Regional Climate Centres Presentation by Leslie Malone WMO/WCP & WCASP/CLIPS 13th GHACOF February, 2004 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) Nairobi, Kenya The CCl The WCP Introduction WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) Open Programme Area Groups (OPAGs) Climate Data and Data Management Climate Applications, Information, and Prediction Services Monitoring and Analysis of Climate Variability and Change WMO/OMM CAgMCCl WCDMP World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme AgMP Agricultural Meteorology Programme WCASP World Climate Applications and Services Programme & CLIPS Goals improve databases & data management improve climate system monitoring efforts & awareness develop new data techniques for rescue Goals develop climate services increase awareness of benefits develop practical product methods increase utilization of information & predictions Goals to assist members in the provision of meteorological and climate services for agriculture to assist in sustainable development & economically viable agricultural systems WCP World Climate Programme WORLD CLIMATE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Linking climate prediction and science to users WCASP and CLIPS aim to: Support application of climate information to sectors such as health and energy, Encourage research into and application of Seasonal to Interannual Prediction (SIP), Build capacity in NMHSs for SIP and climate services, Build linkages between climate scientists and users, Facilitate implementation of RCCs. Climate matters Source: OFDA/CRED The Need for Climate Services Effective SIP and climate services help alleviate the hardship, suffering and risk associated with climate variability and extreme weather and climate events. Climate variability and change are key factors in management and profitability of economic sectors such as agriculture, water resources, health, tourism, energy, transportation, and communications. Source: IFRC Actions to develop the concept Guidelines Regional activities WMO Regional Climate Centres RCCs Development of the concept 1999, MayCg-XIII 1999, JulyCCl questionnaire 2000, MayEC-LII 2001, April1st ICTT meeting 2001, JuneEC-LIII 2002, March2nd ICTT meeting 2002, JuneEC-LIV 2003, FebruaryWorkshop, LRF Producers 2003, MayCg-XIV 2003, NovemberMeeting on RCC Guidelines Requirements, responsibilities Leading role of NMHSs Structures and RCC components Designation Steps to follow to Implement an RCC RCCs Issues RCC role for climate services, support The requirements for RCC services and support will vary from region to region, depending on the needs of the Members. Categories of possible RCC functions being considered are: Operational production of SIP and climate products, Coordination and communications support, Data management services, Training and capacity building, and Research and development activities. (See handout, Annex 2, WCASP No. 52) Guidelines for Establishment of Regional Climate Centres November, 2003 RCCs - Statement of Purpose RCCs will complement, support the NMHSs Products and services will be: regional in nature those the NMHSs cannot produce themselves Defined, distributed by NMHSs NMHSs only issue Warnings and Watches RCCs will adhere to WMO resolutions 40, 25. Determination of requirements Process to establish requirements for RCCs : P/RA to inform PRs on RCC concept and process; P/RA to issue questionnaire to PRs to complete; P/RA to consolidate responses and return to PRs, with invitation to commit to host functions; Determination of requirements A WG or TT should then: review requirements & offered capabilities; ID priorities, deficiencies & remedial activities; propose a structure; ID actions to ensure access to GPC products; and P/RA may ask the WG/TT to help organize operational pilot/demonstration. Gain approval of requirements P/RA will present WG results to PRs and invite final suggestions; Regional Members will adopt the proposal (at RA regular session, or by correspondence); P/RA to send requirements/commitments to WMO/WCP and CCl and CBS. The RA must indicate for each centre proposed if official designation is desired. Assess RCC capability The capability of the proposed RCC(s) to produce the required products and services in a timely, accurate manner, must be established. This can take place through pilot projects or demonstrations. Regular questionnaires should be sent to users (NMHSs) to ID strengths, weaknesses. CLIPS FPs can be helpful RCC structure Each RA will select a structure to meet the needs determined by its Members. RCC Systems need to be cost-effective, inclusive and allow for overlap and coordination between the regions as needed. RCC systems need to include the role of the GPCs. Options for RCC structure Single, multi-functional RCC Distributed RCC (several centres, unique focus) Multiple RCCs (several multi-functional centres) Virtual RCC (several nodes, managed virtually) Some services may be provided by Universities or other scientific organizations. Some regions may choose to contract some work to private sector. RA IV Virtual RCC CIMH CRRH UWI UCR - RCC Node - NMHS - Other - Global producer - Coordinator Designation Process Manual on the Global Data-Processing Systems (WMO No. 485): Part I covers formal designation via CBS. CBS and CCl to ensure all RCC functions are covered and consistently described throughout the manual. Part II covers regional aspects. Responsibility for developing and approving the requirements falls entirely to the RA. Designation Process The RA decides if its RCC(s) are to be designated. If yes, the proposal will be submitted to CBS, CCl who will evaluate whether the proposal meets the regions needs and institutional framework. The TCs will require demonstration that the proposed centres can do the job (rigorous process). If requirements are met, formal recommendation will be made to Congress for approval. In the interim, pilot phase can proceed. Work plan Action Plans, formal commitments, ensure GPC support for each proposed centre; Steering Committees to coordinate commitments, the activities of the centres, and evolving needs. Regional Implementation Plan, based on the various action plans; P/RA to approve the Implementation plan; P/RA to coordinate steps for designation, as described in the Manual for GDPS. Some regions have made good progress in discussing development of RCCs, others have not held formal talks. Nonetheless, significant progress in provision of RCC-related activities is proceeding in all regions. CLIPS website holds info on meetings such as: RA VI Task Team on Provision of Seasonal to Interannual Forecasts and RCC Services (Reading, April 2003) Training Workshop on CLIPS for RA VI (Erfurt, Germany, June 2003) Actions in the Regions RCC-related activity in Africa RA I capability to provide RCC functions has been discussed: IRI Workshop on advancing regional plans, New York, 2002 ACMAD Workshop on eval. of PRESA process, Niamey, 2002 RA I mtg. On Operational NWP, Pretoria, 2002 Climate prediction and products are already provided by: ACMAD, DMC-Harare, ICPAC-Nairobi And in countries including: Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Runion Island, Tunisia, and South Africa. Operational programmes for climate observations, prediction and services are not consistently available in all parts of RA I NMHSs promote RCC implementation; Involve CLIPS Focal Points in completing the RCC questionnaire; CLIPS Focal Points please send in annual reports on CLIPS activities for 2003; Visit the CLIPS website at:Requests WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) The Mission of the CCl is to stimulate, understand and coordinate international technical activities to obtain and apply climate knowledge in support of sustainable socio-economic development and environmental protection - an authoritative international scientific voice on The Earths Climate System and on Climate Change The WCP helps countries collect and use climate information and knowledge to benefit their national economies and improve human well-being Taking the pulse of the planet WCDMP aims to improve capacity of Members in: Climate System Monitoring Climate Data Rescue activities in light of recent technological developments New Climate Database Management Systems Development of methods for climate data homogenization and recording of metadata World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme Division AgMP helps Members provide meteorological and related services to the agricultural community. The goals are to: - develop sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems - improve production and quality - reduce costs and minimize losses and risks - conserve natural resources (efficient use of water, labour and energy) - decrease pollution by agricultural chemicals and other agents that degrade the environment and - combat drought and desertification. Major Global Producing Centres