1. Climate Services Information System
WMO Commission on Climatology
CSIS Implementation Coordination Team (ICT)
Co-chairs
Roger Pulwarty (NOAA), Albert Klein-Tank (KNMI)

2. GFCS Vision
Enable better management of the risks of climate variability and change and adaptation to climate change
Energy
In 2009, the international community acknowledged the growing demand for climate services and established the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) to enhance the development, delivery, and use of climate information in decision making. This Framework provides a platform for understanding and responding to the climate information needs of the broad user community. Five target user groups have been recognized as GFCS priority areas for developing climate services in all countries including
Food security/agriculture
Disaster risk reduction
Water resources
Human Health
Energy
30 DAYS
1 SEASON
3 YEARS
10 YEARS
30 YEARS
100 YEARS
SHORT-TERM
INTERANNUAL
DECADE-TO- CENTURY

3. WMO Resolution 17 (Cg-XVI), 2011
To establish a Climate Services Information System with global, regional and national entities providing operational climate information, including data, monitoring and prediction products within the GFCS;
Implementation of CSIS should be guided by the Commission for Climatology
WMO

5. The GFCS operational model,
User Interface
Users – Government, private sector, research – agriculture, water, health, construction, disaster reduction, environment, tourism, transport, etc.
Climate Services Information System
Observations and Monitoring
Research, Modeling and Prediction
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
The five GFCS pillars are as follows:
1. The User Interface Platform — to provide ways for climate service users and providers to interact to identify needs and capacities and improve the effectiveness of the Framework and its climate services;
2. The Climate Services Information System — to produce and distribute climate data, products and information according to the needs of users and to agreed standards;
3. Observations and Monitoring – to generate the necessary data for climate services according to agreed standards;
4.. Research, Modeling and Prediction — to harness science capabilities and results and develop appropriate tools to meet the needs of climate services;
5. Capacity Building — to support the systematic development of the institutions, infrastructure and human resources needed for effective climate services.
To address the entire value chain for the effective production and application of climate services, the above five main functional components or pillars of the GFCS need to be in place.

6. Climate Services Information System Early Development: WMO
Strategy for Implementation of CSIS – April 2011
Defines top-level CSIS functions and formalized structures
Task Team on CLIPS Evolution – October 2011
Identified existing tools
ET on CSIS – December 2012
Defines minimum CSIS elements at global, regional and national levels
Annex to the GFCS Implementation Plan: CSIS – 2014
Sets path for CSIS implementation and enabling mechanisms
April 11:
A set of top-level functions of CSIS to be defined on the lines of the operational functions identified for GPCs LRF and RCCs, such as (i) climate data management, (ii) climate monitoring, (iii) climate prediction and (iv) climate projection.
Formalized structures for CSIS elements and mechanisms are essential for standardization, sustainability, reliability, adherence to policies etc.
Knowledge of user requirements and understanding of how users apply climate information are fundamental to the successful generation and delivery of climate services.
NMHSs require a suite of tools, including guidelines on their use and respective training programmes, to enable them to efficiently apply global and regional products for generating tailored products for national climate services.
October 2011:
National Frameworks on Climate Services incl. basic, intermediate and advanced functions and national climate centres
and
Climate services toolkit: Definition, need, scope, standards, certification, candidates:
Data management tools: e.g. ClimatView, IRI Data Library, NOAA’s Weather and Climate Toolkit, CDMSs such as ClimSoft, CliSys etc.;
Climate analysis tools: e.g. Climate Explorer etc.;
Climate monitoring tools: e.g. CMT etc.;
Forecasting, downscaling and verification tools: e.g. Clik8; CPT; PRECIS, SCOPIC etc.
December 2012:
Elements of a minimum set of climate information outputs expected from CSIS (national, regional, global)
Elements of a minimum set of climate services expected from NMHSs (and relevant toolkit candidates)
Climate services toolkit requirements and potential candidate tools
Aspects of operations including standardisation and CSIS Technical Reference Manual needs and contents
GFCS Annex:

7. What is the CSIS?
The Climate Services Information System (CSIS) component of the GFCS is the principal mechanism through which information about climate – past, present and future – is routinely archived, analyzed, modelled, exchanged and processed.
The CSIS is the ‘operational core’ of the GFCS; it is designed for producing and delivering authoritative climate information products through appropriate operational mechanisms, technical standards, communication and authentication.
Functions include climate analysis and monitoring, assessment and attribution, predictions (monthly, seasonal, decadal) and projections (centennial scale)

