State of Climate Services report showcased at COP29

The report is a cornerstone in the global conversation on climate resilience and adaptation. It provides crucial insights for communities, development partners, and policymakers around the world, offering the tools necessary to make informed decisions that protect lives, build resilience, and promote sustainable growth.

“As we all know, climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is here, and its impacts are intensifying. The need for high-quality, accessible climate services has never been more urgent. For nations striving to protect their people and communities, these services are not just a matter of environmental protection—they are a matter of human survival. Climate services are essential to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the future of our planet,” WMO Celeste Saulo told a side-event.

The WMO has been issuing annual State of Climate Services reports since 2019, following a call from the UNFCCC COP for more comprehensive information on the adaptation needs of countries. The 2024 report highlights progress made in this area in the past five years, while also underscoring the need for continued and urgent action.

It says that one third of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) now provide climate services at an ‘essential’ level, and nearly one third at an ‘advanced’ or `full’ level. Countries in Asia and Africa, in particular, have made strides in boosting their capacity thanks to targeted adaptation funding.
“This report is much more than just a collection of data—it is a tool for tracking progress and inspiring action. It not only provides a snapshot of current climate services investments from climate finance institutions and multilateral development banks, but it also paints a clear picture of countries’ evolving climate service capacities. The message is clear: climate services are making a difference,” said Celeste Saulo.

Speakers from the report’s founding partners - the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and the Adaptation Fund, addressed the side event, as did the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Save The Children and the head of Seychelles National Meteorological and Hydrological Service.

Intensifying climate impacts

“We cannot ignore the fact that climate impacts are intensifying. This year, 2024, is on track to become the warmest year on record. The frequency and intensity of climate extremes—floods, storms, heatwaves—are growing at an alarming rate. Just from 2020 to mid-2024, floods were the most frequently reported climate-related disaster, yet it is heat-related hazards that have tragically become the leading cause of death, accounting for 57% of all climate-related fatalities. At the same time, storms have caused the greatest economic losses, contributing to 59% of the total global costs,” said Celeste Saulo.

But while the data paints a stark picture, it also shows that action is possible. The report includes analyses and stories to explain how specific countries, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Laos, and Ireland, have succeeded in developing and using climate services to deliver a range of socioeconomic benefits and to advance climate action.

For instance, the example of Seychelles shows how nations in the South West Indian Ocean are working together to advance climate action. The collaboration between countries, governments, and international partners in the region has demonstrated how climate services can be leveraged to create adaptation strategies that support both local communities and national development goals.

“We need proper coordination. If we don’t do that, I don’t think we will reach far, “said Seychelles chief meteorologist Vincent Amelie. 

“People don’t just want information they want precision. We need to be able to step up our game. We must see that early warning services reach everyone wherever they are,” he said.