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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has put forward a plan to develop a global early warning system for extreme weather events intensified by climate change. The initial investment for delivering early warning systems for all by 2027 will be nearly $3.1 billion, WMO said November 7, 2022. It is equivalent to a comparatively modest 50 cents (approximately Rs 41) per person per year.
The WMO released the Executive Action Plan of Early Warnings for All during a roundtable meeting at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
We must invest equally in adaptation and resilience, which includes the information that allows us to anticipate storms, heatwaves, floods and droughts, said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
“I have called for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems within five years, with the priority to support the most vulnerable first,” Guterres added.
Initial investments of $3.1 billion will be required in the four pillars of the early warning system — disaster risk knowledge; observations and forecasting; preparedness and response; and communication of early warnings.
Disaster risk knowledge — which systematically collects data and undertakes risk assessments on hazards and vulnerabilities — requires investment of $374 million.
Developing hazard monitoring and early warning services requires $1.18 billion.
Further, WMO’s action plan also stated that observations and forecasting preparedness and response need funding of $1 billion for building national and community response capabilities.
The last pillar of the early warning system — dissemination and communication of risk information — requires $550 million.
The initial investments represent six per cent of the $50 billion requested for adaptation financing, according to a WMO statement.
Early warning systems have still not reached 33 per cent of the global population, mainly in the least developed countries and small island developing states. Some 60 per cent of people in Africa lack coverage of the same.
“Early warnings save lives and provide vast economic benefits. Just 24 hours notice of an impending hazardous event can cut ensuing damage by 30 per cent,” said Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of WMO.
Channelling $800 million to such systems in the developing world would avoid losses of $3 billion-$16 billion per year, according to the Global Commission on Adaptation. India was also a part of the roundtable discussions.
“With climate finance still scarce, climate adaptation in the form of early warning is key in securing lives and livelihoods. India fully supports the agenda,” Bhupender Yadav, cabinet minister for environment, forest and climate change, wrote on Twitter.
Developed countries pledged to mobilise $100 billion in climate finance to support climate action in the developing world in 2009. This target has not yet been met.
Climate finance is still a mirage and effective climate adaptation such as Early Warnings For All helps us reduce vulnerabilities and ensure preparedness and timely response to natural hazards, Yadav said.
The roundtable represented various governments, financing agencies and ‘Big Tech’ companies. Technology can ensure early warnings reach the last mile, highlighted Microsoft Corporation.
“We have the AI and data tools today. Let’s put them to work to predict and warn of the next crisis,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft.
Financial solutions for implementing an early warning system can scale up the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems Initiative. It is a mechanism that funds risk-informed early warning systems in least developed countries and small island developing states.
Other solutions include multilateral climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund and critical Multilateral Development Banks, the WMO had said.