Use of climate predictions to manage risks
This document explores the range of currently available and potential climate prediction products and services. It is intended for all audiences from policy makers to practitioners and users. In particular, it should help National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) which are not currently providing climate services to visualize the possibilities and, perhaps, start creating services in their own environments and countries.
This overview emphasizes the opportunities available for close cooperation between providers, users and other stakeholders in the development of useful services for decision-makers at any scale. Different examples of this cooperation and the significant benefits that this close engagement can bring to the value of a climate service are highlighted.
Also essential is the collaboration across disciplines. Many of the case studies included in this publication comprise a joint effort between NMSs and experts in fields such as hydrology, agriculture, engineering and economics. This multi-disciplinary approach allows climate products to be developed into information tailored specifically to the decision-making needs of any user and hence increases the potential value and use of a service.
In conclusion, the collaboration between climate product and service providers across scales is essential and a large range of global climate products is currently available to help develop climate services with a regional or local focus.