ClimWeb shortlisted for United Nations 2.0 Innovation Award
ClimWeb is a digital platform that supports Africa's National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to strengthen early warning systems and climate services. Developed through a partnership between the WMO and NORCAP, part of the Norwegian Refugee Council, ClimWeb is among the finalists selected from more than 200 submissions across the United Nation system. The awards recognize initiatives that are achieving outstanding results through new ways of working and new solutions.
The platform was created to address a major challenge facing many National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Africa. As recently as 2024, 85% of African NMHSs either had no website or only limited digital capabilities, restricting their ability to communicate forecasts, warnings and climate information to the public.
Built as open-source software and co-developed with experts across Africa, ClimWeb provides a modern digital platform for weather, climate and hydrological services. It follows an agile co-development approach in which meteorological and hydrological services help shape new features and priorities. More than 500 experts from over 48 institutions have contributed feedback and requirements, ensuring that the platform responds to operational needs on the ground.
ClimWeb combines website management tools with early warning dissemination and communication, interactive maps, climate dashboards, satellite imagery, data visualisation and communication features that help institutions reach decision-makers and communities with live saving information.
A key feature is its integrated Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) composer, which enables authorities to issue standardized public warnings more efficiently. The platform also supports impact-based forecasting by allowing users to overlay weather and climate information with socioeconomic and infrastructure data, helping authorities better understand potential risks and impacts.
Today, ClimWeb is used by 42 countries and 48 institutions across Africa, with 32 operational deployments and additional implementations under development. 76% of African WMO Members are already using the platform in some form, with the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative providing financial support for the hosting of ClimWeb websites in several countries.
Its impact extends beyond digital modernization. Countries using ClimWeb and related tools have recorded a 3,000% increase in the publication of standardized CAP warnings, helping strengthen the delivery of life-saving early warnings. The broader programme has also provided nearly 2,000 hours of technical mentoring and support to NMHSs across Africa.
In January 2026, ClimWeb was recognized as a Digital Public Good by the Digital Public Goods Alliance, reflecting its contribution to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through open-source technology and international collaboration.
The United Nations 2.0 Awards include a People's Choice Award decided by public vote. Voting closes on 17 June.
- Region:
- Region I: Africa