8. CSIS Collaborating Institutions
Globally: range of advanced centres such as the Global Producing Centres of Long Range Forecasts
Regional: a network of entities with regional responsibilities such as the Regional Climate Centres
Nationally and locally: National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, other national institutional arrangements

9. What are the CSIS collaborating entities ?
User Interface Platform
National/Sectoral users
Specialized data centres
National data centres
Global data centres
Climate Data Centres
National climate centres
Global Producing Centres
Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Prediction Centres
Regional Climate Centres
National Climate Forums
Regional users
Global users
Regional systems
National systems
Global systems
Climate Observing Systems
Regional Climate Outlook Forums
Data flows (thin lines) and value-added information flows (thick lines) into and through the
entities and functions required for generating and delivering climate services. Implicit are the linkages and
respective data and information exchanges between climate observing systems, the various climate data
centres, and the climate analysis, monitoring and prediction centres. Evident from this figure are the
central roles played by the Regional Climate Outlook Forums and their national counterparts in
synthesizing and clarifying information fed by the CSIS entities to the various elements of the User
Interface Platform. This platform will be more diverse and complex than the three basic geographic scale
elements shown here 9

10. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Climate Centers
RCCs are Centres of Excellence intended to perform regional-scale climate functions
Established at the request of the Members of the Regional Associations
Official accreditation given by WMO after a successful 2- 4 yr demonstration phase
Primary users are the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS)
RCCs are complementary to and supportive of NMHSs, who will deliver all warnings and national-scale products in the appropriate language.
Tries to adhere to WMO recommendations for open data sharing and metadata
Sources:
Hovsepyan;, A “WMO Regional Climate Centers: CCl/CBS procedures for establishment and designation”; 2. How to establish and run a WMO RCC.

11. SERVICE DELIVERY AT COUNTRY LEVEL
Indicators for Global Policy Processes, e.g. unfccc Global stocktake, sdg 13
The schematic shows the elements of the CSIS. The top part is the seamless basic system. The bottom part is the conversion of the basic data and products to decision-support services. The horizontal arrow indicates that the CSIS elements are all necessary for a fully functioning system – historical data is used to validate models. The down arrows indicate that useable products can be generated from any point in the seamless continuum.
SERVICE DELIVERY AT COUNTRY LEVEL

12. A climate information system
“coherently organizes different types of climate information, and facilitates technical assistance to help decision makers understand how to integrate climate information into their planning processes”
Climate information system governance - a “systematic” approach for supporting and coordinating the development, archiving, and use of climate information by decision makers, with defined roles for government and non-government entities
i.e. Not just a “website”

13. What is an Integrated Information System?
Systematic collection and analysis of relevant information about and coming from areas of impending risk that informs early warning to early action

14. Key information system challenges- (Dilley (D)SG, many others..)
Inventorying existing data libraries, products and analytical tools
Making what is available accessible
Making what is accessible useable
Making systematic improvements (i.e. by enhancing access to developer’s tools)
Develop and support ongoing capacity and training (access, assessment/ applications, interpretation networks)

15. WMO CCl-CSIS Priority Projects
Establish and coordinate operational support for Frameworks for Climate Services at the national level in developing countries
Define, build and make available a Climate Services Toolkit to all countries
Establish modern Climate System Monitoring based on improved operational monitoring products
Implementation of the Climate Watch System
Standardize the operational CSIS products and promote CSIS-wide use of WMO Information System (WIS)
Facilitate the effective use of GPC and other global climate products by regional and national providers (e.g. RCCs and NMHSs)
Strengthening regional systems for providing climate services (RCCs and RCOFs)
Expand and sustain National COF/NCF operations

16. What is the CST? Accompanied by training materials
The Climate Services Toolkit comprises:
a data portal in public domain for access to and analysis of observations;
a data management system for quality control and simple management of data;
climate monitoring tools for calculation of anomalies, percentiles, return periods; and,
software tools for conducting climate analyses, making predictions, and assessing projections.
CST is a suite of guidance, data, software tools, training resources, and examples for enabling climate services at global, regional, and national levels
Accompanied by training materials
The WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) CSIS Implementation Coordination Team (ICT) will coordinate the compilation, production and distribution of a Climate Services Toolkit.

