Climate Services Are a Lifeline in a Warming World – Why Are We Still Underfunding Them?

2023 was the warmest year on record. Heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather swept continents, leaving devastation in their wake. As the climate crisis intensifies, so does our response's urgency. And while there’s no single fix, there is one tool that’s proven itself repeatedly yet remains criminally underfunded: climate services. 

The latest World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report on climate services for 2024 tells us that these services – systems designed to provide climate data, predictions, and guidance – are more essential than ever. Used effectively, they’re life-saving and economy-protecting, enabling societies to prepare for the worst impacts of climate change. From early warning systems for cyclones to seasonal forecasts for farmers, climate services offer critical insights that can mitigate damage and bolster resilience. Yet despite their clear importance, too many countries, particularly the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, lack the resources to deploy or sustain them fully.

The Critical Role of Climate Services

Climate services are essential because they translate raw climate data into actionable insights that communities and sectors can use to plan and respond. Think of them as a life jacket in a world where the water rises quickly. For instance, they offer farmers insights into planting schedules based on seasonal forecasts and warn coastal cities of potential flood risks. They even assist energy providers in planning for renewable power generation.

And the need is growing fast. WMO data confirms what we’ve all felt: the last nine years have been the hottest on record. We see more devastating wildfires, floods, and storms each year, leading to a growing recognition of climate services’ role in national adaptation strategies. More than 80% of the 58 countries that have submitted National Adaptation Plans (NAP) include climate services as a pillar of their strategy. But while the demand is there, the infrastructure to support this demand, especially in low-income countries and small island states, often isn’t.

Five Years of Progress – But Not Enough

Over the past five years, some regions have improved their climate services capabilities. Asia and Africa, regions acutely vulnerable to climate change, have notably enhanced their climate services with support from global funding bodies. Climate services are a core component of national resilience strategies in countries like Mauritius and Seychelles. Success stories in these regions illustrate how targeted, well-resourced climate services can support sustainable agriculture, protect lives from severe storms, and enable communities to recover more quickly.

The WMO reports that national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs) in Asia and Africa offer significantly more advanced climate services than in 2019. However, these bright spots should not overshadow the stark gaps that remain. Of the countries surveyed, only 15% offer “advanced” climate services, where data is co-designed with users to meet local needs, and over 33% of countries operate at only a basic or essential level. The countries that need climate services the most are often those least able to implement them.

The Barrier of Inequality

A major concern is the disparity in climate service capacity across different countries. In some of the world’s most vulnerable places, data is simply not reaching the people who need it most. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) often lack observing networks to gather real-time data. Imagine living on the front lines of climate change – facing floods, droughts, and hurricanes – but lacking the climate information that could help you prepare.

The WMO report highlights that only 9% of the Global Basic Observing Network data required from these vulnerable countries is collected and exchanged internationally. Furthermore, these countries often lack the resources to conduct socioeconomic benefit assessments of climate services. Without such evaluations, arguing for increased funding is harder, trapping these regions in a vicious cycle of vulnerability and insufficient investment.

Climate Services in Action – When They’re Allowed to Succeed

So, what happens when climate services are fully realised? Take the case of Trinidad and Tobago, which has built a robust climate information-sharing network with other Caribbean nations. By pooling resources and expertise, they have bolstered early warning systems and improved local climate resilience, serving as a model for regional collaboration.

Another example is #Ireland, which has committed to creating a National Framework for Climate Services. The framework coordinates government, academia, and industry to co-create tailored climate services that meet the country’s unique needs, whether managing agricultural challenges from changing rainfall patterns or adapting infrastructure to withstand more frequent storms.

Regional cooperation and local customisation are only part of the picture. The effectiveness of climate services hinges on sustained investment—not just in technology but also in people. As the WMO notes, regional training centres are vital, yet funding for capacity building remains inconsistent. Without a commitment to investing in technology and human capital, the expansion of climate services will stall.

A Call for Urgent, Global Investment

We’ve heard the story before about climate adaptation plans that sound great on paper but are underfunded in practice. The WMO estimates that a third of all adaptation funding globally is “climate-informed,” meaning it considers climate data. Yet only a fraction of this funding—about £3.5 billion to £4 billion—supports climate services directly. Given the vital role these services play, this is shockingly low.

Expanding climate services isn’t just a technological challenge; it’s a political one. To meet the Paris Agreement’s goals of limiting warming to well below 2°C, the world’s wealthiest countries must commit to supporting climate services in the countries most affected by climate change. This commitment should go beyond pledges, translating into direct funding for infrastructure, training, and data-sharing networks. Global funding bodies must prioritise NMHSs in LDCs and SIDS, ensuring they have the tools to collect, analyse, and distribute life-saving data.

Building a More Resilient Future Through Localised Solutions

Climate services need to be localised to reach their full potential. The WMO report notes that too few countries are developing services tailored to their needs. While general forecasts are useful, communities often need hyper-local information that reflects their distinct challenges. A commitment to co-developing climate services with local knowledge holders, such as Indigenous communities, becomes crucial. Indigenous knowledge systems can add depth and precision to climate data, offering insights that satellite data alone can’t provide.

Conclusion: Climate Services as a Global Good

As we look to the future, it’s clear that climate services are not a luxury but a necessity – a public good in the truest sense. For every pound invested in climate services, countless lives can be saved, and millions more can be protected from economic ruin. Yet, despite the clear evidence of their value, these services remain chronically underfunded.

In a just world, access to life-saving climate information wouldn’t be determined by GDP. It’s time for the global community to recognise that climate services are essential infrastructure – as fundamental as roads, electricity, or clean water. With climate extremes worsening, the choice is to invest in climate services now or pay the price in lives and livelihoods. Let’s ensure that every country, rich or poor, can access the tools it needs to face the climate emergency head-on.