CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP:

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENT

AGRICULTURE IN PACIFIC SIDS

Integration Opportunities

Salesa Nihmei I Meteorology and Climate Officer I SPREP I Samoa

9-11 August 2016 Tanoa Hotel, Nadi, Fiji Islands

1. Overview of SPREP and its Meteorology

Programme/Partnerships

2. The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and

Progress in the Pacific

3. Application of Climate Services in the region

4. Challenges and Opportunities

5. Additional Resources and Tools

Overview

1. Overview of SPREP and its Meteorology

Programme/Partnerships

Introducing Secretariat of the Pacific

Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

• Working for over 40 years in the Pacific region

• Inter-governmental organisation

– The Pacific regional agency for the environment

– Recognized as the lead agency on biodiversity, climate change, waste management and environmental monitoring and governance in the Pacific Region

• 26 member countries

– 21 Pacific Island countries & territories

– 5 ‘metropolitan’ states (AU, NZ, FR, USA, UK)

SPREP is fully accountable to member governments

through an annual SPREP Meeting and Ministerial Meeting

• Over 90 staff

Climate Change Division

Climate Change Division

Adaptation

Science and Policy

Mitigation

Knowledge Management

Pacific Met Desk Partnership

Pacific Meteorological Strategy 2012-2021 guides

the priorities of the region

• The PIMS has 14 Pacific Key

Outcomes (PKO) that outline the main

priorities highlighted by the NMSs.

• The implementation of each of the

PKO's are further separated into (87)

Pacific National Priority Actions and

(68) Pacific Regional Priority

Actions Under each of the PKO's

• Currently under mid-term Review

14 Pacific Priorities for NMSs

Priority 1, 2 and 3:

• Improved aviation, marine and public

weather services

Priority 4:

• Improved end-to-end Multi-Hazard

Early Warning Systems (MHEWS)

Priority 5:

Improved EWS Flood

Priority 6:

• Improved Climate information and

prediction Services

Priority 7:

• Enhanced infrastructure (data and

information services) for weather,

climate and water

Priority 8:

• Preservation of Historical Data

Priority 9:

• Observations of Atmospheric Chemistry

Priority 10:

• Capable and effective NMSs

Priority 11:

• Education, training and Capacity development activities

Priority 12:

• Funding and resource mobilization

Priority 13:

• Strategic Partnerships

Priority 14:

• Effective and efficient PMC (with linkages to RA-V)

• Development of a Pacific Roadmap for Climate Services to be more inclusive of Sectors

1. The Pacific

Meteorological Council

(PMC)

0

20

40

60

80

100

PMC-1 PMC-2 PMC-3

Number of Participants to the PMC

Majuro-2011

Nadi-2013

Nuku’alofa-2015

2. Pacific Meteorological Council and the Ministerial

Meeting on Meteorology

• First Pacific Ministerial Meeting on

Meteorology (PMMM-1) held in Tonga

in July 2015.

• Endorsement of the Nuku’alofa

Ministerial Declaration on

sustainable weather and climate

services for a resilient Pacific

Regional Ministerial

Meeting

PMC-3 + Partners

“Note that weather and climate services are not an option but are a responsibility and a basic human right”

Working Groups to Support the PMC

• Establishment of a Pacific Island Panel

(Working group) on Aviation Services to

deal with and advise with the

implementation of Aviation weather

Services (including looking at Quality

Management and Cost Recovery)

• Establishment of a Pacific Island Panel

(Working group) on Marine and Ocean

services (including coastal inundation

and tsunami)

• Formalised a Pacific Islands Panel of

Education, Training and Research

(including a call for a Regional Training

Centre)

• Report from the Pacific Island Climate

Services (PICS) Panel dealing with RCC,

climate prediction

PMC

Climate Services

Communications and Infrastructu

re

Aviation Services

Marine and Ocean

Services

Education Training

and Research

Pacific Islands Climate Services (PICS) Panel

• Establishment and support to

the meetings of the Pacific

Islands Climate Services

(PICS) Panel.

