Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydro-meteorological, Climate and Environmental Services : Challenges and the Way Forward

Summary

This chapter describes a new World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) approach to the provision of science-based services to assist the planning of safe, healthy, resilient and climate-friendly cities. The approach is outlined in full in the WMO Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services. Volume I, Concepts and Methodology publication. WMO Guidance for Urban Integrated Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services. Volume I: Concept and Methodology. WMO-No: 1234, https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=9903, 2019a, which has been approved for promotion and communication to WMO Members. Highlighted here are the underlying concepts and methods that underpin the services to help manage cities on a day-to-day basis, responding to short-term hazards but also to prepare for climate change are described. Heterogeneous dense observation networks, high-resolution forecasts, multi-hazard early warning systems, long-term climate prediction and service applications all working in combination are at the heart of such services, the implementation of which will support mitigation and adaptation strategies for achieving thriving climate resilient cities and promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To meet the needs of urban areas, the concept of Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services (IUS) is embedded in a multidisciplinary approach that identifies the requisite partnerships, including research agencies, city governments, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders, to establish and sustain urban services. As this is an emerging and diverse service, the requirements are broad with considerable research, development, capacity building and cross-service integrations yet to be done. In addition to providing an overview of the concept, we set out the challenges and recommended path forward to develop and implement IUS.