17. CSIS priorities-deliverables over the next year
Produce the CSIS Climate Services Toolkit-
prototype-what exists and how does one find it?
Engage climate information developers across the globe
2. Produce Technical Guidance for developing climate
services at the national level
Engaging potential donors and resource planning
3. Initiate prototype CSIS information systems incl.
capacity development in GFCS priority countries
drawing on successful approaches and existing
networks

18. Defining CST Core Capabilities Defining CST Development Process
CST Developers Meeting - Relevant Climate Data, Products, and Tools, CCl CSIS-ICT, December 6-8, 2016 (Geneva)
Defining CST Core Capabilities
Defining CST Development Process
Identifying Steps for CST Deployment and Evaluation
Way Forward-Produce a “mock-up” of the CST
Data management and data portals, Climate monitoring , predictions, projections products and tools, User interface mechanisms

19. 21-24 March, 2017 Nanjing, China Anticipated workshop outcomes
CSIS: Operation and Coordination
Plan for CSIS near- and long-term activities
Refined scope and components of CSIS implementation
Approach to ensure CSIS long-term sustainability
Validated requirements on tailoring of climate information, to meet the needs of downstream CSIS entities such as RCCs and NMHSs or wider groups of targeted CSIS users
Statement of needs for training events to support the deployment of the Climate Services Toolkit, and accelerated usability of information provided by the CSIS.