• NIWA (NZ) is Chair and PNG is

the Vice Chairman of the PICS

Panel

• Members include (NOAA, BoM,

NIWA, Meteo-France, SPREP,

USP, SPC, WMO RA-V, PNG,

Vanuatu, Niue, Palau, Samoa

(Water), Tonga (Agriculture))

• 3 meetings to date and

developed an Action Plan

First PICS Panel Meeting, August 2014 to Finalise its ToR and draft its Action

2. The Global Framework for Climate Services

(GFCS) and Progress in the Pacific

Climate Database Management

System A tool to manage, organise and store weather records

– To describe the climate

– To describe climate variability

– To understand climate change and its impacts

PCCSP, 2012

Why are climate data important?

Data Digitization

Data Storage

• PAPER FORMS

• CLICOM (introduced by WMO)

• SPREADSHEETS

• CLIMSOFT

• CliDE/CliDESC (still needs support)

PCCSP, Samoa

Global Framework for Climate Services

User Interface

Innovative mechanism that will:

• Provide ways for climate service users and providers to monitor requirements for climate services

• Provide forum for dialogue to understand needs of users and capabilities of providers

• Identify products and services requirements of users

• Increase the literacy of climate service users

• Monitor user satisfaction with the overall performance of the Framework

Weather • Climate • Water 18

WMO RCC Status Worldwide

Designated RCC-Networks

RCC-Networks in Demo Phase

BCC TCC

NEACC

ICPAC

ACMAD

CIIFEN

RCCs in Demonstration Phase

RCCs Proposed

RCC-Networks Proposed

SADC-CSC

Designated RCCs

North America Initiative

AGRRHYMET

Climate Services

• Climate Products and

Information are NOT Services

unless they are used for

Decision Making

Value of Seasonal Forecasting

• Seasonal Forecasting is a

potential tool to inform

community short term

adaptation actions and long-

term adaptation design

Why?

– Many Communities in the region identify climate change impacts

to the impact of extreme events and climate variability

– If communities adapt to climate extremes and variability, they will

be better prepared for long term changes in the climate

– Seasonal forecasting can inform short-term and community-

based adaptation actions while we await CCA funds to be

available for larger interventons

PMC Support for Effective Climate Services

• Majuro 2011 workshop to

investigate organizational

structures and functions to

support robust and sustained

climate services at the regional

level (SPREP/NOAA)

• Suva 2013 convened the

Pacific Islands Climate Services

Forum (USP/NOAA)

Pacific Islands Climate Services Forum, Jan 2013

Climate Services Training, August 2011

Regional User-Interface Platforms for Climate Information

• Establishment of the Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-1) targeting the Water Sector (SPREP, WMO, USP, SPC,…)

• Regional Climate Statement

• PICOF-2 October 2016-Nadi

PICOF -1 Hosted at USP, October 2015

3. Application of Climate Services in the region

Seasonal Forecasting Capability

• Online Forums for NMHSs (OCOF)

• Climate Bulletins (Red Cross)

• Developed by the BoM and now transferred to SPREP

Climate and Oceans Support Program for the Pacific (COSPPac) SCOPIC – Statistical Forecasting Capability used in the region for over 10 years

Seasonal Forecasting Capability

• New Online Climate Prediction System (CLIK℗) installed at SPREP http://clikp.sprep.org

• Up to 12 Dynamical Models data available on CLIK℗ to provide advanced 3-6monthly outlooks

• To reduce damages from extreme climate events through disaster risk management,

• Improved monitoring and prediction of severe weather for coastal communities

• Better data management and infrastructure to facilitate data collection

• Improving the quality of products delivered to end-users

• Develop early warning communication strategies for National Met Services.

Seasonal Forecasting Capability

• Rainfall Forecast

• Developed by NIWA supported by SPREP

• Water Stress (3 month outlook)

Building climate and disaster ready communities through

improved National Meteorological Services

• Implemented by SPREP in collaboration with the

Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and partners:

• 14 Pacific island countries

• World Meteorological Organization

• International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent

Societies (IFRC)

• Australian Bureau of Meteorology

• Other Partners

3. Finnish-Pacific Project on Reduced vulnerability of Pacific island country’s villagers’ livelihoods to the effects of climate change

2013-2016

Finland-Pacific Project on Reduced vulnerability of Pacific island country’s villagers’

livelihoods to the effects of climate change

Direct support to NMSs…

• Capacity building through technical trainings for NMSs

• Introduction of the SmartMet weather forecasting system to 6 NMSs (Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and

