In many cases, the regional or national projections used stem either from the Global Climate Models (GCMs) employed in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or from statistical or dynamical regional climate downscaling studies. In addition to climate projections that provide future ranges of quantities such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and sea level rise, many users also require scenarios that consider multi-sector impacts and their implications for adaptation planning.

In this context, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Met Office, UK National Meteorological Service, are organizing a three-day workshop on “future climate projections and their applications in South Asia,” as part of the Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC) programme funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

This workshop will bring together researchers, providers, and users of future climate information to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the use and uptake of future climate projections in South Asia.

The objectives of the workshop are as follows:

1. Review existing regional future climate projections and discuss issues arising from their use in impact and adaptation studies;
2. Improve understanding of user requirements for access to and use of future climate projections and formulate next steps for adding value to existing data;
3. Enhance regional networking and support better integration of regional actors; and
4. Inform activities in the ARRCC to improve the utility and use of future climate projections in the region.

The workshop will provide opportunities to discuss the range of projections available for South Asia and scientific challenges in modelling the region’s climate. This workshop will provide opportunities to build on the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) and other relevant regional activities. It will also provide grounds to address concerns about the limited uptake and use of climate services in the region.

The outputs of the meeting will focus on how the feedback from users and their requirements can be met. The workshop will also be an important opportunity to initiate sustainable and effective user engagement with a selection of users in the region that will underpin activities for the rest of the programme.

Workshop participants will include a selection of users – both next-users, intermediaries and end-users – who have some experience using climate projections.

Participation to the workshop is by invitation only.