agency Climatview; the German Weather Agency (DWD) Climate Data
Centre and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre; the IRI Data Library; and the NOAA
Weather and Climate Toolkit.
7.2.2.4 The Climate Monitoring Tools assist in the calculation of anomalies, percentiles, and
return periods. Examples of such tools are the NOAA CPC Climate Monitoring Tool and the
IRI Maprooms. The Forecasting, Downscaling and Verification tools provide statistical and
MOS models, and with flexibility to interface to impacts models. Examples of such tools are
the APCC Clik; the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) SCOPIC; the IRI Climate Predictability
Tool; and the UK Met Office PRECIS. The flexible forecasts include flexible seasonal
precipitation forecasts such as the probability of rainfall exceeding certain threshold values,
chances of drought etc. The CPT provides NMHSs with the capability to produce this type of
information.
7.2.2.5 Advantages of using toolkits described above are that they promote the
implementation of good practices in all countries. A toolkit would enable end-users to gain
access to high-quality climate information, and would provide resource-poor service
providers with access to state-of-the-science datasets and analytical procedures. They
increase the efficiency in climate service provision and simplify the learning curve required to
manage and analyse data, and reduce the need for extensive capacity building. They also
promote standardization of methods of producing and presenting climate information
products within (and, to the extent that is possible, across) regions. Standardization is helpful
to increase the consistency of information in neighbouring areas, thus facilitating the building
of consensus for generating regional products, and reducing the chances of confusing end
users through provision of conflicting information; and to facilitate interaction and shared
learning between information providers through the development of a common set of skills.
7.2.2.6 Mr Mason concluded his presentation by stressing that through the Climate
Services Toolkit, the CSIS can, in principle, address some of the important constraints to
effective climate service development. But solutions require close collaboration amongst all
the GFCS pillars: the Observations and Monitoring pillar to provide the raw data; the
Research, Modelling and Prediction pillar to identify ways of addressing sector specific
climate-related problems; the User Interface Platform pillar to keep the focus on that sector
56
specific problem, rather than on the climate problem per se and the Capacity Development
pillar to enable in-country operationalization.
7.2.3 Discussion
7.2.3.1 The discussion on the presentations on CSIS focused on the possibility of provision
of national services by RCCs, if clearly requested by a Member. It is important to take
institutional mandates into account. Nigeria made a request for the provision of software for
computing return periods.
7.3 User Interface Platform (UIP)
7.3.1 WMO Presentation on UIP
7.3.1.1 Mr Bruce Stewart from WMO made a presentation on “User Interface Platform:
Contributions and Support from WMO”. The User Interface Platform addresses the four
priority user sectors: Agriculture and Food Security, Water, Health and Disaster Risk
Reduction. WMO can provide experts and expertise from Climatology, Agricultural
Meteorology, Hydrology, Oceanography and Marine Meteorology, Atmospheric Research,
Forecasting, Communications and DRR, Observations and Instrumentation and Aeronautical
Meteorology.
7.3.1.2 The key questions in weather and climate applications relate to the weather /
climate events that impact the decision-making of users and how to relate weather / climate
information to meaningful actions / practices for users. The decision makers include
international officials (UN, Red Cross), government officials (ministries), agricultural
extension agents, water resource managers, health officials, disaster management
authorities, farmers, ranchers, foresters, fishermen, dam operators, urban planners, doctors,
media and general public.
7.3.1.3 The user interface activities carried out by WMO include Regional Climate Outlook
Forums; National Climate Outlook Forums; Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration
Project (SWFDP); Roving Seminars for Farmers in West Africa (7,000 farmers); Associated
Programme on Flood Management; Integrated Drought Management Programme; and
various user groups within all WMO Technical Commissions. The World Agrometeorological
Information Service (WAMIS) is a web portal of agrometeorological bulletins from around the
world.
57
GFCS – Delivering Services for Users
58
7.3.1.4 The Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) provides a Help Desk
for integrated flood management which has been conceived as “a facility that will provide
guidance on flood-related issues to countries that want to adopt the IFM concept”. It
provides: quick access to relevant flood management information; guidance and momentum
for reform activities towards IFM in the countries or river basins; and a continuous and
sustainable capacity development mechanism in support of IFM implementation. The Help
Desk serves as a link between flood management practitioners or decision makers and
required experts in various fields; and as a link between various technical and financial
partners. The Help Desk is structured in a user friendly interface, which is divided in two
parts: a) Help Yourself, where materials can be accessed, consulted and downloaded for free;
and b) “Get Help”, where potential users can request assistance in three main fields: rapid
guidance on the available materials, capacity building for IFM (to set up training workshops)
and assistance for developing flood management policy, law and strategy.
7.3.1.5 A High-level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP) was organized by WMO,
the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with a
number of UN agencies, international and regional organizations in Geneva from 11 to 15
March 2013. The High-Level Segment of HMNDP adopted the Meeting Declaration
encouraging all Governments to develop and implement National Drought Policies (see
following pages for full text). It urged WMO, UNCCD, FAO and other related UN partners to
assist the Governments with the task and specifically called on developed countries to assist
the developing countries in this area and encouraged international cooperation to foster
drought policies in developing countries.
7.3.1.6 Following HMNDP, WMO, collaboration with the Global Water Partnership (GWP),
initiated the Integrated Drought Management Program (IDMP). Two important publications
were published by IDMP: Building Drought Resilience to Reduce Poverty; and National
Drought Management Policy Guidelines.
7.3.1.7 All the above activities are carried out in close collaboration with national, regional
and international partners, which is an essential component of the User Interface Platform.
59
7.3.2 Partner presentation on UIP
7.3.2.1 Mr John Harding from UNISDR presented the perspectives from a partner on UIP.
As per the Annex of the GFCS Implementation Plan (IP), the UIP is a structured means for
users, researchers and climate service providers to interact at the global, regional and
national levels. Climate-related decisions are driven by more useful climate information. UIP
includes all providers and users of climate services but initial priority areas are agriculture
and food security, health, disaster risk reduction, and water resources. The Exemplars on
each of these priority areas in the GFCS IP define the specific user needs and decision-
making processes and identify relevant institutions and communities of users.
7.3.2.2 Mr Harding then referred to each Exemplar and the colleagues who worked on their
development. In the Exemplar in Health, description of climate services required for the work
on areas as diverse as infectious diseases, air quality, nutrition, emergency preparedness
and response and water and sanitation was given.
7.3.2.3 Priorities identified in the Agriculture and Food Security exemplar include improved
data collection and use (weather, agrometeorological, climatic, agronomic, pest and disease);
increased farm level productivity to bridge yield gaps and reduce risks; strengthened climate
and agriculture services; and strengthened capacity of farmers and institutions.
7.3.2.4 The Exemplar on Water Resources identified the following priorities: supporting
IWRM and management of extremes (floods and droughts); provision of Tools for water
resources managers to identify areas impacted by climate variability and change; pilot
projects for sustainable water resources management plans; methodologies to account for
climate-related uncertainties in relation to water resource management; and climate services
for freshwater-ocean interface (storm surges/waves & coastal inundation forecasting).
7.3.2.5 In a similar manner, the Disaster Risk Reduction Exemplar was developed by a
dynamic group representing the World Bank, UNDP, IFRC, and WMO. The group mapped
the type of decision making that national and local authorities require climate information to
manage their risk to disasters. Climate information is needed for risk analysis, risk reduction
and financial protection. DRR community will always be looking to align the GFCS and adapt
the frameworks to the decision making processes and address the challenges of countries.
A particular challenge is for Ministries of Planning and Finance to navigate the many policy
options available to address different types of risk (intensive or extensive) and the most
effective measures in any given local context.
60
Disaster Risk Reduction
7.3.2.6 The presentations at this meeting and the Information Matrix on the compendium of
projects reflect commonality of action as follows: using existing DRR platforms and
programmes and district level committees (Tanzania, UNDP); working through NAPs,
Climate Resilient Programmes (WHO, NOAA, UNDP); surveys of stakeholder needs,
mapping out the decision space, user engagement workshops (UK met. serv., Australian Met.
Services, UNDP); and media training programmes, radio programmes (Tanzania, WFP,
NOAA); co-production of forecasts, tailored services, climate –sensitive products,
participatory planning tools, SMSs, production of bulletins (UK Met Serv., Australia Met. Serv.,
NOAA, CCAFs, UNDP, WFP); village climate information centers/resilience (WFP, CCAFs) ;
and stakeholder communication and documentation of lessons learnt , understanding and
responding to national priorities (WFP, Australia Met. Serv).
7.3.2.7 The shared challenges in implementing the UIP include: access to users,
awareness of users, identification of demands, needs and communications channels, climate
information not part of national policies (i.e. disaster risk management policies), working
across sectors, different needs for different levels of development and sustainability. Key
questions for convergence on UIP relate to establishment of predictable service lines for
users under the GFCS; ensuring collective feedback to climate service providers (CSIS);
61
scalability of investment beyond four initial sectors and additional countries and user
constituents; and sharing (and collectively learning) lessons.
7.3.2.8 Mr Harding concluded his presentation by identifying the following opportunities in
moving forward: Build on (and strengthen) existing interface and programming platforms (i.e.
NAPs, DRR platforms, district and local mechanisms); Extend the National Climate Outlook
Forums to user dialogues (and sustain Regional Forums); Public-private partnerships around
climate data and resilience development Standards/guidelines for UIP.
7.3.3 Discussion
7.3.3.1 The discussion after the presentations on UIP focussed on the APFM Help Desk. It
was suggested that a GFCS Help Desk be established using the APFM Help Desk as a
model.
7.4 Research, Modelling and Prediction
7.4.1 Presentation from World Climate Research Prog ramme (WCRP)
7.4.1.1 Mr David Carlson of WMO made a presentation on the Research, Modelling and
Prediction pillar of GFCS. Many ongoing research activities in WCRP have potential
relevance to GFCS, particularly to water and hydrological research, prediction of climate
extremes, skill in regional climate predictions and regional sea level rise. WCRP vigorously
pursues cutting-edge research on these topics.
7.4.1.2 Examples include a substantial focus on global water as a fundamental term in the
global energy budget but also as a vital and much perturbed human resource. Many WCRP
efforts respond directly to IPCC AR5 WG1 outcomes showing weaknesses over large areas
of the planet in end-of-the-century projections of future precipitation (e.g AR5 WG1 figure
SPM-8). The WCRP Grand Challenge on sea level brings international focus to projected
regional variations in sea level rise. The WCRP Climate Extremes Grand Challenge
addresses long-term change in position, frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones and
WCRP Regional Climate efforts focus on model resolution, modelling skill and data sources
in key regions of the planet such as southern Africa.
7.4.1.3 WCRP research includes careful monitoring and accounting of, and occurs in the
context of, continually rising global carbon emissions. Unless substantially reduced, these
62
on-going emissions will defeat a variety of efforts toward sustainability. Future GFCS
activities could develop by building active connections to and partnerships with the WCRP
research efforts.
7.4.2 Presentation from World Weather Research Prog ramme (WWRP)
7.4.2.1 Mr Paolo Ruti of WMO made a presentation on WWRP. The interest for climate risk
information at regional scale is rising due to the social and economic benefits that different
stakeholders can achieve managing climate risks in order to ensure a sustainable
management of socio-economic activities. The development of climate services transferring
knowledge about climate-related risks to stakeholders and society is becoming a key step to
communicate information about the expected impacts of climate change and mainstream
climate change adaptation into local and regional planning.
7.4.2.2 At the forefront of climate services research three main aspects should be
prioritized:
(a) Strengthening the observational capacity: Climate services at local scale should be
based on high-resolution climate information. Climate modeling can provide high-resolution
data (e.g., CORDEX project) and local information can be tailored for different key sectors
(e.g. water, food security, agriculture). However, observations at high-resolution remain
essential to validate model outputs and to ensure high-quality downstream services.
CORDEX – All Domains
63
(b) Seamless prediction and regional information: A new approach should be envisaged
to meet the needs of several sectors, ranging from energy to agriculture, from water-
management to food security. Earth system, and environmental prediction, encompasses the
atmosphere and its chemical composition, the oceans, sea-ice, and other cryosphere
components, the land-surface, including surface hydrology, wetlands, and lakes. It also
includes the short time-scale phenomena that result from the interaction between one or
more components, and longer (e.g. beyond seasonal climatic) time scales, the terrestrial and
ocean ecosystems for instance. The World Weather Research Program and the World
Climate Research Program are strongly collaborating to develop a seamless prediction
approach in order to improve the prediction of all temporal and spatial scales.
(c) Extremes and Resilience: Despite substantial advances in both forecasting capability
and emergency preparedness, recent years have seen a large number of natural disasters
that have cost many lives, displaced large numbers of people, and caused widespread
damage to property and infrastructure. Many of these disasters result from severe weather
interacting with society. A first step into the adaptation roadmap is to be prepared to present
climate hazards. Weather research can provide critical socio-economic thresholds
endangering the stability of a specific system (for instance urban areas) working on present
weather extremes. Two main projects have been launched by WMO to work on short-term
and long-term prediction and preparedness to climate extremes: the sub-seasonal to
seasonal prediction project and the high-impact weather project.
7.4.3 Presentation on Urban Activities
7.4.3.1 Ms Liisa Jalkanen made a presentation on “Urban activities and GFCS”. More than
half of the 7-billion world population lives in urban areas. Cities and urban areas currently use
75% of the world’s energy and are responsible for 75% of greenhouse emissions. Not all
regions of the world have reached this level of urbanization. For example, it is expected that
half of the population of Asia will live in urban areas by 2020, while Africa is likely to reach a
50 per cent urbanization rate only in 2035. Between 2011 and 2050, the world population is
expected to increase by 2.3 billion, passing from 7.0 billion to 9.3 billion. At the same time,
the population living in urban areas is projected to gain 2.6 billion, passing from 3.6 billion in
2011 to 6.2 billion 2050, thus accounting for 68% of total population. The urban areas of the
world are expected to absorb all the population growth expected over the next four decades
while at the same time drawing in some of the rural population.
