Global Partnership Launched to Enhance Climate Services for Clean Energy Transition

The initiative was formally introduced during a workshop held from July 22 to 24, 2024, at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

A new initiative, the Global Partnership for Weather, Water, and Climate Information and Services for Clean Energy Transition, has been launched to improve the integration of hydro-meteorological information into the renewable energy sector. This initiative supports the ambitious global targets set during the 2023 UN Climate Change conference, COP28.

The initiative was formally introduced during a workshop held from July 22 to 24, 2024, at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The workshop, supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), brought together international experts from energy supply chains and climate-resilient energy systems.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of WMO and Director General of NCM, emphasized the necessity of a global mechanism, potentially a global centre, to provide comprehensive weather, water, and climate information to the energy sector. He highlighted the UAE's leadership in developing expertise to secure sustainable renewable energy for future generations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Omar Al Yazeedi, Deputy Director General of NCM, stressed that the initiative addresses a crucial gap in supporting the global energy transition. With less than a third of WMO members currently offering such services, the proposed Centre aims to optimize renewable energy production, build resilient infrastructure, and enhance energy efficiency, aiding countries in achieving their net-zero targets.

Prof. Alberto Troccoli, Director of the World Energy and Meteorology Council and Chair of the WMO Services Commission Study Group on Renewable Energy Transition, noted that the scoping workshop successfully defined the needs and objectives of the partnership. “This partnership will be crucial for enhancing sector-driven Weather, Water, and Climate Information and Services and fostering collaboration to drive the clean energy transition,” he said. “It will support the planning and operation of a reliable, resilient, and equitable clean energy system.”

Key outcomes from the workshop include plans to develop high-resolution renewable energy atlases, consolidate observational datasets for the energy sector, and strengthen collaborations between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and energy producers.

The Global Partnership for Weather, Water, and Climate Information and Services for Clean Energy Transition is aligned with the COP28 UAE Consensus, which set a goal to transition away from fossil fuels and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires a significant shift towards renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and marine energy. As these sources are weather-dependent, sophisticated meteorological and climate services are crucial for their efficient design, management, and operation.

Implementation Framework

The workshop outlined four main components essential for the implementation framework of the global centre:

Science and Innovation: Focuses on developing scientific studies and innovations to understand the interactions between renewable energy sources and meteorological dynamics, enhancing predictive models and tools.

Operational Services: Aims to bridge scientific knowledge with practical application by providing high-resolution atlases, weather and climate indices, and energy yield forecasts, ensuring stakeholders have reliable, accessible data.

Capacity Development: Targets the enhancement of NMHSs through training and workshops, equipping professionals with the skills needed to effectively use weather and climate data in the renewable energy sector.

Policy and Advocacy: Focuses on translating technical data into actionable insights for policymakers, fostering partnerships, and integrating meteorological services into strategic planning and policy frameworks.

The partnership will also:

Integrate energy-related data, technologies, and partners to build a global platform supporting WMO members, especially in developing countries.

Promote advanced technologies and best practices globally to bridge the technological gap between countries.

Innovate in global monitoring and forecasting capabilities for renewable energy, including extreme weather monitoring and climate change scenarios.

Address the needs of the renewable energy industry through user-focused services and foster dialogue between the meteorological and energy sectors.

Provide recommendations for energy transition policies and international plans.

This initiative represents a significant step towards leveraging weather and climate data to support a clean energy transition, ensuring that renewable energy systems are resilient, efficient, and aligned with global climate goals.