Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydro-meteorological, Climate and Environmental Services: Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

This chapter describes a new World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) approach to the provision of science-based services to assist the planning of safe, healthy, resilient and climate-friendly cities. The approach is outlined in full in the WMO Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services (Volume I) publication (WMO 2019), which has been approved for promotion and communication to WMO Members. Highlighted here are the underlying concepts and methods that underpin the services to help manage cities on a day-to-day basis, responding to short-term hazards but also to prepare for climate change are described. Heterogeneous dense observation networks, highresolution forecasts, multi-hazard early warning systems, long-term climate prediction and service applications all working in combination, are at the heart of such services, the implementation of which will support mitigation and adaptation strategies for achieving thriving climate resilient cities and promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (WMO, 2021). To meet the needs of urban areas, the concept of Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environmental Services (IUS) is bedded in a multidisciplinary approach that identifies the requisite partnerships, including research agencies, city governments, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders, to establish and sustain urban services. As this is an emerging and diverse service, the requirements are broad with considerable research, development, capacity building and cross-service integrations yet to be done. In addition to providing an overview of the concept, we set out the challenges and recommended path forward to develop and implement IUS. Keywords Integrated urban services; Multi-hazard early warning systems; Weather; Climate; Environment; Air Quality; Hydrology; World Meteorological Organization; Challenges and the way forward; Research and development; Seamless earth system prediction; Scales Key Messages • WMO's participation in the UN New Urban Agenda includes developing both the concept and guidance for the provision of multi-hazard early warning to long term urban planning services for cities. • Integration of weather, hydrology, environment and climate urban services (IUS) will lead to accurate, efficient and consistent services. • National Hydrometeorological Services are positioned to lead the promotion and development of Integrated Urban Services (IUS). • Understanding capabilities, capacities and roles and responsibilities amongst different levels of government, universities, agencies and decision-makers is the first challenge followed closely by data access and the co-design of the IUS. • Research and science will play a significant role to develop multi-disciplinary scientists to bridge the scientific gaps and to demonstrate the effectiveness of IUS.