64
7.4.3.2 Urban Focus within the UN system is on: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
2015 which include making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable; HABITAT III on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, 2016, large and
wide participation with four areas: knowledge, engagement, policy, and operations; UN wide
New Urban Agenda which includes urbanization and sustainable development; ensuring
policy coherence; and showcasing UN system work on urban issues.
7.4.3.3 Urban futures in focus include: urban pollutants emission, transformation and
transport; drastic land-use change due to urbanisation; anthropogenic heat fluxes and urban
heat islands; nonhomogeneous local scales, sharp changes of roughness and heat fluxes;
wind velocity change effect due to buildings; redistribution of eddies due to buildings, large
=> small; trapping of radiation in street canyons; effect of urban soil structure, diffusive heat
and water vapour; internal urban boundary layers (IBL), urban Mixing Height; effects of
pollutants (aerosols) on urban meteorology and climate; and urban effects on clouds,
precipitation and thunderstorms.
7.4.3.4 Between half and two thirds of the cities with 1 million inhabitants or more are
located in areas that face high risk of exposure to at least one natural disaster. Flooding is
the greatest hazard, potentially affecting over 600 million people in 233 largest cities.
Drought affects areas where 132 largest cities are located and nearly 300 million people live.
Cyclone risk affects 68 largest cities where over 200 million people reside. There have been
several events of heat waves and cold waves since 2000, causing tens of thousands of
deaths. Outdoor air pollution causes about 3.85 million deaths annually worldwide, of these
3.7 million are due to PM.
7.4.3.5 The focus is on Megacities which present a opportunity to to control air pollution and
reduce climate change. There is a need for meteorological services for public health in urban
areas with a focus on observations and forecast models.
7.4.4 Discussion
7.4.4.1 The discussion after the presentations on the Research, Modelling and Prediction
focused on engaging social scientists and translating science into services for decision
makers. It is important to engage users right from the beginning of a project/programme. It
was suggested that the UNEP PROVIA project could help bring together meteorological and
social aspects. GFCS could build on EU programme experiences regarding user and policy
level engagement. Tanzania made a request for the provision of programs on onset of
65
Urban agglomerations at risk of multiple natural ha zards (2025)
rainfall predictions and intra-seasonal variability. It is important to focus on the ways to make
the connection between science, services, donors and users.
7.5 Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
7.5.1 Ms Barbara Ryan, Director of the GEO Secretariat made a presentation on the GEO
project. GEO aims at developing a global, coordinated, comprehensive and sustained
System of Observing Systems, bringing together 94 Member States and 77 participating
organizations.
7.5.2 The objectives of GEO that are linked to GFCS include: improve and coordinate
observation systems (addressing Observations & Monitoring Pillar); advance broad open
data policies/practices (linkages with all Pillars); foster Increased use of EO data and
information (User Interface Platform and Climate Services Information System Pillars); and
build capacity (Capacity Development Pillar).
7.5.3 Seven of the 16 selected countries for this Meeting are GEO members. GEO is
implementing activities in 5 of the other 9 countries and projects are funded by GEO
Members and Participating Organizations. GEO Work Plan and Global and Regional
Initiatives have linkages to the GFCS Exemplars on Agriculture and Food Security, Disaster
66
Risk Reduction, Health and Water. GEOGLAM is part of G20 Action Plan on Food Price
Volatility and provides a new crop outlook based on NDVI crop anomaly. GEO Flood
Caribbean Disaster Pilot (CSDP) merges optical (RapidEye) and radar satellite data
(RADARSAT-2) to facilitate rapid mapping for emergency management. A number of tools
have been developed for decision making in the health sector including Mobile phone App for
cholera-patient tracking; sand and dust forecasts; Meningitis predictive model etc.,
Actionable Water Information is being provided through new SMOS products and soil
moisture datasets (1978-2010), and satellite data validation. Global and local urban
footprints are being provided for Over 3,700 cities which are mapped using
ASTER (15m).
Developing a Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and Sustained
System of Observing Systems
7.5.6 Access to data is provided through GEOSS Portal with 80 million resources.
7.6 Capacity Development (CD)
The second part of the session was chaired by Ms Lisa Goddard of International Research
Institute on Climate and Society, with Ms Cecilia Tamara Avellan, WMO as the rapporteur.
67
7.6.1 Presentation from WMO on CD
7.6.1.1 Mr Rob Masters of WMO made a presentation on the Capacity Development pillar
of GFCS. Capacity development is about strengthening the ability of the scientific and user
community in many sectors to speak based on standards, common terminology, calibrated,
global, long-term observations; complex and multi-dimensional relationships; grounded
consensus science; information from all involved to interpret and apply; tools for decision
making; and coordinated application, implementation and delivery. Capacity development
encompasses all the other pillars of GFCS.
7.6.1.2 Many of the NMHSs already provide climate services based on the historical
archives of observational data collected for weather services and several of them also
provide operational climate prediction products, up to seasonal time scales. They are
mandated by the WMO Convention to observe and promote understanding of weather and
climate and related services in support of relevant national needs and are structured and
trained to provide 24/7 services. NMHSs established standard practices across the globe for
weather services that can be easily extended for delivering climate services. They can deal
with weather and climate information in a seamless manner as some of them have a large
pool of technical experts dealing with weather and climate.
7.6.1.3 NMHSs own and operate most of the infrastructure that is needed for providing the
weather, climate, water and related environmental services, including observing systems,
data management, prediction, communications and data exchange, etc. But NMHSs need to
be strengthened for GFCS to succeed. Many countries lack the infrastructural, technical,
human and institutional capacities to provide high quality climate services.
7.6.1.4 Mr Masters then described the essential climate related capabilities NMHSs in the
areas of observations, research, climate information and operations, user interface and
capacity development.
7.6.1.5 The capacity building areas of GFCS, as articulated by the High Level Task Force
of GFCS include human resource capacity (equipping individuals with the understanding,
skills, information, knowledge and training to enable them to generate, communicate and use
decision-relevant climate information); infrastructural capacity (enabling access to the
resources that are needed to generate, archive and use climate data and decision-relevant
information, including observing networks, data management systems, computer hardware
and software, internet, manuals and scientific literature); procedural capacity (defining,
68
implementing and advancing best practices for generating and using climate information) and
institutional capacity (elaborating management structures, processes and procedures that
enable effective climate services, not only within organizations but also in managing
relationships between the different organizations and sectors (public, private and community,
including international collaboration). By resolution 49, the Sixteenth Session of the WMO
Congress requested the Executive Council to establish a capacity development strategy to
ensure, in a holistic approach, that all actors in Met/Hydro/Climate work towards the same
overall objective : Facilitating sustainable development of NMHSs.
7.6.1.6 The eight steps in the capacity development (CD) of NMHSs include: defining
requirements; establishing baseline; analyzing gaps; elaborating a strategic plan; ensuring
national commitment and support; mobilizing resources; implementing a capacity
development response; and monitoring and evaluation. Areas of ongoing focus in WMO are
as follows: build holistic view of WMO programme activities to implement CD strategic
objectives; continue focus on service, risk mitigation and social/economic benefit to build
national and partner support; continue and expand direct country assistance (advocacy,
assessments, project formulation, strategic planning); continue and expand education and
fellowships opportunities especially in priority areas; and continue assistance in establishing
appropriate national legal and policy frameworks.
7.6.1.7 The new areas of focus include: clarification of technical standards, guidelines,
practices; cultivating “culture of compliance”; focussing assistance on compliance (especially
in priority areas for LDCs/SIDS); establishing mechanisms for gathering and monitoring
NMHS development (Country Profile Database, Categories of Service, Survey, Success);
establishing consolidated baseline information; consolidating list of gaps at national, regional,
and global levels; using new information in seeking national and partner support as well as in
the development of new priorities/goals for 2016-2019; clarifying roles of WMO bodies and
regional centers in CD; building strong project oversight; and strengthening regional offices:
more staff in regions, regional economic groupings, and regional organizations partnerships.
Financing for CD activities of NMHSs comes from the regular budget of WMO, voluntary
contributions, WMO Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP) and UN and other
partnerships.
7.6.1.8 Sustainability of climate services is a key issue which depends on successful pilot
project outcomes, built on international standards/consensus/guidance/tools/political support.
It needs to be adapted to national needs and capability to support and can be supported
through global and regional structures and bilateral assistance. Sustainability requires long-
69
term funding and national government commitment is the key. A common message is that
strong coordination is required across the different pillars of GFCS and that a clear
explanation of benefits and current scientific limitations be presented. Government funding
could be based on expected level of service to be received.
7.6.2 Partner Presentation on CD
7.6.2.1 Mr Vladimir Tsirkunov of World Bank made a presentation on “Strengthening
weather and climate service delivery in the developing countries – first lessons”. According
to a GFDRR/WB study (2013) on the First lessons of Hydromet Modernization Projects,
modernization of NMHSs should be a focus of donor support and in developing countries it is
a high value investment, providing a positive return to the national economy, while increasing
resiliency, improving public safety and security and facilitating economic development. The
financing and scope of modernization must be sufficient to be transformative. Clear legal
and regulatory frameworks for providing weather, climate, and water services – which
articulate the roles and responsibilities of the NMHSs – increase effectiveness. Large-scale
modernization national programs should typically include three components: institutional
strengthening, capacity building, and implementation support; modernization of observation
infrastructure and forecasting; and enhancement of the service delivery system.
Modernization of NMHSs should be considered within the wider regional and global context
(e.g. SWFDP, FFG…).
7.6.2.2 Total investments under preparation or implementation are over USD 400 millions
but most investments are in the middle-income countries. Hydromet modernization
investments in developing and least developed countries are under active preparation and
initial implementation but experience in those countries is still limited.
7.6.2.3 Mr Tsirkunov presented details of the Ayeyarwady Integrated River Basin
Management Project in Myanmar which covers three main areas: Institutional Strengthening,
Capacity Building and Implementation Support of the Department of Meteorology and
Hydrology (DHM); Modernization of the Observation Infrastructure, Data Management
Systems and Forecasting; and Enhancement of the DHM Service Delivery System.
7.6.2.4 Preliminary results of Hydromet Modernization Programs show that so far there is
no major success in hydromet modernization in a least developed country and there is a
need to have technical and operational guidance on how to build, modernize and operate
NMHSs in developing countries. Building infrastructure is less challenging than building
70
institutions, strengthening capacity and sustaining them. Systematic and integrated
(NMHSs-wide) “end-to-end” approach is preferable to “low- hanging” fruits. Modernization of
separate elements of NMHSs system may bring immediate improvements but often creates
bottlenecks and inefficiencies. There is no universal or quick solution to improve NMHSs
services and there is a need for a project flexible design and long-term engagement (10-15
years+). More targeted support is needed to arrest degradation of Hydrological agencies and
services and stronger partnership and better coordination between WMO GFCS and donors
is highly desirable.
7.6.2.5 The main issues of Hydromet modernization projects are that: Project preparation
should include socio-economic assessment, “advocacy”, reaching decision makers, and
creation of user demand; Affordability assessment should be part of project design; Need
business/operating models, Results framework and performance indicators; and Risk rating.
7.6.2.6 In terms of priority needs, it is important to analyze and present lessons learnt to
minimize probability of failures; establish coordination mechanism among
donors/stakeholders through regular information exchange/sites and reach complementarity
of support program based on agencies’ technical competencies and advantages; and try to
develop joint approach/tool kit for hydromet modernization and need to have a success
stories through development of a good case of interoperable and affordable system in a
developing country integrated in WIGOS, etc.
7.6.3 Discussion
7.6.3.1 The discussion on the presentations on Capacity Development focused on the
recipe for success. It was suggested that Private Public Partnerships is a good option eg., in
El Salvador a Hydroelectric Dam Operator teamed with the government and paid for the
services to operate the dams. A suggestion was made to consider potential investments
from the private sector. It was felt that working with governments is the key strategy as often
priorities lay in the agmet/food security camp. Investments over a period of 10 to 15 years
are key.
7.6.3.2 It is also important to cultivate a culture of compliance. Although technical
standards are there, often there is no way of knowing if they are being complied with. The
problem here relates to the language/jargon used in standards and guidance documents
which the members outside the meteorological community find it hard to understand.
71
7.6.3.3 Ministers of Finance do not always have an understanding of the importance of
NMHSs or GFCS. Hence it is suggested that 15 min presentation be made to the Ministers
when they come to the World Bank for the annual meeting.
7.6.3.4 It was suggested that different stakeholders should work together in an integrated
manner. The issue with projects is that only a part of the problem gets addressed and not
the underlying issue. It is important to raise the issue of long term investment with donors.
It may useful to recall the concept of the donor conference to increase integration.
7.6.3.5 Accountability and leadership is the key since even long-term projects will not be
successful if there is no accountability. Leadership of the NMHS can make a big difference
to the performance of the service.
7.6.3.6 The strategic plan of the NMHS, collaboratively developed, supported and
implemented, is an important means by which an NMHS can show its leadership in building
national climate services. For NMHSs to be relevant, they need to service the needs of
users in a sustainable manner. The strategic planning process affords the NMHSs a
mechanism to capture the requirements of national users and link them to necessary
investments. Once vetted through government finance and planning authorities, a national
commitment to the plan will provide a platform for sustained services. It also serves to bring
visibility to the role of the NMHS in development partnerships. Development partners and
the international community, by collaborating in the achieving the plan’s objectives, can
better place their efforts into a long-term national climate framework.
