1. Guiding Principles for Climate Risk Management Initiatives
Symposium on Climate and Extreme Events in Asia-Pacific
20th Pacific Science Congress
March 2003

2. Guiding Principles Address the integrated climate-society system
Start with understanding of vulnerability and focus on resilience
Place and context matter
Understand decision-making framework to help guide climate information development, delivery and applications
Useful and usable information
Continuum of climate timescales
Scale, timing, format & language appropriate to application and user community
Responsive to user needs
Incorporates new insights/capabilities

3. Guiding Principles Shared learning & joint problem-solving
Utilize team/network approach with partners (incl. decision-makers) engaged in an iterative, participatory process
Utilize trusted information brokers (intermediaries)
Enhance communication within teams and among teams throughout the region
Shared access to expertise, tools & technologies
Broader regional partnership
Shared learning & joint problem-solving
Building/sustaining TRUST an essential element

4. Guiding Principles Appropriate tools, technologies and mechanisms
Process and products
Importance of integrated program of observations, monitoring, forecasting, assessment and applications – with continuous evaluation (and adjustment as necessary)
Document and share experiences
Build on existing systems, institutions, programs, relationships & networks

5. Guiding Principles Education, training & capacity-building essential
Government leadership—at all levels
Extremes a valuable focus; opportunities for science, engagement, building resilience
Proactive planning—climate risk management in a sustainable development context
Risk management a valuable framework for building partnerships and guiding climate information systems