Task Team on CLIPS Evolution Simon J. Mason International Research Institute for Climate and Society The Earth Institute of Columbia University WMO Workshop on Strategy for Implementation of CSIS Geneva, Switzerland, 5 – 7 April, 2010

Task-Team Simon Mason, USA (Lead) David Walland, Australia Buruhani Nyenzi, Tanzania Christopher Hewitt, UK Atul Kumar Sahai, India Sai-ming Lee, Hong Kong Barbara Tapia, Chile (Jean-Pierre Céron, France) Meeting: 24 – 26 November, Geneva, Switzerland

Terms of Reference 1.Develop a set of overall functions of National Climate Centres (NCCs) Themes Data management and publication Monitoring and diagnostics Forecasting (intra-seasonal to multi-annual) Projections and scenarios

Terms of Reference 1.Develop a set of overall functions of National Climate Centres (NCCs) NCC is an enabler of services Fundamental functions: data management and publication; conduit to utilize GCC/RCC for functions outside its own capability Ranking on multiple criteria Current ranking emphasizes servicing of global community rather than user service

Terms of Reference 2.Develop a concept note on National Climate Services (NCSs) – structures, coordination mechanisms and clear definitions of climate services All countries should be able to provide national climate services. The NMS will be involved to varying degrees in at least some of the NCS activities. The NCC and NCS may or may not be co-located. NMS not necessarily involved at all timescales

Terms of Reference 2.Develop a concept note on National Climate Services (NCSs) – structures, coordination mechanisms and clear definitions of climate services Pros and cons of the NMS coordinating delivery of services: Experience Mandate (sometimes legislative) Service orientation One-stop

Terms of Reference 3.Develop an outline for a climate information and prediction services toolbox Benefits: Standardization. Implement best-practice. Building of capacity. Simplified learning curve. Efficiency Required standards were defined (eg. Multi-lingual interface, documented, etc).

Terms of Reference 3.Develop an outline for a climate information and prediction services toolbox Data portal (for management, access to and analysis of observations and GCM outputs) Forecasting tools (for purely statistical, and MOS models) Climate change scenario downscaling tools (with flexibility to interface to impacts models to informing adaptation strategies) Visualization

Terms of Reference 4.Review the past experiences with the CLIPS Focal Point network, and develop a new Climate Services Information System (CSIS) Focal Point network along with their Terms of Reference Current system is inadequate Building redundancy Qualifications Delegation