Sustainable development: perspective of the World Meteorological Organization

This position paper outlines how, through The Global Framework for Climate Services, products and services, experts from various disciplines and regions will work together to develop science-based climate and environmental information tailored to end-users’ needs. It is intended to contribute to adaptation to climate variability and change and disaster risk management as an integral part of overall United Nations system-wide efforts to make science accessible and relevant for decision-making at all levels, as a contribution to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

Developed by the World Meteorological Organization in conjunction with the broader UN system to provide the mechanism for the generation and use of climate knowledge, the Framework aims at:
• Reducing the risk of disasters and other climate hazards, the cost of which often burdens developing and least developed nations for years, aggravating extreme poverty;
• Improving and optimizing management of water resources to provide sustainable access to freshwater for drinking, irrigation and household use;
• Improving health, especially for women and children, by stemming the spread of disease vectors;
• Contributing to renewable energy research and strengthening the scientific basis of the green economy;
• Increasing agricultural productivity to improve food security and reduce hunger.