Expected outcomes

WCC-3 will consist of an Expert Segment and a High-level Segment, which will produce the following:

• Conference Statement to identify the needs for climate services and the current and developing  capabilities and mechanisms for meeting these needs; and
• Conference Declaration that will propose a strategy for developing climate services through establishing a Global Framework for Climate Services.

The expected outcomes from WCC-3 are:

• Greatly increased understanding of the scientific and practical issues involved in the implementation of improved global, regional and national arrangements for the provision and application of climate services; and
• A shared understanding of a strategy for implementing a new Global Framework for Climate Services.

The main components of the Global Framework for Climate Services would be:

1. A renewed commitment to climate observations and the free and open availability of data by strengthening observing programmes;
2. A strengthened focus on climate modelling and prediction research, in support of climate prediction services; and
3. A new World Climate Services System, which would be expected to develop and deliver sector- and user-targeted services, build capacity in developing countries and develop policies to support application of climate services for economic and societal benefit.

The major goal of the World Climate Services System would be to develop an effective interface between the providers and users of climate services. It would consist of the following:

• Climate Services Information System, which would build on existing global, regional and national activities, such as those of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, the Global Prediction Centres that produce global predictions and national climate services that need to be expanded to all countries. A primary task would be to enhance communication with users.
• User Interface Programme, which would build on existing mechanisms and develop new ones to define sectoral needs of users for climate information and products and link these needs to reliable providers.

Effective implementation of the Framework would further lead to:

• Strengthened national observational networks and information management systems for climate and climate-related variables;
• Enhanced climate modelling and prediction capabilities through strengthened international climate research focused on seasonal to decadal timescales;
• Improved national climate service provision arrangements based on enhanced observation networks and prediction models, and greatly increased user interaction;
• More effective use of global, regional and national climate information and prediction services in climate-sensitive sectors in all countries; and
• Widespread social, economic and environmental benefits through better informed climate risk management and capacities for adaptation to climate variability and change.

The proposed Global Framework for Climate Services would contribute to, and benefit from, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, which is being developed by the Group on earth Observations (GEO). GEO is made up of 77 national members, the European Commission and a large number of international organizations concerned with Earth observations, in particular the UN System and other international sponsors of WCC-3.

Achieving the specific outcomes envisaged by the Global Framework for Climate Services would require vigorous national and international implementing actions. Key technical support would be required from existing programmes at WMO, UNESCO and other organizations contributing to the Climate Knowledge component of the “United Nations System Delivering as One” initiative.

An outline of this Framework is under consultation by all WMO Members.