Vanuatu)

• Introduction of the SmartAlert warning visualization software

• Rehabilitation of silent Regional Basic Synoptic Stations

Communication and Partnerships to reach Communities

National Meteorological

Services

Gov.. Sectors

Community Mobilsers

(Red Cross)

Media Others

Communities (USERS)

60-80% of the Pacific Population

Face to face

Working with Communities

Climate Information discussed in Communities

Climate Early Warning System (CLEWS)

• Put today’s weather into the context of the past climate

record

• Understand the potential severity of future events, given

knowledge of historical conditions (including uncertainty)

• Sectoral Application of climate Services is guided by a

Policy approved by Cabinet

15. Mt. Talu

12. Mt. Tagotala

31.5km 17.8km

15.3km

4.5km

10.5km

24.5km

9.6km 27.3km

12.0km

13.7km

20.3km

9.5km

5.8km

7.5km

: SMD Head Office

: AWOS (Airport Weather Observation System)

: AWS (Automatic Weather System)

: Repeater System

Upolu Island

Savaii Island

14. Vaisala

13. Le Piu Tai

11. Tuasivi

10. Mt. Valusia

9. Maota Airport

8. Manono

7. Faleolo International Airport

1. SMD Head Office

2. Mt. Vaea 6. Lufilufi

5. Le Mafa

3. Mt. Fiamoe

4. Togitogiga

Site Location Map

TOGITOGIGA (AWS)

CLEWS

Climate-hydro services and

early warning system

CLEWS

Climate and hydrometric

observations

CLEWS

Live data views via web

services

CLEWS

CliDE climate data

management system

CLEWS

CliDEsc data and climate

services

River stage

River stage + rain

Rainfall accumulation

Fire hazard warning

Forest Fire Weather Index – 16 Sep 15

• Afulilo Hydropower Scheme is primary renewable energy supplier in Samoa.

• Output sensitive to climate variability.

• Water balance model designed to quantify dam level response to rainfall, energy demand and evaporation.

• Model will predict dam volume based on given rainfall and power output.

• Provide forewarning of dam levels in order to make operational decisions.

• Assess the impact of ENSO phases on dam storage levels.

Hydropower Management: Afulilo Dam, Samoa

• Collaboration between COSPPac, Solomon Islands Met. Service and Ministry of Health.

• Provide monthly or seasonal forecasts of

relative malaria incidence.

• Pilot scheme aims to provide forecasts for

Temotu, Guadalcanal and Central.

• Expansion to other provinces in 2014.

• Categorical warnings:

– low/moderate/high/extreme

– low/medium/high

• Include spatial map of warning levels in a

bulletin format for stakeholders..

GOAL: Use climate information to improve

malaria control in the Solomon Islands by

providing early warning for periods of

heightened malaria incidence.

Linking Climate and Malaria

Summer droughts forecast in strong El Niño conditions

4. Challenges and Opportunities Integration

Capacity of the NMHSs in the Pacific

• Capacity Varies from country to country

Regional Consultation on Climate Services

for Pacific Small Island States

April 2014, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

• Identify “insertion points/entry points/windows” where

climate services can be applied to support Agriculture

Activities

– El Nino and Livestock, ENSO and Alley Cropping, Flooding

and lowland farming

• lack of coverage of actual climate or rainfall monitoring

stations across the island(s)

• Currently a low uptake of climate services in the

agriculture sector - 3 month outlooks are not so useful

and rather longer term services are needed

• Training exchanges will be a must on climate services,

particularly if considering the use of extension officers

who are working directly with farmers

Discussion on Agriculture and Climate

• Climate information could use a number of informative tools

such as maps, statistics, and that the inclusion of these in

ways that make the climate information more easily

understood either by the intermediate user (say the

Agriculture/Fisheries researcher or extension officer) or the

final user (farmer/fisherman).

• The fostering of a relationship between the agriculture and

NMS will take time to develop.

• Being aware of the climate services available and their

applications is not generally known unless agriculture

researchers actively look for it, or climate services of NMS do

the same (in looking for end users to their products).

