Global initiative to provide climate services for society gains momentum

Progress in rolling out operational climate services vital to help countries and communities cope with long-term climate change and associated extreme weather events is set to receive a boost at an intergovernmental meeting to consider a road map for future action.

The Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services holds its first session 2 to 5 July 2013 to discuss implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). This is a country-driven initiative to provide accurate and accessible climate services to users such as disaster management authorities, water and energy utilities, public health agencies, the transport sector, farmers as well as the community at large. 

The global push to deliver climate information and services is spearheaded by the World Meteorological Organization in partnership with many other international organizations such as United Nations agencies, the World Bank and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Governments and their agencies are developing the GFCS at national level.