Delivering climate information needs for environmental decision-makers

The Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program (NESP) supports decision-makers by providing them with the best available information, based on world-class science. This helps Australian decision-makers to better understand, manage and conserve Australia’s environment. The Climate Systems Hub, one of four national environmental science research hubs, provides research to advance the understanding of Australia’s climate, its extremes and associated drivers, that will directly inform climate adaptation solutions for Australia.

Wide engagement with stakeholders has provided vital insight on how users want climate information delivered to enable widest possible uptake and increased impact. The climate information needs of users varies greatly with their level of technical expertise and intended applications. The most universally identified requirement is for a single location guiding users to the most appropriate, and sector-specific information, as well as to data at the appropriate level for their expertise and application. Calls for guidance, training, and support on how best to use information also emerged as pressing needs. 

To meet these user needs, the Climate Systems Hub is developing a gateway to deliver integrated training, guidance, and regional projection summaries. The gateway should help overcome barriers to finding and applying climate information in decision-making using the best available science and following good practice. This presentation will detail the key user needs identified through engagement activities, the recommendations drawn from these needs, a gap analysis, and review of existing climate data portals. We will also provide progress in co-designing integrated, tailored climate information and its delivery that fills a gap in the existing information landscape and meets the specific needs of NESP stakeholders.