7.7 Implementation support from Regional Climate Ce ntres 7.7.1 Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrol ogy (CIMH) 7.7.1.1 Mr Adrian Trotman from CIMH made a presentation on “GFCS Caribbean:
Implementation Support from CIMH”. CIMH is the WMO Regional Training Centre and
operates as a centre of research in meteorology, hydrology and associated sciences. It
serves as the Regional Climate Data Centre; Regional Instrument Centre; Regional Centre of
Excellence for Satellite Meteorology and as the WMO Regional Climate Centre
(Demonstration Phase). CIMH provides advise to regional governments on matters related
to meteorology, climate and hydrology and also provides specialized services to industry.
7.7.1.2 CIMH serves 16 Member States in the Caribbean and implements the
Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) strategy with five main priorities: hazard
72
mapping and vulnerability assessment, flood management, community disaster planning,
early warning systems, climate change, and knowledge enhancement. In 2012, the
CARICOM Heads of Government approved the Implementation Plan for the 'Regional
Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change' for the period 2011-
2021 which has three areas of consistency with GFCS: guide the identification and
prioritization of actions by regional and national stakeholders under each strategic element
and goal area of the Regional Framework through the use of risk management approaches
to decision making; consider responsibilities and functional co-operation between regional
organizations and national governments; and recognize that there are existing significant
resource and capacity challenges that hold back the region's sustainable development and
growth and processes known as the 'three-ones' to assist in resource mobilization and co-
ordination of actions.
7.7.1.3 The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), re-established in June 2010, has
been providing seasonal forecasts for the Caribbean. CIMH is willing to provide technical
support for the National Climate Outlook Forums and national stakeholder meetings were
held in Belize and Dominica. Forums have already been organized with the farming
community and agricultural extension agencies to promote a better understanding of the
applications of weather and climate information. A web page with links to climate data and
information and a climate web-based (interactive) portal have been established. Currently
maps of precipitation and temperature outlooks for the Caribbean region are made available
and in future information on flood risk outlooks, sub-seasonal information and forecasts and
heat waves will be provided. A Caribbean Drought Bulletin with information on drought
monitoring and impacts and drought alerts based on Standardized Precipitation Index is
being issued. For the agriculture sector, a Regional Agroclimatic Bulletin is being issued
under the Caribbean Agrometeorological Initiative (CAMI) project.
7.7.1.4 In the area of capacity building, training courses are being organized on seasonal
forecasts; drought monitoring and planning; and climate.
73
Training Courses at CIMH
7.7.1.5 For the Observations and Monitoring pillar of GFCS, CIMH is the data archiving and
management centre for meteorological data for CMO Member. Recently a customised data
management system was built with financial support from the Caribbean Development Bank
(CDB) and a light version will be developed for the NMHSs to synchronise with the Central
Database supported by USAID for enhancing data sharing. It will be expanded as a regional
environmental database in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change
Centre (CCCCC). National observation networks are being expanded through a number of
projects managed by multiple national and regional organisations in the region and financially
supported by a range of development agencies. This expanding network includes water level
measurements and soil moisture to assist in drought monitoring and forecasting and will be
expanded to remote sensing activities. A Regional Climate Impacts Database is being
developed that would include physical and socio-economic impacts to assist in research and
planning with links to existing DEWETRA Multi-hazard Platform for real time information for
decision-making and also for some interfacing.
74
7.7.1.6 In the area of Research, Modelling and Prediction, emphasis is placed on climate
drivers, trends, predictions, and projections. The Regional Climate Impacts Database will
also drive research based on research priorities that are identified.
7.7.1.7 A key consideration for advancing implementation of the GFCS in the Caribbean is
the limited capacity of most NMHSs in the region and observing networks that need to be
strengthened by increasing the spatial density and coverage of networks as well as the
continuity and reliability of measurements. It is also important to address the issues of
limited appreciation of the value of the benefits that can be accrued from the effective
application of climate services and the limited ability to effectively and efficiently
communicate and interact with stakeholders and users of climate data.
7.7.1.8 In moving forward, the priorities include: organization of National Consultations to
bring stakeholders together with a view to identify the specific needs of both the users and
providers and chart the road map for specific implementation which will define needs,
priorities and roles of the various stakeholders to be involved; conducting socio-economic
cost-benefit studies to provide concrete examples of benefits derived from effective
application of climate services and the implications or cost of not taking action; and Capacity
development.
7.7.2 African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD)
7.7.2.1 Mr Alhassane Diallo, Director General of ACMAD made a presentation on “African
Regional Climate Centre Demonstration phase products”. The Fifteenth Session of the
Regional Association I (Africa) of WMO held in Morocco in 2010 approved the establishment
of a pilot project on African RCC at ACMAD. The GFCS implementation activities at ACMAD
include: formulation of projects for regional implementation of GFCS in Africa with
Environment Canada and other development partners; demonstration of capabilities to
become a WMO RCC; and participation in National Consultations for the establishment of
National Frameworks for Climate Services ( Niger, Senegal, and Malawi).
7.7.2.2 As an African RCC, ACMAD generates and issues climate monitoring products
including precipitation and temperature anomalies over Africa and provides long-range
forecasting products through collection of ensembles and multi-model ensemble products
from Global Producing Centres (GPCs) for Long Range Forecasting. ACMAD follows a nine
step procedure for seasonal forecasting including generation and analysis of statistical
forecasts with Climate Predictability Tools (CPT), identification of analog years based on the
75
behaviour of sea surface temperature (SST), analysis of each GPC’s long range forecast
products and the analysis of WMO Lead Center for Long Range Forecasts multimodel
ensemble products.
Precipitation (%of average, left) and temperature a nomalies (right) over Africa in 2013
7.7.2.3 ACMAD organizes the Regional Climate Outlook Forums in different regions of
Africa and disseminates the consensus outlooks. For example, the South West Indian
Ocean Climate Outlook Forum (SWIOCOF) was organized from 28 October to 1 November
2013 in Madagascar.
7.7.2.4 Another contribution is the production of data and indices for drought monitoring
which are related to the agriculture and water sectors of the GFCS but are not mandatory
RCC products. Agriculture calendars are produced in different countries which can be
adjusted every year depending on expected seasonal climate.
7.7.2.5 RCCs products need further interpretation to provide advice to policy/decision
makers and practitioners. The Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA)
programme (EU/EDF funded) has started translation of RCC products into action options for
stakeholders. The data service products include climate change indices (ACMAD/KNMI
Collaboration). Climate datasets are available on request.
7.7.2.6 ACMAD organizes training on data services, climate monitoring, long range
forecasts and climate projections. Training materials include procedures and guides for data
rescue and management, and data services to applications eg., the Climate Predictability
76
Tool. Reports and other materials are produced on data rescue and management, climate
monitoring, long range forecasting, and climate scenarios and impacts.
7.7.2.7 In future, more climate change indices and assessments products will require
stronger collaboration with NMHSs for access to data and use of products generated by the
African RCC for resilience and adaptation planning and practices in countries. Partnerships
with RCCs in Europe, Asia and America should be strengthened to share data, products,
software and hardware, best practices, procedures and standards (eg; through MEDCOFs).
Sustainability of the RCC will require a minimum of about 10 experts for optimal operation
of RCC and Regional GFCS framework with US$ 500 000 as cost estimate per annum.
Scientific and technical partners(UK Met office, Meteo France, DWD, AEMet-Spain, ECMWF,
IRI at Columbia University, NOAA/NCEP/CPC and WMO) for climate service development
will continue to be mobilized and support from the African development Bank, the World
Bank, EU through EDF, other bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes will be
required to complement countries contribution for effective and efficient operations of the
RCC. Support from WMO will continue to be useful to organize regional and more national
forums or consultations for generation of climate products and establishment of GFCS in
Africa.
7.7.3 Beijing Climate Center (BCC) 7.7.3.1 Mr Xiaolong Jia of BCC made a presentation on “Implementation of GFCS in BCC”.
The China Framework of Climate Service (CFCS), issues climate monitoring and prediction
products based on climate database and climate system models. CFCS focusses on climate
security and disaster risk reduction since climate is really related to food security, water
security, energy security and ecological security, and so on. There is a need to assess
climate impacts, climate capacity, analyze climate resource and provide climate proofing to
support sustainable development of social-economy in China. As China suffers from
different kinds of meteorological disasters, it faces the big challenge of disaster risk reduction.
Hence there is a need to do disaster survey, to assess vulnerability, to issue risk warning and
even support risk transfer. Through the user interface plan and partnership, BCC provides all
of those climate services to decision makers, public community and economic sectors.
7.7.3.2 CMA Integrated Observing Systems (CIOS) is the basis for the provision of
accurate, reliable and timely weather, climate, water and related environmental observations
and products in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. The China Climate Reference
Observation Network is being redesigned to include about 241 Reference Climate
77
Observation sites in the future. To achieve high-precision, automatic weather observations
for temperature, precipitation, radiation are being installed.
7.7.3.3 The area of CSIS includes Climate Test Bed (algorithm and tool library, operational
product inspection, statistical analysis); Climate Data Base (data and products pools, data
access interface, distributing service), Coral Operational Platform (climate monitoring, climate
prediction, impact assessment and interactive products) and Support Service Platform
(maintenance and monitoring). CFCS established an interactive communication mechanism
to facilitate information exchange and communications between users and providers to meet
the requirements. CMA also has coherent action with other Governmental Agencies eg., air
quality status and prediction is co-issued with the Ministry of Environment Protection and the
drought warnings are co-issued with the Ministry of agriculture.
7.7.3.4 Capacity building is a major component of CFCS and to enhance existing capabilities
to provide climate services more effectively a mechanism and workflow has been established
in the areas such as improving the data sharing and collaborative products releasing,
deepening the cooperation and exchange between different sectors, strengthening
cooperative R&D activities and joint training, and optimizing the operational service system
and distribution.
7.7.3.5 CFCS has six priorities: Agriculture and food security; Disaster risk reduction; Water
resources; Energy; Urbanization; and Health. In each of these priorities, there are pilot
projects that are being implemented in different regions of China.
7.7.3.6 Mr Jia then described case studies of climate services in China in the areas of
Disaster Risk Reduction; Water Resources; Agriculture; Energy; and Health. Future
development of CFCS will address: enhancement of the five Pillars of GFCS; improving
climate prediction accuracy; establishing CSIS; extending climate service field; and
developing user partnerships.
7.7.3.7 The vision of CFCS is to provide timely, accurate and tailored climate services for
the safety and well-being of the people; deliver much more accurate predictions based on
seamless forecasting system; develop user partnerships and help users better understand
our services as well as get benefits; and extend climate service area to help society plan for
and adapt to climate variability and climate change, and keep climate security.
78
Climate Service for Three Georges Reservoir in Chin a
7.7.4 Discussion
7.7.4.1 In the discussion on the presentations on Implementation Support from RCCs, a
question was raised as to what is the most significant contribution from the CIMH. It was
clarified that capacity development and training is one of the key components of CIMH, but
issues related to water have become a lot more visible in the past as floods are one the most
recurrent disasters in the region; support is given to members in data management and
instrument density.
7.7.4.2 After the presentation on ACMAD, the importance of interregional platforms, e.g.
MEDCOF was pointed out and it was clarified that further interactions with other regions is
being sought. ACMAD needs strong interaction with other regions to further develop their
capacities, not just technical support but strong partnerships.
7.7.4.3 Problems strongly stem from underfunding of institutions thus limiting the suite of
products that one wants to furnish due to lack of personnel and capacity of personnel. It was
79
clarified that cooperation between different centers could accelerate the knowledge sharing
to support the more needy institutions to produce basic climate services.
7.7.4.4 It was suggested that the inter-regional cooperation with relation to tropical weather
should be extended to dust. Food importing countries need to have critical climate
nformation that will impact on international food market prices.
7.7.4.5 With regard to the question on the priority areas for each RCC for strengthened
partnerships between RCCs and to GPCs, it was clarified that verification and building
capacity in RCC to do this, and then to build that capacity in the NMHSs in the region is a
priority. Another priority is on data and data exchange. Also it is important to clarify the roles
and responsibilities at each level ie., global, regional and national levels.
8. Session 5: Summary of GFCS Relevant Activities in Different Regions
The session was chaired by Mr Roger Stone from the University of Southern Queensland,
with Mr Brad Garanganga of SADC Climate Services Center (CSC) as the rapporteur.
8.1. Africa
8.1.1 Mr Issifi Alfari of AGRHYMET made the presentation on the “Summary of GFCS
Relevant Activities in the Selected Countries of Africa”. He presented the main challenges
which include: Increased of rainfall variability (succession of dry and wet years); severe
drought; diminishing water resources; increased losses and damage due to floods etc.,
Lake Chad, Diminishing Water Resources
1963, 25 000 km² 2010: 1,350 km²
80
8.1.2 The selected countries in Africa included Burkina Faso, Niger, Tanzania, Malawi, and
Egypt. General statistics (2013) on population, GDP, GDP growth and inflation for these
countries were presented. Overall there are 30 GFCS projects being implemented in these
five countries, at the national and regional level. In addition, there are 14 GFCS Projects at
the global level with relevance to Africa. Details of these projects are given below.
8.1.3 There are four GFCS projects currently implemented in Burkina Faso: Mainstreaming
Disaster Reduction in Burkina Faso (World Bank); Climate Service Learning Lab - Yatenga
site (CCAFS); Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) (IRI); and Strengthening
climate information and early warning systems (EWS) for climate resilient development and
adaptation to climate change’& ‘Strengthening Adaptation Capacities and Reducing the
Vulnerability to Climate Change in Burkina Faso (UNDP).
8.1.4 GFCS Projects in Niger being carried out by Partners include: Integrated Information
System for Flood Risk Reduction in Niger (UNITAR); Climate Service Learning Lab - Yatenga
site (CCAFS); Scaling up Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) in Niger& Implementing
NAPA priority interventions to build resilience and adaptive capacity of the agriculture sector
to climate change in Niger (UNDP); and Climate Information Development and Forecasting
Project (World Bank).
