12 Oct National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)”. This topic has relevance in the “Environment and Ecology” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
What is the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)?
For Mains:
GS2: Environment and Ecology
Why in the news?
India is making a significant effort to establish its inaugural nationwide framework to deliver climate services and information.
National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS)
- The National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is a strategic initiative to establish a comprehensive and integrated system for delivering climate services and information.
- Climate services refer to tailored weather and climate information to inform decision-making across various sectors.
- It is designed to provide valuable climate-related data and insights to various user groups and sectors, including agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water resource management.
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)
- The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) is a global partnership involving governments and organisations.
- Established in 2011, it aims to reduce society’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, including drought, by enhancing climate services.
- The GFCS promotes collaboration between researchers, information producers, and users to improve the quality and quantity of climate services worldwide.
- Its primary focus is on strengthening climate services in developing countries.
- The GFCS is a global mechanism for coordinated actions to enhance climate services’ quality, quantity, and application.
- Priority areas for GFCS include agriculture and food security, disaster risk reduction, energy, health, and water.
Why is the NFCS Needed?
- Addressing Functional Gaps: The NFCS will be crucial in addressing coordination gaps among agencies relying on climate services, such as hydrology, power, renewable energy, transportation, dams, irrigation, and health. It aims to enhance integration and data sharing among these sectors.
- Expanding Sectoral Focus: Initially targeting key sectors like agriculture, energy, health, water, and disaster risk reduction, India can include other relevant sectors like transportation and tourism.
- Strengthening Data Collection: The NFCS will bolster India’s observational network on land and sea, improving data collection capabilities. This data will be instrumental in running more accurate weather and climate models for precise climate predictions.
- Customised Climate Information: Climate data and information products will be tailored to meet user requirements. This customisation will aid in identifying trends in agriculture, health, population distribution, infrastructure planning, energy generation, and more.
- Enhancing Climate Resilience: NFCS will actively support efforts to prepare for and adapt to changing climate conditions, mitigating the impacts on various sectors, including water supplies, health risks, extreme events, farm productivity, and infrastructure development.
Implementation of the NFCS
- Global Adoption of NFCS: Since the declaration of frameworks for climate services in 2009, several countries, including Switzerland, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have launched their National Frameworks for Climate Services (NFCS).
- Advanced Implementation in Various Nations: Several countries are in advanced stages of implementing NFCS, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Moldova, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Tanzania, Vanuatu, and South Africa.
- Expanding Global Reach: India has recently organised its first NFCS workshop in Pune, joining countries such as Cuba, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, and Ethiopia. National consultation workshops related to NFCS are being planned in these countries.
- Upcoming NFCS Statement for India: India is finalising and releasing its NFCS statement following consensus from key partnering stakeholders.
Early and accelerated implementation of NFCS in India is crucial, and it requires a mission-mode approach driven by the highest decision-making office in the country.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 12th Oct 2023
Q1. With reference National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), consider the following statements:
- The National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) is spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- It is an initiative to establish a comprehensive and integrated system for delivering climate services and information.
- A climate service is any positive benefit that wildlife or ecosystems provide to people.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) None
Q2. Consider the following statements about the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS):
- The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) is a global partnership involving governments and organisations under the World Meteorological Organization.
- The goal is to reduce society’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards by improving climate services.
- Its primary focus is on strengthening climate services in developed countries.
How many of the abovementioned statements are correct ?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Q3. Highlight the key objectives of the NFCS and its potential impact on various sectors, including agriculture, energy, health, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction.
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