Proposed Regional Climate Center Road Map

Transcription

1 Region Association IV GFCS Implementation Proposed Regional Climate Center Road Map RA IV MC Briefing Michael Crowe on behalf of, Chair, RA IV GFCS TT June 2016

2 Work Plan for RA IV Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) Task Team GFCS Task Team (TT) developed a detailed work plan for the RA IV GFCS implementation with over 24 specific potential areas of regional cooperation being identified and articulated Theme 1: Assessment of climate service capacity Theme 2: Regional Climate Centers Theme 3: Regional Climate Outlook Forums Theme 4: Research, Prediction and Tools RA IV MC Approved one item this fiscal to finalize RCC Roadmap by holding a 2 day workshop of the Expert Team Meeting ($10-15K) Meeting took place May 25-26, in San Jose, Costa Rica

3 Region Association IV GFCS RCCC Expert Team Meeting Charge and Analysis Objectives of the Road Map Define RCCs roles and responsibilities, and the mechanisms for implementation and coordination of actions in order to avoid duplication of effort and to prioritize gaps Expert Team Analysis Mapped of existing RA-IV capabilities to WMO mandatory and highly recommended functions Agreed upon geographic regions for each RCC Determined strategy to fill the gaps in mandatory other key functions Finalized report with specific actions for implementation

4 WMO Guidance to Expert Team on Country based and Overlapping Coverage focus on mandatory functions The Expert Group (EG) was provided some key guidance from WMO concerning overlapping RCCs. The EG concluded the following with regards to overlapping geographical and RCC products and service: WMO confirmed that overlapping domains of responsibilities are seen as a potential benefit (EG noted redundancy would build resilience in the region) WMO confirmed that for multi-functional RCC Accreditation, the most important requirements are that the RCC should perform all the mandatory functions WMO confirmed that country-hosted RCCs are acceptable. The RCC could cover and entire RA or even extend to another RA in which case all the concerned RAs should agree A key consideration for RA IV is the languages that the RCC services will need to be provided in: Spanish, English, Dutch, and French are all spoken in RA-IV.

5 All mandatory functions and a selection of the highly recommended and other functions were considered in the analysis Geographic Coverage Mandatory RCC Functions (essential) Highly Recommended Functions Capacity Gap Analysis of the geographical coverage for the region Long Range Forecast Climate Monitoring Climate Data Services Training Research Coordination Capacity analysis Roles and Responsibilities of different regional centers and initiatives LRF production, tailored products, and access for users Diagnostic, Climatologies, and Climate Watch Climate datasets, archives Use of operational products and services Priorities for research and developme nt to support RCCs Mechanism for implementation and coordination of actions Sustained Financial and Human Resource Support

6 Geographical Coverage Roles and Responsibilities of different regional centers and initiatives The analysis of the geographical coverage for the region indicated the following: The US-based RCC currently plans to make available all the mandatory functions for the entire region. The Caribbean RCC currently provides the mandatory functions for all the Caribbean, including the Spanish speaking countries and Belize in Central America, and Guyana and Surinam in RA-III. The Climate Services Center for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean would provide climate services in Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, which overlaps with some areas served by the Caribbean RCC. The proposed Arctic PRCC would also overlap with a number of regions (RA II, IV, and VI) and will require coordination with their respective RA MGs. The North America Climate Services Partnership would provide services at the Mexico- USA and Canada-USA borders, which overlaps with the CSC for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean for services in Mexico The EG agreed that overlaps in RCCs should focus on mechanisms for coordination/collaboration for consistent messaging, where appropriate.

7 Graphical Representation of RA IV Current and Proposed RCCs and RCSPs

8 Long Range Forecasts Production, tailored products, and access for users Findings The US-based RCC would continue to provide a number of products for the entire region which are critical for the functions of other RCCs. Caribbean RCC is investigating developing their own modeling capacity Majority of the other initiatives are highly dependent on the US global model and others for LRF Gaps with the current US products when mapped to all the mandated WMO LRF products were discussed. EG recommended actions with respect to LRF US-RCC will examine the potential to develop an RA IV data portal to ensure easy access to their products. US-RCC will explore opportunities to host teleconferences with the other RCCsand non- RCC initiatives to get consensus on monthly and seasonal forecasts.

