As climate change intensifies, so does the urgent need for actionable climate services to help communities mitigate, adapt, and build resilience against increasing risks. A recent multi-agency report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights both progress and pressing gaps in the availability of climate information essential for informed decision-making. Despite advancements in some regions, the report warns that investments in climate services fall far short of what’s needed to address today’s unprecedented environmental challenges.
Climate Services in the Spotlight
The State of Climate Services 2024 report emphasizes that climate services are more essential than ever to help nations adapt to intensifying climate extremes. From planning crop cycles to preparing for extreme weather, these services provide data and insights that support climate action. However, only a third of national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs) currently provide climate services at a high enough level to meet this demand.
“Climate change is a reality, and turning science into actionable services is vital for resilience,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “Investing in climate services today is an investment in a sustainable future.”
Progress Amidst Gaps
Countries in Asia and Africa have shown significant improvements in climate service capacity, thanks to targeted adaptation funding. The number of NMHSs providing ‘advanced’ climate services has nearly doubled since 2019. However, these gains are uneven, with significant gaps remaining in the coverage and development of services in Latin America, the Caribbean, and small island states that face unique climate threats like rising sea levels, droughts, and intense storms.
Investment Needs Outpace Available Funding
The report calls for an increase in adaptation funding directed specifically toward enhancing climate service capacities. While global adaptation spending has reached approximately $63 billion annually, only a small fraction of this around $4–5 billion supports climate services and early warning systems. This limited investment is constraining the ability of NMHSs to deliver vital climate information, which is needed across all sectors to plan for a changing climate.
Health and Safety Implications
According to WMO data, extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and storms are intensifying, with severe health and economic consequences. From 2020 to 2024, floods remained the most reported disaster globally, but heat-related hazards became the deadliest, accounting for over half of all climate-related fatalities. The report notes that early warning systems have contributed to fewer deaths overall, but economic losses continue to rise, highlighting the need for effective, climate-informed strategies.
Demand for Climate Services Grows Across Sectors
WMO analysis shows that sectors such as agriculture, emergency planning, health, and tourism are increasingly using climate information to manage risks. The tourism industry, for instance, relies on climate data to plan infrastructure and ensure tourist safety. Agriculture, meanwhile, uses climate forecasts to determine planting schedules and adapt to drought conditions. From 2019 to 2024, the number of NMHSs providing climate services to the tourism sector alone increased by 30%, reflecting the broader trend toward climate-informed decision-making across industries.
Regional collaboration has been a key factor in boosting climate service capacity. In 2024, 26 WMO Regional Training Centers supported over 140 NMHSs with the knowledge and tools needed to implement and deliver climate services effectively. Countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Seychelles, and Australia have set examples for how regional partnerships can advance climate services and adaptation efforts.
Climate Action and Adaptation Need Science-Driven Investments
The WMO’s findings underscore the need to urgently scale up investments in climate services to support national and local resilience efforts. This includes expanding observing networks, co-developing services that meet the needs of vulnerable populations, and fostering partnerships across sectors. The report advocates for more inclusive communication of climate services, especially involving children, youth, and marginalized communities in adaptation planning.
As world leaders prepare to gather for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the WMO hopes that the State of Climate Services 2024 report will inform decisions that prioritize sustainable and climate-informed investments. “The cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of proactive climate services,” says Saulo. With adaptation funding on the agenda, the report serves as a stark reminder that effective climate action requires bridging the gap between science and service.