8.1.5 In Tanzania, the GFCS projects currently implemented include: Climate Service
Learning Lab - Lushoto site (CCAFS); Roll Back Malaria/DFID involves climate aspects.
National strategy for climate/health planned (WHO); Tanzania Data Rescue and Climatology
(UK Metoffice); and Strengthening climate information and early warning systems (EWS) for
climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change (UNDP).
8.1.6 In Malawi, there are three GFCS projects: Agriculture Development Programme
Support Project (World Bank); Building climate change resilience in the fisheries sector in
Malawi (FAO); and Strengthening climate information and early warning systems (EWS) for
climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change & Implementing urgent
adaptation priorities through strengthened decentralized and national development plans
(UNDP).
8.1.7 GFCS Projects in Egypt being carried out by Partners include: Building resilient food
security systems to benefit the southern Egypt region (Adaptation Fund project) (WFP);
Monitoring of Climate Change Risk Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Groundwater and
81
Agriculture in the Nile Delta (FAO); Adaptation to Climate Change in the Nile Delta through
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (UNDP).
8.1.8 There are 12 GFCS Projects at Regional Level being carried out by Partners. These
are as follows: Capacitating African Smallholders with Climate Advisories and Insurance
Development (CASCAID) (CCAFS); Enhancing coordinated institutional frameworks for the
provision, communication and utilization of climate information services to support risk
management by smallholder farmers in West Africa (CCAFS); West African Science Service
Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) (Germany); GFCS Adaptation
Programme in Africa - Building Resilience in Disaster Risk Management, Food Security,
Nutrition and Health (WMO); The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN
CC:Learn) – National Projects (UNITAR); Scaling up climate services for farmers in Africa
and South Asia (CCAFS and University of Reading); Improving Agricultural Productivity and
Food Security Through Enhanced Provision and Delivery of Climate Services for Smallholder
Farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (CCAFS); Weather Climate Science to
Service Partnership (UK Met Office); GFCS – Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in
Africa, geographical region: Southern, Ease and West Africa (WMO); Future Climate for
Africa (DFID); GFCS: Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa Metagri OPS
(WMO); and Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa MESA (EU).
8.1.9 There are 14 GFCS Projects at Global Level with relevance to Africa which include
the following:
a) Climate Services Partnership (USAID)
b) Provide support to Climate Outlook Forums, Training NMS’s in climate forecasting,
Snowmelt flood potential forecasting in the Black Sea, Establish Zambezi Flood
Forecast and Early Warning System Strategy, RAdio-Internet (RANET)
communications and Building Regional Flash Flood Forecasting Systems (Disaster
Risk Reduction) as part of Global Flash Flood Program (OFDA (USAID) and
NOAA)
c) SERVIR (USAID and NASA)
d) The International Research and Applications Project (IRAP):Integrating Climate
Information and Decision Processes for Regional Climate Resilience (NOAA and
USAID)
e) Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET) (USAID)
f) Building Resilience and Adapting to Climate Extremes and Disasters (DFID)
g) Science for Humanitarian Emergencies and Resilience (DFID)
82
h) The Global Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and
Adaptation (PROVIA: UNEP and WMO)
i) Laying the foundation for establishing sustainable networks linking farmers across
Africa and South Asia for demand-driven climate services (USAID)
j) Associated Programme on Flood Management (GWP and WMO)
k) Integrated Drought Management Programme (GWP and WMO)
l) C3D+ - Capacity Development for Adaptation to Climate Change & GHG Mitigation in
Non-Annex I Countries (UNITAR)
m) CATCOS Phase 2, CLIMANDES (MeteoSwiss)
n) e-Learning Platform on Weather and Climate Services: A Value Chain Approach to
Project Design (World Bank)
8.1.10 Discussion
8.1.10.1 In the discussion on this presentation, it was mentioned that there were selection
criteria for project funding within GFCS. These criteria also took into account the fact that 34
LDCs are in Africa which are more vulnerable to adverse weather and climate. There is need
for Subregional Centres to make these projects better streamlined, with overall coordination
by GFCS. It was noted that IBCS has endorsed and consolidated the selection criteria. WMO
Regional Association for Africa decided on RCC in Central Africa but the Regional Economic
Community there has no institution that could be upgraded to RCC. There are expectations
for the CEMAC to give direction of RCC hosting, by the time AMCOMET-3 is held. There is
need for raising of awareness among the beneficiaries of GFCS projects and the monitoring
and evaluation (M&E) is important.
8.1.10.2 It was noted that support for LDCs through, for instance, UNFCCC support for
NAPAs/NAPs which would help in the planning process. NAPs are usually prepared by high
level officials. However, it would be critical to also involve the NMHSs in the elaboration of
the NAPs in order to fully take into account the importance of climate services. The meeting
noted the importance of NAPs and the need for sharing the action plans with
UNFCCC/UNDP/etc.
8.2 Asia 8.2.1 Mr Susil Perera from IFRC made a presentation on “Summary of GFCS Relevant Activities in the Selected Countries of Asia”.
83
8.2.2 The selected countries in Asia included Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz
Republic. General statistics (2013) on population, GDP, GDP growth and inflation for these
countries were presented. Overall there are 28 GFCS projects being implemented in these
five countries, at the national and regional level. In addition, there are 14 GFCS Projects at
the global level with relevance to Africa. Details of these projects are given below.
8.2.3 GFCS Projects in Nepal being carried out by Partners include: Building Resilience to
Climate Related Hazards (World Bank); Reducing vulnerability and increasing adaptive
capacity to respond to impacts of climate change and variability for sustainable livelihoods in
agriculture sector in Nepal (FAO); Finnish-Nepalese Project for Improved capability of the
Government of Nepal to respond to the increased risks related to the weather-related natural
disasters caused by climate change, Phase 2; Climate Service Learning Lab - Rupandehi
site (CCAFS); Scaling up Climate Services for Farmers in Nepal (CCAFS); Building
adaptation to climate change in health in least developed countries through resilient water,
sanitation and hygiene (WHO); Global flood EWS for early rapid mapping activations: case
study Nepal (UNITAR\UNOSAT); and Community Based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst
Risk Reduction (UNDP).
8.2.4 In Bhutan there are three GFCS projects being implemented by partners, which
include: Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological Services for Bhutan (Finland); Climate Change
Adaptation to Protect Human Health (WHO); and Addressing the Risk of Climate-Induced
Disasters through Enhanced National and Local Capacity in Bhutan (UNDP).
8.2.5 In Yemen there are four GFCS projects being carried out by partners. These are as
follows: Yemen Agro-biodiversity and Climate Adaptation (World Bank); Programme for
Implementing the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) at Regional and National
Scales (WMO); Yemen Climate Information System and PPCR Coordination; and Integrated
Water Harvesting Technologies to Adapt to Climate Change Induced Water Shortage
(UNDP).
8.2.6 GFCS projects in Tajikistan being carried out by Partners include: Finnish-Tajikistan
Meteorology Project (Finland); Protecting health from climate change (WHO); Climate Risk
Management in Tajikistan (part of Central Asian Climate Risk Management Programme)
(UNDP); and Disaster Risk Management Programme Phase 3 (UNDP).
8.2.7 In Kyrgyz Republic, there are seven GFCS projects being implemented by Partners,
which include: Agricultural Productivity and Assistance Project (World Bank); Finnish-Kyrgyz
84
Meteorology Project (Finland); Kyrgyz Republic national strategy climate change and health
(WHO); CATCOS Phase 2: Regional GFCS Observation Workshop, Central Asia
(MeteoSwiss); CATCOS Phase 2: Greenhouse gases and glacier measurements
(MeteoSwiss); Climate Risk Management in Kyrgyzstan’s Pasturelands (part of Central Asian
Climate Risk Management Programme) (UNDP); and Effective Disaster Risk Management
for Sustainable Development and Human Security (DRMP 3) (UNDP).
8.2.8 There are 2 GFCS Projects at Regional Level being carried out by Partners. These
are as follows: Programme for Implementing the Global Framework for Climate Services
(GFCS) at Regional and National Scales: South Asia and Indian Ocean (WMO); and Central
Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project, with focus on Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and
others in Central Asia via grant to International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (World Bank).
8.2.9 There are 14 GFCS Projects at Global Level with relevance to Asia, which are listed
under 8.1.8.
8.2.10 Mr Perera then presented some answers to the question on how science can help
community risk assessments make climate smart. Communities need reasonably reliable 12
month forecast on high risk areas and reliable short term forecasts with good analysis and
reasonable lead time to trigger actions to save lives – no regret actions( forecast based
financing).
8.2.11 There is also a need to help communities take informed decisions to plan their
adaptation activities and help local technicians build climate resilient structures. Education
programmes are also needed for farmers.
Helping Communitie s in Decision Making
85
8.2.12 Capacity building of climate scientists also needed since the formats of available
climate information are challenging and there is a lot of information. Many still don’t know
where to find this information.
8.2.13 Discussion
8.2.13.1 During the discussion on this presentation, it was pointed out that there is a need to
ensure sustainability of the projects. Partner organizations such as RCC/GPCs could play a
big role here. In addition there was also need to create trust in users. More effective
coordination needs to be assured. The meeting was informed that there were already
initiatives in the region within the GFCS nexus and the BCC, Russian RCOF, and India are
coordinating other aspects. There is a need to find ways of strengthening national level
engagements which would require more consultations.
8.3 North America, Central America and the Caribbea n 8.3.1 Mr Adrian Trotman of the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH)
made a presentation on “Summary of GFCS Relevant Activities in the Selected Countries of
the Caribbean”. The selected countries in the Caribbean are Belize and Dominica. These
are developing countries with small land areas and significant amounts of their economic
wealth and infrastructure is in coastal regions. These small climate sensitive interlocking
economies (e.g., agricultural and tourism based) often lack significant diversity at the national
level thereby making them particularly vulnerable to economic shocks. The expanding
populations that are dominated by youth are at risk to natural disasters.
8.3.2 Belize has a total area of 22,966 km² with a population of 331,900 (2013 World Bank)
which is agriculture based. It has a GDP of $1.605 billion. Commonwealth of Dominica has
a total area of 751 km2 with a population of 72,000 which is agriculture-based. It has a GDP
of $ 504.8 million.
8.3.3 The National GFCS Stakeholder Consultation held in Belize put emphasis on
Agriculture and Food Security followed by other sectors - DRR, Health, Electricity and Power
Generation, Tourism, Water Resources Management and Supply, Coastal Zone
Management and Forestry. Five priority steps were recognized in charting the way forward
from the working groups. These include: platform for dialogue and engagement of key
stakeholders of climate services; capacity development; demonstration of benefits of climate
services; National Meteorological Service legislation; and Inter-institutional coordination. The
inter-institutional coordination is carried out by an Inter-Departmental Committee chaired by
86
NMS along with a group of ministries who would benefit from climate services and are willing
to participate. Redefinition of the mission and vision of the NMS will include the aims of
producing climate services to support decision-making in climate sensitive areas. The need
for a strengthened NMS with appropriate staffing and budget to deliver on the proposed remit
was advocated. A strategy paper for the further development of the NMS is to be developed.
8.3.4 The National GFCS Stakeholder Consultation held in Dominica put emphasis on health
followed by other sectors ie., water, agriculture, forestry, DRR, fisheries, and tourism.
Concerns were expressed about the data ie., density of hydrometeorological stations, the
little capacity in the Meteorological Service and little focus on climate services, but with a
focus on climate change (and climate variability) adaptation.
8.3.5 Regarding the GFCS projects being implemented in Belize, €98,000 have been
secured under the local European Union Global Climate Change Adaptation (EU/GCCA)
project to be used for the development of a database management system specifically
customized for the data ingestion needs of the Service. Currently the network of stations is
being enhanced with Automatic Weather Stations, which is related to the Observations and
Monitoring Pillar of GFCS.
8.3.6 In Dominica, the World Bank PPCR Project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability to
natural hazards and climate change impacts through investment in resilient infrastructure, as
well as improved hazard data collection and monitoring systems and is being implemented
by the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of the Ministry of Environment. Component 1 of the
project is addressing the promotion of food security through climate resilient
agricultural/fisheries development; component 2 of the project is focussed on comprehensive
risk management framework and sustainable climate change financing; and component 3
is aimed at enhancing infrastructure resilience and promotion of sustainable human
settlements. The related outcome from component 3 is the establishment of community
early warning systems based on real-time hydrometetorological data from stations
purchased under Component 1 (O&M; CSIS).
8.3.7 Both countries are benefitting from projects and programmes being implemented at
the Regional level. These include: SHOCS II – Interactive Web-based portal being
developed based on http://www.climateguide.fi; Canada Fund to support establishment of
NCOFs in 4 Countries; USAID Project on Building Regional Climate Capacity in the
Caribbean (BRCCC) will directly fund CariCOF and a Communications Strategy for climate
services; NOAA – ongoing direct support to CariCOF; PPCR – will support national
87
stakeholder meetings; IRAP (Integrating Climate Information and Decision Processes for
Regional Climate Resilience in the Caribbean) – Information Network, Information Evaluation.
