Decision-making under climate uncertainty, climate information services, and climate adaptation

Abstract

Climate variability exerts tremendous influence on the livelihoods and well-being of people. Recent advances in climate forecasting technologies have allowed meteorological departments to produce skillful seasonal to sub-seasonal and longer-term forecasts of rainfall, temperature, and extreme events (e.g., flood and drought), which is enabling the development of climate information services (CISs) customized to local needs and conditions. In this study, we discuss the potential role and benefit of CISs in decision-making under climate uncertainty. More specifically, we discuss household decision-making under climate uncertainty, explore what role CISs may play in their decision-making, identify the knowledge gaps on CISs, and highlight the main challenges in relation to their utilization, content, format, and communication. In doing so, we argue that provision of tailored CISs can promote adoption of climate-resilient practices for climate adaptation.

Keywords: Climate change, climate uncertainty, decision-making, CISs, climate adaptation