Climate Science Information for Climate Action (CSICA)

Project

Project background

Since October 2018, and in response to the Paris Agreement (Article 7, paragraph 7 (c)) WMO and Green Climate Fund (GCF) have partnered to provide the global community with access to new climate information, tools, and guidance to facilitate the generation and use of climate information in support of climate action decisions, recognizing the contribution and value of science-based decision-making in responding to climate change.  

Some of the products developed by WMO include a methodology for Developing the Climate Science Information for Climate Action (WMO-No. 1287), data, tools and associated technical resources for enhancing the climate science basis for GCF-funded projects and activities, as well as for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and climate policies.  

The aim of providing these products is to help all countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS) and developing countries to identify and select the most effective climate actions to address climate impacts. In doing so, the guidance can contribute to country-level decision-making and the mobilization of climate finance.

The Climate Science Information for Climate Action (CSICA) initiative was officially launched in 2021 at the twenty-sixth Conference of Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, Scotland. Furthermore, the GCF Board at its thirty-third Session in July 2022 adopted Decision 19 (GCF B.33/19) recognizing the results of the WMO-GCF collaboration and acknowledged the importance of scaling up the support for strengthening the capacity of all stakeholders to access, synthesize, and incorporate relevant climate science information into climate action policies, plans and investments, as well as enhancing the hydrological and meteorological systems and associated climate information services for low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

Noting significant demand from countries, and high-level political support for this work, WMO is implementing the CSICA initiative through the provision of institutional coordination support, technical advisory services, capacity development and increased partnerships. 

Objective(s)

Systematically strengthened capacity of all stakeholders (UNFCCC Parties, GCF Accredited entities (AEs) (particularly Direct Access Entities (DAEs)), National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Independent Technical Advisory Panel (ITAP), and the Secretariat, other climate finance sources, UN organizations and other technical and development partners) to incorporate climate science information into climate action policies, plans and investments on a wide scale. 

Outputs

  1. Roll-out of the concepts and tools developed during the first phase of the GCF-WMO expert services agreement on a wide scale (annual forums on climate science information, network of experts established)
  2. Maintenance and enhancement of the Climate Information Platform (CIP), Climpact and other technical resources
  3. Capacity development for stakeholders (incudes trainings, online courses)
  4. Hands-on support for specific implementation cases (technical assistance to countries)
  5. Strategic Information for Policy and Finance (link to UNFCCC and international processes). 

Expected outcomes

  1. Climate action policies, plans and investments have access to, and can include, the best available climate science information
  2. Investments, which will require better hydro-meteorological systems and services to support the identified actions, are designed and implemented according to international standards. 

Achievements

  • More than 25 countries have benefitted from capacity building activities aimed at generating climate science information for specific purposes (NAPs, NDCs, funding proposals)
  • Updating of Climpact and CIP – includes updates of the climate models e.g. from CMIP5-6 and including scenarios for projected development -the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)-, as well as provision of additional sectoral guidance (have drafted inputs for a guide on climate resilient WASH with UNICEF)
  • New agreements signed with UNEP and UNICEF to act as a technical partner on climate science.
  • Guidance Note on Enabling NMHSs to Mobilize Climate Finance has been developed (to be published by end 2024/early 2025)
  • CSICA initiative is supplementing the provision of climate risk data and information in support to early warning and forecast services (link to EW4All). 
Share:
A person in a reflective vest and red hat is planting a seedling by a river, with mountains and trees in the background.
Icon
Ongoing
Total Funding:
US$ 1,200,000.00
WMO Long-Term Goal(s):
  • Climate Resilience and Adaptation
  • Global Framework for Climate Services
  • Capacity Development
  • Governance
Focus Area(s):
  • Data Management
  • Forecasting
  • Service Delivery
  • Early Warnings

Donors

Green climate fund logo.

Partners

A black and white logo with the word hmh.
UNSW logo featuring a crest with a lion, a cross, and four stars. The Latin motto "Corde Manu et Mente" is below, with "UNSW" written beneath in large letters.