All these projects are addressing the User Interface Platform, CSIS and Capacity
Development Pillars of GFCS. In addition, the USAID/HED project on
Building Capacity to Manage Water Resources and Climate Risk in the Caribbean is
providing funds for Pre-CariCOF Training (Regional) and training of regional scientists at the
M.Sc. Level and UWI training in water and climate change. Implementation of the
Observations and Monitoring Pillar is being addressed by the projects SHOCS II; CDB
(completing in October 2014) – Data Rescue, Customised database, Data Management
Protocols; BRCCC/USAID – Drought monitoring, Light version of customised database for
NMHS; PPCR – Hydromet instruments; and the USAID/HED Building Capacity to Manage
Water Resources and Climate Risk in the in the Caribbean – Climate Impacts Database,
Dewetra. Implementation of the Research, Monitoring and Prediction Pillar is addressed by
the projects BRCCC/USAID – Sector research, tools; PPCR – Sector research, climate
variability and change drivers and prediction/projections; HED – Climate Impacts Database,
Dewetra – support impacts research and development of key thresholds for information
products – by sector; and IRAP (Integrating Climate Information and Decision Processes for
Regional Climate Resilience in the Caribbean) – Information Network, Information Evaluation
at the local and community scales.
8.4 South West Pacific 8.4.1 Ms Cecilia Tamara Avellan of WMO made a presentation on “GFCS in the South
West Pacific: Tonga, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea”. Prior to the presentation, Dr Avellan
showed a video entitled “Small Islands Weather Together”, a campaign launched in August
2014 by WMO and its partners. The campaign was designed to help strengthen weather and
climate services to all Small Island Development States.
8.4.2 Implementation of the User Interface Platform Pillar of GFCS in these countries is
being addressed through activities such as Regional user fora, projects on drought
management, health pilots, National Climate Outlook Fora etc., Implementation of the CSIS
pillar is being carried out by Regional Climate Centers and through organization of Regional
Climate Outlook Fora and data rescue activities. Activities under the Observations and
Monitoring Pillar mainly address the issue of infrastructure improvement. Implementation of
the Research, Modelling and Prediction Pillar is carried out through S2S predictions.
Capacity Development Pillar activities focus on instrument calibration courses, predictability
training, media training, fellowships etc.
88
8.4.3 The issues on policy integration in the NMHSs of the region are addressed through
the WMO and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
WMO Regional Association V (RA V) and the RA V Working Group on Climate Services
address these issues through the WMO Strategic Operating Plan. The Pacific Met Council
and PICS Panel of SPREP address the policy integration issues through the Pacific Island
Meteorological Strategy (PIMS)
8.4.4 GFCS projects being implemented in Tonga include: World Bank Pacific Aviation
Investment; and UNDP Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC). In Kiribati, the GFCS
project being implemented is through World Bank Pacific Aviation Investment. In Tonga, the
three GFCS projects under implementation include: UNDP - Enhancing adaptive capacity of
communities to climate change-related floods in the North Coast and Islands Region of
Papua New Guinea; NOAA - Papua New Guinea Sustaining Coral Reefs and Coastal
Fisheries Climate Services Dialogue; and Korea, Japan, WHO - Climate Change and Health
(CC&H) Project.
8.4.5 There are also a number of GFCS regional projects under implementation which have
activities in the three selected countries. These include: Korea, Japan, WHO - Vulnerabilty
and Adaptation Assessment of 11 PICs; WMO (Environment Canada) - Programme for
Implementing the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) at Regional and National
Scales; Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Training in International Data Exchange;
Australian Bureau of Meteorology - Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific
(COSPPac); Australian Bureau of Meteorology - GFCS – CLIDe Enhancing climate services
in the Pacific via (a) strengthening Regional infrastructure for climate; (b) recovering,
digitising and managing climate data; SPREP - FINPAC (Reduced Vulnerability of the Pacific
Island Country Villagers' Livelihoods to the Effects of Climate Change); and US National
Weather Service/NOAA - Pacific International Training Desk.
8.4.6 The Pacific Island Climate Services Action Plan includes the following three tasks:
improve coordination, continuity and integration of projects, programmes, and initiatives that
support climate services at national, regional and global levels; strengthen the basic and core
functions and capabilities of NMHSs for robust and sustained data collection and
management, analysis of data and quality assurance, production and dissemination of
products, research and modeling; and enhance avenues and modes of multi-way
communication and feedback between climate services providers and users to enhance
uptake and use of relevant and tailored climate services down to the communities and
89
individuals. The Pacific Climate Change Portal provides information on regional and national
programme registries. There are other sources of information such as the CliDesk fire risk
warnings.
Cook Islands Met Service Media Training in April 20 14
8.5 Europe
8.5.1 Mr Jan Kellet of UNDP made a presentation on “Summary of GFCS Relevant
Activities in Europe: Moldova”. The population of Moldova is 3.559 million (2013) and it is a
lower middle income country with a GDP of $7.935 billion (2013). The country is landlocked
with hidden vulnerability as the annual damages from floods amount to $ 5 million; losses
due to severe weather amount to $ 7.5 milliion and drought in 2007 caused losses to the tune
of $1.2 billion.
8.5.2 GFCS projects currently implemented in Maldova include the Moldova Disaster and
Climate Risk Management Project of World Bank with a funding of US$ 6.8 million for five
years. The objective of the project is to strengthen the Hydrometeorological Service's ability
to forecast severe weather and improve Moldova's capacity to prepare for and respond to
natural disasters. Relevant activities of the project are to expand agromet services and
enhance forecasting for emergency warning services; Install met radar, automate
meteorological stations and install new meteorological stations; provide flash flood
forecasting; and focus on capacities required for the initiatives listed.
8.5.3 UNDP is implementing the Moldova Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction Project
Phase II with a funding of US$ 1,027,080 from August 2013 to July 2016. The objective of
90
the project is to increase national ownership and leadership for disaster resilience through
improved coordination capacities, awareness and knowledge and innovative technology
transfer. Relevant activities include: creation of an online discussion platform for disaster
and climate risk reduction activities in Moldova, providing up-to-date information to the
general public; gender-specific impacts of climate variability/risk and analysis of disaster
vulnerabilities; National Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Activity Plan; and training of
regional and local level planners and decision makers on disaster and climate risk
management and mainstreaming.
8.5.4 UNDP is also supporting Moldova’s National Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Process with a funding of EUR 744,000 (Austrian government (ADA)) from 2013 to 2016.
The objective of the project is to support Moldova to put in place its National Adaptation Plan
(NAP) process contributing to and building upon existing development planning strategies
and processes and to implement priority adaptation actions. Relevant activities include:
targeted support for National Hydro-Meteorological Service (NHMS): climate data processing
software, Meteoalarm access; training for NHMS operative forecasters (satellite meteorology,
radar meteorology, numerical weather prediction) in collaboration with the Austrian Central
Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG); and training for sectoral planners in the
use of the tools and approaches to advance medium- to long-term adaptation planning and
budgeting and implementation.
8.5.5 Under WHO Bilateral Country Agreement, four main priorities are underway:
strengthened capacities for green health services and national adaptation strategies; health
impact assessment of climate change; economic damage and adaptation costs; and national
health adaptation strategy. Relevant activities include Adaptation Plan for Health Sector;
training courses with health professionals and research on the health impacts of climate
change. Moldova requested WHO support on implementing policies on health and
adaptation and studying the health costs of increased use of biomass for heating in social
buildings.
8.5.6 The above projects cover different GFCS Pillars, but the Pillar least covered is the
User Interface Platform and Capacity Development is the Pillar with best coverage. It is not
clear as to the extent to which these projects were coordinated to achieve a larger impact
beyond project level and it is not clear if this constitutes current level of international
investment/support (e.g. EC financing). It is suggested that GFCS explores linking these
activities and potentially others to create a functioning system and prioritize them across
countries.
91
8.5.7 Discussion
8.5.7.1 During the discussion on this presentation, it was pointed out there is a need for
greater coordination. Moldova participates in the Copernicus projects that have many
members.
8.6 Presentations from Partners
8.6.1 Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulne rability, Impacts and
Adaptation (PROVIA)
8.6.1.1 Mr Hartwig Kremer of UNEP made the presentation on PROVIA. PROVIA is a
global programme aimed to synthesize and communicate the growing knowledge on
vulnerability, impacts and adaptation (VIA) and to develop capacity. The parent
organizations are UNEP, WMO, and UNESCO. Underlying is the recognized need to provide
framing including centralized assessment guidance as well as specific, often sectoral or
place based approaches.
8.6.1.2 PROVIA contributes to the GFCS namely by fostering synergy among four
components of WCP, i.e. providing a social science perspective to the modelling and
research of WCRP. PROVIA became the fourth component of WCP by Resolution 4.3(2)/1
of the 65th Session of the Executive Council of WMO.
8.6.1.3 PROVIA provides information on gaps in monitoring climate variables, especially
supporting VIA assessments and can address existing/known gaps in monitoring climate
variables including essential climate variables (ECVs) indirectly contribution to User Interface
Platform. For example, the PROVIA publication: “Research priorities on VIA” stresses the
need to set up effective monitoring systems and indicators for tracking gradual changes and
crossing of thresholds related to the climate, ecological and socio-economic systems.
PROVIA guidance report on VIA highlights gaps in data, tools and methods in assessing VIA.
PROVIA supported and facilitated ways for service users, climate researchers and climate
service providers to interact at global, regional and national levels for effective decision-
making, specifically to address the following needs: exploring how and what physical
science-related monitoring supports VIA assessments, particularly as VIA research requires
long-term, high-quality interdisciplinary data sets; enhancing understanding of vulnerability,
impacts and adaptation by filling the gaps in observation system; and understanding
92
fundamental linkages; how observations support research in providing decision- and policy-
making.
8.6.1.4 PROVIA’s activities for 2014-2015 include: advancing policy-relevant research on
VIA; coordinating and facilitating dissemination and practical applications of research
(including guidance and scientific information to the UNFCCC NAP, UK DECC, and work
with WCRP on country-level impact studies (30 + countries)); and development and training
activities (including VIA-related training workshops).
8.6.1.5 Cooperation between PROVIA and GFCS includes development of close interaction
among components of the WCP contributing to GFCS; link to UNEP’s Urban (e.g. Deltas,
Cities ecosystem management activities), Water (GEMS Water), Gap Assessments, SLCP;
link to CSIS Opace 4 and 5 (User Interface Platform and Capacity Development Pillars); and
contribute to the Annex on Research Modelling and Prediction to the GFCS Implementation
Plan in collaboration between WCRP and PROVIA for delivery of research output to decision
makers. PROVIA could enhance communication, interaction and cooperation among the
corresponding research communities to help User Interface Platform of GFCS and Climate
Outlook Fora.
8.6.1.6 Discussion
8.6.2.6.1 During the discussion on this presentation, it was pointed out that the Climate
Information initiatives in PROVIA should take into account the RCOFs. The meeting noted
that following the WCC-3 recommendations, PROVIA has been filling some of the gaps.
GFCS needs to ensure that there is no duplication/overlapping of projects and also ensure
more streamlined coordination.
8.6.2 Global Water Partnership (GWP)
8.6.2.1 Ms Ania Grobicki of GWP made a presentation on “Building a water secure world:
GWP Strategy Towards 2020”. GWP is a fast- growing global network since 1996 and an
intergovernmental organization (IGO) since 2002. GWP has 13 Regional Water Partnerships
(12 in 2009); 86 Country Water Partnerships (70 in 2009); now 3024 Partner organizations in
176 countries (2000 in 2009) and the Global Secretariat is hosted by the Swedish
Government. GWP´s Vision is a water secure world with enough water for all – for society,
for economic development, and for ecosystems; reducing risks of drought, floods, landslides,
water-borne diseases – all the negative aspects of water; and improving the quality of life for
93
the most vulnerable, especially women and children through an integrated approach –
participatory, working with all sectors and stakeholders (IWRM). GWP’s mission is to
advance governance and management of water resources at all levels, for sustainable and
equitable development. GWP´s new Patron is Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
President of Liberia. The forecasted resources of GWP for 2014 amount to € 20.5 millions.
8.6.2.2 Climate change projections indicate increased frequecy of climate extremes which
call for preparedness for more floods and droughts. GWP’s role is to reach out to the climate
community and the disaster risk management community; link water security with these
agendas at the national, regional and global levels; advocate that better water management
is essential for building climate resilience (a ”no regrets” strategy); and build country and
regional partnerships and programmes.
GWP Framework for Water Security and Climate Resili ence
8.6.2.3 The Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa (WACDEP) was
launched in Africa in 2011 for eight African countries, five transboundary river basins, and
one transboundary aquifer. The overall objective of WACDEP is to support integration of
water security and climate resilience in development planning and decision making
processes. WACDEP implements commitments in the 2008 Sharm el Sheik Declaration by
the AU Heads of State on Water and is central to the delivery of climate related objectives in
the AMCOW Triennial Work Plan. The five transboundary river basins covered by WACDEP
include: North West Sahara Aquifer (focus country : Tunisia); Volta Basin (focus : Burkina
Climate
Adaptation Disaster Risk
Reduction
Water Security
94
Faso and Ghana); Lake Chad Basin (focus : Cameroon); Kagera Basin (focus countries :
Burundi and Rwanda); and Limpopo Basin (focus countries : Mozambique and Zimbabwe).
8.6.2.4 For building climate resilience through water security, GWP has the tools such as
the Integrated Flood Management; Integrated Drought Management ; National Adaptation
Plans (NAPs) and National IWRM Plans.
8.6.2.5 Discussion
8.6.2.5.1 During the discussion on this presentation, it was noted that policy level activities
exist in GWP with experiences in NAPAs. There are activities in Knowledge Management
and Communications. The Meeting was informed that GWP has a Toolbox that supports
IWRM. GWP ensures partnership ownership and sustainability. GWP has experience on
River basins.
9. Session 6: Next Steps for Supporting Comprehens ive, Coordinated GFCS
Implementation in the Selected Countries
This session was chaired by Mr John Harding (ISDR) with Mr Robert Stefanski of WMO as
the rapporteur.
9.1 Country-by-Country Immediate Priority Support N eeds
9.1.1 Mr Mannava Sivakumar, GFCS Consultant from WMO made a presentation on
“Country-by-Country Immediate Priority Support Needs”. He explained the need to identify
priority support needs since all the 16 selected countries fall in the category of developing
countries according to the Human Development Index (HDI) of UNDP issued in July 2014.