Discussion on Agriculture and climate

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/pccsp/

(data is password protected)

Monitoring Network

Approx. 100 station records for 23 countries and territories (excluding the Aust. and NZ mainland) – 2010-11 Data can be modified by participating national meteorological services

National Platforms

for discussion

• Agro-Met

Summits

• Identify

agriculture

activities and

how and when

climate

information can

be applied

VMGD 1. Climate/Change

Information 2. Seasonal Forecast

DARD (VMGD, GiZ) 1. Translate Information for

Farmers 2. What to do & how to do it?

3. Report on Impacts

Impact Database (GIS) ENSO events

Tropical Cyclone Volcanic Eruption

Other observed Impacts

Agriculture Extension Officers

1. Inform local farmers of probable ensuing climate

2. Introduce climate resistant crops

Farmers Associations

1. Inform members of probable ensuing climate

2. Provide reports

Commercial and Traditional Farmers 1. All Farmers informed of the expected climate and what to do

1

4

7 6

3

2

5

8

9

1. Delivery Options • Bulletins (soft/hard

copies • Quarterly Seminar

/workshops • Radio/TV/News paper

2. Delivery Options • Bulletins (soft/hard

copies • Quarterly Seminar

/workshops

Solutions Hotspots Adaptation

Projects Workshops

/Seminars

Effective Communication to Reach the Last Mile: A Proposed Approach through an MoA for Agriculture

Products Developed

• 3 Agro-Met Summits

• Agro-met Bulletin for Farmers and

NGO’s

• ENSO Sector Action Booklet

• ENSO Animation – Cloud Nasara

• Community based Rainfall Network

• Community-based Farmers Field School

• Resource Materials (Animal feed, food

replication)

• Communication, Partnership and

Engagement Strategy

Key Messaging and Communication Needs

Climate Crab: Describe ENSO in the Pacific

Climate Nasara: Describe ENSO in Vanuatu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMthanwiOWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIUSWEftN4w

• FAO • SPREP • SPC • USP • WMO • NIWA • IFAD • Vanuatu • Samoa • Tonga

Project Proposal

MAF + Ag/Soil Scientists

MetService + Climate Scientists

Partnership

Specialised Team

Regional and Global Organisations (e.g. WMO, FAO, SPREP, SPC, USP…)

Alignment of: • Strategies • Projects • Funding

NGO Networks (e.g. Red Cross)

Farmers, Village, Church, Women’s

Networks

MAF Extension Officers

Farmers + Communities

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A Practical Option for Integration of Climate and Agriculture at the National Level

• Networks

– Extension Services

– PIRAS

– PIFON

– NGO’s

• Type of information and products that is suitable for

dissemination ?

• Training needs and which level?

• Institutionalization ? (Legislation, Policy, Staffing, Agreements,

etc)

• Harmonisation

Use of Existing Arrangements

Platforms for exchange of information/integration/

Capacity Development

Regional Forums

• PICOF – Pacific Island Climate Outlook Forum

• Currently organised once a year in October

National Forums

• NCOF – National Climate Outlook Forums

• Now established in Kiribati, PNG, Vanuatu and soon in Fiji and Tonga

Community based field

Schools

• Entry Points/application

Climate Frameworks: Platforms for Integration

(from NMSs)

•Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

Global

•Pacific Implementation Roadmap for Climate Services

•how sectors can lead with the integration

•Instructed by the Nuku’alofa Ministerial Declaration

•Roundtable discussion in October 16

• Pacific Island Climate Services Panel

Regional

•National Framework for Climate Services (Vanuatu and soon Fiji)

•Climate Services are established in NMHSs to provide support National

5. Additional Resources and Tools

• Pacific Climate Change Portal

• National Climate Change Portals

– Fiji

– Vanuatu

– Tonga

• Ocean Portal/Climate

– BoM

– NOAA

Climate Portals

http://cosppac.bom.gov.au/products-and-services/ocean-portal/

Climate Change in the Pacific (PCCSP)

Volume 2: Climate Change in the South Pacific:

Scientific Assessment and new Research

Volume 1: Climate Change in the South Pacific:

Country Reports

Other Tools

•http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/tracks/

www.pacificclimatechangescience.org/animations/climatecrab/

https://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/icu

Climate Futures Tool

Which Countries

14 PICT are able to assess climate

projections