Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The overarching SOFF goal is to contribute to strengthening climate adaptation and resilient development through improved weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate information services that save lives and livelihoods and protect property.

Expected results

SOFF aims to deliver improved weather and climate prediction products through a sustained compliance with the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON). The following results are expected:

- Up to 55 countries supported through the readiness phase through peer support from advanced National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS);

- Up to 28 countries with SOFF Investment phase initiated;

- 3 reports (GBON compliance and SOFF impact) produced;

- Results-based payment for 200-400 stations starting at the end of year 2 sharing data internationally; and

- 35 countries supported through compliance phase with operational and maintenance advisory from advanced NMHS.

Target group / Beneficiaries

Improvements in prediction products will be notably significant in SOFF supported countries and benefit in particular the most vulnerable population in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). During the 10 years horizon, it is expected that SOFF can support 149 countries throughout the differentiated modalities (all eligible countries are listed in Annex 2 of the SOFF Terms of Reference).

The Austrian contribution will directly support SOFF operations during the First Implementation Period, therefore contribute to supporting up to 55 countries for its readiness, 28 countries to scale up their infrastructure capabilities through direct investments, and 35 countries supported with operational and station maintenance advisory. A total population of 210 Mio. in LDCs and SIDS is expected to benefit from the Programme results.

Activities

1.GBON gap established and verified; 2. GBON national contribution plan developed and verified; 3. GBON infrastructure acquired and installed; 4. GBON human and institutional capacity developed; 5. Annual GBON compliance reported and SOFF impact report produced; 6. GBON data internationally shared and results-based finance provided; 7. On-demand GBON operational and maintenance advisory provided; 8. Weather and climate analysis products freely available through WMO Global Producing Centres.

Context

The creation of SOFF responds to a global call for action to address the problem of missing weather and climate observations. The SDGs, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction all call for action to deal with resilient development, climate change and early warnings, including better weather and climate data, prediction and response. World leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, the leaders of the Alliance for Hydromet Development, heads of government and representatives of SIDS and LDCs have all called for better observations and the creation of SOFF. In 2019 the 193 member states and territories of WMO established GBON and in 2021 adopted its detail regulations to address the problem of missing observations with substantial global benefits. SOFF supports and leverages the investments of the members of the Alliance for Hydromet Development and other partners throughout the meteorological value chain.

On Finance Day at COP26, the three founding agencies (WMO,UNDP,UNEP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding which legally established the SOFF as UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, unveiling SOFF as the new UN finance mechanism to boost climate action.