20. Thank you!
Xie Xie

21. Five CSIS priority activities under the GFCS Phase II
Activity 1: Define, build and make available a Climate Services Toolkit at the regional and national levels.
Activity 2: Develop regional Partnerships and Networks for Enhancing CSIS Capacities
Activity 3: Facilitate Implementation and Coordination of the Climate Services Information System pillar
Activity 4: Develop Climate Data Management Systems com[pliant with WMO specifications
Activity 5: Enhancement of National CSIS Capacities:
Development and Demonstration of a National Climate Services concept
CSIS: (1) technical focus, build architecture and functionality, (2) capacity development of protypes to then scale up. Highest priority is number 1 ‘ climate service toolkit’. Mark ups have been developed. Can then populate. A substantial activtz that uses existing tools developed independentlz - need to ensure standards, consistencz, easily used. activity 3 - linked to CST but more expansive. Propose to merge. One model is the development of Sector specific climate indices, developed jointly in collaborative manner.
Climate services and EWS simlarities and overlap?
** CD pillar - twining peer to peer interactions amongst met services. See CD activities 2 and 4.
Implement toolkits at a regional scale. That said, national level - can not have one type of toolkit for all countries. need a flexible and modular approach to accomodate different national level capacities. Help countries use and understand toolkits, and share knowledge and lessons learned between countries. A regional information system that acts as a coordination mechanism for national capacity. Toolkit is very specific ask. Engagement requires partners.
From perspective of those managing risks in countries - need right folks at table.
RCOFs. Partners see COFs as a intersting and potential useful mechanism to inform planning and promote with constituents. National forums or climate outlook forums are a prioritz. Most countries - one provider. Part of User interface platform, rather than CSIS, becuase a user engagement mechanism. In most cases - merged national consultation with national outlook forum. regional centers can support the development and implementation of national COFs.
Activity 1 - how does it link to requirements identified from user-driven activities in prioritz areas as described earlier. When does engagement and input from external partners happen? Answer - modular approach. First step - basic needs. then tailored products and co-production with partners for range of products being made available.
Toolkit concept is still open and evolving. Kezy requirement is to meet standards and protocols.
Question - who is primarz audience? national climate providers, NMHS primarily.
Obs and Monitoring
Common threads with RPM.
Overall intent is good. Activity 1 highlights specific networks OR should we focus on gaps in geographz. Lack of reference to existing activities in GCOS and WIGOS. WMO has rolling reequirements for integrated obs serystem already. For climate application areas, primarilz taken care of by GCOS, and some extent on guidance from CCL, WCRP. Text mentiones new observational requirements. Need to clarifz if there are new requirements - who, what, when, etc.? Need clarify on relationship between GCOS and WIGOS to work.
Activitz 3. Ppt measurement. Pursued activelz through WIGOS to build partnerships at national level. mostly govt but also academic and private that operate stations. Take integrated view of ppt in countries is often good, but lack of agreement on access, etc. Integrated multi-partner reference in text is helpful.
Budget numbers are unclear in scope and what it will cover.
Data needs bezond physical data, not under WMO jurisdiction.
Cap Dev - very important. Difficult to maintain and sustain investments.
Link to research - act number 5 in Research. Might be better to cast as a joint activitz between the two.
Data Rescue - text is fine. note that CDMS is mentioned here to ensure it is captured appropriately.
ensure focused on key gaps not addressed elsewhere - access is a good example.
implemet observing systems - beyond scope of document. in context of PAC work, alreadz investments in observing systems. What will WIGOS etc. need to access and provide sound advice to investors in this area.
Since we are looking at other sectors - what about handling other data beyond climate data. Need to think about how to access and ‘talk’ to data that is not climate, other prioritz areas.
IP - urgent need to include other data beyond climate.
Relationship btwn GFCS and existing initiatives such as GCOS. GCOS is focused on UNFCCC indices, and does not have mandate to go beyond its current mandate and reources. What is a process - either part of GCOS or related . GEO has mtg for user requirements coming up, includes observation requirements. What requirements are not under ECVs. On the other hand, IBCS MC asked to provide data requirements from sectors to better benefit from a climate service. Similarliy, WIGOS, facilitates work. example - dominica, two observing szstems, can WIGOS help resolve and implement WIGOS at national level?
For issues not addressed by GCOS, where can we focus?
In terms of investments - lots of funds already being committed into obs systems. Where we are challenged - data based management system. Based on where other investments are going, this is a key gap and immediate request and data cant be used or accessed.
We need to figure out how to represent best interest of GCOS etc., while moving forward.
Clarifz - GCOS bezond CC, also variabilitz
Need to have honest discussion on synergies and overlap to have a true impact. Need to step back and discuss more.
Need to share and access data. Need a strong platform to distribute the data. Integrated GHG information szstem example. Open data policies.
Suggest - follow WWW as an opoerational capability. amongst members, to support climate services.
REquirements versus real capabilities. Requirements - need to follow WMO and GFCS priority areas. We need to document the real needs for priority areas.
We have an opportunity - to integrate data requirements for the GFCS. Discussion on data for climate services is being developed.
GEO is a broader communitz.
From perspective of DRR, not just variabilitz and long term - also short term events. To inform user communities.
RES
climate data - ECV is the main language and currency. may need to be more flexible.
free data? not productive conversation. lets find tangible examples and partners we can work on, and move forward.
research communitz sbusy on topics related to GFCS - water, heat, carbon, different time scales, etc. Lets instead find connection on research community and user community. prediction - not just met, other sectors, collaboration potential.
overlap in time scale interest
use as basis for connecting to user needs
Two of the Research activities are more aligned with Obs.
What we are offering - come back with a revised text to recirculate. Needs a bit of a preamble with context on what is already happening and will help to restart conversation.
WCRP not isolated from climate service communitz - connected at national level, copernicus, etc. It could help WCRP to be more szstematic to work through GFCS on some of these topics.
What are tangible opportunities - geography, sector, topics, etc. what is that space to identifz?
WWRP - June 21 - scientific communitz to identifz regional opportunities for research collaborations, link to capacity building. Can be an additional step to have these regions considered.
Summariye - Res. activitz 3 - alreadz looking at regional and sector activities.
revise next month. also, build on expert team for data requirements for GFCS.
Linkage between REs, OBS, and CSIS. need a strong contribution to CSIS
CD.
gap - research at national level.
CD - talk to each other, but not always clear. challenge for priority areas to understand how the technical pillars will trickle down to respond to user needs. Still disconnect in language and understanding on how to use and interpret prodcuts, etc.
TT on data requirements ay be a good first step, but may not be broad enough. also unclear on how to use res 60. We need the right mechanims to help.

22. Resolution 60 (Cg-17), in support of CSIS implementation-
Requests the WDCs, GPCLRFs, RCCs, NMHSs and other associated entities within the CSIS to increase and harmonize the exchange between WMO members and partners of historical, current and forecast-related climate data and products
Clarification of Resolution 60 (Cg-17)at the WMO EC-68 (2016)- endorsed a recommendation, by the EC Task Team on Data Policy and Emerging Issues
Implementation of Resolution 60 should initially focus on the GCOS ECVs, with initial data requirements to be specified in the forthcoming GCOS Implementation Plan, further supplemented through an on-going review by the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS) Expert Team on Specific Data Requirements (ET-SDR).

23. Anticipated workshop outcomes
CSIS Operations and action plan
Near-term and long-term action plan and activities focused on participating countries
Further development and deployment of the CST
Capacity development: Statement of needs for CST deployment, and for CSIS usability.