Climate Services in the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA 2100 2050 2018 2018 GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) tion and establishment of a National Framework for Climate envisions better risk management and more efficient Services (NFCS) in Moldova as a priority GFCS country. adaptation to climate variability and change through im- From 2017 to 2019, the Switzerland-based international provements in the quality, delivery and use of climate-re- non-profit organisation, Zoï Environment Network, worked lated information in planning, policy and practice. in close cooperation with Moldova’s State Hydrometeorolo- gical Service (SHS) and its Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Promoted and facilitated by the World Meteorological Or- Development and the Environment to develop the NFCS. ganization in cooperation with the GFCS Partner Advisory Committee, the GFCS focuses on developing and delive- A series of interviews with producers and users of hydro- ring information services in agriculture and food security, meteorological information in early 2018 led to a National disaster risk reduction, energy, health and water, and orga- consultation workshop in Chisinau in June 2018. At the De- nizes its work around observations and monitoring; climate cember 2018 NFCS endorsement workshop that followed, services information systems; research, modelling and pre- participants discussed, further elaborated and endorsed diction; user interface platforms; and capacity development. the NFCS concept and action areas to make it happen. This workshop confirmed the commitment of key stakeholders to The World Bank together with the Global Facility for Disaster the goals of improving how climate and hydrometeorological Reduction and Recovery has supported the conceptualisa- information is provided, accessed, and used in the country. MOLDOVA CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS Moldova has a well-functioning system for providing hydro- forecasts, and on-demand delivery could benefit from ena- meteorological and climate information to users, but some bling legislation and economic incentives. In the absence lingering challenges and gaps need attention. Budget is- of such progress, the growing abundance of alternative sues, for example, affect SHS and users alike. A signifi- sources of weather information and services, coupled with cant proportion of users is unwilling or lacks the capacity the lack of clarity and transparency about sources of data to pay for climate products and services. Meanwhile, SHS in the mass media and online, is likely to continue to sow is not only underfunded, but also obliged to pass on funds confusion among potential users. In their turn, potential collected as payments for non-core services to the state users are not always aware of what climate products and budget. The SHS budget limitations also inhibit its ability services are available, and with no systemic approach to to interact with users and the mass media, to develop mo- strategic planning. dern analytical systems such as weather and hydrological forecasting, and to attract and keep a qualified workforce. The NFCS concept for Moldova suggests engaging users, including economic sectors, in designing in- Imagination and experimentation appear to be in short sup- formation services; building inter-agency and inter- ply, and the development of new climate products and ser- sectoral coordination for their delivery; and strengthe- vices such as climate insurance, climate-proofing, extended ning the capacities of SHS and other NFCS partners. Key elements of Moldova’s NFCS are designed to help expand and strengthen on the country level the pillars of the Global Framework for Climate Services Providers of climate services in Moldova 1 Oth er e au r vic th Se or al iti Pillars of the Global Framework gic es olo for Climate Services eor met State Hydro 3 SERVATI ONS Users Key elements of R FAC E Moldova’s NFCS 2 OB INTE ING Public / Media Agriculture ST ER CA US RE FO IN O D RM AN F H Transport Energy AT RESEARC IO NP S ROD ICE U C TS A N D SER V Defense Emergency Environment Health 1 2 3 NFCS user consultation Inter-agency / inter-sectoral Secretariat and enabler platform and thematic / NFCS steering and coordination (the NFCS “engine”) sectoral dialogue mechanism The implementation of the GFCS vision in Moldova will therefore require the following actions. Some are cross-cutting, while others involve specific sectors and timescales Bringing in the users entails strengthening the interface with, and capacities of, climate information users by involving them in the de- sign, implementation and oversight of the NFCS. Shaping NFCS governance and sustainability ensures the effective long-term functioning of climate services in Moldova. Providing seamless services that meet the range of user demands calls for expanding and modernizing a line of climate information products, and 2100 2050 for building the capacities of Moldova’s NFCS partners. 2018 2018 Addressing priority sectors means building long-term partnerships with Moldova’s key recipients of NFCS products and services. Ensuring visibility of the NFCS to policymakers, the mass media and the public at large is a prerequisite to broad public and poli- tical support. Action areas endorsed by NFCS stakeholders Regular meetings or round tables with users Directory of experts in climate information services Surveys and focus groups to assess user demand and feedback User feedback management in SHS (and other NFCS partners’) websites Modernised web services and new communication channels Transparent information about cost and access rules for data and services Improving capacities to understand climate and hydrometeorological information NFCS institutional arrangements and responsibilities discussed through user dialogue Evaluating options for NFCS steering and coordination mechanisms Evaluating solutions for institutionalising NFCS Support to drafting NFCS-related legislation and inputs to other relevant documents NFCS–SHS financial sustainability model and its long-term implementation strategy Evaluating user satisfaction with current climate services, developing new product ideas Modernising and developing forecasting capacities and technologies Closing gaps in regional observation networks Ensuring integration and inter-operability of various existing observation networks Electronic archiving of past observation data Popular climate-information products for the general public Hydrometeorological / climate education and foreign exchange for young specialists Agreeing on priority sectors and information services (products) for them Developing integrated climate-service solutions for selected sectors Considering legislation revision for climate / disaster insurance and climate-proofing Guidelines for incorporating climate perspectives into development planning Communicating economic and non-economic benefits of the NFCS Systematic dialogue and targeted cooperation with mass (and other) media Developing SHS and partners’ capacities for media and public relations Studying communication and public relations strategies of the WMO and its members Local climate information centres and facilities in selected interested regions Comprehensive NFCS communication strategy for different audiences and channels — low budget needs — shorter-term actions (1—2 years) — moderate to significant budget needs — longer-term actions (3—5 years) State Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Moldova www.meteo.md World Bank Group – Geneva Office www.worldbank.org World Meteorological Organization www.wmo.int Zoï Environment Network www.zoinet.org