ClimSA Climate Station Training Strengthens Climate Resilience for Caribbean Regional NHMSs

Saint Lucia, November 27, 2024

Climate and meteorology experts, along with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists from across the Caribbean region, will convene at Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia for a hands-on training workshop on the use of the Climate Station, an advanced climate information system developed by the European Union Joint Research Centre (JRC). Hosted by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in partnership with the JRC, this workshop marks a significant step toward enhancing regional climate resilience and strengthening national climate data analysis capabilities.

The in-person training conducted by Carolina Arias Muñoz from the JRC, follows a series of virtual sessions held earlier in November, which introduced participants to the Climate Station's tools, including the IMPACT Toolbox for land cover and forestry data, and Jupyter Notebook applications for data processing. The Saint Lucia session will offer practical training on calculating wildfire risks and producing climate-related maps, equipping participants to apply these tools in real-world scenarios within their countries.

Participants at the ClimSA Climate Station Training in Saint Lucia with JRC trainer Carolina Arias Muñoz.

Dr. David Farrell, Principal of CIMH, highlighted the importance of this training for building regional resilience. He stated “With climate change intensifying weather extremes, it is crucial that Caribbean nations have the tools and knowledge to manage and interpret climate data effectively. The Climate Station offers us a platform to improve climate information at both local and regional levels, empowering us to respond more effectively to climate threats and support sustainable development goals.”

This training initiative is part of the EU-funded Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, which aims to strengthen climate data collection, analysis, and utilization across African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. Through the ClimSA Caribbean Programme, the EU supports CIMH and its regional partners in addressing climate challenges that directly affect Caribbean nations, from intensified storms and hurricanes to droughts and wildfire risks.

Head of the European Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, expressed “pride in supporting the Caribbean’s progress towards building climate resilience. She emphasized the pivotal role of this type of training in strengthening the evidence based and science backed approach to decisions towards reducing climate related risks. We consider these trainings of particular importance in supporting the provision of pertinent climate information to decision makers in order to continue efforts to build climate resilience”.

The workshop also reinforces collaborative efforts between Caribbean and European institutions to share resources and expertise. The European Commission’s JRC, which developed the Climate Station, continues to be an essential partner in these efforts. A representative from the JRC noted, "We are proud to partner with CIMH to bring the Climate Station's advanced capabilities to the Caribbean region. By combining our expertise, we aim to enhance the capacity of local meteorological services to analyze climate data more effectively. And we hope to co-develop with them functionalities from the Climate Station that fit their specific regional and national needs".

The Climate Station is already in use at CIMH, with staff trained in its applications for Earth Observation (EO) data analysis. This week’s session will broaden that knowledge to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) within the Caribbean, strengthening the region’s overall climate data infrastructure. By transferring skills and knowledge at the national level, this training ensures that the Climate Station’s tools will continue to support Caribbean climate resilience well into the future.

About The Intra-ACP ClimSA Caribbean Programme

Support for the Intra-ACP ClimSA Caribbean Programme is provided by the global Intra-ACP ClimSA Programme, an initiative funded by the European Union (EU). The programme aims to improve the production, access to and use of climate information, services, and applications to support evidence-based decision-making across African, Caribbean, and Pacific states empowering them to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts effectively.

Media contacts:
Lyn-Marie Deane, Communications Specialist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) – ldeane@cimh.edu.bb