Societal use of seasonal to decadal prediction information: Insights from a large-scale survey of organization in Europe

As climate-related risks intensify across Europe, there is growing demand for decision-relevant information among climate-sensitive organisations. This paper presents findings from a large-scale survey of 1,864 professionals working across sectors, regions, and operational scales in Europe, aimed at assessing how organisations perceive climate risks, use weather and/or climate information, and identify unmet information needs. Results show widespread concern about climate and economic risks, with operational impacts commonly attributed to extreme heat and heavy rainfall. While 77% of respondents actively use weather and/or climate information (primarily for short-term planning), the uptake of long-term climate information, such as climate projections and decadal predictions, remains low. Organisations access different types of climate information from diverse sources. Ordered logit models show that exposure to extreme events is positively associated with greater climate concern and a higher likelihood of engaging in climate risk management. Key drivers of information use include risk to human safety, prior climate-related experience, and regulatory obligations. Among current users, satisfaction with the quality of weather and climate information is high, though affordability, understandability, accessibility, usability, and tailoring remain areas for improvement. Non-users also expressed strong interest in future use, especially regarding high-impact events. These findings underscore the need for weather and climate information services that are not only scientifically robust but also accessible, understandable, and aligned with users’ operational realities and planning horizons. The study highlights persistent barriers to uptake and calls for greater investment in user engagement, training, and tailored service design to enhance climate resilience across sectors in Europe.