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education,
and income indices used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. It is a
standard means of measuring wellbeing. It is used to distinguish whether the country is a
developed, a developing or an underdeveloped country, and also to measure the impact of
economic policies on quality of life. Following is the ranking of the 16 selected countries,
rank 187 being the lowest: Niger (187), Burkina Faso (181 ), Malawi (174), Tanzania (159),
Papua New Guinea (157), Yemen (154), Nepal (145), Bhutan (136), Tajikistan (133), Kiribati
(133), Kyrgyz Republic (133), Moldova (114), Egypt (110), Tonga (100), Dominica (93), and
Belize (84).
95
9.1.2 Assessment of the priority support needs was based on the 101 completed
templates received upto the evening of Sunday, 28 September 2014, from the partner
agencies on their ongoing and planned initiatives in GFCS. A Information Matrices on
Ongoing and Planned Initiatives can be downloaded from http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/573.
Based on the information from these Matrices, for each country, projects were grouped into
two categories ie., national projects, and regional & global projects. Analysis of projects
addressing the different GFCS pillars and the priority areas for each country is made.
9.1.3 In Niger, there are four national projects and 18 regional and global (R&G) projects.
Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show the
lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage for
the CSIS Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage
for the Health sector and the highest for the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.4 In Burkina Faso, there are four national projects and 21 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage
for the CSIS and CD Pillars. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest
percentage for the Health sector and the highest for the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.5 In Tanzania, there are four national projects and 17 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage
for the UIP Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage
for the Disaster Risk Reduction sector and the highest for the Agriculture and Food Security
sector.
9.1.6 In Malawi, there are three national projects and 16 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage
for the CSIS and CD Pillars. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest
percentage for the Health sector and the highest for the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.7 In Egypt, there are three national projects and 12 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Research, Modelling and Prediction Pillar and the highest
percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas
96
of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the Health sector and the highest for the Agriculture
and Food Security sector.
9.1.8 Summary analysis for the five African countries shows that there is a need to
achieve a balanced approach to address the different priority sectors ie., Agriculture, Water,
Health and DRR. In terms of GFCS pillars, the activities in the Research, Modelling and
Prediction pillar are not adequate. In Egypt, the national projects do not address this pillar at
all. This could be due to lack of adequate human capacity. The Capacity Building Pillar
needs to address this issue. The joint approach to help all the countries, through the GFCS
Pilot Projects and Africa Adaptation Programme for GFCS, need to receive greater support.
9.1.9 In Nepal, there are eight national projects and 15 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage
for the CSIS Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest
percentage for the Health sector and the highest for the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.10 In Bhutan, there are three national projects and 14 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the User Interface Platform Pillar and the highest percentage for
the CSIS Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage
for the Agriculture and Food Security sector and the highest for the Disaster Risk Reduction
sector.
9.1.11 In Yemen, there are four national projects and 6 regional and global (R&G) projects.
Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show the
lowest percentage for the Research, Modelling and Prediction and the User Interface
Platform Pillars and the highest percentage for the CSIS Pillar. Similar analysis for the
priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the Health sector and the highest for
the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.12 In Tajikistan, there are four national projects and 8 regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentage for the Research, Modelling and Prediction and the User Interface
Platform Pillars and the highest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring and the
CSIS Pillars. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for
the Water and Health sectors and the highest for the Disaster Risk Reduction sector.
97
9.1.13 In Kyrgyz Republic, there are seven national projects and 8 regional and global
(R&G) projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS
Pillars show the lowest percentage for the Research, Modelling and Prediction Pillar and the
highest percentage for the Capacity Building Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of
GFCS show the lowest percentage for the Disaster Risk Reduction sector and the highest for
the Agriculture and Food Security sector.
9.1.14 Summary analysis for the five Asian countries shows that, as in the case of Africa,
there is a need to achieve a balanced approach to address the different priority sectors ie.,
Agriculture, Water, Health and DRR. In terms of GFCS pillars, the User Interface Platform is
not addressed at all in Bhutan. In Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, UIP is receiving a low
priority. Given the need to interact closely with the user communities in providing improved
climate services, this area should receive greater attention in these countries. As in the case
of Africa, the activities in the Research, Modelling and Prediction pillar are not adequate.
Human capacity needs to be enhanced to promote more activities in this pillar.
9.1.15 In Belize, there are no national projects and 12 regional and global (R&G) projects.
Calculations on the percentages of R&G projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show the
lowest percentage for the Observations and Monitoring Pillar and the highest percentage for
the CSIS, Capacity Building and User Interface Platform Pillars. Similar analysis for the
priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the health sectors and equal
percentages for the other three sectors.
9.1.16 In Dominican Republic, there are 2 national projects and 12 regional and global
(R&G) projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS
Pillars show the lowest percentages for CSIS, Capacity Development and User Interface
Platform Pillars and the highest percentage for the Research, Modelling and Prediction Pillar.
Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the Agriculture
and Food Security and Water sectors and the highest percentage for the Disaster Risk
Reduction sector.
9.1.17 Summary analysis for the Caribbean countries shows that in Belize, because of lack
of national projects on GFCS, no information is available on the importance given to different
pillars of GFCS. Agencies and departments should receive support to address the different
pillars. In Dominica, no attention is being paid to CSIS, CD and UIP pillars in the two national
projects. Greater support should be given to take appropriate steps to promote activities in
these pillars.
98
9.1.18 In Tonga, there are two national projects and 14 regional and global (R&G) projects.
Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show the
lowest percentages for CSIS, RMP and UIP Pillars and the highest percentage for the
Capacity Development Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest
percentage for the Health sector and the highest percentage for the Agriculture and Food
Security and Water sectors.
9.1.19 In Kiribati, there is one national project and 14 regional and global (R&G) projects.
Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show the
lowest percentages for RMP Pillar and the highest percentage for the O&M Pillar. Similar
analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the Health sector and
the equal percentages for the other three sectors.
9.1.20 In Papua New Guinea, there are two national projects and 14 regional and global
(R&G) projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS
Pillars show the lowest percentages for RMP Pillar and the highest percentage for the UIP
Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the
Health sector and the equal percentages for the other three sectors.
9.1.21 Summary analysis on the priority support needs for the three countries in the South
West Pacific shows that there is a need to achieve a balanced approach to address the
different priority sectors ie., Agriculture, Water, Health and DRR. In terms of GFCS pillars, in
Tonga national projects, no attention is being paid to CSIS, CD and UIP. Agencies and
departments need to be supported to address these pillars. In Kiribati, the only national
project pays all the attention to O & M. The other pillars are receiving no attention and
Kiribati national programs need to receive support to address all the pillars. In Papua New
Guinea the Research, Modelling and Prediction pillar is receiving less attention in both the
national and regional and Global projects. Human capacity needs to be enhanced to
undertake appropriate activities.
9.1.22 In Moldova, there is four national projects and six regional and global (R&G)
projects. Calculations on the percentages of projects addressing different GFCS Pillars show
the lowest percentages for RMP and UIP Pillars and the highest percentage for the CSIS
Pillar. Similar analysis for the priority areas of GFCS show the lowest percentage for the
Health sector and the highest percentage for the Disaster Risk Reduction sector.
99
9.1.23 In Moldovan national projects, no attention is being paid to the priority areas of
agriculture and water. The priority area of health is receiving lower attention. More support
should be given to address these anomalies. In the four national projects in Moldova, RMP
and UIP are receiving less attention. The Hydrometeorological Service of Moldova needs to
be supported to enhance capacity for modelling and prediction activities and also promote
greater interaction with the user communities in different sectors.
9.1.24 Discussion
9.1.24.1 During the discussion, it was pointed out that the IBCS first met only in July 2013
and more time is needed to develop these projects and that the gaps be further addressed in
the future. It was also suggested that instead of percentages, the actual numbers should be
presented. The speaker responded that completed projects were not used in this analysis
which could have led to a underreporting of some of the priority areas and pillars.
9.1.24.2 It was suggested that there is a need for a more complete analysis using full
project descriptions. It was also mentioned that the absence of a project does not mean that
nothing is happening in the country in addressing a given Pillar of GFCS. Other comments
pointed out that the Pillar view is not sufficient and that there needs to need to be a detailed
Integrated country view and a linkage between research and observations. The speaker
responded that the template used to obtain information from Partners on ongoing and
planned initiatives in GFCS was simple and that detailed project reports were not received. It
was stressed that each country needs a National Framework on Climate Services.
9.2 Coordination Mechanisms: Country, Regional and Global Level
9.2.1 Mr Adrian Trotman of CIMH made a presentation on “GFCS Coordination Mechanism:
Through an RCC Lens”. He recalled the principles of GFCS and the major focus of the five
different Pillars of GFCS and of the WMO Regional Climate Centres (RCCs). The RCCs are
centres of excellence that create regional climate products including long-range forecasts in
support of regional and national climate activities and thereby strengthen capacity of WMO
Members in a given region to deliver better climate services to national users. The mandatory
functions of RCCs include: operational activities for long range forecasts (LRF); operational
activities for climate monitoring; operational data services, to support operational LRF and
climate monitoring; and training in the use of operational RCC products and services. The
highly recommended functions of RCCs include: climate prediction and projection; non-
100
operational data services; coordination functions; training and capacity building; and research
and development.
9.2.2 To carry out these functions, RCCs need to coordinate their activities with the Global
Producing Centres (GPCs) and with the national stakeholders. RCCs need to have a good
knowledge of national stakeholders and the confidence of national stakeholders and must
have access to national databases to effectively support needs of national stakeholders.
9.2.3 There are several challenges in the implementation of GFCS in the Caribbean, which
are as follows: The need to establish sustainable funding mechanisms to create and
maintain National Climate Centres and the Regional Climate Centre; Sectoral participation
and buy-in to support establishing an in-depth understanding of the regional and national
demands for climate services and products; access to national and regional climate, sectoral
and socio-economic data; integration of climate services within national and regional
strategic plans; limited national and regional human and technical capacity; and lack of
clearly articulated national and regional strategies for meteorology and meteorological
services in the Caribbean.
9.2.4 The key issues that emerged from the discussions during Session 3 on “Ongoing and
Planned Initiatives in Selected Countries: Presentations by Donors and Partner
Organizations” in this Meeting are as follows:
• Need more expertise and resources
• More cross-sectoral fertilization
• Better linkages with users and a shift from climate data to climate services
• Sustainability
• Need for effective partnerships and a coordinated approach to link and align initiatives.
• Better value for money
• Linkages between activities in different priority sectors e.g., activities in the water
sector in one project can benefit from activities in another project on DRR
• One partner may cover one aspect and another partner may cover another aspect
based on the expertise
• Partnerships
9.2.5 To address these issues, there is a need for establishing good coordination
mechanisms and bring the different elements of (a complex activity or organization) into a
harmonious or efficient relationship.
101
9.2.6 Mr Trotman emphasized that national coordination is the key and gave the example
from Belize where the Inter-Departmental Committee is chaired by the National
Meteorological Service (NMS), along with a group of ministries (may want to include other
groups such as NGOs, Community Groups) who would benefit from climate services and are
willing to participate. The Committee is tasked with: redefining the Mission and Vision of the
NMS to include the aims of producing climate services to support decision-making in climate
sensitive areas; advocating the need for a strengthened NMS with appropriate staffing and
budget to deliver on the proposed remit; and developing a strategy paper for the further
development of the NMS.
9.2.7 The strategy for coordination should address key questions as to what information is
needed, who needs it, when it is needed and how does it get there; who should coordinate
nationally (lead: NMHS?) and what key assets the coordinator could bring to the table.
National stakeholders should be part of the Coordination Group/Committee and the roles and
responsibilities of each organization should be clearly articulated. Data and information are
important inputs to the system and there is a need for clear data policy at the national level.
Hence the needs and gaps as well as the approaches to fill the gaps should be identified. An
integrative platform or approach should be established and resources to sustain the activities
(mixture of national and international) be identified through cross-sectoral dialogue and
fertilization.
9.2.8 Regional coordination is needed for greater support since regional Agencies exist
primarily to support National Agencies (this is where it all happens). One issue that should
be considered is whether there is a role for a coordinated group of regional agencies, each of
which has a mandate to support the national groups in the discipline. It may be useful to
establish a Regional Task Force which can bring a common understanding and a unified
voice, with resource mobilisation as one of its mandates. The dialogue between National
Committees and Regional Task Force could help in developing Regional Programmes and
Projects (hence human and financial resources procured and sought) to support the national
needs. Regional coordination amongst meteorological entities could help identify avenues
for dialogue and planning amongst the RCCs and NMHS (led by RCCs); refine the Regional
Climate Products that will be needed by the NMHSs; and determine the capacity needs and
approaches of the NMHSs.
9.2.9 Global coordination could be on three scales: a) Global Programmes – Partnership
and Inter-Agency Coordination Group (WMO/GFCS); b) Donor Community (to overlap with
(a)); and GPCs – Collaboration with National Coordination Committees and RCCs.
102
9.2.10 The Donor Community is charged with the responsibility of working together to
remove duplication in programmes and therefore more effectively utilise the “pot” of funding
through the establishment of dialogue/collaboration with Regional and National groups (in
each region). This process is most effective when National and Regional actors are
coordinated. The coordination could sometimes address issues beyond GFCS and
incorporate all related areas including climate change adaptation and DRR (and also others
such as water resources, biodiversity etc.,)
9.2.11 At the global level, the interactions between GPCs and RCCs need to be
strengthened which could assist in focussing GPC products. Data exchanges need to be
strengthened which would enhance products at both the regional and global scales.
Improved mechanism for coordination between global, regional and national forecasts could
help reduce inconsistencies. Enhanced collaboration across the GPCs and RCCs would
lead to an increased but more focused range of products.
