FAQ on EC's Support for New Global Framework for Climate Services
September 4, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
Frequently asked questions about support by the European Commission (EC) for a new Global Framework for Climate Services, which is being discussed at the Third World Climate Conference (WCC-3) in Geneva, are answered in this document.
This framework aims to obtain more scientifically reliable data and prediction systems for climate forecasting.
Why does the EC support the establishment of the Third World Climate Conference's Global Framework for Climate Services?
The provision and use of science-based climate information and prediction is of utmost importance to prepare for climate change impacts. Comprehensive and precise climate prediction will allow targeted and more cost-efficient decision making and would help our economies to become climate-resilient.
This initiative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is in line with the European Union (EU) position on adaptation in the U.N. climate negotiations and with the needs identified by the EC's April 2009 white paper on adaptation.
The Global Framework for Climate Services 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.
What does the Global Framework for Climate Services mean?
The Global Framework for Climate Services is a commitment to establish a global framework for strengthening climate observing and modeling programs worldwide. This framework aims also at providing improved climate data and forecasts with increased relevance for the user's community.
A focus will be put on climate modeling and prediction research required for the provision of climate services. The new system will develop sector-targeted and user-targeted services, build capacity in developing countries and develop policies to support the application of climate services with economic and societal benefits.
What is the EC's contribution to this international initiative?
The EC provided financial support to the WCC-3 and contributed to the drafting of the high-level declaration. It will also provide its political support to the initiative.
In parallel, the EC is funding many research projects on climate change. International research and technology development is of crucial importance for tackling climate change. Since 2004 the EC hasfunded, through the Seventh European Research Framework Programme (FP7), more than 130 climate-related and focused projects worth more than €540 million. These projects, aiming to improve the understanding of climate change, have been conducted in cooperation with non-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.
What are the research priorities contributing to international cooperation with developing countries who are struggling with climate change impacts?
The international cooperation focuses on the impact of climate change at the regional level, as well as climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on water, soil resources and health. The prediction, prevention, risk management and mitigation of extreme events and their impacts are an integral part of the cooperation for climate change.
FP7 is targeting key scientific questions and challenges in vulnerable regions around the globe. Examples include the melting of Himalayan glaciers and its impact on water resources in northern India, avoiding deforestation in tropical forests (such as in Indonesia, South America and Africa), climate change impacts on water resources as a threat to security in southern Europe and neighboring countries, carbon cycle and land-use change in Africa, climate change predictions in Sub-Saharan Africa and the quantification of impacts.
Institutions from 50 developing countries (called the "Non-Annex-I Parties" in the U.N. Climate Convention) participate in current EC-funded climate-related research projects. They benefit from an overall EC contribution of nearly €20 million.
The EC is also participating in the effort of the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in building the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and for promoting the sharing of Earth observation data at the international level. The EU's main contribution to GEO systematic and Earth observation activities is the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative. The GMES provides useful data on a range of issues, including climate change and citizen security.
What is the EC proposing in order to decarbonize the energy system?
The development of new energy technologies is crucial to successfully fighting against climate change and securing world and European energy supply. The EC has proposed a comprehensive plan to establish a new energy research agenda for Europe - the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) - and to bring EU member states, industry and the science community together to foster the development of these new energy technologies.
Further Information
For more information, see:
Source: European Commission (EC).