World Climate Conference-3 Establishes a Global Framework on Climate Services
World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3), which has brought together from 31 August to 4 September 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, more than 2000 climate scientists, sectoral experts and decision-makers established a Global Framework for Climate Services. It aims to enhance climate observations and monitoring, transform that information into sector-specific products and applications, and disseminate those products widely.
"The Framework gives us an instrument to better adapt on actual climate change," said H.E. Mr Moritz Leuenberger, Federal Councillor, Head of Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. It "builds a bridge between the science, climate experts and users around the world and within as many as possible users in several socio-economic sectors". The 1500 scientists and sector experts who participated in the WCC-3 Expert Segment (31 August - 2 September) supported the development of the proposed Global Framework and called for a strengthening of five essential elements:
- The Global Climate Observing System and all its components, encouraging exchange and access to climate data;
- The World Climate Research Programme, underpinned by adequate computing resources and increased interaction with other global climate research initiatives;
- Climate services information systems taking advantage of existing national and international arrangements;
- Climate user interface mechanisms focussed on building linkages and integrating information between the providers and users of climate services; and
- Efficient and enduring capacity building through education, training and strengthened outreach and communication.
Source: Source: Press release Federal Office for the Environment FOEN [1]