9.3 Mechanisms for Accessing Scientific and Technic al Support
9.3.1 Mr Richard Graham from UK Met Office Hadley Centre made a presentation on
“Mechanisms for Accessing Scientific and Technical Support (for climate prediction)”. For the
seasonal climate forecasts there are 12 designated GPCs with 2 designated Lead Centres
(LCs). The LC for Long Range Forecast Multi-Model Ensembles (LC-LRFMME) based at
KMA & NCEP serves users in 117 countries. The LC for Standard Verification System for
Long Range Forecasts (LC-SVSLRF) is located at BoM & CMC. An example was presented
on the LC-LRFMME multi-model products for Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) for
September/October/November 2014 which is user interactive. The GHACOF38 consensus
forecast for SOND 2014 was issued by ICPAC, Nairobi. The GPC forecasts are used
increasingly at RCCs/RCOFs/NMHSs.
9.3.2 The status of forecasts is that the seasonal range is well established (also developing
GSCU). The sub-seasonal range real-time forecasts are in development, following a similar
approach (in liaison with the WWRP-THORPEX/WCRP sub-seasonal to seasonal research
project). Multi-annual range real-time forecasts are in development. Trial multi-model
forecasts are coordinated (informally) by Met Office (9 contributing centres).
9.3.3 The Sixty First session of the Executive Council of WMO requested the Commission
for Basic Systems (CBS) to consider how multi-annual to decadal prediction systems might
103
be brought into the CSIS of the GFCS. The UK Met Office hosted the informal multi-annual
to decadal forecasts and issued a forecast on the cooling of the Atlantic subpolar gyre and
associated impacts.
9.3.4 The WMO workshop on Operational Long-range Forecasting: GPCs and RCCs in
support of NMHSs and RCOFs held in November 2013 in Brazil discussed some of the
weaknesses in data access and support for seasonal forecasts. These included: lack of
formal GPC/RCC collaborations; lack of ready access to forecast and hindcast data products
in the formats required; insufficient information on regional skill of products; and the need to
focus research to bring key user priorities to operational status (e.g. forecasts of season
onset timing).
9.3.5 The processing of GPC output includes the correction of forecast positioning errors,
use of predicted SST to infer precipitation, downscaling etc., Many RCCs and NMHSs use
the Climate Predictability Tool (CPT) of IRI for statistical forecasting. Use on GPC forecasts
requires ready access to digital hindcast/forecast data in suitable formats.
9.3.6 Another example was given on the seasonal prediction of water volume inflow in
lake Volta in West Africa (since 2003). The regression method was applied using following
predictors: Met Office seasonal rainfall predictions (preceeding and simultaneous); recent
observed catchment rainfall; and recent observed tributary river flow.
Seasonal prediction of water volume inflow, lake Vo lta (since 2003)
Akosombo dam:
1000MWatt Hydro-plant
Limit of
catchment
Lake
Volta
104
9.3.7 An application of research into operational use is the prediction of the timing of onset
of local rainy season eg., short-rains season (Oct-Dec) 2011 predicted from August in
Greater Horn of Africa. Early onset was predicted as most likely and early onset occurred.
New, “user-relevant” products are feasible, but more work is needed to bring this research
into use.
9.3.8 Suggestions for the next steps include: strengthening GPC/RCC partnerships: follow
AMESD/MESA example – create regional offices to accelerate use of new (climate modelling)
technology alongside existing tools; improved data sharing/access – serve GPC
forecasts/hindcasts on open data platforms (IRI example); accelerate research-into-use:
CBS/CCl in liaison with WCRP – could prioritise research on user-relevant forecasts (e.g.
onset timing) – other GPCs to produce trial onset forecasts; and other needs:
development/sharing of tools to process GPC output – including downscaling techniques;
development of manuals on regional long-range forecasting; annual technical workshop on
operational long-range forecasting.
9.3.9 Discussion
9.3.9.1 In discussion on the presentations by Mr Trotman and Mr Graham, it was mentioned
that there is a need for an additional set of data including daily information on temperature
and precipitation. There was a comment that the Issue of onset of rainy season is very
important and also the intra-seasonal variability. The need for access to daily rainfall was
stressed and the usefulness of the US coupled model was highlighted.
9.4 Panel Discussion on Strengthening Implementatio n Coordination of GFCS
9.4.1 Mr Maxx Dilley of WMO chaired the Panel Discussion on Strengthening
Implementation Coordination of GFCS. Panel members included Mr Roger Pulwarty (NOAA),
Mr Alhassane Diallo (ACMAD), and Mr Clement Boyce (Meteorological Service of Malawi).
9.4.2 To highlight the issue of strengthening coordination of GFCS, Mr Pulwarty made a
presentation on “Climate Risk Management - Current Issues and Challenges” with a focus on
droughts. There are several drivers for drought which cross several temporal and spatial
scales. NOAA monitors and researches all these -- but more detailed monitoring and
improved datasets (such as for soil moisture) will strengthen forecasts for planning purposes.
Droughts are complex in what causes them and how long they last. On the scale of days –
weeks or months – heat waves can affect the droughts or floods. Madden-Julian Oscillations
105
(MJO) is an equatorial traveling pattern of anomalous rainfall that is planetary in scale. The
mechanism and cause of the MJO is as yet not well-understood and is a subject of ongoing
study. It is characterized by an eastward progression of large regions of both enhanced and
suppressed tropical rainfall, observed mainly over the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. El
Nino – Southern Oscillation is a multiyear naturally occurring rise and fall in sea level heights
mainly in the Pacific Ocean equatorial region. The rise and fall relates to increases and
decreases in sea temperatures which in turn relates to the amount of cloudiness and rainfall
over a region. Solar Variability and Greenhouse Gases and Decadal Variability are under
study for how they affect the scale and intensity of drought as well as other factors.
9.4.3 The last mile is by far the longest as there are considerable gaps in data and
monitoring. Some risk assessment warning tools are in place for major hazards, but there
are gaps. There are also major gaps in communication to the most vulnerable. Information
(risk assessments/warnings) does not always lead to action. Partnerships are essential for
supporting, leveraging and pursuing mutual priorities.
9.4.4 Globally, the total benefits of improved early warning systems would reach between
$ 4 to 6 billion per year-with co-benefits (World Bank, 2011). Identifying existing and needed
information networks for managing climate/drought-related risks is very important. Climate
Risk Management (CRM) needs to be located in a ministry or department, with planning
oversight and some fiscal responsibility to provide political authority and policy coherence
across sectors. Emergency management organizations can rarely play that role. Efficiency
occurs when CRM is carried out in partnership with at-risk households, communities, and
organizations that represent them. Benefits are cost-effectiveness, sustainability, citizenship
and social cohesion. NMHSs cannot take on all of the networks as there are limits to “co-
production”.
9.4.5 The climate information services of NIDIS include scientific knowledge development
and management; products and tools; and capacity and coordination services. In the
implementation of NIDIS, over 50 federal, state, tribal and private sector representatives are
involved nationally.
9.4.6 Mr Diallo stressed the need to use the RCCs as important focal point in assisting
countries with developing climate services. Mr Clement Boyce stressed that the NHMSs
need to show that they are relevant players and need to urge the donors to come to one focal
point in each country. They both stressed the need to address the needs of decision makers
and stakeholders with regards to climate services.
106
9.4.7 Mr Harry Lins, President of the Commission for Hydrology commented that WMO
Technical Commissions have sought an opportunity to present, explicitly, the capabilities and
activities of their Commissions to the GFCS. He referred to the different objectives of the
Meeting where the contributions of the Technical Commissions were sought. But he felt that
the opportunity to identify specific Technical Commission contributions went unmet. But it is
critical that the roles and responsibilities of WMO Technical Commissions be specified. Dr
Lins offered his willingness to submit specific CHy contributions that support GFCS
implementation which can be included in the Information Matrix on the ongoing and future
initiatives of GFCS which was circulated prior to the Meeting.
9.4.8 During the panel discussion it was stressed that WMO is vital in the process of
implementation coordination of GFCS and that there should be no duplication in the efforts
and projects. WMO Congress needs to address the complimentary roles between the
Technical Commissions and Regional Associations. The RCCs are already doing this in
some regions such as Europe and the RCOFs should facilitate the connections between the
regions and sub-regions.
9.4.9 It was mentioned that donors come to projects with cross purposes and are not on the
same agenda. There is a need for strategic plans in each country and the efforts of the World
Bank to bring donors together was applauded. It was also mentioned that there is a need to
have technical guidance with the donors as part of the process and that WMO should be able
to provide this technical guidance. It was suggested that countries need to have plans and
timeframes and that the GFCS outcomes should be defined.
9.4.10 Other comments noted the need for a governance mechanism for GFCS such as in
Tanzania, the need for a high-level national steering committee/framework and a platform for
sustained dialogue with users. Also, partner organizations need to come together into GFCS.
There was a comment that the TCs and RAs are important but it is difficult to have all of them
speak within the limited time frame of the meeting and that GFCS should recognize the
explicit strength of the WMO structure.
9.4.11 The challenge is how to pull the different sectors into the coordination process. In
order for GFCS to help users to solve their problems, there is a need to consider
mechanisms to have a central coordination center to add value and try to assist countries
with their UNFCCC NAPs.
107
Next Steps and Closing Remarks
9.5.1 Mr Jerry Lengoasa, the Deputy-Secretary General of WMO, closed the meeting with a
summary of next steps and closing remarks. He invited the members of the GFCS Project
Oversight Board to the podium. He stressed that GFCS is bigger than WMO and that there is
a need to have a direct input from the user community in the GFCS process. He noted that
the experts from diverse areas of expertise in the room have shown their interest in GFCS
and that each UN entity brings its infrastructure and expertise. He added that the GFCS can
only work in tandem and in partnership which is why he asked the Project Oversight Board
Members to join him on the podium to stress this point. He commented that this meeting
only looked at 16 selected countries which is a small subset of the countries in the world.
Closing Session of the Meeting
9.5.2 Mr Lengoasa noted that technical guidance material on climate services is required
which can be useful for donors. What is crucial is to show how users can benefit from climate
intelligence and how user needs can be addressed in the technical issues. And then the
issue is how the transition from research to operational mode can be effectively made. Mr
Lengoasa noted the following improvements: RCOFs are global, RCCs are expanding and
108
data rescue is global. The GFCS has a ten year window and that there is some way to go.
He noted that the outputs of this meeting will be inputs to the meeting of the Partner Advisory
Committee (PAC) to be held from 27 to 28 October 2014 and to the Second Session of the
Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS-2). He noted the comments by the
President of CHy and that submissions from TCs are welcome with regards to GFCS. He
added that there needs to be a dialogue between the WMO Technical Commissions and the
Secretariat. Also, more work needs to be done on the operating plan, guidance and resource
materials and capacity development aspects.
9.5.3 In conclusion, Mr Lengoasa thanked all the participants for their contributions and
reiterated that the outcomes of the Meeting will be provided to the PAC and IBCS-2 meetings.
