As climate change accelerates, the demand for climate services that utilize scientific knowledge for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience is growing. In response, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has launched the Climate Services Dashboard, an innovative platform designed to improve global climate service capacities and support data-driven decision-making for effective climate action.
The interactive dashboard offers a comprehensive tool for decision-makers, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), and development partners. It tracks essential data related to climate policy integration, climate service capabilities, and investment trends. This tool helps ensure that climate services play a vital role in supporting national climate action plans and sustainability goals, particularly in sectors like agriculture, health, energy, and disaster risk reduction.
Key Features of the Dashboard
The Climate Services Dashboard offers several important features to aid in comprehensive climate action:
- Climate Policy Insights: It tracks how climate services are integrated into national climate policies, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Climate Service Capacities: The platform assesses the ability of WMO Members to provide critical climate services, ensuring that climate action across sectors is well-supported.
- Investment Trends: The dashboard monitors investments in climate service projects, helping stakeholders understand funding flows and the financial commitments needed.
- Country-Specific Pages: These pages offer localized information about national priorities, capacities, and funding trends.
Addressing Climate Service Gaps
The WMO’s 2024 State of Climate Services Report highlights progress in climate services, but also points out significant gaps. Only 14% of WMO Members are equipped to offer advanced climate services. Africa, in particular, faces challenges, with 15% of the continent’s NMHSs providing services below basic levels.
While most WMO Members offer climate services in areas like agriculture and water management, many lack tailored climate projections and sector-specific products, limiting their effectiveness in supporting climate adaptation and resilience.
Despite heavy investment in climate services for regions most vulnerable to climate change, such as Asia and Africa, funding remains insufficient to meet the increasing demands.
Real-World Applications of Climate Services
Climate services play a crucial role in decision-making across various sectors by providing data, information, and knowledge to mitigate climate risks. Examples of their application include:
Planning vaccination programs based on seasonal rainfall predictions.
- Choosing drought-resistant crops based on anticipated temperature and rainfall.
- Assessing wind and solar resources for renewable energy projects.
- Ensuring the resilience of schools and infrastructure against extreme weather events like heatwaves and flooding.
- Identifying the effects of sea-level rise on coastal communities to inform adaptation measures.
- Mozambique’s Use of the Climate Services Dashboard
Countries like Mozambique are already seeing the value of the Climate Services Dashboard. The platform helps guide national climate planning by assessing the country’s climate services landscape. Mozambique’s National Meteorological and Hydrological Service uses the dashboard to evaluate ongoing projects, funding sources, and capacity gaps. This evaluation has helped the country identify key areas for improvement, such as limited observation networks and the lack of tailored climate products for specific sectors. These insights will help Mozambique prioritize interventions in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), strengthening both adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Global Climate Resilience
The Climate Services Dashboard is an essential tool for countries seeking to enhance their climate service capacities. By identifying service gaps, directing investments, and tracking progress, the dashboard will help governments and development partners ensure that climate action is effective, inclusive, and responsive to local needs. As the global climate crisis intensifies, the dashboard will play a vital role in supporting countries to build resilience and work toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future.