Climate Services range from the provision of climate-related data and information through to adaptation services which provide support in dealing with the effects of climate change.
Climate-related information comprises meteorological and climatological data—including temperature, rainfall, wind, soil moisture level and sea temperature—which is used in drawing up risk and vulnerability analyses. Climate-related information is available for the past, the present and the future. For some years now, various authorities have been observing the climate system and recording past and current climate data. They use this data to create climate forecasts and projections for the future for various different time zones and regions, from seasonal forecasts to long range projections.
This data and information about the climate system of the past, present and future can be used in conjunction with other information (e.g. data on socio-economic scenarios or demographic change), enabling estimates to be made of the sectors and regions that will be worst affected. For example, a town planner can use data on temperature and rainfall with construction plans and information on population development to make an estimate of the places where extreme heat or heavy rainfall could be dangerous to humankind or to infrastructures.
Climate change adaptation services are provided in order to enable people and organisations to introduce counter-measures against these dangers. Climate change adaptation services show municipal authorities, associations or companies how they can take the effects of climate change into consideration in their decision-making and planning procedures, as well as indicating which adaptation measures they can implement. Through a series of guidelines, web tools and maps, and the provision of specialist training, climate change adaptation services offer assistance in choosing, planning, and implementing appropriate measures and in evaluating their effectiveness.
Currently on the KLiVO portal, you will find Climate Services taking precautions against the effects of climate change provided by authorities of the federal government and of the federal states. With the administration office of the German Climate Service (DKD), the German Meteorological Service (DWD) forms the central point of contact for climate data and information. With the Competence Centre for the Consequences of Climate Change and Adaptation (KomPass) at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) provides a full range of services on the theme of climate change adaptation.
The services offering guidance in taking precautions against the effects of climate change which are presented on the KLiVo portal explicitly take into account climate change and adaptations to climate change in Germany. They have a sound scientific basis, are in line with the latest findings and can be made use of without restriction and free of charge.
An independent team of experts carries out investigations on behalf of the IMAA to ensure that the services offering guidance in taking precautions against the effects of climate change meet the relevant criteria in relation to climate change, applicability to Germany, being in line with the latest findings, having a sound scientific basis and being accessible. The services provided on KLiVO are regularly checked to ensure that they are in line with the latest findings.