--------------
109
Annex 1
110
111
112
-----------------
113
Annex 2
MEETING ON THE COORDINATION IMPLEMENTATION OF THE G LOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES
(Geneva, Switzerland, 29 September – 1 October 2014)
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Member countries Bangladesh Mr Md. Shammeem Hassan BHUIYAN Bangladesh Meteorological Department Meteorological Complex Abbawa Bhaban, Agargaon Dhaka 1207 Bangladesh Tel: +88 02 8130305 Fax.: + 88 02 8118230 Cell.: + 880 178 0000 456 Email: [email protected] Finland Ms Maria HURTOLA Finnish Meteorological Institute Director General's Office P.O. Box 503 FI-00101 Helsinki Finland Tel: +358 29 539 2220 Cell: +358 50 331 8294 Email: [email protected] Germany Dr Frank KASPAR Deutscher Wetterdienst Frankfurterstr. 135 63067 Offenbach Germany Tel: +49 69 8062 4963 Fax + 49 69 8062 3758 Email: [email protected]
114
India Dr Nabansu CHATTOPADHYAY India Meteorological Department, Government of India Flat No 303, Building No C-1 Mahalaxmi Vihar, Alandi Road Vishrantwadi Pune-15, Maharashtra India Tel: +91 202 5533 420 Fax: +91 202 553 59 53 Cell: 092 25569519 Email: [email protected] Kazakhstan Ms Bayan SAZANOVA Kazhydromet Republic State Enterprise 11 1 Orynbor st. Astana Kazakhstan Tel: +77172798387 Cell: +77012225656 Email: [email protected] Norway Mr Einar TELNES The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) P.O Box 8034 Dep. 0251 Oslo Norway Tel: + 47 913 52 877 Email: [email protected] United Kingdom Mrs Jane WARDLE Met Office FitzRoy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel: +44 1392 886807 Email: [email protected] Dr Chris HEWITT Met Office FitzRoy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel : +44 1392 884520 Cell: +44 7753 880749 Email: [email protected]
115
Dr Richard GRAHAM Met Office FitzRoy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel/Fax +44 1392 886361 Email: [email protected] Mr Wayne ELLIOTT Met Office Fitz Roy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel: +44 870 900 0100 Ms Sophie PURDEY Met Office FitzRoy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel: +78 87 624 99 90 Email: [email protected] Ms Helen BYE Met Office FitzRoy Road, Exeter Devon, EX1 3PB United Kingdom Tel:+ 44 7920 086 773 Email: [email protected] South Africa Prof. Themba Lawrence DUBE South African Weather Service 442 Rigel Avenue South Erasmusrand Pretoria 0181 South Africa Tel: +27 1236 76 077 Fax: +27 12 367 63 99 Cell: +27 845 103 918 Email: [email protected] United Republic of Tanzania Mr Juvenal KISANGA WFP Tanzania Country Office P.O. Box 77778 Dar Es Salaam Tanzania Tel: +255 787 720 001 Email: [email protected]
116
Mr Ladislaus CHANG’A Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) P.O. Box 3056 Dar Es Salaam Tanzania Tel: +255 759 349 966 Cell.: + 255 754 349 966 Email: [email protected] Mr Clement BOYCE Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services P.O. Box 1808 Blantyre Malawi Tel: +265 1 822014 Fax: + 265 1 822215
Cell: +265 999 867 490 Email: [email protected] United States of America Dr Wassila THIAW NOAA/National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center 5830 University Research Court College Park, MD 20740 United States of America Tel: +1 301 683 3424 Email: [email protected] Dr Roger PULWARTY Noaa/ Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Climate Program Office Climate Assessments and Services Division 325 Broadway, Room 1D118 Boulder, CO 80305-3328 United States of America Tel: +1 303 497 4425 Cell.: 1 301 466 21 85 Email: [email protected] Mr Daniel BEARDSLEY NOAA/NWS/International Activities Office 1325 East-West Highwas, Room 17330 Silver Spring, MD 20910 United States of America Tel: +1 301 427 9041 Cell: + 246 566 6611 Email: [email protected] Mr Curtis BARRETT U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20523
117
United States of America Tel: + 443 293 7115 Cell: + 301 252 9189 Email: [email protected] Mr John FURLOW U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Economic Growth, Education, and Environment 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20015 United States of America Tel: +1 202 712 5274 Cell.: +202 421 99 37 Email: [email protected] Dr John QU George Mason University Department of Geography and Geo information Science 4400 University Drive MS 6C3, Fairfax VA 22030-4444 United States of America Tel: +1 703 993 3958 Email: [email protected] Dr John BATES NOAA/National Climate Data Center 151 Patton Avenue, Room 516 Asheville, NC 28801-5001 United States of America Tel: +1 828 271 4378 Fax: + 1 828 271 43 28 Cell: +1 828 582 1511 UN Organizations United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms Anna KAPLINA UNDP Route de Commony 9 1296 Coppet Switzerland Cel: + 41 79 942 83 13 Email: [email protected] Ms Jessica TRONI 342 Main street, Pretoria0181 – South Africa Telespen Tel: +27 63 231 48 16 Email: [email protected]
118
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Dr Hartwig KREMER UNEP PO Box 30552-00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 715 823 920 Email: [email protected] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Mr Albert FISCHER UNESCO/IOC 7 Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris Cedex 07 France Tel:+ 33 1 45 68 40 40 Email: [email protected] Mr Anil MISHRA UNESCO 1 rue Miollis 75732 Paris Cedex 15 FRANCE Tel: +33 1 45 68 39 47 Email: [email protected] United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) Mr John HARDING UNISDR Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva Switzerland Email: [email protected] United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Ms Rocio LICHTE UNFCCC Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1 53113 Bonn Germany Tel: +49 228 815 1000 Email: [email protected] United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) Mrs Valeria DRIGO UNITAR Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Cell: + 41 78 86 27 049
119
Email: [email protected] Mr Francesco PISANO UNITAR Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 917 8720 Cell: +41 79 279 9303 Email: [email protected] World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Maria NEIRA WHO Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 791 55 26 Cell:+41 79 468 25 87 Email: [email protected] Dr Diarmid CAMPBELL-LENDRUM WHO Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 791 42 61 Cell: +41 79 472 51 47 Email: [email protected] World Food Programme (WFP) Ms Anna LAW WFP Via Cesare Giuilo Viola, 68/70, Parco di Medici 00148 Rome Italy Tel:+39 340 112 81 08 Email: [email protected] International Organizations EUMETSAT Dr Robert HUSBAND Ballaccoil, Lhagg Road. DALBY, Isle of Man Tel: + 44 1624 845 410 Email: [email protected]
120
European Commission Mr Anastasios KENTARCHOS European Commission Rue du champ de mars 21 1050 Brussel Belgium Tel: +32 499 401 473 Email: [email protected] Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Ms Barbara J. RYAN 7bis, Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 730 85 80 Email: [email protected] Dr Espen VOLDEN WMO 7bis, Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 730 87 99 Email: [email protected] International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) Dr Lisa GODDARD IRI Columbia University 61 Route 9W 128 Monell Blog Palisades, NY 10964 United States of America Tel: +1 845 680 4430 Fax: +845 680 4865 Cell: + 914 806 6517 Email: [email protected] Dr Simon MASON IRI Columbia University 61 Route 9W, PO Box 1000 Palisades, NY 10964-8000 United States of America Tel: +1 845 680 45 14 Fax: +1 845 680 4865 Email: [email protected] Dr Haresh BHOJWANI IRI Columbia University 61 Route 9W, PO Box 1000
121
Palisades, NY 10964-8000 United States of America Tel: +1 397 299 9328 Email: [email protected] The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Dr Arthur ASKEW IUGG 4A Avenue de la Foretaille 1292 Chambésy Switzerland Tel: +41 22 758 1445 Email: [email protected] The World Bank Group (WB) Mr Daniel KULL WB 3 chemin Louis-Dunant 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 748 10 15 Cell: +41 76 585 5098 Email: [email protected] Dr Makoto SUWA WB 1818 H Street Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America Tel: + 1 201 458 4638 Email: [email protected] Dr Vladimir TSIRKUNOV WB 1818 H Street Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America Email: [email protected] Dr David ROGERS WB Route des Montagnes, 22 1261 Marchissy Switzerland Cell: 079 297 10 45 Email: [email protected] International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Ms Joy C.-Y. MULLER IFRC 17 chemin des Crêts
122
Petit-Saconnex 1211 GENEVA 19 Switzerland Tel : +41 22 730 42 82 Email : [email protected] Ms Nina DE ROCHEFORT IFRC 17 chemin des Crêts Petit-Saconnex 1211 GENEVA 19 Switzerland Mr Susil PERERA IFRC 17 chemin des Crêts Petit-Saconnex 1211 GENEVA 19 Switzerland Tel : +41 22 730 42 22 Email: [email protected] World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Mrs Julie OSTERLÉ WBCSD Maison de la Paix Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2 CP 246 1211 Geneva 21 Switzerland Cell: +41 79 642 76 67 Email: [email protected] Regional Climate Centers The African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD) Mr Alhassane Adama DIALLO ACMAD 55, Avenue des Ministères PL 6 BP 13184 Niamey Niger Tel : +227 2073 4992 Cell: +227 94 11 98 10 Email: [email protected], [email protected] AGRHYMET Regional Centre Mr Oumarou MOULAYE AGRHYMET BP 11011
123
Niamey Niger Tel: + 227 20 31 53 16 Cell: +227 96964969 Email: [email protected] Mr Issifi ALFARI AGRHYMET BP 11011 Niamey Niger Tel : + 227 360 44445 Email: [email protected] Beijing Climate Center (BCC) Dr Xiaolong JIA BCC Beijing Climate Center 46 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District 100081 Beijing China Cell.: +86 135 220 14 653 Email: [email protected] Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology (CIMH) Dr David FARRELL CIMH Husbands - St. James Barbados Tel: +246 425 1362 Fax: +246 424 47633 Cell: +246 231 3456 Email: [email protected] Mr Adrian TROTMAN CIMH P.O. Box 130 Bridge Town Barbados Tel: +246 4251 362/1363 Fax: + 246 2309 199 Cell: +246 2307 199 Email: [email protected] Climate Services Center (CSC) Mr Bradwell GARANGANGA Climate Services Center (CSC) SADC South African Development Community SADC House Plot No. 54385 Central Business District
124
Private Bag 0095 GABORONE Botswana Tel:+26 772 481 859 Cell: + 267 395 17863 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Invited experts Dr Ania GROBICKI Global Water Partnership PO Box 24177 104 51 Stockholm Sweden Tel: +46 8 1213 8610 Email: [email protected] Dr James HANSEN CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) Columbia University, Lamont Campus 61 Route 9W Palisades, NY 10964-8000 United States of America Tel: +1 845 680 4410 Fax: + 1 845 680 4864 Email: [email protected] Dr James KINYANGI CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) East Africa International Livestock Research Institute P.O. Box 30709-00100 Nairobi Kenya Cell: +254 71 074 9139 Email: [email protected] Mrs Juliana Enyinnaya UKEJE Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Bill Clinton Drive Internation Airport Abuja Nigeria. Cell: +234 8037 879 565 Email: [email protected] Mr Hastings Kandaya Malawi Red Cross Society P.O. Box 30096 Capital City Lilongwe 3 Malawi Tel: +265 177 51 71
125
Cell: +265 991 015 441 Dr Federica ROSSI CNR – iBiMET Via P. Gobetti 101 40125 Bologna Italy Tel: +39 51 6399 007 Fax: +39 51 6399 024 Email: [email protected] Prof Roger STONE University of Southern Queensland West Street, Toowoomba Queensland Australia 4350 Tel: +61 746 312736 Fax: +61 746 315580 Email: [email protected] Dr Orivaldo BRUNINI Instituto Agronômico de Campinas Coordenador-Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorologicas- CIIAGRO Av. Barao de Itapura - 1481 13020-030 Campinas SAO PAULO Brazil Tel: +19 320221678 Fax: +19 373 980 35 Cell: + 19 99 220 48 04 Email: [email protected] WMO Technical Commissions and Regional Associations Mr Fred BRANSKI Commission for Basic Systems Office of the Chief Information Officer NOAA - National Weather Service SSMC2, Room 17456 1325 East-West Highway Silver Spring United States of America Tel: + 1 301 427 9044 Fax: +1 240 355 44 68 Cell.: + /1 240 355 44 68 Email: [email protected] Dr Sue BARRELL Commission for Basic Systems Bureau of Meteorology 700 Collins Street, Docklands G.P.O. Box 1289K Melbourne Australia
126
Tel: + 61 3 9669 4168 Email: [email protected] Dr Bertrand CALPINI Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation Meteo Swiss Head of Instruments Section Case postale 316 CH-1530 Payerne Switzerland Tel : + 41 26 662 6212 Email: [email protected] Dr Harry F. LINS WMO Commission for Hydrology 2617 Mountain Laurel Place Reston, VA 20191 USA United States of America Tel: + 1 703 620 9240 Cell: + 1 571 218 5077 Email: [email protected] Dr Byong-lyol LEE Commission for Agricultural Meteorology NMIR 33 Seoho-bukro 687-745 Seogipo Republic of Korea Tel: + 82 2 871 0234 Fax.: +82 2 871 0230 Cell.: + 82 10 4901 1988 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Dr Vasily SMOLYIANITSKIY Roshydromet Artic and Antarctic Research Institue (AARI) Bering str., 38 Moscow Russian Federation Tel: +7 951 6544196 Email: [email protected] Dr Mamadou Lamine BAH Regional Association I Direction nationale de la météorologie B. P. 566 Conakry Guinea Tel. + 224 628 54 40 64 Cell.: +224 662 77 2005 Email: [email protected]
127
WMO Secretariat Staff, 7 bis Avenue de la Paix, 121 1 Geneva 2 Mr Michel JARRAUD Tel : +41 22 730 82 00 Email : [email protected] Mr Jerry LENGOASA Tel: +41 22 730 82 30 Email: [email protected] Mr Filipe LÚCIO Tel: +41 22 730 8579 Email: [email protected] Dr Mannava V.K. SIVAKUMAR Tel: +41 22 730 8151 Email: [email protected] Dr Veronica GRASSO Tel: +41 22 730 8300 Email: [email protected] Dr Joy SHUMAKE-GUILLEMOT Tel : +41 22 730 81 70 Email : [email protected] Dr Wenjian ZHANG Tel: +14 22 730 85 67 Email: [email protected] Mr Bruce STEWART Tel: +41 22 730 83 55 Email: [email protected] Dr Maxx DILLEY Tel: +41 22 730 83 69 Email: [email protected] Dr Rupa Kumar KOLLI Tel: +41 22 730 83 77 Email: [email protected] Mr Robert STEFANSKI Tel: +41 22 730 83 05 Email: [email protected] Ms Anahit HOVSEPYAN Tel: +41 22 730 82 12 Email: [email protected] Dr Carolyn RICHTER Tel: +41 22 730 82 75 Email: [email protected]
128
Dr Liisa JALKANEN Tel: +41 22 730 85 87 Email: [email protected] Dr David CARSON Tel: +41 22 730 82 46 Email: [email protected] Dr Paulo RUTI Tel: +41 22 730 80 71 Email: [email protected] Mr Robert MASTERS Tel: +41 22 730 83 25 Email: [email protected] Ms Mary POWER Tel: +41 22 730 80 03 Email: [email protected] Ms Ayse ALTUNOGLU Tel: +41 22 730 83 78 Email: [email protected] Dr Cecilia Tamara AVELLAN Tel: +41 22 730 86 46 Email: [email protected] Mr Peer HECHLER Tel : +41 22 730 82 24 Email: [email protected] Mr Edgard CABRERA Tel: +41 22 730 82 37 Email: [email protected] Mr Raphael KÖHLER Tel: +41 22 730 81 50 Email: [email protected]
129
Annex III
Supplementary Material
The following information sources from the Implementation Coordination Meeting of the
GFCS are available on the Meeting Website: http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/573.
1) Consolidated Implementation Matrix Prior to the meeting, the participants were invited to complete a template on projects they are
implementing in 16 selected countries around the world and a list of 101 templates were
received on projects being implemented by various partners in these countries. Information
on these projects from the templates was compiled into an Information Matrix on Ongoing
and Planned Initiatives and was circulated to all the participants prior to the meeting.
Following the meeting, few more templates were submitted. These were integrated into the
matrix and a Consolidated Implementation Matrix is now available on the Meeting Website.
2) Powerpoint Presentations made during the meeting
All the powerpoint presentations made during the meeting are available on the Meeting
Website.
---------------------
130