9 Climate Monitoring Diagnostic, Climatologies, and Climate Watch Findings Climate diagnostics and regional climatologies, these are being addressed by the Caribbean RCC US-based RCCs, and the CSC for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean Climate monitoring are largely being met for the region, there is a gap in Climate Watches (exceptions are drought in Caribbean and NASCP) Some problems with the use of current products in national policy and resource deployments such as the early arrival of climate impacts before official statements on climate variations are released. EG recommended actions with respect to Operational Data Services Recommend research into the development of new Climate Watch Indices Tailor RCC/CSC specific products for RA IV that are more sensitive to regional impacts Share best practices on Climate Watch indices, impacts database and communications strategies Specific activities Continue to invite RCC/CSC members to participate in each other s events Reach out to existing WMO training programs for aid in developing a training strategy for the region. Develop media training products and documentation on climate services and products (starting with translation of Caribbean products; GFCS Caribbean funding opportunities; leveraging existing training such as the upcoming one in Cuba).

10 Operational Data Services Climate datasets, archives Findings Key a gap in the availability of climate data within RA IV to support the development of RCC products modeling and regional purposes Caribbean RCC captures and archives all monitoring data and distributes Progress is being made within the Mesoamerican region in terms of access and distribution - lack infrastructure and formal agreements Range of data quality - need metadata to understand the known quality EG recommended actions with respect to Operational Data Services RA IV MG endorses an Open Data Policy to support the RCCs in accordance to WMO Resolution 60 for all RA IV countries. Share best practice for legal agreements on data release and data quality assessment and control RCCs and CSC to develop proposals to WMO or others sources for data rescue (compliant with WIS/WIGOS standards) RCC and CSC to complete a full survey of the existing stations in the region, including those not currently shared with WMO Develop proposals to support the development of archiving systems

11 Training Use of operational products and services Findings Focus training on both the NHMS capacity development and Users understanding (move towards training impacts climatologists, use WMO Competencies) EG recommended actions with respect to Training Expand current Outlook Forums to provide training in climate services for Users GFCS TT to develop a Training Strategy for RA IV for Climate Services and to consider the following: Encourage universities to develop curricula to support development WMO climate services competencies for climate professionals and more general courses for Users Examine existing WMO, US NOAA and COMET training programs for climate services to support regional capacity Look at WebCast type training modules Support students in addition to operational climatologists for full involvement in climate services areas

12 Research and Development Findings: defining priorities for research and development to support RCCs (R&D priorities from the TT work plan.) EG recommended actions with respect to Research and Development GFCS TT to develop a climate Research and Development agenda and coordinate it with other relevant RCC and CSCs with specific focus on: Development of a toolbox to facilitate the production of climate services Search/sharing of lessons learned on how climate information is incorporated in the decision making processes (Climate Watch Indices) Develop indicators of climate extremes (Climate Watch Indices) Stakeholder (include policy makers) evaluations to improve products and services Improve and expand sub-seasonal forecasting, including basic research into regional climate drivers (essential for RCC LRF)

13 Capacity Sustained Financial and Human Resource Support Caribbean RCC has benefited from significant recent investments from regional development institutions (USAID, etc.); however, long-term support important CSC for Meso-america and the Caribbean has neither human nor financial resources allocated directly - technical assistance is urgent in terms of human resources and data management infrastructure investment The US RCC and NACSP benefit from sustained support by the NMHSs of the US and Canada and Mexico no additional resources required The proposed Arctic PRCC would overlap with a number of regions and will require coordination with their respective RA MGs, and through the accreditation process capacity issues will have to be assessed. Leverage existing funding mechanisms such as targeted GFCS funding and the CREWS initiative

14 Coordination Mechanism for implementation and coordination of actions There is a recognized need for the development of a RCC coordination strategy for Region IV on how these various existing and proposed entities will fit together, how to build and coordinate regional and inter-regional partnerships. RAIV is fortunate to have an existing Task Team on the Global Framework for Climate Services to serve as the key mechanism for interaction between the RCCs and CSCs within the region

15 Moving Forward 16 specific recommended actions Priority actions U.S. to proceed with process towards RCC accreditation. U.S. and Canada to continue to fill the gap in the provision of RCC services in Arctic Polar region (Cross regional). The EG recommends that the RA IV MG endorses an Open Data Policy to support the RCCs in accordance to WMO Resolution 60 for all RA IV countries. The RCCs and non-rccs to expand current Outlook Forums to provide training in climate services for Users Caribbean RCC to share best practices for Share legal agreements on data release and data quality assessment and control within the Caribbean. GFCS TT to develop two key strategies: Develop a climate Research and Development agenda and coordinate it with other relevant RCCs and non-rccs Develop a Training Strategy for RA IV for Climate Services to support RCCs and non-rccs for regional capacity development. In the long-term, additional actions are provided in the Annex. These actions should be taken up and examined by the GFCS TT.

16 QUESTIONS?