EC Supports New Global Framework for Climate Services
September 4, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
On Sept. 3, the European Commission (EC) declared its support for a new Global Framework for Climate Services, which is being discussed at the Third World Climate Conference (WCC-3) in Geneva.
Proposed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this framework aims to obtain more scientifically reliable data and prediction systems for climate forecasting.
The Global Framework for Climate Services will set new international foundations for the provision and use of science-based climate information and prediction. This initiative comes in the run-up to the Copenhagen Conference, which will take place this December.
"Climate change is a common challenge that must be addressed at [the] global level. Reaching global agreement on reducing emissions remains the first priority," said Janez Potočnik, EC commissioner for science and research.
"But we already know that we will have to mitigate the consequences of climate change. This will be best done on the basis of best possible scientific data. The availability of globally recognized climate information, tools, methods and models is crucial, especially for developing countries that are likely to suffer most from the negative impacts of climate change."
International Cooperation of Key Importance
Since 2004, the EC has funded over 130 climate-related projects worth more than €540 million through its Seventh European Research Framework Programme (FP7). The European climate research and observation research has a global scope. That's why these projects, aiming to improve an understanding of climate change, have been conducted in cooperation with non-European Union (EU) research institutions from some 60 countries.
The current FP7 runs until 2013 and will continue to facilitate and advance international climate science with participation from all continents. Nearly €1.9 billion are earmarked for environment research over the period 2007-2013. On top of that, other FP7 areas, such as transport and energy, fund climate-related research.
Climate Change Impacts Targeted World-wide
Key scientific questions and challenges in vulnerable regions around the globe have been targeted. Examples are studies about the melting of Himalayan glaciers and their impact on water resources in northern India.
There are also projects that support environmental observation in Asia and Africa, contributing to global observation systems and capacity-building in developing countries.
Other topics include the impacts of climate change on water resources as threats to security in southern Europe and neighboring countries, the carbon cycle and land use change in Africa, climate change predictions in Sub-Saharan Africa and the better quantification of impacts.
Background
This WMO initiative is in line with the EU position on adaptation in the United Nations climate negotiations and with the needs identified by the EC's April 2009 white paper on adaptation.
It will also contribute to the research and information needs emphasized in the EU strategy on supporting disaster reduction in developing countries and the European Community approach to the prevention of natural and man-made disaster.
Further Information
Information and links to 134 research projects funded by the EC in the field of climate change can be found in the document "European Research Framework Programme: Research on Climate Change."
See also the WCC-3 web site and the FAQ on the EC's support for a new Global Framework for Climate Services (MEMO/09/372).
Source: European Commission (EC).