Delivering African climate information services sustainably: Capacity gaps and recommendations for national meteorological and hydrological services
Since the institution of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in 2009, the need to deliver climate services has become mainstream (and expected) amongst National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and climate science research institutions. In addition, the GFCS framework expects the development of climate services to include appropriate engagement and capacity development of users of climate information. However, the delivery of user-relevant climate information may not previously have been within the remit of NMHSs and research institutions and many will have to develop the expertise and capacity required to deliver it meaningfully.
This webinar showcased learning from an assessment of the effectiveness and sustainability of seven African NMHSs to deliver CIS: Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Malawi, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Niger. This included a baseline assessment of the selected NMHSs and recommendations on how to bridge and prioritize capacity gaps. Seven countries were included in the assessment.
Facilitator
Erica Allis, Global Framework for Climate Services
Speakers
- Dr Tufa Dinku (International Research Institute for Climate and Society) - Assessment methodology and recommendations (Part I): Metrics to identify capacity needs of NMHS; Recommendations for improving observational and monitoring capacity
- Dr Mark Tadross (Climate System Analysis Group, University of Cape Town) - Assessment recommendations (Part II):Interventions to improve research, modelling and prediction; climate service information systems; and user interface platforms.
- Mr Kinfe Hailemariam (Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency) - Discussant: Response from the Ethiopian NMHS to project analysis.
- Prof. Amadou Thierno Gaye (Université Cheikh Anta Diop) - Discussant: The role of universities to support pedagogy and research on climate information services.