The Storm of Collaboration: How Weather Laws Foster Public-Private Partnerships in Meteorology

This article explores the World Bank report "Weather, Law, and Public-Private Engagement", which highlights the importance of weather laws in supporting collaboration between National Meteorological Services and the private sector. The report discusses challenges like underfunding, the role of intellectual property rights in weather data, and the need for clear legal frameworks to foster public-private partnerships. It emphasizes that successful collaboration requires more than legislation—open data policies and a clear division of roles are also key.

In today’s interconnected world, weather services play a pivotal role across numerous sectors, from agriculture and transport to energy and disaster management. Yet, the governance of meteorological services often goes unnoticed by the general public, despite its profound importance. A new report by the World Bank, titled "Weather, Law, and Public-Private Engagement" (April 2024), delves into the intricate relationship between weather legislation, National Meteorological Services (NMS), and private sector involvement. The findings emphasize that effective collaboration between public and private actors can enhance weather-related services and foster innovation, particularly in countries facing severe underfunding of meteorological services.

Building a Legal Foundation for Weather

Since the advent of formal meteorology, countries around the globe have passed specific weather laws to manage their national meteorological systems. These laws provide a structure for how weather services operate and engage with other sectors. According to the report, 69 countries have adopted formal weather laws, with 25 of these laws coming into effect after 2010. These laws cover an array of issues, including the establishment of National Meteorological Services (NMS), regulations on weather modification, and liability for incorrect weather forecasts.

An essential element of these laws is their ability to provide a framework for the Global Weather Enterprise (GWE), a network comprising public agencies, private sector entities, academic institutions, and research organizations. The GWE's strength lies in its collaborative nature, but such collaborations need solid legal foundations to ensure that both public and private interests are balanced. Without a clear legal framework, innovation may be stifled, and critical data sharing hindered.

The Challenge of Underfunding

One of the critical challenges highlighted in the report is the severe underfunding of National Meteorological Services in low- and middle-income countries. The report finds that this underfunding leads to a vicious cycle: without proper resources, NMSs cannot collect sufficient data or provide timely forecasts, which discourages governments from investing more in their services.

In some countries, the solution lies in granting NMSs more financial independence. Weather laws that establish NMSs as independent entities allow them to generate additional revenue through commercial weather services. This extra funding can be used to supplement their core public functions. However, the report emphasizes that NMSs’ essential public tasks—like issuing weather warnings and disaster forecasts—must remain publicly funded to ensure equity and accessibility.

The Role of Intellectual Property in Weather Data

In today's data-driven economy, the way weather data is managed has become increasingly important. Meteorological data is vital for everything from agriculture to aviation, and its value is only growing. The report explores how weather laws can help or hinder the sharing of data between public meteorological services and private sector companies.

A major concern is the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in weather data. In many cases, publicly funded weather data is the most valuable asset that the National Meteorological Services hold. Governments often encourage NMSs to monetize this data, especially in countries where funding is scarce. However, strict data controls can prevent private companies from accessing the information they need to innovate and develop new weather-related products and services.

The report calls for a more open approach to data-sharing, akin to the model used in the United States, where publicly funded weather data is made freely available. This open data policy has led to a thriving private weather sector in the U.S., allowing businesses to use publicly generated data to create tailored weather services and forecasts.

Fostering Public-Private Engagement

While many countries have yet to adopt formal weather laws, the report underscores that these laws alone are not sufficient to guarantee successful public-private engagement. Beyond legislation, the intellectual property policies governing weather data and the role of private actors must be clarified to encourage cooperation and avoid conflicts of interest.

For example, the report notes that in some jurisdictions, private weather service providers may struggle to compete with NMSs for commercial clients because the NMSs control the underlying data. This can lead to potential conflicts of interest, as the NMS acts as both a regulator and a competitor in the marketplace.

To address this, the report calls for weather laws that clearly define the roles of NMSs and private companies. It suggests that governments should promote open data policies and create legal frameworks that encourage innovation, competition, and cooperation across both sectors.

The "Weather, Law, and Public-Private Engagement" report offers a comprehensive look into the intersection of meteorology, law, and public-private partnerships. It sheds light on how weather laws can support the Global Weather Enterprise, especially in underfunded regions, and underscores the importance of open data policies to foster innovation and growth in weather services.

As the effects of climate change grow more pronounced, the need for accurate and timely weather data will only increase. By encouraging greater collaboration between public and private actors and fostering open data policies, weather laws can help countries better prepare for the challenges ahead.