National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)

By Amigos IAS

Why is it in the news?

  • India is embarking on a major program to launch its maiden national-level framework towards providing climate services and information.

National Framework for Climate Services

About

  • Spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • NFCS aims to provide climate services and information.
  • Key sectors addressed: agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water.

Basis in the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

  • GFCS is a global partnership for climate information and services.
  • Aims to facilitate informed decisions for long-term betterment.
  • Established during the third World Climate Conference in Geneva in 2009.
  • Led by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS).
  • Involves policymakers, planners, investors, and vulnerable communities.
  • Focuses on generating high-quality climate data and user-friendly formats.

 

NFCS Objectives

  • Aligns with the GFCS.
  • Tailored to country-specific weather and stakeholder needs.
  • Potential expansion to include additional sectors like transport and tourism.
  • Initial focus on bridging gaps among agencies requiring climate services.

 

Need for NFCS

  • IMD provides high-quality weather services, but gaps remain in data availability.
  • Limited climatological data from the Himalayan regions, oceans, and radar/satellite-based climatology.
  • Need for integrated weather and climate services.
  • NFCS aims to strengthen the observational network, improve data inflow, and enhance climate predictions.
  • Tailored climate data to support agriculture, health, population distribution, infrastructure mapping, and socio-economic variables.
  • Supports preparation and adaptation to new climate conditions in various sectors.

Implementation of NFCS

  • India joins countries like Switzerland, China, Germany, and the UK in launching the NFCS.
  • India is organizing national consultation workshops for NFCS.

Way Forward

  • Though, NFCS addresses data gaps, strengthens the observational network, and supports climate adaptation efforts in response to changing climate conditions, its early implementation is crucial given the rising frequency of climate-related events.

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