Norway to increase funding for weather and climate observations
Press release | Date: 12/11/2022 | Last updated: 22/11/2022 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘At a time when we are experiencing dramatic climate change, early warnings of extreme weather events are a vital way of saving lives and crops and reducing material damage,’ said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.
Norway is to double its support for the UN Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF). Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim announced the increase today at the climate summit in Egypt. SOFF will invest in weather stations in the least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). In addition, it will support the development of local capacity to operate weather stations and to exchange weather and meteorological data internationally.
‘Investments in weather observations are highly cost-effective because they can help to prevent loss and damage. The support Norway is providing is part of the effort to better enable the poorest countries to adapt to the changing climate,’ said Ms Tvinnereim.
Efficient early warning systems require access to reliable meteorological observations from all parts of the world. Surface-based weather observations are essential for robust, reliable weather and climate forecasting, particularly in SIDS and other poor countries.
Norway was one of the first eight contributors to pledge support for SOFF when it was established last year, and has made a commitment to provide NOK 25 million for 2022. Norway is now doubling this to NOK 50 million for 2023.
‘One-third of the world’s people are still not covered by early warning systems. Supporting improvements in weather observations in poor countries is therefore an important way of protecting the people who are most vulnerable to climate change,’ said Ms Tvinnereim.